Too incomplete to be assessed | MPNP Application

It looks like that more and more MPNP applications are being returned because it's too incomplete to be assessed. I've been receiving emails from my blog readers asking about it. I actually encountered similar issue with one of my clients few months ago. The problem with this kind of refusal is that MPNP does not identify which documents are lacking.

Here's how the refusal letter looks like:



In my client's case, there is no way that it will be incomplete, considering that we kept a scanned copy of the application forms and supporting documents sent to Manitoba - every single pages of them. As to why is was classified to be TOO INCOMPLETE TO BE ASSESSED is a total mystery. The recourse here is to refile the application. But this is really not fair.

I hope Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is not ending soon like rumored earlier? But why are they refusing an application like they are no longer interested in accepting new applications? Do you have similar experience?

Read more...

Legazpi City, here we come!

For those in the Bicol area who are interested to live and work in Canada, there is no need for you to travel to Manila. We will be going to Legazpi City on September 26, 2010 to conduct a Live and Work in Canada information seminar!

Here's the seminar details:

Venue: PIPDC Review Center
3/F Rex Hotel Aguinaldo St.,
Legaspi City (Near St. Raphael Church)
Date: Sept 26, 2010 | Sunday 2pm)
Reg Fee: P500 / head

The purpose of this Live and Work in Canada Seminar is to provide you information about opportunities in Canada. There would also be a one-on-once consultation to address your specific concerns and assess your qualifications.

Click here to reserve your seat online.

Read more...

Expired IELTS | Returned Application from CIO

IELTS Examination Results do not expire, it's the institution requiring the IELTS Examination that sets up a period of time in which the results may be accepted. In the case of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, particularly the Centralized Intake Office (CIO), they strictly require that your IELTS Examination Results should not be more than one year at the time of submission of your application.

An expired IELTS Examination Result will result to a returned application, unprocessed.


An excerpt from a letter from CIO returning the application unprocessed due to expired IELTS Exam results. The application here took the IELTS Exam July 2009 and sent the application to CIO Aug 2010. And CIO still returned the application?!

Apparently, the Visa Office in Manila is more reasonable. They are accepting IELTS Exam result even older than one year. CIO should do the same at least on a case to case basis. Or better yet, make it two years instead of one year only.

It's not like your language proficiency will deteriorate after 13 months. Does it? I hope they change this rule.

Read more...

AINP on Hold (Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category)

Here's a not so good news for those planning to file an application under AINP Family Stream and and the U.S. Visa Holder Category.

The AINP is currently not accepting applications under the AINP U.S. Visa Holder Category and the AINP Family Stream. Applications postmarked after August 23, 2010 will be returned. Applications postmarked on or before August 23, 2010 will be accepted for processing and will be processed according to AINP Processing Times and U.S. Visa Holder Category or Family Stream criteria.

This is in response to current job market conditions in Alberta.

Effective immediately, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) will not accept new applications in the Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category. This change is temporary until further notice.

“Our focus needs to be on jobs for Albertans and Canadians first,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration. “We will continue to process applications for people who have the skills our growing economy needs.”

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program was first introduced to help Alberta build a strong workforce of skilled immigrants. In 2008 the Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category were added. Both these programs were very successful and have resulted in a large number of applications.

The federal government limits the number of people Alberta can nominate for permanent residence. In 2010 Alberta is allowed to nominate 5,000 people. With limited numbers, Alberta's focus will be on nominating people who currently work in permanent jobs and those who have job offers in occupations that are in demand in Alberta.

Alberta will continue to accept immigration applications in the following areas:

Skilled workers

Semi-skilled workers in certain occupations

International students

Compulsory trades

Engineering occupations; and

Self-employed farmers.

Source: Alberta puts two immigration programs on hold

Read more...

Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program

On December 12, 2009, Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposed improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program aiming to improve improve caregiver protections and to make the transition to permanent residence through the program easier. The proposed amendments became law on April 1, 2010. The changes include:

Expanding the time frame in which caregivers are able to complete their two years of work in order to qualify for permanent residence. Caregivers now have four years to meet the requirements where they previously had three. This offers caregivers more flexibility to deal with life’s unexpected events.

A more flexible assessment of our requirements. Caregivers who work overtime may now use it to their advantage to apply for permanent residence sooner. They may now become eligible after:

3,900 hours over a minimum of 22 months, with a maximum of 390 overtime hours; or

Two years, at regular full-time rates.

Reducing uncertainty faced by caregivers. Some caregivers have been denied permanent residence on the ground that an illness was discovered in a standard second medical examination after a caregiver had completed the requirements of the program. CIC now has the authority to assess medical admissibility in an application for permanent residence based on the medical examination administered before coming to Canada as temporary residents. This means the elimination of the second standard medical examination all live-in caregivers were required to undergo in Canada, after having completed their two years of employment.

