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We can represent you before Citizenship and Immigration Canada in order to process any type of visa.

We serve clients from Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia,Quebec, Saskatchewan,Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. Save time and money. We make immigration easy. Call us or send us a message to discuss your case

CANADA PERMANENT RESIDENT VISAS

There are a number of visa options for living permanently in Canada.  The federal government has different options.  Most provinces in Canada have signed agreements with the federal government to allow applicants to obtain permanent residency through provincial nominations.  More than 250,000 permanent resident visas are issued every year to people from all over the world

Spouse Sponsorship [ price $2390 - $2890 ]

  You as a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident may sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner and his/her dependent children. Please call us for more information

Family Sponsorship [ price $2390 - $2890 ]

  If you are a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident, you can sponsor your loved ones to obtain a Permanent Resident Visa.  Please call us for more information

LMIA / LMO and Work Permits

  Canada has thousands of foreign workers and more than 90,000 obtain this visa to work temporarily in Canada every year.  Please click here for more information

LMIA Labour Market Impact Assessment for Express Entry  Permanent Residence Process [ price $2490 - $2990 ]
LMIA / LMOs Labour Market Impact Assessment for Work Permits  [ price $2490 - $2990 ]
LMIA / LMOs (Labour Market Opinion Applications live-in caregivers) [ price $1990 - $2490 ]
Work Permits and Visas, Extensions or change of conditions [ price $890 - $1390 ]
Package LMIA / LMOs + Work Permits inside or outside Canada (Please call for your quote)
Call for your quote if you have more than one employee


Express Entry representation cost $990
Please cal us for more information

Canadian Experience Class [ price $1290- $1690 ]

  If you have worked or studied in Canada or if you are currently working or studying in Canada, you may qualify under this program Please call us for more information

Federal Skilled Worker Class [ price $1290 - $1690 ]

  Canada grants permanent resident visas to candidates under certain conditions: those who have education, work experience and knowledge of English or French.   Please call  for more information

Provincial Nominee Class [ price $1290 - $2590 ]

  Most provinces have agreements with the Canadian government to select their own immigrants based on employment opportunities and/or ties that the prospective immigrant may have with certain provinces.   Please call us for more information

Province of Quebec Class [ price $2090 - $2490 ]

  Quebec is a province that has a different approach to immigration than the rest of the country.  Some people that won't qualify for other programs may be viable immigrants under the Quebec selection grid.   Please call us for more information

Live-in Caregivers [ price $1990 - $2490 ]

  Immigration Pros. will also process LMOs, work permits, and permanent residences for live-in caregivers that comply with the requirements. Please click here for more information Please call us for more information

Business and Investor Visa

  Canada encourages the creation of new businesses and every year welcomes investors from all over the world as "new Canadians".  This category is designed for experienced business people and people who can support the development of a strong Canadian economy.   Please call us for more information

TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISAS

  These Visas are granted to people that want to visit, study or work in Canada.  A professionally prepared application may make a big difference when processing these types of visas.

Student Visas / Permits [ price $990 - $1190 ]

  More than 130,000 visas are issued every year for students from all over the world.   Please call us for more information

Visitor Visas / Permits [ price $1090 - $1590 ]

  More than 35 million people visit Canada each year.  Visitors from some countries will need to obtain a visa before visiting Canada.   Please call us here for more information

STATUS OF VISA APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE APPLICATIONS ARE IN-PROCESS [ PRICE $250 - $490 ]

 Whether you are our client or not, we can help you to obtain and decode a status report of your Canadian Visa application, with notes made by the officers processing your file.  You can find out the exact status of your application.  Please call us for more information

IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY SERVICE [ PRICE $99 ]

  Often people will not be able to find the information they are looking for, or may also need the opinion of a professional in the field.  People may not need to retain the full services provided but just need a specific question answered about a problem they may have; a visa application to Canada or the process in general.  They may require interview tips or may have questions about a Temporary Resident Visa such as the Student visa, Work permit or Tourist visa.   Please call us for more information

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To ensure you have the best possible chance of being selected for immigration to Canada, you can retain the services of a Canadian immigration expert who can help you take the necessary steps before and during your application to maximize your chances

Quebec Investor Program Will Reopen on May 29

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP), a Canadian immigration program that allows international investors to obtain Canadian permanent residence by investing CAD $800,000 risk-free, will reopen in less than two months.

The QIIP is Canada’s only passive investor immigration program, and is one of the most popular investor immigration programs globally, offering a number of advantages over investor immigration programs in other jurisdictions.

For example, there is no probationary or conditional stage, and a successful application leads to a Canadian permanent resident visa. This marks the QIIP as quite different to the EB-5 program in the United States, where applicants must prove that they created 10 jobs or more within two years. The QIIP has no such provision.

Second, the investment of CAD $800,000 is submitted through an approved financial intermediary. Moreover, this investment can be financed by such an intermediary. The investment is guaranteed by a government of Quebec entity and returned in full after five years.

Third, immediate members of the candidate’s family (spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under the age of 19) may be included in the application, and these family members also obtain Canadian permanent residence. Successful applicants and their families may enjoy the benefits of permanent resident status, including universal health care, free public education, and access to world-class universities.

Finally, the QIIP is a route not just to Canadian permanent resident status, but also to Canadian citizenship and the right to a Canadian passport. Currently, Canada’s citizenship naturalization criteria require only four years of residency in Canada within six years, and the current federal government aims to reduce this requirement to three years of residency out of five.

Requirements

Minimum net worth
Applicants must have acquired a minimum of CAD $1.6 million in net worth by legitimate means, alone or with a spouse or partner. Assets such as property, bank accounts, pension funds, stocks, and shares may be included.

Investment
Applicants must intend to settle in Quebec and sign an investment agreement agreeing to invest CAD $800,000 with an approved financial intermediary. Applicants must sign an investment agreement with one of the financial intermediaries — a broker or trust company — authorized to participate in the program. The investment can be financed by a financial intermediary.

Management experience
Applicants must have acquired a minimum of two years’ management experience in the past five years. The experience is not limited to commercial activities, but can also be an international agency, department or government agency.

Preparation is key

The upcoming intake period for applications runs from May 29, 2017 to February 23, 2018, and up to 1,900 applications may be accepted for processing. Of these, a maximum of 1,330 applications may be accepted from foreign nationals of the People’s Republic of China, including the administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Based on previous application cycles, it seems likely that the QIIP intake cap may be reached before the scheduled end date. Therefore, potential candidates are advised to take initial steps — such as proving net worth and working with an eligible financial intermediary on the application — as early as possible.

