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Time Business News
7 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Choose the Best Immigration Consultant in Canada (2025)
One of the most important decisions you'll make if you want to move to Canada in 2025 is choosing the best immigration consultant . The process is hard no matter why you are applying, and getting help from a professional can make a big difference in how your application turns out. Forms are just one part of moving to Canada. The paperwork has to be correct, the requirements for eligibility change often, and even a small mistake can cause long delays or even outright rejections. Having a qualified consultant with you can make the process easier, less stressful, and help you avoid costly mistakes. What is the point of hiring an immigration consultant? Canada has a number of immigration streams, each with its own rules and time frame. A certified consultant helps you figure out the best course of action based on your goals, paperwork, and profile. The following are common routes: Temporary workers and foreign professionals can get work permits. Express Entry Impact Assessment of the Labor Market (LMIA) helps both employers and workers who want to live in Canada permanently. Use Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to find specialized jobs in your province. Family sponsorship lets you get back together with your spouse, kids, or parents. Business immigration for investors and business owners Claims for Refugees for People Looking for Safety Refusals and requests to change applications that were denied With professional help, you can understand the required documentation, how to formulate the deadlines, and how to present your case for positive results. Is there a checklist to find the right immigration advisor? Verify the professional you intend to hire meets the following criteria: In Canada, only immigration consultants who have a license with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) can provide immigration consulting services. Always check registration first. Their specialty is immigration to Canada: Don't engage consultants who lack knowledge of Canadian law or who work with multiple countries. You need someone with deep knowledge of Canadian legal frameworks and compliance. They respond in a timely and direct manner: Customers who hire consultants expect them to respond to their calls or emails. They expect to be guided through the process. They expect to hear from the consultant through the process. They expect timely updates. Responding slowly or dodging the question is a red flag. No one should guarantee a visa. Identifiable consultants should not be offering services that guarantee approval. The consultant should give you a fair estimation of your chances after a thorough evaluation of your case. They Do Not Make Guarantees: No one can guarantee a visa. Avoid consultants who promise 100% approval or take payment only on success. Honest consultants will analyze your case and tell you the likelihood of success based on your immigration history. They Do Not Use Templates: An immigration history is never the starting point of a competent consultant. Your past will be scrutinized to serve as the basis for a plan to meet the objectives you have set. Start Searching and Stay Positive There is no harm in browsing, but you may approach a leading Canadian best immigration consultant if you wish to begin with someone who can guide you through the process. Find someone who has your best interest in mind, a clear positive reputation, and is specialized in visa applications of your category. Your immigration process will be much smoother with sophisticated guidance instead of just filled forms. Relocating to another country comes with challenges and demands. The process is much smoother, more transparent, and ultimately more successful with the right consultant helping you navigate through the immigration process. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Visa agent cheated out of Rs 1cr by another with promise of PR visas
Ahmedabad: A businessman from Borisana village filed a police complaint on Sunday, alleging that a visa agent cheated him of over Rs 1 crore under the pretext of providing him permanent residency (PR) visas with job offers for countries including Australia, Canada and the US. The 36-year-old resident of Borisana, runs a visa consultancy named Made Easy Overseas. In his complaint to Infocity police, he stated that his friend introduced him to the visa agent, who claimed he could arrange job-based PR visas. Between Nov 24, 2024 and March 8 this year, the complainant handed over documents and passports of 10 clients to the agent. Payments were made in Gandhinagar, the visa agent's office and other locations. Some of the payments were also handed over to the visa agent's staff members. In all, Rs 1.02 crore was paid. According to the complainant, the agent sent him visa documents, diploma certificates, sponsor letters, PR cards and labour market impact assessment (LMIA) letters over WhatsApp to gain trust. But upon verification, all these documents turned out to be fake. When confronted, the visa agent allegedly became aggressive and refused to communicate properly. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Later, the agent returned all 10 files and promised to refund the money within 45 days. Once the deadline passed, he issued 10 cheques, which were deposited by the complainant and his clients. All cheques bounced. The accused asked for the cheques to be re-deposited, but they bounced again. He then issued 14 more cheques, which also bounced. The accused also used the name of two companies while pulling off the fraud. The complaint also states that the accused presented forged visa and immigration documents and caused financial loss by breaching trust. Infocity police registered a case under sections pertaining to cheating, breach of trust and forgery under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigation is underway.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Visa fraud: Ahmedabad couple cheated of Rs 21L
Ahmedabad: A 37-year-old woman from Vejalpur filed a complaint with Satellite police on Saturday, alleging that she and her husband were allegedly cheated of Rs 20.75 lakh by an immigration consultancy firm under the pretext of providing Canadian work permits. The accused run an office near Shyamal crossroads. The couple contacted the firm in Jan 2024 after seeing an ad on social media. They visited the firm's office and paid an initial amount of Rs 75,000 for file processing. They later paid Rs 10 lakh in cash on Feb 14, 2024, followed by another Rs 10 lakh on Aug 23, 2024, for labour market impact assessment (LMIA) documentation. They had arranged for the money after selling their flat. The couple submitted all documents and completed the formalities as instructed. Later, the firm allegedly sent a forged LMIA letter with a Dec 2024 expiry date, assuring them that the visa would arrive shortly. However, in Jan 2025, the couple got an email stating their visas were cancelled. They got only a partial refund of Rs 1 lakh. When the couple visited the firm's office, they were denied a refund and asked to leave. Satellite police registered a complaint of breach of trust, cheating and criminal conspiracy under the BNS and began an investigation.
Economic Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Canada hikes wage thresholds for Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Agencies Canada has increased the wage thresholds for employers hiring under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), a move that will impact new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications submitted from June 27, 2025, as per a CIC News report. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirmed the revision affects nearly all provinces and territories, altering how foreign nationals qualify under either the high-wage or low-wage streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is used by employers when no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill a job. The program's classification between high-wage and low-wage streams is determined by comparing offered wages against the median hourly wage of the province or territory. Wage thresholds revised across provinces The updated wage benchmarks will directly influence employer eligibility for LMIAs. For example, the threshold in Ontario rose from CAD 34.07 to CAD 36.00, while British Columbia saw an increase from CAD 34.62 to CAD 36.60. The threshold in Nunavut remained unchanged at CAD 42.00. Provinces such as Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia also recorded moderate must apply under the high-wage stream if they offer wages at or above the new thresholds. Otherwise, they must proceed under the low-wage stream, which faces additional limitations. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reiterated that a moratorium remains in effect for LMIA applications under the low-wage stream in areas with unemployment rates at or above 6%. This policy, active since September 26, 2024, will continue until at least July 10, federal government has also restricted low-wage LMIA approvals based on the structure of an employer's workforce. Generally, low-wage positions must not exceed 10% of the total workforce at a given location. However, specific industries like construction (NAICS 23), food manufacturing (NAICS 311), hospitals (NAICS 622), and nursing care facilities (NAICS 623) are permitted a 20% cap. Moreover, ESDC confirmed that similar restrictions now apply to select caregiving roles under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. This includes roles such as registered nurses (NOC 31301) and home childcare providers (NOC 44100). 'ESDC and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are reviewing the effects of including these in future measures,' the statement added. Policy changes reflect government's broader reforms The changes come amid increased scrutiny over the TFWP in 2024, when reports surfaced alleging worker exploitation and wage suppression. The federal government has since implemented several reforms: shortening LMIA validity to six months, cutting employment durations under the low-wage stream, capping new foreign worker admissions, and eliminating in-country job-supported work permit options for updates reflect a broader policy shift aiming to balance the country's labour market needs with concerns about temporary resident volumes and pressure on public services. