Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

International Experience Canada (IEC)

rebeccabtripp

What is IEC?

IEC, or International Experience Canada, is an immigration program designed to give young people a chance to travel and work in Canada. This is made possible by several Youth Mobility Agreements between Canada and over 30 other countries and territories. These agreements are mutual, so young Canadian citizens can also take advantage of this program to travel and work abroad. Citizens of countries without IEC agreements may also be able to take advantage of the program through Recognized Organizations.

 

IEC for Canadians:

 

IEC is not just a great opportunity for foreign citizens to visit and expand their careers or studies in Canada. Since Youth Mobility Agreements are mutual, young Canadian citizens have the opportunity to participate in similar programs around the world. The Government of Canada website offers a helpful page with information on partner countries, programs available and tips on planning a trip abroad. 

 

What are the general requirements for IEC?

 

There are three separate programs for Canada under IEC. Eligibility requirements differ between programs and also depending on your country of citizenship. The most general eligibility criteria, shared by all programs, is age. Participants generally must be aged 18 to 35 years. For some countries, the age limit is 18 to 29 or 30 years old. Participants must also be citizens of a partner country, or affiliated with a recognized organization.

 

IEC Programs:

There are three different programs under which candidates can apply to come to Canada:

Working Holiday

This program is ideal for people looking to explore Canada and work to help fund their stay. The work permit granted in the Working Holiday program is an Open Work Permit, which means it’s not tied to a specific job offer or employer. Rather, holders of an Open Work Permit may work for almost any employer in Canada, with some conditions for certain areas such as healthcare, eldercare, and childcare.

 

Young Professionals:

This program is for professionals looking to come to Canada to further their career. The work permit associated with this program is an Employer-Specific Work Permit. Unlike holders of Open Work Permits, who are able to take different jobs with different employers, this work permit is tied to a specific job. As such, a job offer is necessary to apply, and participants have to work in the same position during their stay in Canada. The job being offered needs to be classified as TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. A job classified under TEER category 4 may qualify if it relates to an applicant’s field of study. 

 

International Co-op (Internship):

This program is aimed at post-secondary students with an offer for an internship or work placement in Canada. The placement or internship being offered must be a requirement to graduate and directly related to a participant’s field of study. Like participants of the Young Professional programs, successful candidates would hold an Employer-Specific Work Permit, and be tied to the same position throughout their stay in Canada.

 

Partner Countries:

Certain programs are only available to citizens of certain countries, and some countries have different age limits. Below is a table of all partner countries, their age limits and availability for each IEC program in Canada: 

Partner Country

Age Limit

Working Holiday

Young Professional

International Co-op

Andorra

18-35

Yes

No

No

Australia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Austria

18-30

Yes

Yes

Yes

Belgium

18-30

Yes

No

No

Chile

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Costa Rica

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Croatia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Czech Republic

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Denmark

18-35

Yes

No

No

Estonia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

France

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Germany

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Greece

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Hong Kong SAR

18-35

Yes

No

No

Ireland

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Italy

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Japan

18-30

Yes

No

No

South Korea

18-30

Yes

No

No

Latvia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Lithuania

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Luxembourg

18-30

Yes

Yes

Yes

Mexico

18-29

Yes

Yes

Yes

Netherlands

18-30

Yes

Yes

No

New Zealand

18-35

Yes

No

No

Norway

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Poland

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Portugal

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

San Marino

18-35

Yes

No

No

Slovakia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Slovenia

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Spain

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sweden

18-30

Yes

Yes

Yes

Switzerland

18-35

No

Yes

Yes

Taiwan

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

Ukraine

18-35

Yes

Yes

Yes

United Kingdom

18-30

Yes

No

No

 This up-to-date version of this table, including helpful links, can be found at the Government of Canada website.

 

Recognized Organizations (ROs):

 

Recognized Organizations allow citizens of non-partner countries to participate in IEC programs. They can also be used by citizens of partner countries to facilitate the process.

 

A list of Recognized Organizations and more information on using ROs to help with IEC can be found on the Government of Canada website. 

Can IEC Lead to Staying in Canada Permanently?

While there are no direct pathways into permanent immigration, participating in an IEC program can be a great way to acquire eligibility for a number of immigration programs. Canadian work experience obtained during an IEC program can help a candidate meet the eligibility criteria for Express Entry programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, as well as several Provincial Nominee programs.

 

For more information on which immigration option is best for you and your business, or for assistance designing your longer-term immigration strategy, reach out to me directly through my contact page. We can set up a consultation to find the immigration option that works best for your specific needs!

 

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post were accurate at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided above. This blog post is not updated on a regular basis.

Co-written by Lucas Almeida and Rebecca Tripp

Originally posted on December 20, 2022

© Copyright The Immigration and Paralegal Law Office of Rebecca B. Tripp. All Rights Reserved.

 

Uncategorized

The differences between a RCIC and RISIA

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Roles of RCICs and RISIAs:

RISIAs, or Regulated International Student Advisors, are international student advisors licensed by the CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants). RISIAs are employed by Colleges and Universities, and can provide advice to international students regarding study permits, temporary resident visas, and other immigration programs related to study permits. While an RISIA can help international students understand their immigration status and options, they cannot act as representatives, help complete immigration forms, or submit applications. 

