What Will My CAIPS File Tell Me?

Note: CAIPS is used slightly differently in each visa office. The information here defines the typical usage in Canadian visa offices, and may not mirror the usage in your specific visa office.

CAIPS Notes will be useful to you in the following scenarios

1. You have just sent your application:
If you have not received your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), your CAIPS file will most likely not have been created yet, in this case the file request will come back blank.
Some Canada visa offices do not send out AORs as proficiently as others – and so the nonexistence of an AOR might not mean that the CAIPS file has not been produced. Obtaining your file in these situations is tentative, but will verify whether the visa office has started processing your application or not.

2. You have just received your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR):
The CAIPS file will usually have at least one useful piece of information: the file’s official bring forward date will inform you when (in theory) your application will be place on a immigration officer’s desk for formal assessment.

3. You have been invited to interview:
The CAIPS file will have the immigration officer’s notes entered when he evaluates the file and decided whether an interview was required, as well as your early point’s assessment. The CAIPS notes will usually indicate why you need to be interviewed and may give pointers for extra information you will need to present at the interview to argue your immigration case.

4. You have taken your medicals but are still waiting:
The typical reasons for delays after you have taken your medicals are either waiting for the medicals to be rubber stamped, a wait in CSIS (Canadian Security and Intelligence Service) security / background checks (there are not strange for applicants who have travelled extensively or are applying from certain countries), or some absent documentation. CAIPS will point out if security checks have been completed, and what other steps are outstanding if any. Though, it will not show any details about the real processing of your background checks.
Source: www.caips.ca

CAIPS Notes for Canadian Immigration Applicants

For the many thousands of people who have put forward a Canadian immigration application the agonizing wait for news can last months, or in numerous cases years. As time go by, the doubts in the mind of applicant begins to move stealthily in.

Most of the Canadian Immigration applicants wonder that:
1. Did I make a blunder on the application form?
2. Do I truly have enough points to meet CIC's (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) requirements?
3. When will a visa officer next evaluate my file?

The thing which make matters poorer, that the regional visa office where the application is being processed will generally not permit to respond to questions from applicants eager for news.

However, what many people don't understand is that they can get precious information about the status of their application without bothering the visa office that is handling their case. CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) runs a computer system known as CAIPS (Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System). CAIPS is used to manage immigration applications being processed exterior of Canada. Every time a modification is made to a visa application, the details are recorded in the CAIPS system. For a little fee individuals can get a computer printout from the CAIPS system which may show the status of their file.

There are a lot of scenarios where obtaining your CAIPS notes can be helpful, so the big question is WHEN and WHY you should request your CAIPS notes?

1. If you have been asked to go to an interview, requesting your CAIPS notes can assist you to get ready. They may point out why the interview has been requested.

2. If you feel that you have not heard anything for a remarkable amount of time, requesting your CAIPS notes can assist you to ensure that your application is still on track.

3. If you have put forward additions or changes to your application, e.g. adding an additional dependant to the application after the birth of a child, requesting your CAIPS notes may facilitate you to check that your addition has been received and the details added to your file.

4. If you are just interested as to how your application is progressing, requesting your CAIPS notes may give you an idea of when an immigration officer will next evaluate your file.

Possibly the best part about ordering your CAIPS notes is that it will not holdup your application in any way. These requests are hold by a government office in Ottawa, Canada and are independent of the visa office handling your case.

Household Expenses in Canada

More than half of a person's take-home salary will go to household expenses.
The household expenses include:

1. Housing (Apartments etc) See the rates of Apartments in Canada on different websites which are offering apartments in Canada.
2. Heating and utilities
3. Food
4. Clothing
5. Health Insurance
6. Transportation
7. Car Insurance
8. Housing, Heating and Utilities

