Immigration Specialists in Toronto, Ontario | Gunness & Associates

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ESDC Updates LMIA Canada 2025 Processing Times: Faster Approvals for Employers Hiring Foreign Workers

LMIA Canada 2025
In a major development that works to the advantage of both Canadian employers and foreign workers, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has published LMIA Canada 2025 updates that have revised Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing times from July 3, 2025. These updates are the latest indication of ESDC's...
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Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program Unveiled to Attract French-Speaking Talent

Quebec skilled worker selection program
In a historic move to attract the best and meet regional labor demands, Quebec skilled worker selection program has officially launched a new selection plan for skilled workers through the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ). The new scheme was unveiled by Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge, bringing more...
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ESDC Updates LMIA Processing Time Canada in June 2025: Faster Approvals for Most Streams

LMIA Processing Time Canada
As of June 10, 2025, LMIA Processing Time Canada was revised after Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) revealed new labour market impact assessment (LMIA) processing times for a number of streams. The new update indicates enhanced efficiency as well as the desire to improve Canada's temporary and permanent labour...
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Yukon Nominee Program 2025: Targeted Invitations Rolled Out to Selected Employers

Yukon Nominee Program 2025
The Yukon Nominee Program 2025 has begun officially accepting its selection process, sending targeted invitations to a selected set of employers who had previously indicated interest. This was an expected development that was part of Yukon's ongoing efforts to attract skilled workers and contribute to regional economic growth through targeted...
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IRCC Introduces New Clarity and Efficiency in Canada Port of Entry Work Permit Applications

Work Permit Applications
Canada Work Permit Applications are still changing as the nation reinforces and simplifies its immigration regulations to serve foreign workers better and meet the nation's increasing labour market demands. As of May 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its policies regarding work permit applications at Canadian...
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Canada’s Labour Market Shows Strong Demand with 528,000 Nationwide job vacancies

Nationwide job vacancies
In February 2025, Statistics Canada published a new report that indicated a dynamic change in the Canadian labor market, featuring across-the Nationwide job vacancies numbering 528,000. The large figure is an indicator of the strength and resilience of Canada's economy and the abundance of opportunities for qualified professionals and immigrants...
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Canada’s Labour Market Sees Dynamic Shift with 528,000 Job Openings Nationwide

Job Openings Nationwide
Job openings Nationwide continue to show encouraging trends as Statistics Canada's recent report, released in February 2025, indicates that the Canadian labor market is booming, providing immense job opportunities in various emerging sectors. With 528,000 reported job vacancies across the country, Canada continues to be a desirable place for international...
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Thunder Bay Immigration Boosted as CEDC Launches the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) to Attract Skilled Workers

Thunder Bay Immigration
In a thrilling bid to bolster its labor force and spur local economic development, Thunder Bay immigration is changing as the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) formally launched the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) on April 24, 2025. The new program represents a major leap in regional immigration...
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IRCC Enhances Immigration Officers’ Authority with New Delegation Framework

Delegation framework
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made a strategic advancement towards streamlining its immigration operations by renewing its Delegation framework through the Instrument of Designation and Delegation (IDD).  Effective as of March 11, 2025, and announced on April 17, 2025, these important amendments demonstrate Canada's continued dedication to having a...
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Newfoundland and Labrador Launches New Economic Immigration Model with 256 Invitations

Economic immigration
In a historic initiative to increase economic immigration, propel economic growth, and fill labour gaps, Newfoundland and Labrador formally opened its inaugural economic immigration round of selection on a new model. This shift further solidifies the province's increasing focus on attracting and keeping international talent commensurate with its changing needs...
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Gunness & Associates has been providing Canadian immigration services for more than 29 years. We have helped thousands of clients from all parts of the globe obtain their visas to come to Canada. Our goal is to provide our clients with a high level of quality service in the field of immigration, whether it is to come to Canada as a Permanent Resident, to Work, to Visit or to Study.

At Gunness & Associates, we are committed to providing you with quality service and up to date information you deserve in order to help you immigrate to Canada in the easiest and most efficient manner. Whether you want to immigrate to Canada or you are still in the process of thinking about it, we can provide you with professional advice and assist you step by step with the immigration process of your application.

Immigration Specialist in Toronto

Federal Skilled Workers are persons with suitable education, work experience, age and language abilities under one of Canada’s official languages and who are selected under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence. More…

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Investor immigrants are experienced business people who contribute to Canada’s growth and long-term prosperity by investing in Canada’s economy. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will divide your investment between participating provinces and territories.

Immigration Specialist in Toronto

Federal Skilled Workers are persons with suitable education, work experience, age and language abilities under one of Canada’s official languages and who are selected under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence. More…

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Entrepreneur immigrants are experienced business people who immigrate to Canada. These people must plan to own and manage a business in Canada that adds to the economy and creates jobs, acquires or participates in the active management of a lawful and profitable agricultural, industrial or commercial enterprise.

