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In a previous Perspectives article I criticized the Liberal Government of Canada’s decision to establish a rigid intake procedure that returned applications in Canada’s family reunification programs for incompleteness. While doing so enabled the government to boast about overall processing times that were technically reduced, for many the consequences were actually lengthier separations and loss of status in Canada.

At the same time, I recognized that it was understandable that the Liberals adopted this strict intake system.  I wrote:

Given that processing times are easily measured, it is understandable that the government wants to reduce them. Indeed, it is hard to go a few days without reading a media story about a family upset with how long their immigration application is taking. Perhaps in exchange for immigration stakeholders not complaining to the media every time processing times increase, Canada’s immigration department could stop applying such a strict approach to accepting an application into processing.

It is of course understandable that applicants and their family members who are directly impacted by Canada’s immigration system would emotionally express frustration.  It can also be a useful strategy to obtain results, as media pressure can sometimes persuade Canadian immigration officials to take certain actions.

However, the level of condensation often hurled at individual officers, and Canada’s immigration bureaucracy as a whole, is extremely counter productive.  It also does not reflect well on those partaking in the condescension.  Indeed, one sometimes gets the impression that immigration representatives (as just one example) who typically manage offices of less than ten people think that they could do a better job of managing Canada’s immigration programs than career civil servants.

The Sheer Scale of Canadian Immigration 

Let’s start with what should be obvious. 

 » Read more about: Seeing the Forest Through the Weeds – Canada’s Immigration System Works  »

Canadian immigration law provides circuses with several ways to access foreign talent.

First, many circus employees will qualify for work permit exemptions under r. 186(g) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.  As the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website states:

Foreign, travelling circus performers should, in most cases, meet the requirements of paragraph R186(g), as they are usually coming for a time-limited engagement and are not in an employment relationship with a Canadian organization.

The IRCC website goes on to state the following for Canadian circuses:

In cases where the employer is Canadian, there is entry into the Canadian labour market, so [a Labour Market Impact Assessment] is usually required.

Some exceptions may apply to Canadian-based circuses, such as Cirque du Soleil, that can demonstrate the significant social, cultural or economic benefit they provide to Canada. In these cases, foreign circus performers, choreographers, artistic directors and others (that is, staff who are essential to the creative and artistic processes) who are working for a Canadian-based circus may be authorized to enter Canada, under the significant benefit exemption.

Circuses wishing to benefit from this exemption should be able to demonstrate that their shows are international in nature (for example, in presentation or because they tour outside Canada) and contribute to the ongoing, positive, international reputation of Canadian circuses. These circuses should also be able to demonstrate that their reputation as a circus depends on their recruitment of foreign circus performers, choreographers artistic directors and others (that is, staff who are essential to the creative and artistic processes) to maintain a high level of artistic and international prestige.

Artistic Staff

As noted above, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada guidelines state that a circus employee qualifies for a C10 work permit if:

• the circus is Canadian-based;

 » Read more about: Work Permits for Circus Workers  »

Generally, to be eligible for a study permit, a potential student must:

• Present a letter of acceptance from the educational institution where she intends to study. This school must be a Designated Learning Institution;

• Be able to both pay the tuition fees of the program as well as be able to financially support themselves and any accompanying financial members. Depending on the person’s country of origin, they may be required to take out a GIC with a designated Canadian bank;

• Be able to cover the cost of transportation to and from Canada;

• Pass any medical examinations;

• Possibly show proof of health insurance;

• Demonstrate that they are a bona fide student and that they will leave Canada at the end of the period authorized by their stay. .

Not every student needs a study permit. Exempt students include:

• Persons seeking to study for a short-term program (unless they wish to work on campus).

• Minor students in Canada.

Students from India and China should be aware of the possibility of them participating in the Student Partnership Program.  This program allows for expedited applications for students that will be attending a school that is a member of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

Approval Rates

The following chart obtained through an Access to Information request shows the CIC approval rate for study permit applications based on certain countries of origin from 2009 – 2013.

When to Apply

Most people have to apply for study permits outside of Canada.  There are exceptions to this, however, including those who already hold study permits,

 » Read more about: Applying for a Study Permit  »