Whats's New?

• Studying while in Canada: As of June 1, 2014, all study permit holders in Canada will need to actively pursue studies. This means that:
  
  If you hold a study permit, you must remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards completing your program; and
  
  Failing to do so could lead to your removal from Canada.
  
  Your educational institution will report to CIC on your continued enrolment and academic status. You may also be asked by an immigration officer to provide evidence of your continued enrolment and academic status.
  
  Scotia Bank will only offer Guaranteed Income Optimizer (GIO) instead of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) w.e.f. May 1st 2014.
  
  What is GIO?

  GIO stands for Guaranteed Income Optimizer, it is a customizable investment plan offered by Canadian Banks. As per the Citizen Immigration Canada (CIC) requirements under Student Partner Program (SPP) Visa, the students applying under SPP Visa Category are required to invest CA$ 10,000 in GIO with Scotia Bank in Canada. If the student is applying under University Category Visa then GIO is not mandatory for them. CA$ 1,000 will be drip feed to student's Savings Bank Account in Canada every month for 10 months from GIO account, the students can use these funds to meet their monthly living expenses while studying in Canada. The students cannot withdraw the full amount from GIO account at once.

  
  
  
• Effective November 5, 2011: No new applications to sponsor parents or grandparents are being accepted for processing for up to 24 months. However, parents and grandparents may be eligible to visit Canada for up to two years under the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. As of December 1, 2011, you may be eligible to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa - which is valid for up to 10 years and allows an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status.
  
  
• Effective January 2, 2013 to January 1, 2014: The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for people who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. To avoid backlogs and ensure fast processing times, CIC will accept no more than 3,000 complete applications for processing in the first year. Within the 3,000 cap, no more than 100 new applications for certain jobs will be considered for processing each year. There is no sub-cap for other skilled trades..
  
  
• Start-up Visa: Canada will launch a brand new program on April 1 to recruit innovative immigrant entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and spur economic growth, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. The Start-Up Visa Program will link immigrant entrepreneurs with private sector organizations in Canada that have experience working with start-ups and who can provide essential resources. The Program is part of a series of transformational changes to Canada’s immigration system that will make it faster, more flexible and focused on Canada’s economic needs.