Candidates with an “advanced intermediate” level in French are not subject to the intake cap, and may submit an application at any time. Moreover, their applications are given priority processing.

“For French-speaking and non-French-speaking investors alike, the announcement that Canada’s only passive investor immigration program is reopening is sure to come as exciting news,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“It is a truly unique program, in which investors may take a less hands-on approach to business than is the case in other programs in other countries. I would advise potential applicants to take initial steps — such as proving net worth and working with an eligible financial intermediary on the application — as early as possible, to ensure the greatest chance of success through this program.”

Quebec Skilled Worker Program to Reopen for 5,000 New Applications

A popular Canadian immigration program run by the province of Quebec will reopen for 5,000 new applications at some point during the next 12 months, it has been announced.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP, also referred to by the government of Quebec as the ‘Regular Skilled Worker Program’) gives individuals and families the opportunity to make an application to a program that still operates on a first-come, first-served basis, as opposed to the ‘Expression of Interest’ systems that have become popular throughout many other provinces, as well as at the federal level.

Applicants first apply to the government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, also known as a CSQ), before applying to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence. Quebec assesses the application based on criteria set by the province, while the federal government assesses for admissibility factors.

The announcement that the QSWP would receive up to 5,000 new applications was made in the Gazette Officielle du Québec, which lists all the legislative and regulatory decisions taken by the government of Québec, on March 30, 2017. These QSWP applications will be accepted during an intake period that will occur before March 31, 2018. The exact dates for the upcoming intake period are yet to be announced.
How it works

For the most recent application cycle, individuals wishing to submit an application for a CSQ through the QSWP did so through the online management system Mon projet Québec. When creating an account, individuals were required to enter personal information related to their civil status, work history, education history, family, and previous visits to Quebec, if applicable, as well as other personal details. The government of Quebec has not stated whether or not the upcoming application cycle may deviate from this process.

The QSWP is a points-based immigration program, whereby points may be awarded for an individual’s area of training, work experience, age, language proficiency in French and/or English, prior relationship with Quebec (through visits or family), the human capital factors of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner (if applicable). Potential applicants must accrue enough points for these factors before then satisfying a second points threshold, where points may be awarded for any accompanying dependent children and proof of financial self-sufficiency.

While a job offer is not required for the QSWP, additional points may be awarded for a validated job offer in the province.

Potential applicants should also note that they may be awarded points for French proficiency, though it is not an eligibility requirement for the program. Individuals who do not have knowledge of French, but who have strong credentials in other areas, may be eligible to apply to the QSWP.
Recent changes to the system

Earlier this month, the government of Quebec tweaked the QSWP points system. At the preliminary threshold, the minimum point score required has risen from 42 points to 43 points for a single applicant, and from 50 points to 52 points for a couple. The second and final threshold is now 50 points for a single applicant (up from 49), and 59 points for a couple (up from 57).

The number of points awarded for certain areas of training have also been altered. For this factor, Quebec allots a set number of points across five tiers, awarding more points to individuals with areas of training deemed to be in demand in the local labour market. Previously, top tier (section A) areas of training were awarded 16 points, but these are now worth 12 points. Areas of training previously worth 12 points are now worth nine points. The number of points awarded for areas of training that were previously awarded six or two points have not changed. Points may also be awarded for the area of training of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner, and the number of points awarded for this factor has not changed.

The changes will affect all applications submitted on or after March 8, 2017. Moreover, the changes are also applicable to applications that were submitted before March 8, and which have not yet entered the preliminary processing stage.

“There are a couple of reasons to be excited about this announcement from Quebec. First, we now know that there will be an intake period, and that 5,000 proactive individuals, and their families, will be able to immigrate to Quebec as a result of this intake,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“Second, we may expect a smoother management process with respect to the Mon projet Québec system, which it is fair to say experienced some technical teething issues when it was first introduced last year. Not only has the government had time to make improvements, but recent changes to the points system may mean that fewer people try to access the system simultaneously. Moreover, this latter factor may also lead to eligible registrants having a greater chance of submitting an application, and ultimately obtaining Canadian permanent resident status.”

Note:  Individuals in either of the following situations are not subject to the cap and may submit an application for a CSQ at any time:

    The applicant has a validated employment offer from an employer in Quebec and is eligible to submit an application for a CSQ; or
    The applicant is a temporary resident in Quebec and is eligible to submit an application for a CSQ.

In both the above cases, the applicant must also satisfy the points thresholds described above.

Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen

Every month, Attorney David Cohen will answer a few general Canadian immigration questions submitted by our readers. These questions cover immigration programs, eligibility, processing, language requirements, investing in Canada, landing, admissibility, studying in Canada, working in Canada, and much more. Here are this month’s questions and answers.

1. I am a regular subscriber to you articles, which I find very helpful. There is one question I would like you to answer for me: I am an international student in Canada and my common-law partner is here with me on an open work permit. Can she be the principal applicant?

That is a good question. In short, yes, your common-law partner may be the principal applicant on an application for permanent residence, but there are a few things worth considering.

First, it is important for both partners to determine your eligibility across the currently available programs. I say this because there are programs run by the federal government, such as the programs managed under the Express Entry system, as well as programs run by the provinces, including the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and programs in Quebec. Depending on your credentials as individuals and circumstances as a couple, there may be reasons to pursue a particular route to permanent residence.

Study experience in Canada and work experience in Canada are both rewarded in many of the programs alluded to above. It could be the case that your partner should be the principal applicant, but it could also be the case that your immigration objectives could be met if you were the principal applicant. Indeed, in the Express Entry system both partners may create a profile, listing the other partner as the accompanying partner in both cases. This may have certain advantages, such as the possibility of greater exposure to Canadian provinces that manage PNP streams aligned with Express Entry.

To learn more, I encourage you both to complete a free online assessment.



2. Hi, I need a clarification. Suppose my Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is 436 and I got an Invitation to Apply. And during the processing time (for example four months after getting my ITA), my birthday occurs, reducing my score to below the threshold needed to get an ITA in that particular draw. Will I get my PR visa to Canada in such a scenario? Expecting your valuable reply. Thanks in advance.

An Express Entry applicant, or potential applicant who has been issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA), may have a birthday after he or she receives an ITA. The change in age may occur before he or she submits an application for permanent residence, or before he or she receives confirmation of permanent residence. Fortunately, the government of Canada has established a public policy to exempt Express Entry applicants from certain age-based requirements between the moment of receipt of the ITA and the e-application being processed to completion. If no such policy was in place, a change in age could have the effect of a candidate’s CRS score decreasing below the lowest score in the draw in which he or she received an ITA.

In short, there is no need to worry about an age factor affecting the validity of an ITA or an e-application after the ITA is issued.

