AINP Family Stream and U.S. Visa Holder Category Close

Bad news for those with relatives in Alberta waiting for the AINP Family Stream to open again.  Canadian Immigration Consultancy have just received an email from AINP Office:

"The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has now permanently closed the Family Stream and U.S. Visa Holder category.  

The closure of these two categories allows the AINP to better align the program with many of the changes taking place to Canada’s immigration system.  These categories were suspended in 2010 to allow the program to focus on nominating temporary foreign workers for permanent residency who are already here working and addressing immediate labour needs.

Final decisions have been made on all U.S. Visa Holder category applications received prior to the suspension and applicants have been informed.  Only a few Family Stream applications remain in the final stage of assessment; these applicants have been notified that a decision on their application is imminent. 
The AINP is an important program, and will continue to play an integral role in supporting our province’s economic growth. The AINP will focus on nominating those individuals who will provide the greatest economic benefit to Alberta.

For those whose clients are interested in family reunification, the option is the federal Family Sponsorship Class."

Important Update: Refund from CIO

We have just received an email from FSWFeeReturn@cic.gc.ca in response to our inquiry regarding the refund on processing fee.  This applies to all applicants from the Philippines. 

This message is in response to your inquiry about the return of the immigration fees paid in relation to your FSW application to immigrate to Canada.

Most fees are being returned in the form of a cheque from the Receiver General of Canada.  However, as a result of banking restrictions on foreign cheques in your country of residence, you will not be able to cash a Receiver General cheque issued from Canada.  Alternative payment options are currently being investigated by CIC.

In the mean time, the only payment option available to you is to request that fees be returned to someone else who is not residing in your country of residence.   If you choose this option, please complete another “Return of Processing Fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee or Right of Landing Fee” form at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5741E.pdf and designate an alternate payee.  The form must be signed by the principal applicant for CIC to proceed with the payee change.

Fees will be returned in the appropriate currency known to be accepted in the recipient’s country of residence.  The exchange rate will be calculated on the date of the fee return.            

We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences of the delays you are experiencing and are doing our best to expedite the fee return process.

Thank You,

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

If you are one of those waiting for the refund from CIO, this explains the delay.  If you know someone in Canada whom you can trust, you may designate them to expedite the process.

Gateway To Canada Supports Teddy Casino!

May 2 is Teddy Day!  Gateway to Canada supports Teddy Casino, who is running for Senator. I hope you'll excuse this post. 

Somehow, Teddy's agenda is no different from the reasons why Filipinos immigrate to Canada.  The current economic and political situation in the Philippines is one of the major factors why we chose to immigrate.  We all want a better quality of life.  But with the current set-up, where only the rich and powerful gets elected in the Senate, the powers-that-be are able to maintin the status quo: the rich gets richer, the poor gets poorer.  But this must be stopped!

This coming May 13, 2013, let us all make that one vote count.  Let's vote for Teddy Casino (#6 in the ballot) for Senator and put a KARANIWANG TAO in the Senate.  Know more about Teddy Casino by visiting http://www.teddycasino.org/.  If you believe and agree with his advocacy, let us ask our friends and relatives to vote for Teddy.  Karaniwang tao ang maglalagay ng karaniwang tao sa Senado. Salamat po!

CIC Now in Alabang!

Canadian Immigration Consultancy Alabang Office will be opened officially on May 8, 2013.  Come and visit us at our new office!

 

Canadian Immigration Consultancy - Alabang Branch is located at Unit 4, G/F New Alabang Centro Alabang Zapote Road (Alabang Junction). Near Jollibee and Red Ribbon.  

Interested to live and work in Canada?  Find out which program is suitable for you. Attend our Information Seminar: Ways to Immigrate to Canada this coming May 18, 2013.