IRCC has been able to reduce backlogs significantly and make family reunification a priority, thanks to a historic multi-year immigration levels plan. For example, the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP) inventory was reduced from a high of 62,000 in May 2014, to less than 12,000 by April 2018. We are on track to meet our 2017 commitment to process at least 80% of the remaining LCP backlog by the end of 2018, and are processing new LCP permanent residence applications within 12 months.

IRCC also recently began using an improved method to estimate processing times for some new permanent residence applications.

In addition, we reduced the spousal sponsorship inventory from a high of 75,000 to 15,000 as of December 31, 2017, and are processing new spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months. To help spouses further, we extended the Open Work Permit Pilot for spousal sponsorship applicants and simplified the guides and checklists.

To read the full article, please click here.

St. Lucia will no longer  accept applications from Iranian citizens (regardless of their current country of residence), due to problems conducting due diligence checks in Iran.  Also, banks in St. Lucia will not accept funds from Iran.

This change is effective immediately.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, completed a successful week‑long visit to the United Kingdom (U.K.), Belgium and Germany, where he met with key European partners and stakeholders to discuss global migration trends and speak to how Canada is growing our economy through diversity and immigration.

Minister Hussen highlighted immigration as a powerful economic tool as he led a fireside chat at the University of Oxford, provided the keynote address at a luncheon with the Canada‑U.K. Chamber of Commerce, delivered a speech at the London School of Economics and participated in a roundtable discussion with U.K. businesses that have invested in Canada. Through these events, the Minister outlined how Canada’s multi‑year levels plan and economic programs work to attract top talent to help grow Canada’s economy and meet labour shortages, which are a result of our aging population. The Minister encouraged European leaders and employers to look to immigrants for their innovative perspectives, entrepreneurial spirit, global experience and unique skill sets.

To read the full article, please click here.

“Bulgaria will formally apply on Wednesday to join the European Union’s banking union as part of its bid to enter the “waiting room” for euro zone membership, the Black Sea state’s finance minister said.

The euro zone’s finance ministers and the European Central Bank have already given Bulgaria the green light for the move and for its plans to adopt the euro.”

To read the full article, please click here.

Focusing on how Canada can grow its economy and strengthen its competitive advantage through immigration, Ministers noted that success will depend on a fast, flexible immigration system focused on a skilled and adaptable labour force. Ministers supported exploring the opportunity to collaborate on attraction, recruitment and retention efforts. Ministers discussed the importance of ensuring rural Canada benefits from increased immigration and the importance of increasing francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

Ministers also discussed the importance of highlighting the positive benefits of immigration to both our economies and communities.

To read the full article, please click here.

A recent Globe & Mail article states the following:

“For a country that prides itself on its openness to the world, Canada makes its

borders surprisingly impenetrable for millions of people who want to visit from

abroad.

Last year alone, Canada refused entry to nearly 600,000 people who wanted to

come for a short stay for tourism, school, business, academic conferences or simply

to see their families. And the refusals have skyrocketed: The number has more than

doubled since 2012, according to data obtained by The Globe and Mail.”

To read the full article, please click here.

Confederation Partners is pleased to introduce the new Bulgaria Fast-Track Citizenship Program.  This program allows a family to quickly obtain both permanent residency (PR) and citizenship in a country of the European Union.


BENEFITS:
– Applicant and his/her family have the right to reside, work, and study anywhere in Europe after obtaining citizenship
– Visa-free access to approx. 142 countries (including Canada and Europe)
– Applicant receives PR in 3-4 months, and citizenship in less than 2 years
– Citizenship is transferrable by descent (to all children and grandchildren)
– Confederation offers a one-time “walk away” financing option


QUALIFICATIONS:
– Be 18 years of age or older
– Possess a valid passport and reside legally in a country
– Visit Bulgaria twice
– Pass a due diligence and medical check
– Make a declaration on source of funds

“Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, announced today during a meeting with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that the Government is lifting the visa requirement for UAE citizens on June 5, 2018.

This decision is based on a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the UAE against Canada’s visa policy criteria. The evaluation found that the UAE meets Canada’s criteria for a visa exemption.”

To read the full article, please click here.

Grenada:  The age of dependent parents has been reduced to 55 years old.

Antigua:  The age of dependent parents has been reduced to 58 years old.

Antigua (until Oct/18) and St. Kitts:  The real estate investment may be split between two applicants.

Dominica has announced that its special fees (relating to the hurricane which devastated the island in the fall of 2017) will remain in effect until March 31, 2019.