http://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/2013apj.pdf

The plan contains 333 actions to be implemented in 2013 by 16 Government departments and 46 agencies. The time frame for implementation is descried as aggressive so we expect to announce changes quickly. These reforms also promise to provide an extra 2,000 ICT graduates in 2013 and will make it easier for companies to bring skilled workers to Ireland from abroad.

Of the  Disruptive Reforms launched we list below those action items that will impact on the way that the Department of Justice and the Department of Enterprise deliver Employment Permit and Visa services. The general focus that we see in these reforms are a streamlining  and clarification of approach between  visa and work permit and a review of the use of multi-entry visas and visa waivers for travelers from target markets and areas. Significant is the introduction of changes to the Irish visa regime as it operates in India.

Action items 

• Item 30:  Develop a communications campaign in order to present clear options as to the available entry channels to the State, i.e. employment permit vs visa.
• Item 148:  Develop and strengthen coherence between the employment permit regime and visa regime.
• Item 164:  Progress the introduction of a common visa waiver scheme between Ireland and the UK for tourists and business visitors.
• Item: 219  Extend the multi-entry visa regime for business travelers from India in 2013.  The multi-entry visa allows for the granting of multi-entry visas of up to three years duration. 
• Item 307:  Strongly promote the Irish Visa Waiver Scheme.
• Item 308: Put in place a facility for visas to be provided free of charge for visitors attending events taking place under the auspices of The Gathering.

Reference to skills shortage

The document is heavy on statements around two key areas FDI and Indigenous business development targeting international markets. The following remarks are interesting in that the document references shortages in sales skills shortages:

The Government’s Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015 aims to position Ireland for strong export-led growth, both in existing and emerging overseas markets. Foreign language and international selling competencies are essential to growing trade and export
sales within those markets and sectors, and enhancing Ireland’s proposition for attracting global business and inward investment. A priority must be to boost the domestic supply of foreign language skills – at the scale and proficiency level required by enterprise. Coupled with this is the need to improve international sales education and training and for a mind-set change regarding sales as a profession – as it is currently held in low esteem

Source: 2013 Action plan for Jobs p.73

Are we to see the inclusion of specialist sales become included as an eligible employment area in Irish Work Permit and Green Card application procedures. Currently sales of any type are excluded from consideration. We wonder whether this reform is driven by the presence in Ireland of EMEA  sales divisions for companies such as Linkedin, Ebay, or Facebook.

The above represents a quick flyby of the document. We will monitor how these broad aims are rolled out in practical terms.

Business Visit Visas – Your FAQ Answered

Actus Business Immigration has been very busy recently acquiring Business Visit Visas for Indian staff travelling to Ireland and EU staff travelling to India.

This is a speciality of Actus and we are delighted to offer this brief guide to Business Visit Visas. We have taken note of our clients’ FAQ and answer these questions in this guide.

Business Visit Visas – Actus Answers the FAQ

Q – What type of visit does a Business Visit Visa facilitate?

A – Business Visit Visas Facilitate:

• Business meetings, setting up facilities, training etc.
• Establishing an industrial/ business venture.
• Exploring the possibilities of setting up an industrial/business venture.
• Purchasing/selling industrial products.

Q – How long does Business Visit Visa last?

A – They usually facilitate a relatively short visit, the length of the grant usually matches the period required to achieve the business goals stated on the application:

• Relatively short duration visits, the Indian Embassy in Dublin can grant up to a year to Irish staff visiting India.
• Visits can be single entry, double entry or multiple entries. When applying for more than a single entry, the applicant has to present evidence that more than one visit is required.

Q – How do I apply for myself or my staff?

A – Irish/ EU Nationals Travelling to India: If the applicant is an Irish National travelling to India, the application is made through the Indian Dublin Embassy in Dublin. If the applicant is not an Irish National they may apply through the Dublin Embassy by providing proof of residency in Ireland for the period stated by the Embassy (2 years).

