𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 – 𝟮𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿

 

On January 29, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a process change for the adjudication of Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Stage 1 of the EB-5 application process). Currently, the Immigration Services adjudicates these petitions on a first-in, first-out basis. The USCIS has announced a new process, with planned implementation on March 31, 2020, where adjudication priority will be given to petitions where visas are immediately available. These petitions will likely be adjudicated ahead of petitions where visas are not immediately available (i.e. foreign nationals born in China, Vietnam, or India). This change will affect both newly filed petitions and petitions pending as of March 31, 2020. Please note, this does not affect those who have already received the approval of Form I-526.

 

PERSONAL GOODS / HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

You will need to prepare two copies of a list of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as part of your personal effects. The list should indicate the value, make, model and serial number (where applicable) of all the goods.

Divide the list into two sections:

The first section– List the goods you are bringing with you (by plane)

The second section– List the goods to follow (by shipment Moovaz)

Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement if they are on your original list.

Items you can import duty- and tax-free

You can include the following personal and household effects in your duty- and tax-free entitlement:

• clothing and linen
• furniture
• furnishings
• appliances
• silverware
• jewellery
• antiques
• family heirlooms
• private collections of coins, stamps and art
• personal computers
• books
• musical instruments
• hobby tools and other hobby items
• personal vehicles
• pleasure boats and the trailers to carry them (trailers are subject to Transport Canada requirements)
• mobile trailers, no more than 2.6 metres (9 feet) wide, that the owner is capable of moving on his or her own
• utility trailers
• motor homes
• private aircraft
• tool sheds or garages that do not attach to or form part of a dwelling

Items Not Recommended to Bring

• Furniture – Too bulky, can purchase a new set in Canada for a reasonable price
• Electrical items – The voltage in Canada (120 V) is less than in Singapore (230 V). Also, the frequency in Canada (60 Hz) differs from the frequency in Singapore (50 Hz). You may use a voltage converter but it is not recommended for common moving, rotating and time-related appliances like clocks, television, shavers and electric fan heaters. Appliance with the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ can be used in all countries in the world. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.
• Sentimental items that no longer in use

 

 

CASH / FUNDS

As a new migrant settling in Canada, there is no minimum amount of fund you need to bring in with you on your first landing. However, you should research how much it costs to live in a place where you plan to settle in Canada. You are responsible to bring sufficient funds to support you and your family for at least 6 months while you look for a job.

Do take note that you are required to have a minimum amount in your foreign bank to immigrate to Canada. It is recommended to bring as much money as you can, or at least the amount of funds based on the number of your family member below:

 

If you bring more than C$10,000 into Canada, you must declare the amount when you arrive. You must fill out form Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report – Individual (E677) [PDF].

This includes:

• cash
• documents that show property or capital payable to you, such as:
  • stocks
  • bonds
  • debentures
  • treasury bills
• documents that guarantee payment of a set amount of money, which are payable to you, such as:
  • banker’s drafts
  • cheques
  • money orders
  • travellers’ cheques

 

If you have a valid licence from your home country, you’ll probably be able to use this to drive in Canada for ONLY a short period of time after you arrive. Plus, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.

 

The process to get a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

 

 

AUSTRALIA (Jan. 21, 2020) – Submissions now being accepted on changes to occupations lists

 

• Implementation         : Ongoing
• Documents affected : Temporary and permanent skilled migration categories, including the TSS visa, the                                                             Employer Nomination Scheme and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
• Who is affected         : Australian companies sponsoring skilled foreign workers.
• Impact on business  : The review provides employers with an opportunity to help shape the occupations lists                                                       that determine eligibility for skilled workers.
• The Traffic Light Bulletin recommended changes for:
  – Removing 11 occupations from the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), including careers counsellor, community worker and business machine mechanic.
  – Adding four occupations (corporate treasurer, aged or disabled carer, nursing support worker and personal care assistant) that are currently not on any of the lists to the STSOL.

