Kardos Paralegal & Immigration Services Page

07/12/2022

For people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Immigration measures for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine

01/23/2022

Did you know that paralegals can provide advice and represent you in proceedings before the Ontario Small Claims Court and before the Provincial Offences Court for matters such as traffic tickets and at administrative tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board?

Paralegals are an integral part of the Ontario legal system. They are licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to serve the public and provide access to justice. Learn more:

Paralegals can provide an affordable option for those in need of legal services or representation. This helps to reduce self-represented litigants in court cases and deters people from seeking advice from non-regulated legal resources or individuals who may lead them astray.

01/17/2022

As of today, most foreign nationals will need to be fully vaccinated to enter Canada. This includes both international students and family members, 18 years of age or older.

Find out if you can enter Canada:

Canadians and foreign nationals can answer a few questions about their situation to understand travel restrictions coming into or back to Canada.

01/12/2022

Canada’s Express Entry system is the main immigration pathway for foreign workers, but it is only open to “skilled” occupations. In this article, we will help you understand what is considered to be a “skilled” occupation, what makes a “valid job offer,” and how to help your new employ...

09/20/2021

Important to vote for the future!

07/11/2021

Looking for a job?

Here you can find one:

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
82,401 job postings in Canada

Search Canadian jobs, explore careers and labour market trends, subscribe to email alerts, sign up for Job Match, and find tools and resources for employers.

06/26/2021

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

In 2021, the maximum CPP payout is $1,203.75 per month for new beneficiaries. The maximum CPP contribution is $3,166.45 for the employees and employers. For self-employed people the maximum CPP is $6,332.90. Self-employed people pay both employee and employer portion of CPP.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire. If you qualify, you’ll receive the CPP retirement pension for the rest of your life. To qualify you must:

be at least 60 years old
have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP

Valid contributions can be either from work you did in Canada, or as the result of receiving credits from a former spouse or former common-law partner at the end of the relationship.
You must apply

CPP payments are not automatic. You must apply. You should apply in advance of when you want your pension to start.

Our goal is to pay your CPP retirement pension in the month of the start date you choose.
Pension amount

The amount you receive each month is based on your average earnings throughout your working life, your contributions to the CPP, and the age you decide to start your CPP retirement pension. Your contributions to the CPP are based on your earnings.

The standard age to start the pension is 65. However, you can start receiving it as early as age 60 or as late as age 70.

If you start receiving your pension earlier, the monthly amount you’ll receive will be smaller. If you decide to start later, you’ll receive a larger monthly amount. There’s no benefit to wait after age 70 to start receiving the pension. The maximum monthly amount you can receive is reached when you turn 70.

For 2019, the maximum monthly amount you could receive as a new recipient starting the pension at age 65 is $1,154.58. The average monthly amount is $679.16. Your situation will determine how much you’ll receive up to the maximum.

There are different factors that can affect how much you'll receive, such as time taken off from work to care for young children. Find out more about how much you could receive.You can also work while receiving a CPP retirement pension.
How long will it take to process your application

We begin to process your application once we receive your completed application form. It will take:

7 to 14 days for online applications
normally within 120 days for applications delivered at a Service Canada Centre
normally within 120 days for applications sent by mail

It could take longer to process your application if Service Canada does not have a complete application.
You may also qualify for other CPP benefits

In addition to the CPP retirement pension, you may also quality for other CPP benefits listed below. Like the CPP retirement pension, you will need to apply for these benefits (except for the Post-retirement benefit if you already receive the CPP retirement pension).

Post-retirement benefit
Disability pension
Post-retirement disability benefit
Survivor's pension
Children's benefit
Death benefit

CPP enhancement

Starting in 2019, the CPP will gradually increase due to the CPP enhancement. The enhancement works as a top-up to the base, or original CPP, and will mean higher benefits in retirement in exchange for making higher CPP contributions. The CPP enhancement will only affect you if you work and make contributions to the CPP as of January 1, 2019.

The CPP enhancement will increase the CPP retirement pension, post-retirement benefit, disability pension and survivor’s pension you could receive. There’s no change to qualifying for CPP benefits.

