AINP Applicants with Federal Skilled Worker Application Already Siubmitted

It is already given that if the candidate has already submitted an application for permanent residence to CIC, such as a Federal Skilled Worker application, they are still eligible to apply to the AINP Family Stream.

There is one important thing that you must consider before filing an application for AINP Family Stream if you already submitted an application under Federal Skilles Worker permanent resident visa application.

When you filed your Federal Skilled Worker permanent resident visa application, what was the destination you have indicated? If it is not Alberta, that may not be considered favorably by AINP.

It is important to establish and convince AINP that you have the real intention of living and working in Alberta. If you failed to do that, there is a great chance that you will never get your nomination.

If the destination you indicated on your Federal Skilled Worker Application is not Alberta, that wouldn't help establish your intention to really settle in Alberta.

Additional Information on AINP Family Stream

Last week, I sent an email to AINP clarifying the settlement funds requirement for the AINP Family Stream Category. Particularly, I asked if funds deposited in a Philippine Commercial banks may be accepted as proof of funds. I received a reply this morning and I want to share the information I've got.

Funds must be in a Canadian financial institution.

If the candidate has already submitted an application for permanent residence to CIC, such as a Federal Skilled Worker application, they are still eligible to apply to the AINP. The candidate must indicate on their AINP application that they have previously applied to CIC. This will enable the AINP and CIC to coordinate and deal with the applications appropriately.

It will take between 6 - 12 months for the AINP office to process applications submitted under the Family Stream. It will take a further 6 - 18 months for permanent residence applications to be processed by CIC. Please note that these processing times may change without notice.

I'll write another entry on how to open a bank account with a Canadian bank from within the Philippines soon.

Update: July 10, 2008
Here's a couple of links where you may find information on how to open a bank account in Canada from within the Philippines:

HSBC Premier - Philippines
HSBC Canada - Opening an account when you're outside Canada.

AINP Family Stream Settlement Funds Requirement

After the news about Alberta's Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) Family Stream category was released on June 19, 2008, I received a lot of emails from clients and readers inquiring about the program.

One of the common questions I received was about the settlement funds requirement-

The Candidate or their spouse or common-law partner (if applicable) or the sponsor must be able to demonstrate that they have the following accessible funds in a recognized Canadian financial institution:

at least CAD $10,000 for the Candidate

CAD $2,000 for each of the Candidate’s dependents (spouse or common-law partner and children)

Does that mean that you have to open a bank account in Canada? Can a non-resident open an bank account in Canada?

I don't think there are other ways to interpret that specific requirement -that the funds must be in a recognized Canadian financial institution. But just the same, I sent an email to AINP clarifying the matter. I'll update this once I received their reply.

But should that be the case, you can actually open an account with HSBC Bank Canada from another country where there are HSBC operations. Contact HSBC Philippines for information on how to open a bank account in HSBC Canada from within the Philippines.

There might be other Canadian banks here in the Philippines where you may open a bank account if that is really necessary. I think there is a Bank of Nova Scotia branch in Makati, too. My boss used to have an account there.

I'll update this entry as soon as I gathered more information.

Family Stream: Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) recently introduced another stream for its Provincial Nominee Program. If you have relatives in Alberta, it will now be easier for you to live and work in Canada!

Alberta now has a Family Stream Category like that of Manitoba. Here are the minimum requirements to qualify.

You can provide proof of a close relative in Alberta (defined as a mother/father, son/daughter, sister/ brother, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew) who is willing to complete a Sponsorship Affidavit of Support on your behalf

Your Sponsor is at least 21 years of age, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (for at least two years) of Canada, and has been living in Alberta for the past two years

Your Sponsor can show their ability to support you by demonstrating employment, private pension or other regular source of income for the past 12 months or a minimum of CAD $15,000 in unencumbered, transferable and available assets (jewellery, cars or other personal assets are not considered) over and above any income received from government transfer payments (e.g. Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, etc.)