That being said, if for some reason a candidate is unable to submit the application, or if it is refused and he or she wishes to re-enter the pool, he or she would have to satisfy the conditions for entry to the pool (i.e. he or she would have to be eligible under a federal economic program), and the number of CRS points awarded for age at this point would be affected by his or her most recent birthday. If anything, this highlights the importance of preparing and submitting a complete and accurate application the first time around.



3. Can I make multiple visits to Canada with an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

Yes, holders of a valid eTA may make multiple visits to Canada.

The eTA is valid for a period of five years from the day on which it is issued to the applicant or until the earliest of the following days, if they occur before the end of that period:

the day on which the applicant’s passport or other travel document expires,
the day on which the electronic travel authorization is cancelled, or
the day on which a new electronic travel authorization is issued to the applicant.
As long as the holder of the eTA remains admissible to Canada, he or she may make multiple visits to Canada over the course of the duration of the eTA’s validity.

Federal Budget Provides Additional Funding for Foreign Worker Programs

nnual budget also allocates funds for schemes to recognize foreign credentials of new immigrants to Canada

The government of Canada has stated that it will provide $279.8 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, and $49.8 million per year thereafter, to support the continued delivery of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

These two programs facilitate the entry to Canada of foreign workers to Canada. The TFWP is designed to admit workers to fill specific labour shortages in jobs where Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available. The IMP seeks to advance Canada’s broader economic and cultural interests; IMP categories include workers under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Intra-Company Transfers, and open work permits, such as permits issued under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program or to spouses/common-law partners of workers and international students.

The funding was announced as part of the government’s budget for 2017, which was delivered by Finance Minister Bill Morneau on March 22.

Last September, a Parliamentary Committee submitted a list of suggested changes to the TFWP. The Committee proposed changes to processing methods, transition plans, monitoring, and pathways for workers to transition to permanent resident status.

Although some of those recommendations — such as the removal of the “cumulative duration” or “four-in, four-out” rule for certain workers — were implemented in December, the government stated that further reforms would be announced in the budget. Consequently, it was expected that the budget would include a more robust shake-up of the program. Earlier this year, Employment Minister Patty Hajdu stated that “the budget will be released shortly and many of our actions are tied to the budget.”

Another change that came about in December was an extension to the cap on the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers employed by firms in seasonal industries.

Recognizing foreign credentials

The budget also aims to ease the settlement of newly-arrived immigrants to Canada, specifically by allocating funds to initiatives that help newcomers have their international credentials recognized in the Canadian labour market.

Budget 2017 proposes to reallocate $27.5 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, and $5.5 million per year thereafter to support a Targeted Employment Strategy for Newcomers. The Strategy will have three components:

improved pre-arrival supports, so that newcomers can begin the foreign credential recognition process before arriving in Canada;
a loan program that will assist newcomers with the cost of having their foreign credentials recognized; and
targeted measures to test innovative approaches to help skilled newcomers gain Canadian work experience in their profession.
The previous Conservative government had introduced a Foreign Credential Recognition Loans pilot program in 2011. In its 2015 budget, that government earmarked $35 million over five years to make the program permanent, but it was never implemented due to the election held later that year. However, government data demonstrated that loans sped up the credential recognition process, leading to a 47-per-cent increase in full-time employment and easing reliance on government income assistance. As such, the loan program has been revived by the current Liberal government.

According to the government, ‘the strategy will help reduce barriers and support newcomers as they put their skills to work in the Canadian economy.’

Rate of Temporary Foreign Workers Immigrating to Canada Permanently Increased Between 1990 and 2014

New data released by Statistics Canada reveals that an increased share of foreign workers in Canada successfully transitioned to permanent resident status over the period 1990 to 2014 — a trend that may well have continued since 2014 and beyond. This is in no small part due to immigration programs that value Canadian work experience.

About nine percent of temporary foreign workers who received their first Canadian work permit between 1995 and 1999 became permanent residents within five years. The level increased to 13 percent for the 2000-to-2004 arrivals, and it rose further to 21 percent for foreign workers who arrived between 2005 and 2009.

Foreign workers may come under one of two broad programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP).

chart-TFW

Over the period of time under scrutiny in this study, Canadian federal and provincial governments have launched a number of programs that allow foreign workers to obtain permanent residence. The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate eligible individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who have the credentials to establish themselves in a particular province or territory. In addition, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — an immigration program first introduced in 2008 — allows foreign workers to become eligible for permanent resident status once they meet certain eligibility criteria.

The CEC is one of three federal economic immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry immigration system (the other two being the Federal Skilled Worker Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Class). Because Express Entry was launched in 2015, and the study does not include any data from this system.

However, the report does mention Express Entry explicitly, stating that the emphasis on pre-arranged job offers, Canadian work experience, and English or French ability in the Express Entry system also benefits temporary foreign workers seeking permanent residence.

A pre-arranged job offer can be, but is not always, a determining factor for becoming eligible to enter the Express Entry pool of candidate. In addition, a qualifying job offer is one of the factors for which a candidate in the pool may be awarded points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a unique points system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank candidates and issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to the highest-ranked candidates during draws from the pool.

Be that as it may, the number of CRS points awarded for a pre-arranged job offer was reduced in November, 2016, when the number of points awarded for such an offer was changed from 600 to either 200 or 50, depending on the position offered, with IRCC wishing to place greater emphasis on human capital factors, skills, and experience.

“Obtaining gainful employment in Canada is a key step to settlement in the country, as well as for the immigration process itself,” says Attorney David Cohen. “The current government has gone on record stating that it wishes to place greater emphasis on human capital, skills, and experience, but a job offer remains valuable in its own right.”

It should be noted that Canada continues to allow a broad range of workers around the world, both within Canada and abroad, to immigrate through its economic programs. In fact, the overall number of immigrants coming to Canada has increased substantially since the 1990s, with this year’s target level of 300,000 new permanent residents being higher than any annual intake of any year included in the study.

Western Canadian Provinces Continue to Have Active PNPs

The month of March has so far been another busy one when it comes to immigration to Canada’s western provinces. Recent activity among the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) out west will allow a diverse range of workers and graduates to immigrate to a region that is becoming increasingly popular among new immigrants to Canada, with job opportunities and high living standards cited as reasons for this trend.

So far this month, there have been draws in British Columbia (BC) and Manitoba — these provinces continue to invite individuals and families, both in Canada and abroad, to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. In addition, Alberta continues to process applications through its various streams and categories. Further, Saskatchewan introduced an application fee for two of its popular international skilled worker streams — a sign that these streams will continue to open for new applications throughout 2017.

Together, these four provinces make up the region of Western Canada.