06/23/2021

COPR

Any foreign national wit valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence [COPR] fit travel to Canada from June 21, 2021.

06/18/2021

Ontario Occupation In Demand List 2021

Ontario - Canada’s largest province offers excellent pathway to immigration through Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP). Various occupations in demand in Ontario offer additional benefits to selected candidates and their families.
Candidates, particularly skilled foreign workers, receive job offers in specific in-demand employment, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), construction, agriculture, personal care, nursing, retail, advertising and marketing, administrative services, business management, finance and trucking, in Ontario. It allows foreign skilled workers in and outside of Canada to work and stay in Ontario province. Considered as having fastest processing time and easy to follow steps, the OINP listed a wide range of job profiles to meet the requirements of labour market and employment opportunities in the province. Notably, Indian candidates find many occupations in demand in Ontario relevant and ideal job profiles that suit their needs and interest. Read below to know about Ontario high in demand occupation list and application procedure.
Key Points: Ontario PNP Occupation In Demand
• OINP regularly offers job opportunities in traditional as well as popular domains such as nursing, business management, ICT, administrative services, finance and so on
• The draw under Express Entry program is conducted at regular intervals throughout the year. That’s why it is considered as the fastest mode of immigration
• Ontario is a hub of industries such as finance, technology, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare and so on. It implies that people from various job profiles can apply to get job opportunities and secure flourishing career.
• The candidates need to score 400 CRS (an achievable target for working professionals and skilled workers) in order to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario province

Ontario Occupation in-Demand
Ontario has plenty of natural resources and industries. This province needs manpower to make optimum use of resources, produce ready-to-use items for customers from these resources and raw material as well as fill vacancies in ICT, healthcare and service industries. Hence, employers in this Canadian province always seek to employ young skilled workers and immigrants under its different streams, particularly Human Capital Priorities Stream), and categories to be able to make positive contributions towards economy. This stream offers brilliant opportunities to immigrant seekers to secure bright future and sustainable career in Canada.

Employers in Ontario directly recruit candidates through selection process mentioned in Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP). The selected candidates get a nomination certificate from Ontario province that qualifies immigration seekers to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency draw.
Please note that the draw is conducted by the authorities at regular intervals.
List of Occupations in-Demand in Ontario (Express Entry Program)
Here is a comprehensive list of priority occupations in demand in Ontario under OINP. Candidates having considerable work experience in these profiles and domains stand good chance of getting selected for Canada immigration.
National Occupation Classification
Job Title
NOC 0114
Other Administrative Services Manager
NOC 0601
Corporate Sales Managers
NOC 1122
Professional Occupations in Business Management Consulting
NOC 0124
Advertising, Marketing and Public Relation Managers
NOC 0621
Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
NOC 1111
Financial Auditors and Accountants
NOC 3012
Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
NOC 0111
Financial Managers
NOC 1114
Other Financial Officers
NOC 0651
Managers in Customer and Personal Services

