Immigration Plans for 2009 The Canadian government plans to continue to accept between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents in 2009. The 2009 plan includes the following: * Up to 156,600 immigrants in the economic category * Up to 71,000 immigrants in the family category * And up to 37,400 immigrants in the humanitarian category. * *Information found on http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2008/2008-11-28.asp

Immigration Consultants And Lawyers - Who To Be Trusted? Posted using ShareThis

A video by Citizenship and Immigration Canada that warns of the dangers of unscrupulous immigration representatives.

Immigration is not that easy. Beware illegal agents who will make you think it is. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Hiring a representative? Protect yourself. Don’t hire anyone other than a member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, a provincial bar or a Quebec notary. They are the only representatives that can appear before the government on your behalf. It’s the law.

* Be informed – visit the CIC website and investigate the immigration requirements (forms, fees, etc) for your case. * Interview representatives before committing to a relationship. * Make sure that the immigration representative is a member of CSIC, a provincial bar or the Chambre des notaires du Québec. * Make sure you clearly understand what services the authorized representative will be providing and the associated fees. * Make sure you sign a retainer agreement/contract in your language of choice which clearly indicates all fees and the terms of payment. * Keep copies of all original documentation provided to your representative * Do not sign blank forms or applications. * Check over all information and applications before submitting to CIC to ensure accuracy.

March 19, 2009 | By Kristin Laird Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), the professional regulatory body for immigration consultants, has launched a national multilingual marketing campaign warning prospective immigrants against immigration fraud. John Ryan, chair and acting CEO of the group, said the effort from McDonnell Haynes Ltd. aims to protect immigrants coming to Canada by raising awareness about the dangers of corrupt immigration agents offering their services. Clients of immigration consulting services need to be aware that their best protection lies in hiring a member of either the CSIC, a provincial bar, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec, because they’re the “only ones who can appear before the government on behalf of an immigrant who is paying for immigration service,” said Ryan. “In some cases people are so desperate to be here... that they buy into some of these charlatan stories and they pay big money,” he said. Launched Wednesday, the print ad fea...

TORONTO, March 18 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) launched a tongue-in-cheek multilingual advertising campaign designed to shed light on a very important issue - immigration fraud. "It's no laughing matter when someone's dream of immigrating to Canada is crushed. The advertisement reminds people that the old adage is true, if something sounds too good to be true, it is," said John Ryan, Chair and Acting CEO, CSIC. CSIC members are dedicated to protecting the hopes and dreams of prospective immigrants who want to make Canada their home. A CSIC member is qualified to assist a prospective immigrant understand the various stages of the immigration process and they are required to have the most up-to-date information on immigration law. Consumers of immigration consulting services need to be aware that their best protection lies in hiring a member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, of a provincial bar or of the Chambre...