Housing:
In Canada, you can be expecting to spend 35% to 50% of your income on housing. This is supposed to be including the cost of fare of apartment, electricity, heating, telephone service, and water.
Many newcomers in Canada choose to rent an apartment on a monthly basis. Rent of Apartments in Canada costs vary across cities and across Canada. You can expect to pay between $375 a month to rent a room and up to $2,500 a month to rent a luxury apartment or a large house in Canada. Housing or Apartments may cost less outside large cities.
If you want to purchase a house in Canada, you will probably need to get a long-term loan called a mortgage. Banks and other financial institutions in Canada provide mortgage loans. They make a decision whether the borrower has enough income, more assets than debts, and a good recognition rating. Most of the banks or financial institutions in Canada will ask you to pay at least 10% of the cost of the house or apartment from your own money. Besides your mortgage payments, you will also have to pay for property tax and household insurance.

Food Expenses
Food costs make up approximately one-eighth of your take-home pay. This can twofold if you often eat in restaurants, buy costly treats, or include cigarettes and alcohol as part of your food budget. Alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive in Canada for the reason that they are heavily taxed.

Clothing Expenses
Clothing is also an essential expense for human beings. Clothing expenses may be below 10% of your take-home pay. Some people purchase from re-sale shops. These shops put up for sale used clothing and furniture at very low cost.

Health Insurance
Some provincial and territorial health programs may not cover some beginners for their first three months in Canada. Make sure with the province or territory to see if you will need to acquire an additional health program.

Transportation Expenses
Many Canadian families possess one or more cars. Canadians often buy their cars new or used or they lease them. Make sure all of the costs before you make a decision to buy or lease a car.
When you have possession of a car you will have to pay for the car's gas, maintenance, monthly loan payments, registration, and insurance.
When you lease a car in Canada, you will sign a contract to have the car for a set period of time. You will pay the similar costs as you do in owning a car.

Car Insurance
It is the law in Canada that all cars must be insured and registered with the provincial or territorial motor vehicle licensing agency where you reside. Car insurance can be costly, but it protects you and other drivers of your car in case of a mishap. In most provinces, you can get more information by calling the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Sales Taxes in Canada

In Canada it is widespread to add sales taxes to the price of goods and services. General goods and services taxes include:

1. Goods and Services Tax (GST)
GST is a tax for Government of Canada which is added to the price of goods and services. It is 5% of the value of goods or services.

2. Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
PST is added in most provinces of Canada and will range from an extra 7% to 10%. Nunavut, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon do not have provincial or territorial sales taxes.

3. Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
In some provinces of Canada, the GST is combined with the PST, and is called the HST.

Pay Deductions in Canada

In Canada, there are routine deductions on most pay checks. A deduction is an amount of money will automatically be removed from your pay by your employer for the following contributions. These deductions could lessen your pay by as much as 25% to 35% of your total income.

This money will go towards:

1. Income taxes
2. Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan
3. Employment Insurance
4. Union dues - if you belong to a union
5. Contributions to a retirement or pension plan
6. Any other necessary or agreed upon deductions between you and your employer

Cost of Living in Canada

This information regarding cost of living in Canada will assist you to calculate approximately how much it will cost you to live in Canada.

Your life in Canada possibly will be different than your home country. You may have to get a job with a lesser salary while you improve your skills or get experience working in Canada. Your standard of living may change in Canada when your financial status will be changed. Though you may be getting a higher salary in Canada, the expenditure of living may be higher.

Following are the main areas you have to bear the burn of
  • Housing (Apartments in Canada), Heating and Utilities
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Transportation
  • Car Insurance

4. Occasional Important Expenses

Source: http://www.goingtocanada.gc.ca

Canada will uphold immigration levels for the year 2009

In the start of 2009, Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney stated that Canada was considering decreasing the number of Immigrants in 2009. This was for the reason that economic uncertainty and unemployment was prevailing in certain parts of the country.

At that time, minister Kenney said that Canada doesn’t want newcomers coming to Canada and face unemployment due to current economic inflation worldwide. So Canada might decrease the number of Immigrants in 2009.

In January, Minister Kenney had planned a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts at the end of March for the assessment of Canada's labor market needs and concludes whether immigration numbers should be reduced.

