January 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

January 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

Six months from now, Centralized Intake Office will temporarily stop accepting new applications (without arranged employment) under Federal Skilled Worker program. Through another ministerial instruction, a new list of in-demand occupations will be set for priority processing. If your application is not yet filed, this means you still have ample time to send your application to CIO!

January 2011 Visa Bulletin

CIO Online Inquiry | Check your application status

Last month, the 1,000 cap for nurses has been reached and all applications received past the 1,000 cap will be returned unprocessed. If you're a nurse who sent an application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) and is wondering what's the status of your application, there is actually a way to check your application status. No, do not send email to FSW-Centralized-Intake-Office@cic.gc.ca, you will not receive a reply from that email account.

You can contact Federal Skilled Worker Client Service Unit through their online inquiry form.

You will receive an email from FSW-Sydney-Search-Enquiry@cic.gc.ca so make sure you add this address to your contact list and better yet, create an email filter to make sure it doesn't go to your spam folder.

This CIO Online Inquiry form of course applied also to all who have sent applications to CIO and not just for nurses. Of course, you have to make sure first that your application was in fact received by CIO by checking with your courier before making an inquiry.

2011 is the year of the rabbit | What's in it for you?

According to Chinese Horoscope, 2011 is the year of the rabbit. They say the year of the rabbit is a peaceful year, as rabbit is traditionally associated with peace. How do you think will this affect Canada's immigration program?

Year of the rabbit inspired stamp from Canada Post

According to a very reliable feng shui expert, Canada's immigration program will be more flexible, faster and transparent. There will no more visa refusals because the visa officer is not convinced you will return after your authorized stay.

But you know I'm kidding, right? :-)

Happy new year, everyone!