More information about the Improvements to the Live-in Caregiver Program here. The elimination of the second standard medical examination for live-in caregivers was inspired by the story and struggle of Juana Tejada, a Filipina caregiver who died in Canada due to illness. Her application for PR Visa was refused due to medical inadmissiblity but she fought for it.

Read more...

August 21 is a Special Non-Working Holiday...

August 21, 2010 was declared by Malacanang as a Special Non-Working Holiday. But you already knew that by now. What you may not know about is the event this coming Saturday, August 21 at Chowking Dagupan City.

I'll be conducting another seminar for those interested to live and work in Canada!

Dagupan City
Aug 21, 2010, Saturday, 10am
Chowking Dagupan City (AB Fernandez Ave)
Registration Fee: P500/head
Reserve Seat Now!

The purpose of the seminar is to provide you information about opportunities to live and work in Canada. You will also learn which immigration program may be applicable to you.

See you on Auguust 21!

Read more...

LIfe is all about timing - Carl Lewis

Mr. and Mrs Pedroso was one of our clients who attended the visa party last Saturday. They have just received their visa and will soon be moving to Canada!

Had they delay their decision longer, they would't have this golden opportunity.

Mrs. Rhea Pedroso is a Certified Public Accountant. When they they learned that her occupation was included in the list of 38 High Demand Occupations, they immediately decided to file their application. And in less than a year, they already got their visa.

The list of high demand occupations was changed last June 2010. Accountants are no longer included in the priority list.

Currently, there are only 29 high demand occupations eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker program. If your occupation is in the list and you are interested to live and work in Canada, you should decide now. The timing of your decision will make a huge difference.

Read more...

House Resolution No. 195 | Training Fee for Nurses

Finally an investigation on the so called training fee for nurses being charged by hospitals. Hats off to Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone for his House Resolution No. 195!

MANILA, Philippines—Is the practice among hospitals to charge training fees by as much as P20,000 on nurses legal?

Eastern Samar Ben Evardone is urging the appropriate committee in the House of Representatives to look into this, raising alarm that hospitals, both government and private, may already be exploiting the nurses.

“Government and private hospitals have exploited the situation by charging as much as P20,000 for a three-month training, hiring and deploying them to staff positions in graveyard shifts and without pay, forcing our helpless nurses to bite the bullet and thereby compounding their miseries,” Evardone’s House Resolution No. 195 said.[Source]

I've been hearing about this training fees for nurses for quite a time now. I often hear this from new nurses who come to our office inquiring about opportunities to live and work in Canada. The first time I heard about it, I really can't believe that it is being allowed. It is simply ridiculous. If it isn't exploitation, I don't know what is.

Unfortunately for these nurses who paid the training fee to have "experience", it won't really help them for their immigrant visa application. Volunteer work is not considered.

If you are newly registered nurse and planning to immigrate to Canada, you need at least one year experience and it doesn't have to be acquired from a hospital. Here's a Guide for Filipino Nurses who want to live and work in Canada.

Read more...

Sponsoring your spouse? Let us help you!

For those asking, we are also providing assistance for Family Class Sponsorship - parents, spouse and kids. Again, there is no fiance visa under Canada's immigration program.

Here's one my clients who was sponsored by her husband.



It took Ms. Michelle R. Gamboa less than 6 months to get her visa. No interview and additional documents were required. The process really went smooth!

Small mistakes cause big problem. Just because you are married, does not automatically guarantee that your application will be approved. We can help you increase your chances of approval.

Read more...

Live and Work in Canada | August 2010 Seminar Schecule

If you are interested to live and work in Canada, attend one of our seminar schedules this August 2010.

Metro Manila
Aug 7, 2010, Saturday, 4pm
Bayview Park Hotel Manila (Roxas Blvd)
Registration Fee: P600/head
Reserve a seat now!


Angeles City, Pampanga
Aug 29, 2010, Sunday, 2pm
Century Resort Hotel Angles City
Balibago Angeles City (near Casino Filipino)
Registration Fee: P500 /head
Reserve a seat now!


Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Aug 21, 2010, Saturday, 10am
Chowking Dagupan City (AB Fernandez Ave)
Registration Fee: P500/head
Reserve Seat Now!


Tarlac City
Aug 14, 2010, Saturday, 2pm
La Maja Rica Hotel
McArthur Highway cor Ligtasan St.
Registration Fee: P500/head
Reserve Seat Now!

By the way, August 2010 Visa Bulletin is now out!

Read more...