By obtaining a provincial nomination, an individual and his or her family, if applicable, may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident status. This year, Canada plans to welcome up to 51,000 newcomers through the PNPs, around a seven percent increase on the 2016 target.

British Columbia

The waterfront in Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
On March 8, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its fourth draw for foreign workers and graduates in just five weeks. Another draw then took place on March 22. In total, 2,074 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the BC PNP have been issued since the beginning of February. Around half of these ITAs were issued to international graduates who completed their studies in Canada.

All 377 ITAs issued on March 8 were issued across a range of BC PNP sub-categories managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), a unique system used to rank and select candidates under certain BC PNP sub-categories.

The March 22 round of invitations included 12 candidates who had made an Expression of Interest under the Entrepreneur Stream, which is not managed through the SIRS. The remaining 425 ITAs were issued under SIRS sub-categories of the BC PNP.

Some invited individuals are now in a position to submit their BC PNP provincial nomination application through one of the enhanced BC PNP sub-categories aligned with the federal Express Entry selection system, thereby benefiting from an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which in turn means the candidate is first in line to receive an ITA at the federal Express Entry level. The remaining candidates will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside the Express Entry system.

Learn more about the BC PNP categories managed under the SIRS system:

Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker
Express Entry BC – International Graduate
Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker
Skills Immigration – International Graduate
Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
A qualifying job offer from a BC employer is required for the above categories. Potential applicants can use the SIRS Calculator to determine what their score might be if they were to register under the SIRS.

The BC PNP also accepts applications from eligible post-graduates on an ongoing basis through its Express Entry-aligned category and its Skills Immigration category for Master’s and PhD graduates. Eligible applicants to these categories do not need a job offer.

Manitoba

A magnificent sunset over a prairie in Manitoba, Canada
Manitoba sunset
Like BC, Manitoba also operates a unique ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) system for the skilled worker immigration categories of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This system is divided into two categories, allowing skilled workers in Manitoba, as well as skilled workers overseas, to submit an EOI and, if invited, an application for a MPNP nomination certificate.

Candidates eligible for one of the MPNP for Skilled Workers sub-categories are ranked according to a unique points system that awards up to 1,000 points.

On March 16, a total of 313 candidates in the system were issued a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA, more informally known as an invitation) based on the number of points they had been awarded. A total of 250 candidates, each of whom had at 684 or more points, were issued a LAA under the criteria for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category. The remaining 63 LAAs were issued to candidates in the Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category who were invited directly under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, and who had at least 703 points.

Alberta

The skyline of Calgary, Alberta on a summer day
Calgary, Alberta
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has continued to process hundreds of applications to completion this month, with more than 1,300 applications successfully processed to completion so far this year. The AINP’s Strategic Recruitment Stream, Employer-Driven Stream, and Self-Employed Farmer Stream include categories that aim to welcome workers across a range of industries, as well as international graduates and post-graduates.

The AINP streams are all “base” streams, meaning they are not aligned with the Express Entry immigration selection system. Indeed, Alberta does not currently process any applications through the federal Express Entry system.

Saskatchewan

Boats docked in a lake in the Wascana Centre, Saskatchewan, Canada
Wascana Centre, Saskatchewan
Earlier this month, the government of Saskatchewan announced a new application fee of $300 CAD will come into force on April 1 for two popular sub-categories of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The fee will be mandatory for applicants to the International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category and the International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand sub-category. Until this point, there has been no application fee for these SINP sub-categories.

These sub-categories target newcomers who have work experience in an in-demand occupation. Moreover, no job offer is required for either sub-category.

Both of these SINP sub-categories have opened for new applications on numerous occasions since they were introduced in 2015. Intake quotas for these streams usually fill within a few days, or even hours on occasion. Consequently, potential applicants who prepare in advance by gathering and reviewing required documentation, and by keeping up to date with the program, are best positioned to immigrate to Canada through one of these SINP sub-categories.

The west is wide open

“Over recent years, there has been a steady move west among newcomers to Canada, as well as people already living here. The publicly available data bears this out. A shift is occurring, and the Provincial Nominee Programs are the driving force behind much of the population growth out west,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“When it comes to these programs, however, the importance of preparation cannot be overestimated. Take Saskatchewan, for example, where sub-categories frequently open and close without warning. Further, many of the applications received and invitations issued over recent weeks and months were through streams that are not aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

“Even for individuals eligible for Express Entry, there is no harm in also pursuing base PNP options, as well as enhanced categories. Individuals who are seriously considering immigrating to Canada would do well to have their options assessed across a range of programs and streams, including those that are aligned with Express Entry, as well as those that are not.”

Link your paper application to your online account

What you will need to link your application

To link your application to your account, we will ask you specific information about your application. Have a copy of your application on hand. After you create an account and sign in, select “Link an application to this account” to get started.

When your application is linked to your account, you will no longer receive messages by mail. We will contact you through your account.

You can link the following applications to your online account:

process

1. Apply in person or by mail

2. Create your online account

3. Link your application to your account

4.4. Get updates and messages about your application online

Visitor visa

Work permit

Study permit

Visitor record

Canadian Experience Class

Family Sponsorship (excluding applications to become a sponsor)

Federal Skilled Worker

Federal Skilled Trade

Provincial Nominee Program

Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker

Quebec Investors

Quebec Entrepreneurs

Self-employed persons (including Quebec)

Start-up visa

Caregivers (Caring for people with high medical needs pathway, Caring for children pathway)

In-Canada Live-In Caregiver

In-Canada Protected Persons and Convention Refugees

More programs will be added at a later date.

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Sign in to your account using:

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Application refused? What CIC states in refusal letters is not the whole story

A person whose visa, permit or immigration application has been refused needs to understand two things.

First, when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) refuses an application, it does not necessarily provide the full reasons for the refusal to the applicant.

Second, it is possible for an applicant to apply for and receive the full, internal reasons for CIC’s refusal. Applicants should do so before either resubmitting an application to CIC, or throwing in the towel.



Not the whole story

CIC’s refusal letters are generally extremely vague. They typically consist of generic letters stating that applicants did not meet the requirements of Canadian immigration legislation. As well, the refusal letters typically contain a list of all possible reasons why CIC may refuse an application, with a checkmark or an X next to the reason(s) applicable to the applicant. Possible reasons include “lack of funds,” “travel history,” “purpose of visit,” etc.

What most applicants whose applications have been refused don’t realize is that behind these decisions are additional, often very detailed reasons that aren’t provided in the refusal letter. These internal reasons can range from a few short sentences, to sometimes even more than a page of reasoning that CIC does not share with applicants.