Many happy returns!
In that meeting, Minister Kenney has decided that the want for immigration to Canada remains strong. Because Canada is facing a long-term labor deficiency so the government is not going to turn off the immigration tap merely to have to turn it back on afterward. The provinces of Alberta and British Columbia alone are going to need an additional 610,000 foreign workers during the next five years, he went on to say, as old workers which constitute nearly 55% of total workers retire and their economy will continue to expand.

The Immigration target of Canada for 2009 will therefore remain at 250,000.

New citizenship law of Canada

Canada’s fresh citizenship law took effect on April 17, 2009. The law reinstates or gives citizenship to a lot of people who lost it or didn’t possess it due to obsolete provisions in previous legislation. It also defends the worth of Canadian citizenship for the future by limiting citizenship by descent.

The changes implemented in new citizenship law of Canada mean that

1. A lot of people who became Canadian citizens on or after January 1, 1947, when the primary citizenship act took effect, and who after that lost their citizenship, will have their status reinstate back to the day they lost it.

2. A number of people might have lost it when they left the country. Others, who born outside Canada, may have cease to be Canadian by not taking steps to keep hold of their citizenship.

3. This law will also grant citizenship to those who have never been Canadian, but who are part of the first age group born outside Canada on or after January 1, 1947, to a Canadian parent. Their citizenship will be restored and reactivated to their date of birth.

4. With a few exceptions, the new law will limit citizenship by descent to one generation take birth outside Canada. This means that children born to Canadian parents in the first generation out of Canada will simply be Canadian at birth if:
  • One of the parents was born in Canada.
  • One parent became a Canadian citizen by immigrating to Canada and was later granted citizenship of Canada through naturalization.

This limit will not be applied for a child born outside Canada in the second or subsequent generations if, at the time of the child’s birth, their Canadian parent is working out of Canada for the Canadian government, a Canadian province or serving out of Canada with the Canadian armed forces.

Note: Nobody will lose his citizenship as a result of these amendments and everybody who was a Canadian citizen on April 16 will keep his citizenship. The government will go on to address exceptional cases separately and on a case-by-case basis.

Source: The official website of Canadian Immigration: http://www.cic.gc.ca

2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists is a highly demanded occupation in Canada. It also comes in 38 required occupations for Canadian Immigration.

Overview:
Geologists, geochemists and geophysicists arrange and accomplish programs of exploration and research to widen information of the structure, composition and processes of the earth, to place and identify hydrocarbon, mineral and groundwater resources, to map and put into practice programs of hydrocarbon and mineral taking out and to evaluate and alleviate the consequences of development and waste disposal projects on the atmosphere and environment. They are engaged by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology, geophysics and engineering firms and by governments and instructive institutions or they might be self-employed.

Example Titles of 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists:

  • Development Geologist

  • Environmental Geologist

  • Exploration Geologist

  • Geochemist

  • Geologist

  • Geophysicist

  • Glaciologist

  • Groundwater geologist

  • Hydrogeologist

  • Hydrologist

  • Mine geologist

  • Mineralogist

  • Oceanographer

  • Paleontologist

  • Petroleum geologist

  • Petrologist

  • Sedimentologist

  • Seismologist

  • Stratigrapher
Main duties of 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists:
Geologists, geochemists and geophysicists execute several or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct theoretical and applied research to expand information of surface and subsurface features of the earth, its past and the operation of physical, chemical and biological systems that control its development.

  • Plan, direct and play a part in geological, geochemical and geophysical field studies, drilling and geological testing programs.

  • Plan, direct and take part in seismic, electromagnetic, magnetic, gravimetric, radiometric, radar and other remote sensing programs.

  • Plan, direct and take part in the examination of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections.

  • Develop applied software for the analysis and understanding of data.

  • Plan, direct and take part in the analysis of core samples, drill cuttings and rock samples to recognize chemical, mineral, hydrocarbon and biological composition and to assess depositional environments and geological age.