 

Want to know if you are eligible? Get your FREE Assessment now!

Dewey Sim, Singapore reporter for the South China Morning Post has reached out to our Director, Mr.Philip on Sunday, 12th January 2020 for a short interview on how Singapore schools offer ‘safety and security’ for families leaving Hong Kong protests behind.

 

Interested to find out more? Feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Email: assessment@ocscglobal.com

Phone: +65 6238 0777

 

NEW ZEALAND – New income thresholds to take effect 24th February 2020

 

The remuneration or pay rate thresholds for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and the Essential Skills Work Visa are usually updated in November each year. This year it is updated later so that workers and employers have more time to prepare for the changes.

 

Starting from 24 February 2020 onwards, The new thresholds are based on the New Zealand median salary and wage rate of NZD $25.50 per hour (up 2% from last year) which is equivalent to NZD $53,040 per year for a 40-hour per week job.

 

Please see the chart above for changes on both visas.

 

Check your eligibility for New Zealand migration today!
Email your resume to assessment@ocscglobal.com for a FREE assessment.

As an investor who is interested in starting a business or investing in Singapore, you may apply for the Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) through the Global Investor Programme (GIP).

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following qualifying criteria:

 

If you think you meet any of the criteria above, contact us right away!

Email: assessment@ocscglobal.com

Phone: +65 6238 0777

 

List of benefits being a Canadian Permanent Resident

 

1. Medicare
Each province and territory has its own health insurance plan. Make sure you know what your plan covers.

Check here for your Health Insurance Plan.

 

2. Free Relocation Services
Pre-arrival service organizations assess your needs and create a personalized plan to help you settle in Canada.
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Check here for Relocation Organization List.

 

3. Free Career Coach Services
Pre-arrival service organizations help you search for and find employment in Canada.
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Check here for Career Organization List.

 

4. Free New Comer Services
Get free experienced settlement professionals services upon arrival in Canada.

Check here for Services Location List.

 

5. Regular Benefit
Receive up to CAD$562 per week for a maximum of 45 weeks for individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

6. Sickness Benefit 
Receive up to CAD$562 per week for a maximum of 15 weeks for individuals who are unable to work because of sickness, injury, or quarantine.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

7. Maternity Benefits
Get up to CAD$562 per week for a maximum of 15 weeks while you care for your new child.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

8. Parental Benefits

Standard Parental
Get up to CAD$562 per week for a maximum of 40 weeks while you care for your new child.

Extended Parental
Get up to CAD$337 per week for a maximum of 69 weeks while you care for your new child.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

9. Canada Child Benefit
Receive a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.

Get up to $6,639 per year ($553.25 per month) for each eligible child under the age of 6.
Get up to $5,602 per year ($466.83 per month) for each eligible child aged 6 to 17.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

10. Free Elementary and Secondary Education
Free public schools for students aged 5 to 18 years old.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

11. Post-Secondary Education
Get financial help on tuition fees for post-secondary studies, which usually cost between $2,500 and $8,000 a year.

See Funding Options.

 

12. GST/HST credit
Receive a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes.

Per year, you could get up to:

• $443 if you are single
• $580 if you are married or living common-law
• $153 for each child under the age of 19

Read here for full eligibility.

 

13. GST/HST New Housing Rebate
Be eligible for a new housing rebate.

Check your Rebate Calculation.

 

14. Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Get up to CAN$1,175.83 per month when you reach 65 years or older.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

15. Old Age Security (OAS) Pension
Receive up to CAD$613.53 per month for seniors aged 65 and older who meet the Canadian legal status and residence requirements.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

16. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
Receive up to CAD$916.38 per month in addition to the Old Age Security (OAS) Pension for recipients who have a low income and are living in Canada.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

17. International Social Security
Get paid for your pension if you have lived or worked in another country that has signed social security agreements with Canada.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

Use Benefit Finder to get a customized list of benefits for which you may be eligible.