Although this may seem unfair to applicants, the Federal Court of Canada has consistently ruled that there is no requirement for CIC to provide the detailed reasons for refusal in its refusal letters. There is also no requirement that CIC inform applicants that if they want to obtain detailed reasons for the refusal that it is possible to do so.



Getting the reasons from CIC

 There are several ways for an applicant whose visa has been refused to obtain CIC’s detailed, refusal reasons. If the applicant is outside Canada, then he or she can file an Access to Informationrequest. If the applicant is inside Canada, then he or she can file a Privacy Actrequest. Both of these requests can be submitted online. CIC is legally obligated to provide the full reasons within 30 days of receiving the request, which it typically does by e-mail.

Another way is to commence an Application for Leave to Commence Judicial Review. However, because doing this actually launches a Federal Court action, it is typically only done when an applicant is appealing CIC’s refusal, and where judicial deadlines do not permit waiting 30 days while you wait for the detailed reasons.

Next steps after refusal

It is important that anyone whose application has been refused receive the detailed reasons before they consider next steps.

For example, our office recently consulted with an individual whose temporary resident visa was refused. The refusal letter stated that the reason for the refusal was his insufficient finances. She was flabbergasted, as she had included in her visa application a bank statement showing more than sufficient funds for her trip in Canada. We advised her to wait until we had applied for and received the internal CIC reasons before she took any further steps.

CIC’s detailed reasons contained the detailed reason, which had an obvious solution. The internal reasons stated that CIC did not consider the bank statement to be reliable because the bank statements did not have the applicant’s name. It was easy for the applicant to correct this when she reapplied.

Given how easy it can be for applicants to remedy mistakes in their visa applications once they see the detailed reasons for refusal, the obvious question that has to be asked is why does CIC not provide more detailed reasons in its refusal letters?

I am not the first person to ask this. Indeed, during every legislative session, Don Davies, member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway, introduces a private member’s bill to amend Canadian immigration legislation to require visa officers to provide the detailed reasons for refusal. Davies’ proposal has never made it past first reading in the House of Commons, which is a shame. Refused applicants should know why their applications were refused without them having to apply and wait for detailed reasons.

How to Appeal Against a Canadian Visa Refusal

If you’ve received notification of a Canadian visa refusal from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, it can be extremely distressing. Note that you do have options when it comes to appealing a Canadian visa refusal, however time is not on your side. You may only have a very short window of time in which to appeal your Canadian visa refusal, even as little as 30 days.

What are the ways to appeal a Canadian visa refusal?

The appeal options for a Canadian visa refusal are:

Making a request for restoration to the Case Processing Centre or CPC.
Appealing your Canadian visa refusal to the Immigration Adjudication Division, or IAD.
Appealing your Canadian visa refusal to the Federal Court of Canada.
Which option is right for me?

Which option for appealing against a Canadian visa refusal is right for you depends on many things, including what type of visa application it was. Did you apply for permanent residency, or did you apply for a Canadian visitor visa or study visa? Different avenues of appeal are better suited for different types of visas and personal circumstances.

You may only have as few as thirty days to appeal your Canadian visa refusal. This is a very short deadline and you must act quickly.

Appealing a Canadian visa refusal is an extremely complicated and delicate process. You will have to effectively demonstrate why your application should not have been denied and why you deserve a second chance. An immigration consultant can be your biggest asset and advantage during an appeal against a Canadian visa refusal! Contact our eleos group intl  using the form on the right or at the telephone number above for an assessment of your case.

Canadian visa application refusal

if you are one of the unfortunate people that has just had their Canadian visa application refused, it can be one of the most frustrating experiences of your life. Travel plans are spoiled and the hopes of being reunited with distant friends and relatives are in serious jeopardy
And to make matters worse, the form rejection letter provides only a vague reference to an officer’s belief that “you would not leave Canada at the end of your stay.”  You know there must be more to it than that. If only there was a way to get a copy of the visa office file materials so that you could learn the “real reasons” your application was rejected.

Well there is a way to get those file materials and I’m going to show you how!

The Canadian Immigration visa rejection letter will almost always have the following statement enclosed at the end:

Should you wish to reapply, I would suggest that you do so only if your situation has changed substantively or you have significant new information to submit.
If you want to have any hope of getting that refusal overturned, or a second application approved, getting your hands on your immigration Physical File is essential. It will be critical that you know what evidence, or lack thereof, influenced the officer in believing you wouldn’t go home if the visa was approved.

It is only by knowing this information that you will then be in a position to provide “significant new information” on your next application in hopes of getting it approved. By satisfying the underlying concerns revealed in the officers hidden notes, you will then be able to reduce the chances of a second refusal.

The best way to get that information is to do an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request to the Government of Canada. If done properly, this request will give you copies of the actual file materials and a glimpse into the officer’s detailed “internal” reasons for refusing your application. Armed with this knowledge, you are going to be much more likely to have success on your next application.

ATIPs can be used to access government information from a lot of different sources.

Living without immigration status in Toronto? There are services available for you

Living without immigration status in Toronto? There are services available for you
By Denise Hansen
September 3, 2013

Photographs of people crossing the street at Front and Bay Street.In February 2013, the City of Toronto made history by being the first Canadian city to move towards becoming a “sanctuary city”, announcing it would abide by a formal policy to allow people without full immigration status to access all City of Toronto services. If you and/or your family members have found yourself in a situation where you are one of the estimated 200,000 non-status residents living in the G.T.A.—whether you are waiting for a decision on your immigration case from Citizenship and Immigration, have overstayed your visitor visa or evaded a deportation order— you must know that all City of Toronto services are available to you no matter your immigration status. Often many of these services are available free of charge.

WHAT’S ACCESSIBLE

The table below provides a small sampling of services available to you should you find yourself residing in Toronto without full immigration status. While February’s announcement promised City of Toronto services will be accessible to all residents, no matter their immigration status, the agencies and organizations listed below have confirmed they work with non-status immigrants and keep a person’s status information fully confidential, except in situations where Canadian law requires otherwise.



