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Changed: Recruitment Efforts for Labour Market Opinion (LMO) applications

Source: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

On January 1st, HRSDC announced Recruitment Efforts requirements that would replace the various regional Occupations Under Pressure lists. These new requirements are national and categorized based on National Occuational Classification (NOC) skill levels. Each level has specific timeframes or other posting requirements and are explained in detail on the HRSDC website.

New: Work Permit applications sent to Vegreville: Two Streams

Source: Citizenship & Immigration Canada

CIC announced that work permit applications sent to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville should be addressed to the relevant processing stream: Unit 202 is responsible for work permit extensions with the same employer; Unit 203 is responsible for work permit applications for new employers. Applications made to Unit 203 are processed faster.. Addresses are included in the application guides on the CIC website.

Improved: NAFTA work permits now 3 years at a time

Source: Citizenship & Immigration Canada

CIC announced that NAFTA Professional work permits may now be issued for up to 3 years at a time. Previously, these permits were only issed for a maximum of 1 year at time. This reduces the renewal stress on employees and employers, saving efforts required to prepare renewals and money spent on work permit fees.

Improved: TN visas now 3 years at time

Source: U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS)

CIS increased the duration of TN visas to 3 years at a time. TN visas were previously only issued for a maximum of 1 year at a time. As with the NAFTA Professional work permits (the Canadian equivalent of the TN), this reduces time and effort for employees and employers.

New: Electronic visa waiver system

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The visa waiver system is now electronic. Citizens of visa waiver countries must apply for the waiver on-line; this system replaces the paper form that was previously used. The visa waiver is valid for 2 years and there is no application fee.

Updated: Federal Skilled Worker program for permanent residence

Source: Citizenship & Immigration Canada

CIC introduced stricter requirements for people wishing to apply for permanent residence using the Skilled Worker program. Applicants must: 1) have already been in Canada as a worker or student, or 2) have an offer of arranged employment, or 3) have at least one year of experience in one of the preferred occuations. Full list and details on the CIC website.

Migration during the economic downturn

Source: The Economist

As the economic situation worsens, so does the impact on migrants. Migrants face job losses more acutely and many consider emigration back to their home countries. As migration slows, so does the flow of talent between countries.

International experience and skills critical

Source: ORC Worldwide

This survey reports the importance of internation experience and multicultural skills in this global economy. Doing business effectively internationally in dependent on executives with global experience. It is no longer an asset but a required skillset.

Canadian foreign post indexes

Source: Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada published the post living indexes for government employees working outside Canada. Similar to cost of living indexes, these numbers are calculated using a common basket of goods purchased in the host country vs Canada.

Think Ahead

Back to Basics: Canadian Immigration for HR Professionals

Hosts: Think Relocation Consulting and Global Steps Relocation Consulting
Date: March 11, 2009

Explore the ever-changing area of Immigration from a HR Professional's perspective. The Immigration Basics workshop has been designed to cover the theoretical and the practical, giving you enough information to be knowledgeable, but not overwhelmed. Our focus is on empowering HR Professionals to manage these complex issues, whether it's by building this expertise in-house or knowing enough to effectively manage external consultants.

Webinar: Building Relationships with Canadians through effective communications

Host: GMAC Global Relocation Services
Dates: January 29, 2009

This webinar examines the Canadian workplace and gives practical advice for professionals relocating to Canada or doing business in Canada.

Get all the latest Immigration and Relocation Events on our website.

Think Tank

Read it and pass it on

Read any good books lately? If you have, bet you'd be happy and excited to tell someone about it. Or maybe even go a step further and write a review. Or maybe go a step even further and lend it to someone, or give it to someone?

There's nothing like a good book to capture your imagination, fill your brain with facts, or teach you something new.Share that feeling of being entertained or of learning. Ttell someone at work about it. Write a review on a blog or book site. Or if you're really passionate, pass along that book to someone else. We often buy a book, read it, and then let it sit on a shelf and never pick it up again. Let that book have a longer life and pass it on. By giving the gift of a great book, you're saving the recipient the energy of finding it themselves and saving them the money of buying it themselves. It's good karma and no doubt, a book will come back your way one day, too.

And don't forget about the public library. An ancient but oh-so-efficient idea of reading it and passing it on. Check out books, join book clubs and just enjoy wandering the stacks.

Happy Reading,

Marlene
Principal, Think Relocation Consulting

Copyright 2006 Think Relocation Consulting