  • Assess the size, orientation and composition of mineral ore bodies and hydrocarbon deposits.

  • Make out deposits of construction materials and decide their characteristics and appropriateness for use as real aggregates, road fill or for other applications.

  • Assess the movement of ground and surface waters and recommend in areas such as waste management, route and site assortment and the restoration of impure sites.

  • Recommend the attainment of lands, exploration and mapping programs and mine development.

  • Perform geological and geophysical studies for regional development, site selection and the expansion of public works projects.

  • Recognize and anticipate natural risks for instance slope erosion, landslides, soil instability, subsidence, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

  • May oversee and co-ordinate well drilling, completion and work-overs and mining actions.

  • Geologists may specialize in the following fields:
    Coal geology
    Environmental geology
    Geochronology
    Geomorphology or surficial geology
    Geotechnics, hydrogeology
    Marine geology
    Mineral deposits or mining
    Mineralogy
    Paleontology
    Petroleum geology
    Petrology
    Sedimentology
    Stratigraphy or Biostratigraphy
    Structural geology or Tectonics
    Volcanology or in other fields

  • Geochemists may specialize in analytical geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, and mineral or petroleum geochemistry or in other fields.

  • Geophysicists may focus in earth physics, oceanography, petroleum or in other fields.
Employment requirements for 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists:1. A university degree in geology, geochemistry, geophysics or a associated discipline is requisite.
2. A master's or doctoral degree in geophysics, physics, mathematics or engineering might be required for employment as a geophysicist.
3. Registration as a expert geologist or professional geophysicist by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers or geologists and geophysicists is often necessary for employment and to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
4. Geologists and geophysicists are entitled for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program and after some years of supervised work experience and, in some provinces, after passing a professional practice examination.
5. In several provinces or territories those who are not graduates of an accredited educational program are entitled for registration after completing a six- to eight-year term of supervised employment and productively passing examinations.
6. Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group need experience.

Additional information about 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists:

  • Mobility between specializations in this group is likely with experience.

  • Advancement is likely to management positions in mining, petroleum and other industries.
Source: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca

IELTS General or IELTS Academic for Canada Immigration?

For the IELTS writing and reading tests, there are two kinds of IELTS test i.e. ‘IELTS General Training’ and ‘IELTS Academic’. Always keep in mind that only the IELTS General Training tests are accepted for CIC and Canada Immigration purposes.

For Canadian Immigration, IELTS or any other language test results must not be older than one year at the time of application. Canadian Immigration Officer establishes these test results as decisive evidence of the applicant’s proficiency in that language.

If you have any query regarding Canadian Immigration you may ask it in comments to get quick assistance from Immgration experts.
Source: The official website of Canadian Immigration: http://www.cic.gc.ca

Canada - A Great Place to Live

Canada is one of the most excellent countries in the world to reside, discover and work. From wide-open spaces to the most multi-ethnic places, Canada offers loveliness, diversity and a desirable quality of life. Canada is a place where people can recognize their dreams, where individuals as well as families can get pleasure from a standard of living second to none, and where businesses have the benefit of a spirited edge.

Free and Strong
Canadians are reliable, motivated people who are proud of a victorious and independent country. Canadians want improved lives for themselves, their children and future generations. Canadians believe in patience, justice and always provide a helping hand to the less lucky. More than unfilled promises, equality is preserve in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s Constitution, assure freedom and justice for all.

Multiculturalism and Equality
Canada is a big country in both size and strength of mind. Canada position first among the G7 countries in providing equal chances for individuals, whether natives or a new arrival. Canadians greet immigrants from all over the globe. Nearly all of the world's ethnic groups are represented in Canada, making one of the world’s most multilingual and ethnically diverse societies, with over 105 languages spoken. Canada is also a world leader in incorporating newcomers, with progressive immigration laws extremely favorable to hiring foreign workers.