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. The bike taxi dreams of Rapido, Uber, and Ola just got a jolt. But they're winning public favour Second only to L&T, but controversies may weaken this infra powerhouse's growth story Punit Goenka reloads Zee with Bullet and OTT focus. Can he beat mighty rivals? 3 critical hurdles in India's quest for rare earth independence HDB Financial may be cheaper than Bajaj Fin, but what about returns? Why Sebi must give up veto power over market infra institutions These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 23% return in 1 year, according to analysts Are short-term headwinds from China an opportunity? 8 auto stocks: Time to be contrarian? Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal initiates coverage on Supreme Industries; UBS initiates coverage on PNB Housing
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada ends dummy work permit trick used by Indian, other foreign workers
Now, thousands of temporary foreign workers, including Indians, will not be able to rely on multiple applications to legally remain in Canada under the pretext of work permit extensions. Canada's immigration department last week changed the rules around 'maintained status' to crack down on so-called dummy extension applications, which have been on the rise. The move, announced in the June 2025 IRCC update, affects temporary residents who submit more than one work or study permit extension while remaining in the country. What are dummy extension applications? These are often filed without genuine job offers, allowing foreign nationals to extend their stay while waiting on a decision—even if they are unlikely to qualify. The term 'dummy' refers to the lack of intent to actually work under the applied conditions. Many such applications are submitted as placeholders, giving temporary residents—especially those awaiting permanent residency invitations—a way to buy time. They remain in Canada under 'maintained status' while their files remain in processing. As of June 2025, IRCC's average processing time for work permit extensions stands at 158 days. 'This change, which appears procedural on the surface, has major ramifications for international students and workers, notably those from India,' Zubin Morris, partner at Little & Co told Business Standard. How dummy work permit extensions work According to IRCC, the dummy application loophole exploits several aspects of the system: Maintained status eligibility: Anyone with a valid permit who applies before expiry gains maintained status, which allows continued stay and work under the previous conditions. No LMIA or offer number required: Open work permits don't need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer of employment. These applications are harder to detect as fraudulent at the intake stage. Processing delays: With processing times running up to five months, applicants often use this period to find jobs, seek PNP nominations, or wait for Express Entry draws. Risk of misrepresentation: Applications filed without genuine intent could be rejected and trigger a five-year ban on applying for Canadian visas. 'According to IRCC's clarification, if the initial application is refused, any second application, even if submitted in advance, will not be considered. Maintained status ends the moment the first refusal is issued,' said Morris. Crackdown comes with higher risks for applicants Until now, many applicants filed a second application to safeguard their stay if the first was at risk. The new rule removes that cushion. Morris explained, 'Students whose permits are near expiry must be precise with their first extension application. A mistake, missing document, or even a delay can now end their legal status, despite a second application being filed. For workers, it could mean immediate job loss and the need to apply for status restoration or leave Canada.' Darshan Maharaja, a Canada-based immigration analyst, said the new rule could have knock-on effects. 'The unintended effect might be more people rushing to file asylum claims within the one-year deadline,' he told Business Standard. 'We saw nearly 500,000 temporary foreign workers enter Canada in just the first four months of 2025. By the end of 2024, over 300,000 asylum claims were pending. So this new rule may have limited impact—and could face legal challenges.' What IRCC accepts in absence of LMIA 1. The employer has submitted an LMIA application 2. The LMIA is expected to be decided in 1–3 months 3. The applicant is eligible to apply from within Canada Dummy applications often rely on open work permits or incomplete job details to bypass these requirements. Canada's move to tackle the issue Stricter triaging and cancellations: IRCC is introducing tighter screening of applications, especially those missing proof of employment or clear eligibility. Stakeholder feedback: Employers, consultants and advocacy groups have raised concerns about dummy applications distorting the system. Proposed intake filters: Some experts have recommended rejecting ineligible applications at the intake stage itself to speed up processing for genuine cases. From January to April 2025, IRCC processed 491,400 work permits. The overall backlog has now reduced to 35% of the total inventory, according to the latest update.