 

List of benefits being an Australian Permanent Resident

 

1. Pharmaceutical Allowance

Get a regular extra payment up to AUD$6.20 per fortnight to help with medicine costs if you get certain payments from the government.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

2. Pensioner Concession Card

Read here for full eligibility.

Be 60 years or older to get cheaper health care and some discounts which include:

• cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• bulk billed doctor visits – this is up to your doctor
• a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
• help with hearing services – read more about the Hearing Services Program
• discounts to redirect your mail through Australia Post.

Your state or territory government and local council may offer you more. They may lower your:

• utility bills
• property and water rates
• public transport fare
• motor vehicle registration
• train fare.

 

3. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Read here for full eligibility.

Be 66 years or older to get cheaper health care and some discounts which include:

• cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• bulk billed doctor visits – this is up to your doctor
• a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net.

Your state or territory government and local council may offer you more. They may lower any of these expenses:

• electricity and gas bills
• property and water rates
• health care costs, including ambulance, dental and eye care
• public transport fare.

 

4. Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement

Get a lump-sum payment of AUD$560 per child for Upfront Payment + Supplement up to AUD $1,679.86 (first child) or AUD$560.56 (subsequent children) for the 13 weeks in total.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

5. Dad and Partner Pay

Get a payment of minimum AUD$740.60 per week before tax for up to 2 weeks while you care for your new child.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

6. Parental Leave Pay

Get a payment of minimum AUD$740.60 per week before tax for up to 18 weeks while you care for your new child.
Your partner may also be eligible for Dad and Partner Pay for up to 2 weeks. This means your family can receive a total of up to 20 weeks pay.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

7. Parenting Payment

Get up to AUD$780.70 income support payment while you’re a young child’s main carer.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

8. Child Care Subsidy

Get up to 85% subsidise on your hourly fee/rate cap of Child Care for a child 13 or younger.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

9. Family Tax Benefit

You may be eligible if you care for your child at least 35% of the time and meet the income test.
Read here for full eligibility.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A for each eligible child

The maximum rate for each child per fortnight is:

$186.20 for a child 0 to 12 years
$242.20 for a child 13 to 15 years
$242.20 for a child 16 to 19 years who meets the study requirements
$59.78 for a child 0 to 19 years in an approved care organization.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part B per family

The maximum rate per family each fortnight is:

$158.34 when the youngest child is 0 to 5 years of age
$110.60 when the youngest child is 5 to 18 years of age.

 

10. Education Entry Payment

Get a lump sum taxable payment of $208 a year when you start to study. Only for those who get certain income support from the government.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

11. Youth Allowance 

Get up to AUD$596.50 per fortnight financial help if you’re 24 or younger and a student or Australian Apprentice.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

12. Austudy Income

Get up to AUD$455.20 per fortnight financial help if you’re 25 or older and studying or an Australian Apprentice.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

13. Relocation Scholarship

Get up to AUD$4,553 a year payment if you move to or from a regional or remote area for higher education study.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

If your family home is in a regional or remote area, You’ll get
$4,553 in the first year you need to live away from home to study
$2,278 per year in the second and third years
$1,138 per year after that.

 

If your family home isn’t in a regional or remote area but your course is, You’ll get:
$4,553 in the first year you need to live away from home to study
$1,138 per year after that.
If your family home and your course are in major cities
Even if they’re in different cities, you won’t be eligible for this payment.

 

14. Remote Area Allowance

Get up to AUD$18.20 regular extra payment per fortnight if you live in a remote area.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

15. Rent Assistance

For every $1 of rent you pay above the minimum rent, you’ll get 75c.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

 

16.Telephone Allowance

Get up to AUD$44.60 quarterly payment to help with phone and internet costs.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

17. Age Pension Income

Get up to AUD$933.40 (Single) or AUD$1,407.00 (Couple) per fortnight when you reach 66 years or older.

Read here for full eligibility.

 

18. International Social Security

Get paid for your pension if you live outside Australia permanently or are outside Australia on along term basis.

Read here for full eligibility.