Police, Fire, Ambulance Services: Call 9-1-1 While 911 operators typically send police, fire and ambulance services to respond to any 911 emergency, you can choose to request “ambulance only” for medical emergencies, should you be fearful of police presence.
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000 Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. You do not need a health insurance number to call nor do you need to provide any personal contact information. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers translation support in multiple languages.
Toronto Community Health Centres (CHCs): for a list of Toronto CHCs, see pages 25-27 of the Social Planning Toronto Community ServicesResource Guide * Toronto Community Health Centres (CHCs) are community health centres where doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, and health promoters provide health services. You do not require health insurance (or OHIP) but you must make an appointment in order to receive services. All CHCs charge low fees and require that you live within their catchment area (the area in which the services are provided) and fill out an application form. The information on the application form will be kept strictly confidential. Some CHCs may have waiting lists in order to access their services. If you have a medical emergency, please remember you can always get help at any hospital emergency room regardless of your immigration status. However, you will be charged a fee for services.
Workers’ Action Centre:720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223
416-531-0778
The Ontario Employment Standards Act provides protection for many classifications of workers regardless of immigration status. Whether or not you have fullimmigration status, you are entitled to receive the money
you have earned. If you have experienced discrimination or harassment or have not received the money you are owed, contact the Workers’ Action Centre. You may also file an anonymous complaint under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, if you feel your working conditions are unsafe or you have been injured on the job by calling the Industrial Accident Victims’ Group of Ontario, 1-877-230-6311. If you work as a live-in caregiver or have come to Canada under the Live-in Caregiver program and you need help, contact: Caregiver Action Centre 416-361-6319.
Ontario Early Years Centres: 1-866-821-7770 Ontario Early Years Centres offer a place for parents and children (up to 6 years of age) to take part in activities and programs together. All services are free of charge and there are numerous centres across the City of Toronto. To locate the centre nearest you, call the Ontario Early Years Centres.
Toronto District School Board416-397-3000
www.tdsb.on.ca

admissions@tdsb.on.ca
Every child under the age of 18 has the right to go to school in Ontario regardless of their (or their parents’) immigration status. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has passed a “Students Without Legal Immigration Status” policy which states that all children, regardless of status, are welcome in TDSB schools and information about them or their families will not be shared with immigration authorities. You can register a child by going to the International Programs and Admissions Office at 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto.


Other services available to residents of Toronto without full immigration status include: emergency shelters, counselling and abuse help, library services, legal aid services which can help with your immigration status, food banks, childcare and recreation programs, and more. For a complete list of community services available to immigrants without papers in Toronto (this is a list of agencies and organizations who have confirmed they work with non-status immigrants and keep a person’s status information fully confidential), download the Social Planning Toronto Community Services Resource Guide. The guide is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu. For a full list of City of Toronto services, visit http://www.toronto.ca/services/.



HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES

To ensure you and your family’s safety, always call the service site in advance to inquire about eligibility criteria. If the organization/service you are contacting requires immigration information, ask if they will share this information with federal authorities. Do not share any personal information when you make this first call. It’s also important to call in advance to know what I.D. might be asked for. Many social service organizations may ask for a birth certificate, a social insurance card, refugee papers, a passport, a permanent residency card, driver’s licence, etc., but many organizations are quite flexible in terms of what documents are required, so always call in advance to confirm.



HAVING TROUBLE ACCESSING SERVICES?

If you or someone you know are having trouble accessing any City of Toronto services, call the Solidarity City Network hotline at: 1-888-670-4486. Sharing your experience will help Solidarity City Network ensure that Toronto’s services are in fact, accessible for all.

“Immigrants without full status are part of Toronto, they are our neighbours, they work here, and they are friends,” says Mai Phan from the Solidarity City Network, one of the community organizations who campaigned for Toronto to become a “sanctuary city”.  The City of Toronto and other agencies are agreeing that community members shouldn’t be denied basic services because of federal bureaucratic rules. This is another step in a long journey for dignity and rights for immigrants,” says Phan.  “Full access to services means that we can all enjoy healthier, safer neighbourhoods. Migrants can get the help and services they need during a vulnerable time.”

Types & Prevalence of Harmful Traditional Practices

Types & Prevalence of Harmful Traditional Practices
last updated June 2010

Throughout the world, there are many different types of harmful traditional practices that violate the human rights of women. Some practices are endemic to a particular area of the world, while others are more widespread. Below are a few of the most prevalent and harmful practices that constitute violence against women and a violation of their personal dignity and human rights.

Son Preference, Female Infanticide, and Sex-Selective Abortions
“Son preference” is a custom rooted in gender inequality that is prevalent in many countries and found across religions and classes. It is, however, most apparent in countries of South Asia, where poverty is prevalent, and where families might view the “continuity of the male line” as a matter of particular importance. >>Learn more

Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision, is the practice in which a female child is subjected to a procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons, whether committed within or outside of a medical institution. FGM is considered to be a part of the coming of age ritual for women in some cultures, but it is performed on girls of all ages, from infants to adults. The practice is common in Africa, where it is known to occur in twenty-five countries, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Yemen. The practice also persists within immigrant populations in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. FGM is erroneously believed to ensure virginity before marriage and is used as a means of controlling women's sexuality.  >>Learn more

Forced and Early Marriages
Girls being forced into marriage, sometimes at very young ages, is prevalent in many areas throughout the world. Forced or early marriages may be an expectation within the social or religious culture in which a girl or woman lives. In certain cultures within India, the Middle East, and Africa, the practice of forcing girls ages 11, 12, and 13 to marry and begin producing children is prevalent. Young girls command a higher bride-price (not to be confused with a dowry, which is paid by the wife’s parents to the family of the husband) for their parents due to the cultural value placed upon virginity. Regardless of the reason it is practiced, child marriage robs young girls of their childhood and forces them into dependent and subordinate positions within the husband’s family. A child bride is at increased risk of serious or fatal complications for both herself and her children arising from giving birth before having fully developed. >>Learn more

Bride Kidnapping
Bride kidnapping is a form of forced marriage. It is a phenomenon in some cultures in which a young girl or woman is abducted by an individual or group wishing to force that girl into a marriage which she and her family would not otherwise consent to.  >>Learn more

"Honor" Crimes
An “honor crime” involves the murder, attempted murder, physical or mental abuse, exile, or forced marriage of another perpetrated for the purpose of preserving family or communal ‘honor.’ Though honor crimes are committed against both men and women, in some cultures women are disproportionately targeted. Honor (within the context of honour crime) is defined with respect to a culture or religion’s assigned sexual and familial roles in what are typically patriarchal societies. Within these cultures and/or religions, actual or accused adultery, premarital relationships (which may or may not include sexual contact), rape, and relationships with ‘inappropriate’ persons are considered violations of family honor. Violence against women for actual or alleged violations are claimed to be justified by perpetrators as being necessary to restore the family’s honor. >>Learn more

Stoning or Flogging of Women
Stoning is a form of capital punishment in which the condemned is buried up to the neck and has rocks thrown at him or her by the executioners, leading to a slow and painful death. It most often occurs in Muslim contexts, though there is no reference to stoning in the Qur’an. A similar but non-lethal punishment of flogging is practiced in a number of Muslim cultures in Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sudan. >>Learn more