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The Self Employed Class is geared towards applicants who have relevant self-employment experience as well as the intention and the ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada.

Immigration Specialist in Toronto

If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, age 18 or over, you can sponsor certain family members to become Canadian permanent residents. If you become a permanent resident, you can live, study and work in Canada.

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If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse to become Canadian permanent residents. If you become a permanent resident, you can live, study and work in Canada.

Immigration Specialist in Toronto

Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) consideration, under A25 and A25.1 of the IRPA, provides the flexibility to grant permanent residence status or a permanent resident visa to certain foreign nationals who would otherwise not qualify in any class, in cases in which there are compelling H&C grounds. To know more click 

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A refugee is a person who fears persecution if they go back to their country of nationality. Fear of persecution usually means a serious chance of physical harm, detention or some other form of cruel and unusual punishment. He can be accepted for refugee case.

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The Live-In Caregiver Program (LIC) is offered and administered by the government of Canada and is the primary means by which foreign caregivers come to Canada as eldercare, special needs, and childcare providers.Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

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Canada is committed to ensuring that people being removed from Canada are not sent to a country where they would be in danger or at risk of persecution. If you are facing removal from Canada, you may be eligible for a pre-removal risk assessment.

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Under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (“TFWP”), the Government of Canada allows the entry of temporary foreign workers to become employed by Canadian employers. Foreign workers admitted to Canada help fill labour market shortages and provide other economic opportunities for Canadians.

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Canada welcomes more than 130,000 students from foreign jurisdictions each year. If you intend to study at a Canadian educational institution, most foreign nationals must apply for a study permit. A study permit allows a foreign national to study in Canada.opportunities for Canadians. More…

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A visitor means a person who is lawfully in Canada, or seeks to come into Canada for a temporary purpose (such as work, study or visit) and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or the holder of a minister’s permit.

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Re-apply for your rejected Canadian visa. A Canada immigration officer’s decision to refuse an application may be challenged if that decision was wrong in fact or in law, or if that decision is not in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness.

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The permanent resident (PR) card is the official proof that you are a permanent resident of Canada. You use this wallet-sized plastic card to show you can enter and stay in Canada when you return from another country.

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Canada offers citizenship through naturalization and by birth in Canada. To qualify for citizenship through naturalization, Canadians with 4 years of qualifying permanent resident status during the preceding 6 years may apply for Canadian citizenship.

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The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. Individuals are selected based on their skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory. Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs) and requirements. More…

We serve across all provinces in Canada.We serve across all provinces in Canada.

Also serving internationally across the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Dubai, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, Guyana, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the rest of the world.

For more information, feel free to contact us via email at info@immigrationmatters.info 

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The applicant applies on his or her own merit. This involves demonstrating that he or she will be successful in financially supporting him or herself in Canada. The applicant in this class is assessed under the “points system” and is given points in several categories:

  • Education
  • Official Language (English & French)
  • Experience
  • Arranged Employment
  • Age
  • Adaptability
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There are three Business Immigration Categories:

  • INVESTOR
  • ENTREPRENEUR
  • SELF-EMPLOYED
INVESTOR

Investors must have business experience. They must have either:

  • Managed a qualifying business and controlled a percentage of equity of a qualifying business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application, OR
  • They must have managed at least five full-time job equivalents per year in a business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date of application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application, OR
  • A combination of a one-year period of experience described in subparagraph (1) and a one-year period of experience described in subparagraph (2).

The investor class applicant must have a net worth of at least $800,000. They are required to make an investment of $400,000, paid to the Receiver General of Canada.

The investment is subsequently allocated to participating provinces and territories in Canada. These governments use the funds for job creation and economic development.

The full amount of the investment (without interest) is repaid to the investor after five years. The exact date of repayment depends on when the $400,000 is received by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. At the latest, the amount would be returned five years and 3 months after the date of payment. The return of the investment is fully guaranteed by participating provinces and territories.

ENTREPRENEUR

Entrepreneurs must have business experience. They must have managed and controlled a percentage of equity of a qualifying business for at least two one-year periods in the period beginning five years before the date of the application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application.

  • Control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or greater than 33.33%; AND
  • Provide active and ongoing management of the qualifying Canadian business; AND
  • Create at least one incremental full-time job equivalent for one or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents other than the entrepreneur applicant and their family members.
  • Entrepreneurs are required to sign a declaration stating they intend and will be able to meet the conditions of permanent residence.
SELF-EMPLOYED

Self-employed immigrants must have relevant experience. Points are awarded for relevant experience within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of the application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application. Self-employed immigrants must have the experience, intention and ability to:

  • Establish a business that will, at a minimum, create an employment opportunity for themselves and that will make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics in Canada; OR
  • Purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

Entrepreneurs are required to sign a declaration stating they intend and will be able to meet the conditions of permanent residence.

