Immigration Notices

Issuance of open work permits for those in the Live-in Caregiver class before the initial approval of their permanent resident application

As of December 15^th, 2011, people who are under the live-in caregiver program who have submitted an application for permanent residence under such class AND have also submitted an application for an open work permit will be issued an open work permit for a duration of up to four (4) years as long as their passports are valid up to four (4) years as well.

Due to the lengthy waiting time for processing a permanent resident application for live-in-caregivers who have completed their eligible work requirement, they have no choice but to work with their employer until they receive the initial approval from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Since it takes, on average, more than 18 months for the initial approval to be completed, the live-in-caregivers may have to work for their employer continuously as live-in-caregivers or even have to find another employer for another two years before they can work with an open work permit.

By submitting their permanent resident application along with their open work permit application, they will be able to receive an open work permit for up to four (4) years even though their application is not approved in principle. While their application is in progress, they will be able to obtain an open work permit to pursue other employment or to allow them to establish their own accommodations outside of their employer's residence.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will check if the applicant has had a work permit as a live-in-caregiver for the past two years when the applicant submits both the permanent resident application AND open work permit application before issuing an open work permit with four (4) year period.

New PhD Eligibility Stream under the Federal Skilled Worker Class

As of November 5^th, 2011, international students pursuing PhD studies at qualified Canadian educational institutions may apply under the Federal Skilled Worker PhD Eligibility Stream.

How to be qualified:

1. Your application MUST be received after November 5^th, 2011 by the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
2. You must be either:
   1. an international student who is currently enrolled in a PhD program, by a qualified Canadian educational institution AND who has completed at least 2 years towards the completion of your PhD AND who is in good academic standing AND who is NOT a recipient of a Government of Canada award requiring you to return to your home country
      OR
   2. a graduate of a PhD program from a qualified Canadian educational institution within 12 months from the date of your application to CIO Sydney, Nova Scotia who is not a recipient of a Government of Canada award requiring you to return to your home country or you have completed such requirement already.
3. You must still meet all other requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker class, as well as the minimum requirements and minimum pass mark in order to be qualified under this stream.

The material in these articles is only for general information. For your specific situation, please consult a professional before you submit your application.