This is where RCICs, or Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants, step in. In addition to being able to provide immigration advice to anyone, as opposed to just students, RCICs can act as representatives and submit applications on behalf of their clients or help with the completion of immigration forms as immigration coaches. RCICs that have completed a specialization program and obtained a RCIC-IRB class of license can also represent clients before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 

How to become (and remain) an RISIA:

To become an RISIA, a candidate needs to complete the International Students and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP), an intensive 13-week online course delivered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). To be eligible to enroll in the ISIEP, a candidate needs to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have a post-secondary degree or diploma and be employed at a Canadian designated learning institution. Graduates of the program are required to write and pass the Entry-to-Practice exam (EPE) offered by CICC in order to receive their RISIA designation.

To maintain their designation, RISIAs are required to comply with a strict Code of Professional Conduct and complete 6 hours of Continual Professional Development courses every year, in addition to participating in a competency-based assessment process to identify competency gaps in their practice.

How to become (and remain) an RCIC:

To become a RCIC, a candidate needs to complete a graduate diploma program, offered in English by Queen’s University and in French by the Université de Montréal. To gain admission in either program, a candidate needs to hold a Bachelor’s Degree and have earned a minimum of a B average or equivalent. Candidates whose native language is not English will also have to submit satisfactory language scores to be admitted to the program offered by Queen’s University. Candidates to the program offered by the Université de Montréal must show satisfactory skills in both French and English. After graduating from the either program with no course below a B- average, a prospective RCIC must write and pass the College’s Entry-to-Practice Exam (RCIC EPE).

After earning their RCIC designation, an RCIC must complete mandatory Practice Management Education (PME) courses, 16 hours of Continuing Professional Development every year, and participate in a competency-based assessment process to identify competency gaps in their practice. RCICs must also comply with the College’s Code of Professional Conduct.

More information on the roles of RCICs and RISIAs, as well as on gaining and maintaining accreditation can be found on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants website.

For more information on which immigration option is best for you and your business, or for assistance designing your longer-term immigration strategy, reach out to me directly through my CONTACT page.  We can set up a consultation to find the immigration option that works best for your specific needs.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post were accurate at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided above. This blog post is not updated on a regular basis.

Co-written by Lucas Almeida and Rebecca Tripp

Originally posted on December 15, 2022

 

© Copyright The Immigration and Paralegal Law Office of Rebecca B. Tripp. All Rights Reserved.

 

Uncategorized

New NOC System

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What is the NOC system?

NOC stands for National Occupation Classification. It is a system used to describe occupations. IRCC uses the NOC system to sort occupations into groups that represent the potential benefit of a candidate’s occupation to the Canadian economy. Having an occupation that fits within the correct groups is essential for an applicant’s eligibility for Express Entry, as well as for most Provincial Nominee Programs. At the moment, an applicant’s occupation is determined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 version 1.3. As of November 16, 2022, the Canadian government will employ a new system: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 V1.0.

 

Why is the system changing?

The last time the NOC system received a structural revision was with the publishing of the NOC 2011 version. As Canada continues to expand targets for economic immigration, the need to classify applicants’ occupations in more detail rises. The new NOC system aims to classify jobs more thoroughly, introducing expanded codes and groups.

 

What are the most significant changes?

While the current NOC system (NOC 2016) sorts occupations into five Skill Levels (0, A, B, C, and D), the new version will use a grouping system titled TEER – Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. This will consist of six groups (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Under the new system, NOC codes will also have a 5-digit structure, compared to the 4-digit model used in NOC 2016. 

 

The second digit of your new 5-digit NOC code represents the TEER category under which it falls. For instance, the new NOC code for software engineers and designers is 21231, which falls under TEER category 1.  

Here are some more examples:

Occupation

NOC 2016 Code

NOC 2021 Code

TEER Category

Early childhood educators and assistants

4214

42202

TEER 2

Financial Managers

0111

10010

TEER 0

Veterinarians

3114

31103

TEER 1

More importantly, several occupations are becoming eligible for Express Entry, and others will lose their eligibility. Currently, the following occupations will become eligible for Express Entry:

 

  • Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors.

  • Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators;

  • Bylaw enforcement and other regulatory officers;

  • Correctional service officers;

  • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants;

  • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants;

  • Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations;

  • Heavy equipment operators; and

  • Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates;

  • Other repairers and servicers;

  • Payroll administrators;

  • Pest controllers and fumigators;

  • Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants;

  • Residential and commercial installers and servicers;

  • Sheriffs and bailiffs;

  • Transport truck drivers;

 

Unfortunately, the followings occupations will become ineligible on November 16:

 

  • Other performers;

  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness; and

  • Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners

 

Express Entry candidates with the above occupations that have not yet received an ITA (invitation to apply) by November 16, 2022, will become ineligible for Express Entry, but may still meet the requirements for some Provincial Nominee Programs.

 

What action is required of candidates (or their legal representatives)?

