Omega Immigration Services

Government of Canada launches the Global Skills Strategy.
Two Weeks application processing in most cases and enhanced customer service
Program facts
• Companies applying for workers through the Global Talent Stream now have access to a new streamlined process that provides eligible employers with:
o priority processing of applications and a client-focused service for the development of the Labor Market Benefits Plan, with a service standard of 10 business days; and
o Flexible recruitment requirements.
• Two-week work permit processing will be available to workers applying from overseas whose employers have been approved to hire a foreign worker through Global Talent Stream, as well as foreign nationals with jobs at skill type 0 (executive, managerial) or skill level A (professional) of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) applying through the International Mobility Program. The two-week service standard would also apply to immediate family members accompanying high-skilled workers to Canada.
How to benefit from the Global Skills Strategy
The Global Skills Strategy can help you get workers faster with:
• a two-week processing time for 80% of work permit applications
• work permit exemptions for highly-skilled workers on short-term work assignments and for researchers involved in a short-duration research project in Canada
• a dedicated service channel for companies looking to make large, job-creating investments in Canada
Definition of Unique and Specialized Talent for Category A of the Global Talent Stream
For Category A of the Global Talent Stream, innovative firms must be referred by one of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s designated referral partners and be seeking to hire unique and specialized talent. Unique and specialized talent is indicated by:
Advanced knowledge of the industry;
Advanced degree in an area of specialization of interest to the employer; AND/OR
Minimum of five years of experience in the field of specialized experience; AND
A highly paid position with a salary of usually $80,000 or more.
Global Talent Occupations List for Category B of the Global Talent Stream
For Category B of the Global Talent Stream, employers must hire highly-skilled foreign workers to fill positions in occupations found on the following list:
0213 Computer and information systems managers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2283 Information systems testing technicians
Sub-set of 5241* Digital Media and Design

Saskatchewan Advises Entrepreneurs about future Immigration Draws for 2017 & 2018
The Saskatchewan immigration office has taken an unprecedented step in advising candidates exactly when it will be making draws for its Entrepreneur program.
Consequent upon most recent draw on May 24, 2017, officials have further informed that 2017 draws will be made on July 19 and October 18, while the first draw of 2018 will be made on January 17.
The advanced information of draws gives Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) candidates an opportunity to get their applications in order with a target date to complete their files.
Previously draws have taken place without the dates being advertised ahead of time.
The SINP Entrepreneur stream is a three-stage process:
1. Submission of Expression of interest
2. Invitation to submit applications
3. Nomination by the province
The expression of interest must meet the following minimum requirements:
• Minimum net worth of $500,000 legally acquired.
• Minimum of three years of entrepreneurial or relevant management experience.
• Investment of at least $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon, or $200,000 is any other Saskatchewan area.
Candidates enter a pool where they receive a score. The top scoring candidates are invited to submit an application.
Applications must include:
• Business Establishment Plan confirming figures in expression of interest, and including at least one third ownership of a company in Saskatchewan, unless investment is $1 million or higher.
• Commitment to be active in day-to-day management of business.
• Creation of two or more jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if the business is located in Regina or Saskatoon.
The SINP website says: “Please note that the SINP reserves the right to have Business Establishment Plans assessed by professional third parties identified by the government of Saskatchewan. The assessment conducted by third parties will focus on the preparation and due diligence conducted by the applicant in preparing their proposed business plan.”

Two-Year temporary residency rule abolished for Spousal Sponsorship in Canada

Canada has abolished the family sponsorship immigration condition that required sponsored spouses and partners to live with their sponsor for two years to keep their Canada immigration status.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says the move is being taken to tackle concerns with many people choosing to remain in abusive relationships because they are afraid of losing their permanent resident status.
The rule change applies to any Family sponsorship candidate subjected to the previous requirement and all new spouses and partners being sponsored as permanent residents.
This step was meant to prevent people from using marriages of convenience or relationships to immigrate to Canada.
Although the rule exempted spouses and partners who were victims of abuse, however, it was a paper rule only and in reality many of them were forced to stay in relationships to keep their status.
An IRCC statement said: “Even though there was an exception to the condition for people in such situations, it is possible a victim may not have been aware of it or may have chosen to stay in the abusive relationship for a number of reasons.
“Those could include the fear of coming forward, the perceived challenge of proving the abuse or neglect, fear of needing to continue to live with their alleged abuser, or fear of having their status revoked and being removed from Canada if the exception was not granted.”
Pros & Cons
The statement added that the risk of putting people in vulnerable situations was not worth the benefit of imposing conditional permanent residence to expose immigration fraud.
The IRCC statement pointed out that immigration officials are trained to spot whether a relationship is legitimate.
Sponsored people can lose their permanent resident status and can be removed from Canada, if relationship fraud is discovered.
The IRCC spokesperson advised that Sponsored spouses or partners must wait five years from the day they are granted permanent residence in Canada before they themselves are eligible to sponsor a new spouse or partner.
All cases previously requiring a two-year conditional rule will be vacated.