Among Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals job titles and profiles or occupations in demand in Ontario are:
National Occupation Classification
Job Title
NOC 2173
Software Engineers and Designers
NOC 2174
Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
NOC 2147
Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers)
NOC 2175
Web Designers and Developers
NOC 2172
Database Analysts and Data Administrators
NOC 0213
Computer and Information Systems Managers
The job offer (secured by candidates) should be effective from the date of candidate’s nomination under OINP. Candidates should seek job offers which are full-time and have permanent position. The full-time and permanent job offers have 1,560 paid working hours in one year and a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week. Such job offers do not have end date which means the duration of work is not specified in permanent job offers.
Ontario Application Procedure
• Candidates must create a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system in order to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario province
• Later candidates can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for Permanent Residence
Candidates who fulfil eligibility criteria can submit application any time in the year. Applications for immigration are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates must note that this stream has specific annual quota. The authorities close intake till next year once this quota is met in Ontario province. Immigrant aspirants must register by creating a One-Key account in the e-Filing portal.
Candidates seeking job in Ontario PNP occupations in-demand list, should have all supporting documents in order to upload in the site while applying online. Incomplete applications will be rejected and application fee will be refunded within specified time.
• The OINP application fee is $2,000 CAD for employment vacancies in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and $1,500 CAD for vacancies outside GTA
It takes about three hours to complete an application. Candidates are allowed to submit application within 45 calendar days of receiving their NOI from Ontario province.
After approval of application by Ontario province, the authorities inform candidates about selection for provincial nomination. Candidates receive this information through One-Key account in the e-Filing Portal.
Points Calculator
Ontario selects skilled workers and employees through Express Entry System Score. Please note that the selection score is ‘determined by the director’ and the candidates who achieve at least 400 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) receive Nomination Of Interest (NOI) and are allowed to immigrate to Ontario as per the immigration program. The OINP offers employers a direct selection process. The direct selection process also reduces the processing time, thus OINP is considered the fastest mode of immigration. Candidates, who secure 400 CRS score, get the Notification of Interest (NOI), which is an invitation to apply through the OINP for PR. Candidates can apply for Canada Permanent Resident (PR) Visa in 45 days after receiving the NOI.
Ontario points calculator helps immigration aspirants to check their eligibility.
Key Aspects of OINP
Ontario also issues work permit to candidates that helps them to apply for a work permit while their permanent residency application is in processing. The skilled worker categories allow foreign skilled professionals to apply for temporary work permit. The temporary work permit allows candidates to work in Canada, while their Permanent Residency application is in processing. Moreover, temporary work permits do not require Labour Market Impact Assessment (a support letter issued by a Canadian employer).
Ontario PNP or OINP candidates can submit application later for Permanent Residency after six months. Candidates must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and send an electronic mail to the specific application centre. Paper-based Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications for permanent residence are processed in 1.5 year.
Job Trend in Ontario in 2021
Ontario has seen a surge in Information and Technology jobs. It means that foreign professionals having considerable work experience and academic credentials have good chances to secure jobs in this Canadian province in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. The OINP process also witnessed selection of large number of candidates willing to work in Information and Technology (IT) industry in Ontario.
Taking cue from this trend, Ontario province explores the Express Entry pool to seek ICT profiles under its Express Entry-aligned Human Capital Priorities stream. HCP is a popular stream under OINP.
• Candidates having good work experience in ICT jobs and having score of 400 CRS are eligible to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario province
• Such candidates are qualified to claim additional 600 CRS points for Permanent Residency in next Express Entry draw
• If a candidate does not have enough work experience in ICT profession, but fulfils criteria for immigration and scores 400 CRS points, they are eligible for NOI
Considering that applications are submitted throughout the year and Ontario’s labour market requires qualified IT professionals. Highly in-demand occupation, candidates from IT sector have good chances to secure jobs and carve bright career in Canada.

06/07/2021

Are you getting ready for the Citizenship test?
Here is some help: Citizenship Practice Test.

https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/new-to-canada/citizenship.jsp?fbclid=IwAR3adKx9CIbnlfk-XriYMh0LrGAZtwg4zWqUZwv0elhEANVVGf1-IiEFsN0

06/05/2021

Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Draw: Province Issues 986 NOIs (Last Updated on June 2, 2021)

Ontario immigration has issued 986 Notifications of Interest in its second draw of 2021 through the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream.

The June 1 draw targeted candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores in the range of 300 to 379, significantly lower than the previous draw.

Candidates were required to have submitted Express Entry profiles into the federal pool within the 12 months preceding the draw date to qualify.

Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream 2021
Date NOIs CRS Score Range Express Entry profile submission date
01-Jun-21 986 300-379 June 1 2020 to June 1 2021
13-Jan-21 338 434-460 January 13, 2020 to January 13, 2021

Ontario Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream

The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream targets skilled trades workers in the construction and agricultural sectors but could be expanded in the future.

To qualify applicants must have:

Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
At least 12 months of paid cumulative or continuous Ontario work experience with the last two years prior to your Notification of Interest in National Occupation Classification 633, or major groups 72, 73 or 82;
Proof of Ontario license or certification if your occupation so requires;
A valid work permit and be resident in Ontario at the time of application;
English or French-language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking;
Proof of settlement fund to cover you and your dependents, with the minimum amount determined by official Low-Income Cut-Offs.