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A relative in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may act as a sponsor and assist the applicant in immigrating to Canada. The relative is required to guarantee the applicant’s finances during the first few years of his or her residency in Canada. A sponsor can be a parent, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son, daughter, etc.

The sponsor may sponsor the following members of the Family Class (subject to meeting eligibility requirements):

  • Their spouse
  • Their common-law/same-sex partner
  • Their conjugal partner
  • Their dependent children under age twenty-two (22)
  • Their dependent children age twenty-two (22) and over (if they are full-time (15 hours per week or more) students, mentally or physically disabled and dependent on their parents) children adopted or to be adopted by them, or under their guardianship
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Other prescribed family members (i.e. last remaining family member under humanitarian and compassionate grounds where it is warranted).
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  • HUMANITARIAN & COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS
  • REFUGEE CASES
  • LIVE-IN CAREGIVER/ DOMESTIC WORKER
  • PRRA PRE-RISK REMOVAL ASSESSMENT APPLICATIONS
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Before you visit Canada, visitors:

  • Must be healthy, you might need a Doctor’s examination;
  • Must respect Canadian laws;
  • Will need a valid passport, proof of who you are or other travel documents;
  • Will need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if they are from certain countries;
  • May need a letter of invitation.

If a visa is required, a visa may be issued for single-entry, for multiple-entries, or for transit purposes. Upon arriving in Canada, visitors will be asked a few short questions by an Immigration officer. The officer will stamp the visitor’s passport or advise the visitor how long he/she may stay in Canada.

Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to pay your medical costs before you leave for Canada.

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In almost all cases, you must have a valid work permit to work in Canada.

A work permit is a written authorization to work in Canada issued by an officer to a person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. It s required whether or not the employer is in Canada. Usually, it is valid only for a specified job and length of time. A work permit may be issued based on labour market opinion (HRSDC confirmation) or may be issued on the basis of other requirements.

An HRSDC confirmation is the opinion provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to the officer which enables them to determine whether the employment of the foreign worker is likely to have a positive or negative impact on the labour market in Canada. An HRSDC confirmation may be required in order for a work permit to be issued.

You can apply for your work permit as soon as you receive written evidence of your job offer or contract of employment or as soon as you receive an HRSDC confirmation.

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In most cases, you must have a valid study permit to study in Canada.

A study permit is the official document issued by an officer that allows someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to study in Canada.

A study permit is not needed for:

    • Any program of study that is six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
    • Courses that are not academic, professional or vocational in nature that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada;
    • Courses included in tour packages as a secondary activity for tourists;
    • Nursery schools or kindergartens.
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
BUSINESS CLASS
FAMILY/SPOUSAL CLASS
OTHER CLASSES
VISITOR VISA
WORK PERMIT
STUDY PERMIT
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKERS
ENTREPRENEUR
FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
HUMANITARIAN & COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS
LIVE-IN CAREGIVER/ DOMESTIC WORKER
WORK PERMITS
VISITOR VISAS
PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD APPLICATIONS
PROVINCIAL NOMINEE - PNP
INVESTOR
SELF EMPLOYED
SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP
REFUGEE CASES
PRRA PRE-RISK REMOVAL ASSESSMENT APPLICATIONS
STUDY PERMITS
APPEALS
CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS

Gunness & Associates serves across all provinces in Canada.

Also serving internationally across the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Dubai, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, Guyana, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the rest of the world.

WE ARE IMMIGRATION SPECIALISTS

29 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE CAN’T BE WRONG!

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

We serve across all provinces in Canada.We serve across all provinces in Canada.

Also serving internationally across the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Dubai, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, Guyana, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the rest of the world.

For more information, feel free to contact us via email at info@immigrationmatters.info 

Immigration Specialist in Toronto

Federal Skilled Workers are persons with suitable education, work experience, age and language abilities under one of Canada’s official languages and who are selected under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence. More…

Gunness & Associates has been providing Canadian immigration services for more than 29 years. We have helped thousands of clients from all parts of the globe obtain their visas to come to Canada. Our goal is to provide our clients with a high level of quality service in the field of immigration, whether it is to come to Canada as a Permanent Resident, to Work, to Visit or to Study.

At Gunness & Associates, we are committed to providing you with quality service and up to date information you deserve in order to help you immigrate to Canada in the easiest and most efficient manner. Whether you want to immigrate to Canada or you are still in the process of thinking about it, we can provide you with professional advice and assist you step by step with the immigration process of your application.