Obligation to Each Other
Canadians place first-class on health and comfort, and are proud of their universal health system and social safety system that guarantee equitable opportunities for citizens to contribute in the life of their communities and country. This approach is equally a social as well as economic asset. For example, Canadians spend considerably less GDP on health care as compared to their US neighbors. This gives cost benefits that give Canadian businesses a spirited benefit.

What are the benefits of Canada Immigration?

Canada gives a lot of opportunities to all. Below are some of benefits which you can avail if successfully immigrate to Canada

1.Health (LIFE TIME FREE MEDICAL):
Canada has one of the world’s most excellent health care systems. Every citizen and permanent resident of Canada is sheltered by insurance plan of his respective province. The health plan funded by tax measures and gives the world’s top quality necessary health services together with hospital charges and doctors’ fee. All Canadians have free right of entry to health care. Most people over 65 and social aid recipients receive most their medicine and drugs free.

2.Quality of Education (FREE EDUCATION UP TO 12th GRADE):
Canada offers free of charge primary and secondary education and support financially for post-secondary studies. Every child must be present at school until the age of 16 to 17 years. 95% of the Canadian children go to the public funded schools, which are free. Canada spends more on education if compared to any developed nation. The educational system differs from province to province and comprise six to eight years of basic school, four years of secondary school and three or four years at the university level.

3.Child Benefits (CHILD BENEFITS FOR EVERY CHILD IN CANADA):
Up to boundary of 17, every child gets monthly payments from Canadian Government depends on his /her parents’ income. This fund is given to each child in Canada for superior life and education.

Importance of the Internet for job searches in Canada

Almost one-third of Canadians originate their current job via the internet according to a recent study released by a statistical company (Kelvin Canada). The index is an end result of a survey of 106,000 respondents in 33 countries, including Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Chinese and the citizens of Arabian countries as well.

According to Kelvin 32% of foreigners in Canadian companies found employment online from their home countries which is more than any other medium.

The survey as well reported that online recruitment is considered by candidates to be a improved way to find a job in Canada, with 91 percent satisfied with the outcome compared with 9 percent of participants satisfied with customary written and posted applications.

The outcome is on-line for both Canadian employers and international job seekers, as the increasingly persistent internet dominates the job search prospect.

New online services by CIC for international students in Canada

Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney announced on April 7, 2009 that International students in Canada are now able to apply online to get extension in their study permit or apply for a work permit of Canada.

In addition, students who achieve skilled work experience after graduation perhaps eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Immigration category of Canadian Experience Class.
International students can access the new e-Services by CIC at
www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/index.asp

Taxes in Canada

Deductions and taxable benefits in Canada
Regardless of the fact that you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, when you will be hired, your employer will take away money from your pay check to pay for the following.

1. Income tax:

All Canadian residents who are old sufficient to go to work must file an income tax return each year, whether they got any money or not. That is the rule. If you are working for an employer, a proportion of your pay check will be subtracted and sent to the federal government to cover the income tax that you have to pay. If extra is deducted, you will get a repayment. If you paid too small, you will have to give more. This cash helps disburse the cost of government services.

2. Canada Pension Plan:
A little part of your income check goes into this plan. When you give up work in old age, you will be given a monthly pension from the federal government. The quantity of that amount will vary according to how many years you worked in Canada before retiring and what your income was.

3.Employment insurance:
When you are functioning at work, a little percentage of your pay check will be subtracted each month to put your name in the Employment Insurance Account. Your employer makes a payment to the account as well. Employment insurance gives cash to adequate, jobless Canadian residents for a short time, at the same time as they look for a new job or get some training to learn new skills.

4.Taxable benefits:
Your employer might give some benefits such as special medical care, life insurance, a private pension plan or a dental plan that are taxable.

5.Union dues:
If you are in a union, and the union has an accord with your employer, some cash will be subtracted to pay for the union dues.

Job finding in Canada - after landing

In Canada, full-time jobs are widespread. Though, a rising number of citizens have part-time or temporary jobs. Women make up a big segment of the work force and several have significant, senior positions.