Forced Pregnancy
In places where conflict is prevalent, rape and forced impregnation is often employed as a strategy to suppress ethnic or religious communities, making women highly vulnerable. >>Learn more

Polygamy
Polygamy is the practice of marrying more than one person. In nearly all instances, this takes the form of polygyny, in which a man may marry multiple wives but a woman may only marry one husband. Researchers have found a strong link between polygamy and violence against women. >>Learn more

Wife Inheritance and Maltreatment of Widows
The term ‘wife inheritance’ refers to the expectation within certain cultures that a widow marry or enter into a sexual relationship with the brother or kinsman of her late husband. Central to the practice is the belief that the widow owes her in-laws a child or children in return for maintaining her property rights in any inheritance she may receive. The practice occurs worldwide, including in countries such as Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, and Siberia. Refusal by a widow to be ‘inherited’ typically leads to her being disinherited, ostracized, and expelled from her home. In some versions of the practice, the widow is forced or coerced to first have sexual intercourse (often without use of a condom) with a social outcast in order to cleanse her husband’s evil spirits. Widows are also frequently evicted from their homes, or the marital property seized by in-laws upon the death of a woman’s husband. Property and inheritance laws are frequently unfair to women, often leaving widows in situations of great dependency. >>Learn more        

Bride-Price and Dowry-Related Violence
Dowry-related violence encompasses any type of violence, whether physical, psychological, or economic in nature, which is perpetrated due to expectations arising from a dowry. A dowry may include gifts, money, goods, or property given by the bride’s family to the groom or groom’s family before, during, or anytime after the marriage. While dowry is practiced in many different of the world, dowry-related violence is most prevalent in South Asia, in the nations of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A bride-price is the counter-part of a dowry. In some cultures, sometimes the same cultures which practice dowry, money or gifts may be given by a groom to the family of the bride for the marriage of their daughter. A higher bride-price may be demanded based upon factors such as virginity, youth, and fertility. The practice of payment of a bride-price remains prevalent in many Asian countries, including Thailand, China, Africa, and parts of Central Asia such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. >>Learn more

Acid Attacks and Stove Burning
An acid attack is an act in which an attacker throws or sprays acid in the face or body of the victim, leading to permanent disfigurement or scarring. The practice of stove burning originally involved a woman being burned alive through the deliberate tampering with a stove, causing an explosion. Another formulation occurs when the husband or other family member douses a woman in the stove’s kerosene oil before setting her on fire. >>Learn more

Witch Burning/Beheading
Witch-hunting and burning is a practice that has been going on in many parts of the world for centuries. People in such communities often attribute unexplained illnesses and deaths to sorcery, and evidence shows that women are disproportionately suspected and accused of the practice. >>Learn more

Virginity Tests
To varying degrees, the virginity of a bride is still considered a virtue in communities throughout the world. Virginity testing, the examination of the genitals as a way to determine sexual chastity, remains popular in communities that place a high premium on virginity for social, economic, and religious reasons. >>Learn more

Breast Ironing
Breast ironing is a practice, often performed by a mother, in which the breasts of pubescent girls are pounded using tools such as spatulas, grinding stones, hot stones, and hammers, as a means of delaying their development and protecting girls from rape and other types of unwanted male attention. >>Learn more

Top 10 Scariest Traditional Practices in Nigeria

Top 10 Scariest Traditional Practices in Nigeria
 August 30, 2016   0 Comment Religion.Traditional Beliefs, Rituals, Traditional Practices
Nigeria is a country where strong traditional beliefs are evident from one tribe to another. So much so that traditional religion (traditionalism) is seen as one of the three major religions in Nigeria.

Before the invasion of the British and other European settlers into the country in the early 19th century, Nigeria was a country absolutely dominated by traditional beliefs and practices…Many Nigerians are largely aware of this history. They would also agree that most of the early traditional beliefs and practices have hitherto been eroded.

However, some of this practices still exist and are actively being practiced in Nigeria. Whilst some of these practices are normal and welcomed; such as traditional weddings, New Yam Festival and the likes; some dreadful and scary traditional practices have survived the wave of civilisation.

We would take a look at the top ten scariest traditional practices in Nigeria.

1. Female genital mutilation (female circumcision)
Female Genital Mutilation

A lot has been said about the importance of bringing up the girl child with as much care and equality as their male counterparts. However, there are still some traditional practices in Nigeria which are repugnant to this vision.

In some parts of the country, it has been discovered that the horrific practice of female genital mutilation is still being practiced. This traditional practice is a scourge that must be rooted out from every nook and cranny of the nation. Those who engage in this practice, give this laughable reason; they do it to prevent their female children from sexual promiscuity. The question then is; what do they do about the males then?

Female genital mutilation is a very painful and unnecessary process and in some cases, scar the children involved emotionally and physically.

2. Child marriage
Prevalent in Northern Nigeria is the age-old traditional practice of giving out underage girls for marriage. Its obvious the trauma these girls would have to go through after getting married to far older men. Many of those who get pregnant die at childbirth or contract vaginal diseases which ultimately leads to death.

It is shocking that even in this 21st century, we still get to hear cases of girl-child marriage in this country. No girl should ever be forced to, or allowed to marry at an age less than 18. Anything contrary is simply barbaric.

 3. Sharo
The ‘Sharo’ festival is one you might have heard about.‘Sharo’ means flogging.  It is an age old tradition practiced by the Fulani people in which a groom undergoes the most unimaginable form of endurance test. In this case, the groom is severely flogged in an open ceremony. The groom must endure the flogging, not wince, cry or show the pain he’s in. If he passes this test, he is then presented with the bride.

If it happens that the groom fails the test, he goes home empty handed. Isn’t that scary? How many everyday guys can go through this? I’d say none! No one should ever be made to go through this.

We cannot confirm if this tradition is still being practiced, but we certainly aren’t ruling out the possibility.

4. Widowhood Practice
Traditional practices related to widowhood in Nigeria are quite scary and sometimes demeaning to say the least. This practice is quite popular in Eastern Nigeria. Some widows are made to undergo all sorts of horrific forms of purification or tests to determine if they had a hand in their husband’s death.

Some poor widows are even made to drink the water used in washing their dead husband’s corpse, while some others are made to sleep in the same room with the corpse, etc. This horrific traditional practice has come under huge criticism, with many calling on the government to enact a law that bans this practice.

Others require that the woman shaves her hair and wear only clothes in the colour of white for a period of one year. She is also required to go through a special ceremony before she can return to life as usual.

Our investigation shows that widowhood rites are still being practiced in Eastern Nigeria but education and exposure has made it not as severe as usual.