Candidates for Express Entry that receive an ITA by November 16, 2022, will have to apply under the current NOC system. Other candidates must update their profiles on or after November 16 with their new NOC code in order to remain eligible to receive an ITA.

How to find your new NOC Code and TEER level

Under the current system, NOC codes grouped into Skills Levels A, B, and 0 are eligible for Express Entry. In the new system, TEERs 0, 1, 2, and 3 will be eligible. Most occupations will transfer to the new system as follows:

 

Skill type or level

TEER category

Skill Type 0

TEER 0

Skill Level A

TEER 1

Skill Level B

TEER 2 or TEER 3

Skill Level C

TEER 4

Skill Level D

TEER 5

If you have received an invitation to apply

If you have received an ITA before November 16, 2022, you must submit your application for permanent residence using NOC 2016.

Updated NOC 2021 eligibility criteria for Express Entry

Eligibility criteria

Canadian Experience Class

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Language skills

English or French skills

  • CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations

  • CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations

English or French skills

  • CLB 7

English or French skills

  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening

  • CLB 4 for reading and writing

Type/Level of work experience

Canadian work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories:

  • TEER 0

  • TEER 1

  • TEER 2

  • TEER 3

Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories:

  • TEER 0

  • TEER 1

  • TEER 2

  • TEER 3

Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3:

  • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers

  • Major Group 73, general trades

  • Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production

  • Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production

  • Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers

  • Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

  • Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers

  • Unit Group 62200, chefs

Amount of work experience

One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)

One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation)

Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)

Job offer

Not required.

Not required.

But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer.

Required:

Education

Not required.

Secondary education required.

You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education.

Not required.

Visit this link to find the new NOC code and TEER category for your occupation. 

 

For more information on which immigration option is best for you and your business, or for assistance designing your longer-term immigration strategy, reach out to me directly through my CONTACT page.  We can set up a consultation to find the immigration option that works best for your specific needs.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post were accurate at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided above. This blog post is not updated on a regular basis.

Co-written by Lucas Almeida and Rebecca Tripp

Originally posted on November 14, 2022

© Copyright The Immigration and Paralegal Law Office of Rebecca B. Tripp. All Rights Reserved.

Uncategorized

2 years…

rebeccabtripp

Two years ago today, I took the leap and launched http://www.RebeccaBTripp.com 🎉

Year 1 was all about creating my business and putting systems in place. I focused on keeping my expenses low and saying yes to any and all opportunities. 

In year 2, I honed in on strategically growing my business; this meant hiring people to help me and saying no to projects that didn’t align with my goals. So what did this look like, you might ask? 

In the last 12 months, I…

✔️ Was interviewed by Fleming College and appeared on three podcasts to discuss my career and legal services, and got my name out there;

✔️ Became a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, adding Legal Representation to my list of services and successfully submitted numerous immigration applications;

✔️ Launched The Applicant Podcast, where every week I release a solo episode or an interview about education, immigration and/or the law;

✔️ Hosted a second paralegal placement student;

✔️ Started teaching immigration law at Ashton College; and 

✔️ Continued growing the legal outsourcing services side of my business and further developed my interests in higher education and business immigration. 

Looking back… it seems like a lot… but I love what I do, so honestly, it doesn’t even feel like work. Though being an entrepreneur means a lot of my work hours aren’t billable, that’s okay because I am working on something that is becoming bigger than me! (And something that I own, not my employer ☺️)

On a side note: By the end of September, my 2022 revenues so far will pass my total annual revenues of 2021! How amazing is that! 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, inspired me, pushed me, and believed in me. ☺️

Onward and upward! 🚀

Uncategorized

Important Timelines for Express Entry Applications

rebeccabtripp

FAQ

Q: How long do I have to create my Express Entry Profile?

  • 60 days from the date you start it.

Q: Once I submit my Express Entry Profile, how long will it stay in the Express Entry pool?

  • 12 months from the submission date it will automatically expire.

Q: Once I receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), how long do I have to submit my Permanent Resident Application?

  • 60 days from the date of your ITA.

Supporting Documents

Expiration Timelines from the Date of Completion

  • Language Skills Test: 2 years
  • Police Certificate: 6 months
  • Digital Photo: 6 months
  • Medical Exams: 12 months
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): 5 years
  • Translations: No expiration date unless the document changes or becomes expired.

Government Processing

  • Times Skilled Workers (Federal): 26 Months
  • Skilled Trades (Federal): 47 Months
  • Canadian Experience Class: 13 Months
  • Provincial Nominee Online: 18 Months Via Express Entry

For more information on which immigration option is best for you and your business, or for assistance designing your longer-term immigration strategy, reach out to me directly through my contact page.  We can set up a consultation to find the immigration option that works best for your specific needs.

Also, if you are someone who likes podcasts or watching YouTube videos, this blog post is also an episode of The Applicant Podcast!

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post were accurate at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information provided above. This blog post is not updated on a regular basis.

Written by Rebecca B. Tripp

Originally posted on July 6, 2022

© Copyright. The Immigration and Paralegal Law Office of Rebecca B. Tripp. All Rights Reserved.