Canadians may change their jobs and careers more than a few times. This is often an individual’s choice. From time to time people must change jobs since the economic situation changes. For these and other reasons, getting a job is not effortless. Many people find work after a great struggle.

Newcomers to Canada seldom enter the job market quickly and often have to start with jobs under the skill level they worked at in their home country. Once they have Canadian job understanding and their aptitude in English or French improves, so do they find a job of their respective profession?

Canada visa office Beirut, Lebanon

Canada visa office Beirut, Lebanon is a Satellite of Canadian Visa Office Damasus, Syria. This office deals with the visa applications of Immigrants, Visitors, Workers and Students.

Location of Canadian Visa Office Lebanon:
Immigration Section
The Canadian Embassy
434 Jal El Dib Highway
Coolrite Building
Jal El Dib
Beirut, Lebanon

Mailing Address of Canada Visa office Lebanon:
Immigration Section
The Canadian Embassy
P.O. Box 60163
Jal-el-Dib
Beirut
Lebanon

Telephone Numbers of Canada Visa Office Beirut Lebanon:
Immigration Tel.: (961-4) 713-900
Mission Tel.: (961-4) 713-900
Immigration Fax: (961-4) 710-594
Mission Fax: (961-4) 710-595

Office Hours of Canada Visa Office Beirut Lebanon:
Friday: 08:00 - 13:30
Monday: 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday: 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday: 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday: 08:00 - 16:30

Canada Visa Office Beirut Lebanon is open to the public from Monday to Thursday (8:00 am to 11:00 am) for temporary and permanent resident visas/visitors/students/workers and frequent residents. In addition, this visa office is open to the community Monday to Thursday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for general inquiries. Fridays are closed to the public, open only for appointments.

Lebanon Canada Immigration – Good News

Lebanese nationals applying to immigrate to Canada may perhaps select the visa office as their main point of service in Beirut, Lebanon.

This change follows the announcement of last year, which gave immigration applicants from Lebanon the alternative to have their interviews conducted in their home country in spite of have to travel to Syria. Canada is now expanded the services offered in Beirut, Lebanon to give citizens of Lebanon access to all visitor and immigration services.

Before the implementation of this change, Beirut’s visa office only processed temporary residence applications of Canada. As of March 31, the majority of permanent residence applicants living in Lebanon now have the option to either be served by the visa office in Beirut, Lebanon or in Damascus, Syria, as their focal point of contact.

Federal Skilled Worker applicants will require putting forward their application somewhere else i.e. to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, which is the procedure for all applicants in this class.

Lebanese Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsoring their family will keep sending their applications to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. On their application form, they will be capable of selecting the Canadian Visa office in Beirut as their primary point of service.

The visa office in Beirut, Lebanon will accept applications, reply to inquiries, collect fees, provide visas and return supplementary documents to applicants. Two extra members of locally engaged staff will be added to accommodate this service expansion.

Applicants entail an interview can continue to choose whether to be interviewed in Damascus Syria or Beirut Lebanon. As is present case, immigration officers will take a trip from Damascus to Beirut to conduct the interviews.

Congratulations to all citizens of Lebanon.

Source: CIC

Canada declare support for Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Muslim youth in Canada will have the chance to contribute in two projects that will help address issues around prejudice and promote cross-cultural sympathies, thanks to support from the Canadian Government.

These two projects were announced by Canadian Minister of State (Status of Women) Helena Guergis and Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. They are being synchronized by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will give $441,000 for a plan called “MY CANADA.” It gives Muslim youth crosswise Canada the chance to contribute in activities such as multi-faith sessions for Muslim and non-Muslim youth in community centers and schools to teach peace building and inter-cultural conversation and clash resolution skills. It also encourage integration and active participation of Muslims in Canadian society.

Standing of Women Canada will give $314,000 for a project called “Being a Canadian Muslim Woman in the 21st Century.” It will center on preparing young Muslim women in Canada to lead and participate in a number of workshops with their educators and non-Muslim and male peers to discuss violence, discrimination, and human rights.