5. Magun
Sculpture

The ‘Magun’ is a diabolical practice in mainly Western Nigeria and other surrounding communities, used to checkmate adultery. This traditional practice is quite a scary one, this is because of the consequences and implications it has on those who ‘Magun’ is placed on.

The Magun is usually placed on an unsuspecting bride. If she ever commits adultery, many terrible things are expected to happen. For one, her husband might fall sick and eventually die if he continues to eat her food, or her lover might get stuck in her during lovemaking or even drop dead and so on.

The Magun practice is still actively being carried out in states such as Edo, Benue, and few other Yoruba speaking states.

So, for men still going about sleeping with other men’s wives; you might expose yourself to a scary diabolical practice that could embarrass or kill you.

6. Witch killing
Witch killing or witch hunting is a horrific traditional practice carried out in many parts of Africa and sadly, this includes our very own Nigeria. This is the traditional practice that encourages the torture and murder of anyone suspected to be engaged in witchcraft.

This dehumanizing practice goes as far as killing, maiming, burning, and burying alive of anyone suspected to a witch, including little kids.

Due to the extreme barbaric nature of this practice, it is no longer being openly practiced, but we strongly doubt if suspected witches are no longer being tortured and maimed in Nigeria. However, news surfaces occasionally about children, tortured by their parents for being witches.

7. Casting of the dead into evil forest
This is another evil practice in which, after an individual dies from unnatural causes such as suicide or even a rare natural cause, such as being struck by lightning; the individual is not buried but cast into the forest to be eaten by termites and vultures.

In some communities, if an individual dies after swearing an oath or after confessing to an atrocity, such a person is also cast into the ‘evil’ forest.

We cannot ascertain if this despicable practice is still being carried out, but we can’t rule out the possibility.

8. Ritual killings
Ritual killing

Everyone in Nigeria knows about this horrifying traditional practice. Ritual killings have been a barbaric practice associated with Nigeria for hundreds of years.

Traditionalists in Nigeria, believes that blood sacrifice is the most genuine form of sacrifice. So in most cases, animals are killed and used as a sacrifice. However, in some rare cases, a human being is used for this purpose. These rituals are carried out for numerous stupendous purposes such as gaining favor, winning an election, becoming rich etc.

We simply cannot find enough words to condemn the killing of a fellow human being for ritual purposes. Sadly, investigative journalism by some major news houses reveal that ritual killings still take place in Nigeria, although the perpetrators do everything to cover their tracks.

9. The Ijaw water test
This is a traditional practice that is both ridiculous and scary at the same time. Prevalent in the Ijaw community is a traditional practice in which a newborn baby is thrown into a river to see if it can swim and avoid drowning. A newborn baby!

The Ijaw people who are generally a water people believe that if that child is a true born Ijaw child, it should be able to swim. Funny enough, it is said that there are hardly any case where the baby is reported to drown during this practice.

In some remote Ijaw communities, this practice is still actively practiced.

10. Burying the Abobaku
Abubakun

In Ile-Ife Osun State Nigeria, there exists a horrifying traditional practice in which after the death of the king i.e. Ooni of Ife, a man known as Abobaku is buried alongside the late king, either dead or alive. Abobaku by interpretation means; ‘the one who is buried with the king’.

The Abobaku is a member of the council of Chiefs, whose life is totally dedicated to the service of the king (Ooni). He eats what the king eats, goes where the king goes and ultimately should die when the king dies so as to continue his service in the afterlife.

However, an in-depth research carried out between January and July by an alumni of the Pan-Atlantic University Lagos, revealed that this tradition is no longer in practice and has since been abolished.

I bet you feel goose bumps over you. Thank God for civilisation! However, believe me when I say that there are worse barbaric histories and practices in the most civilised countries. So watch out for our post on the “Top 10 Scariest Traditions in the World”.

Any thoughts on the top 10 scariest traditional practices in Nigeria? Let’s dialogue in the comments section!

Six states in Nigeria that still practice female genital mutilation

THe United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, in collaboration with Imo State office of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has organized a sensitization workshop in Ikeduru local government area of the state, geared towards exposing the dangers of female genital mutilation. The venue was Ikeduru Local Government Council Headquarters, Iho, and attendance was impressive. Female-genital-mutilation Apart from the participants, carefully selected resource persons were drawn from reputable organizations affiliated to UNICEF, non-governmental support groups, the NOA, Ministry of Health, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Child Protection Network, Child Rights Advocacy Consultants, Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Information and Strategy. Delivering a keynote address, the State NOA Director, Mr. Virus Ekeocha, recalled with glee that the United Nations General assembly had passed a resolution to support government, communities, girls and women concerned, towards the abandonment of female genital mutilation. According to the Imo NOA boss, the World Health Organization, WHO, defined female genital mutilation as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons. Often, instruments used are crude and unsterilized, thereby endangering the women’s health. Female genital mutilation Mr. Ekeocha disclosed that there are about six states in Nigeria that still practice female genital mutilation, including Imo State, stressing that UNICEF and NOA decided to move the sensitization programme to Ikeduru because it was among the few local council areas of the state, with high prevalence rate of the femLe genital mutilation practice. “Some of the major reasons for the persistence of female genital mutilation in Nigerian communities are rooted in culture and tradition. This has regrettably done more harm than good and this is why we are trying to positively engage the stakeholders in Imo communities with a view to shifting these ugly social norms”, Ekeocha said. On why UNICEF and NOA decided to adopt this technique, apart from just enforcing the existing laws, Mr. Ekeocha explained that it was a very critical component for the crusade to eradicate female genital mutilation in Nigeria. A resource person from a non-governmental UNICEF assisted body, Mr. Benjamin Mbakwem, identified four times of genital mutilation and the dangers associated with. “They include severe bleeding, shock, leakage of urine and faeces, complications at childbirth, mental failure. It must also be said that circumcision or female genital mutilation ameliorates promiscuity”, Mbakwem said. While Mbakwem argued that promiscuity largely stems from orientation rather than the non-tampering with the female genitals, Mrs. Thecular Ejionye, of the State Ministry of Health, was of the opinion that female circumcision constitutes violence against women and urged future generations to stoutly resist the culture. Relevantdocuments Speaking also, a Child Rights Advocate and UNICEF Consultant, Mr. Vitalis Ekwem, extensively quoted from the Child Rights Law of 2004, the 1999 Constitution and other relevant documents to lend credence to the crusade against the female genital mutilation. South East Voice recalls that royal fathers, who are the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition, civil society groups, faith based organizations, youth groups, religious leaders, teachers, women groups, town union executives and other stakeholders, were part of the exercise. One of the highlights of the workshop was a resolution in favour of the abandonment of female genital mutilation, but whether this resolution would be carried out to the letter remains a matter for speculation.