You and your spouse or common-law partner are between the ages of 21 and 45

You and your spouse or common-law partner can demonstrate one of the following:

＊You and your spouse or common-law partner have both obtained an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 4.0, or a minimum level of 3 (361-540) on the Test d’evaluation de français (TEF), OR
＊English or French is your primary language of use (the language most commonly used in your household), OR
＊You and your spouse or common-law partner have completed a minimum of a baccalaureate in English or French

You or your spouse or common-law partner can demonstrate completion of a post-secondary education or training program that is a minimum of 1 year in duration and receipt of a degree, diploma or certificate demonstrate one of the following:

＊a minimum of three years of work experience within the past four years, OR
＊three years of full-time post-secondary school within the past four years, OR
＊a combination of three years of full-time work experience and post-secondary school within the past four years

You or your spouse or common-law partner or your sponsor can satisfactorily demonstrate intention and ability to establish successfully in Alberta, based on your accessible funds in a recognized Canadian bank: at least CAD $10,000 for yourself and at least CAD $2,000 for each of your dependents

A limited number of applications per year will be accepted under this stream. When this number is reached, applications will be returned. You better hurry and file your application as soon as possible.

Alberta

Alberta has the second largest proven concentration of oil in the world, the vast majority of which is found in oil sands deposits. It may be considered as the hotbed of economic activity in Alberta. With so many projects underway, it resulted to a more serious labor shortage affecting the province. A popular estimate is that Alberta can expect a labour shortage of 100,000 workers by 2015

There are lots of opportunities for foreign workers seeking employment in Alberta. In fact, the government of Alberta even made a portal for foreign workers where they could search jobs and information about credential assessment and training certification.

Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program is purely an employer driven immigration program where you will need a job offer from a qualified employer. It also has Self Employed Stream subject to the following requirements:

The farm owner/operator category is restricted to primary agriculture enterprises. Priority will be given to applicants purchasing farming enterprises representing the best opportunity for growth relevant to Alberta's agri-food growth targets. Applicants should document their investment intentions through their proposed business plans.

Confirmation of proven farm management skills through personal representation of a combination of the following:

o Financial documentation of their existing farm enterprise.
o Documentation of their education, training and work experience.
o Proposed business plan for the farming enterprise being considered in Alberta.
o Canadian financial institution willingness to finance the proposed farming enterprise.

Commitment to invest a minimum of CDN$500,000 of equity in a farming enterprise in Alberta. The applicant must provide documentation which demonstrates that they have a minimum net worth of CDN$500,000 or confirmation of access to a similar amount of funds from other sources.

Sufficient financial resources to develop a sustainable farming operation. This amount may in many instances exceed the minimum investment specified to qualify under the Farmer PNP category.

Applicants must make personal representation to Alberta Agriculture to demonstrate their financial capability and specific interests in investing in a farming enterprise in Alberta.

To search jobs in Alberta, click here. For Alberta PNP information, click here.

Filipinos in Alberta
Based on the 2006 census, there are about 11,145 immigrants in Alberta who came from the Philippines. There is in fact a Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations composed of the following organizations: Alberta Domestic Workers Association, Filipino Nurses Association in Alberta, Filipino Retirees Association in Alberta, PCMS’s ( Kundiman), Philippine Bayanihan Association in Alberta, Philippine Cultural Heritage Society, Philippine Cultural Society, & the Circulo Pampangueno.

Climate
Precipitation ranges from 30 cm in the southeast to 40 - 45 cm in the north, except from the foothills region, where accumulations reach 55 - 60 cm annually.

Sunshine ranges from 1,900 hours annually in the north to 2,300 hours near Lethbridge in the south. Air funnelling through the Rockies also produces warm, dry chinook winds, especially prevalent in southwestern Alberta, that can raise temperatures dramatically within hours.

Temperatures in January range from -8°C in the south to -24°C in the north, and in July from 20°C in the south to 16°C in the north.[Source: 2003 Canadian Encyclopedia]

Cost of Living
Alberta has the lowest over all taxes in Canada. It has lowest top marginal personal income tax rate among the provinces at 39%-29% federal and 10% provincial. And there is no provincial sales tax. However, cost of living in Alberta is higher compare to most of the provinces in Canada.

Need driving direction? Here's MapQuest Canada: Driving Direction and Map of Canada.

For your Canada Visa related questions, please feel free to leave your comments here.