A – Nationals of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka travelling to Ireland: The service has been contracted to a company called VFS. You may apply through their Centres in: New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Hydrebad, and Kathmandu. Visa applications can be submitted through the Irish Honorary Consulates in Mumbai, Bangalore and Colombo.

Q – How long does the process take?

A – A Business Visit Visa for India, applied for through the Indian Embassy in Dublin generally takes 3 – 5 days. This Embassy does offer an accelerated service for a fee.

A – A Business Visit Visa for Ireland takes 1 – 3 days.

Both Business Visit Visa types use a two stage process whereby:

• An on – line application is submitted.
• For Irish/ EU Nationals travelling to India, the required papers are submitted at the Indian Embassy in Dublin with the fee.
• For Indian Nationals travelling to Ireland the required documents are presented at the appropriate VFS Centre or Irish Consulate General.
• The Embassy/ VFS Centre inform you when the visa will be ready and you are given a receipt.
• You return at the stated date and collect the visa.

Q – How can Actus assist?

A – We can handle the process for you; for Irish/ EU staff applying through the Indian Embassy in Dublin this includes the submission and collection of the visa. This saves you a lot of time and effort, as in general you have to queue at the Embassy and the visa will not be granted if the application has any errors or you do not submit the required papers. Business timings are dependent on the seamless acquisition of the relevant visa. Disruption may have a negative impact on timings but also on company image – so it is best avoided.

We hope you find this useful, if you have any questions or want to have a chat about visas, please contact us, we are always delighted to assist -

Email: ellis@actus.ie

Setting up overseas is a huge task, involving the recruitment and training of staff, the set – up of technology and infrastructures, the transfer of management skills, knowledge and ethos. This entails the Irish company sending specialist staff to the foreign base to establish the facility and train new starts.

When the staff members are Irish/ EU nationals working for short periods in a non EU jurisdiction a visa is usually required. This is a speciality of Actus and we are delighted to offer this brief guide, which answers the FAQ regarding Business Visit Visas.

Q – What type of visit does a Business Visit Visa facilitate?

A – Business Visit Visas Facilitate Irish/ EU Staff Visiting the Foreign Branch of a Company for:

• Business meetings, setting up facilities, training etc.
• To establish an industrial/ business venture.
• To explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture.
• To purchase/sell industrial products.

Q – How long does Business Visit Visa last?

A – They usually facilitate a relatively short visit, the length of the grant usually matches the period required to achieve the business goals stated on the application:

• Relatively short duration visits, some embassies may grant up to a year.
• Visits can be single entry, double entry or multiple entries. When applying for more than a single entry, the applicant has to present evidence that more than one visit is required.

Q – How do I apply for myself or my staff?

A – If the applicant is an Irish National an application is made through the Dublin Embassy or Consulate of the country you wish to visit. If the applicant is not an Irish National they may apply through the Dublin Embassy by providing proof of residency in Ireland for the period stated by the Embassy.

Q – How long does the process take?

A – This varies between Embassies; it is generally three to five working days with some Embassies offering an accelerated service for a fee. Some Embassies offer a postal service, but this is much slower. Most Embassies use a two stage process whereby:

• An on – line application is submitted.
• The required papers are submitted at the Embassy with the fee.
• The Embassy informs you when the visa will be ready and you are given a receipt.
• You return at the stated date and collect the visa.

Q – Do I have to present at the Embassy myself?

A – Only the US Embassy and EU countries in the Schengen agreement demand the applicant present, other Embassies allow you to send an agent. In the cases of Schengen countries their embassies may allow an agent to collect the passport and visa. This can be checked with the particular embassy as part of the application preparation process.

Q – How can Actus assist?

A – We can handle the whole process including the submission and collection of the visa. This saves you a lot of time and effort, as in general you have to queue at the Embassy and the visa will not be granted if the application has any errors or you do not submit the required papers. Business timings are dependent on the seamless acquisition of the relevant visa. Disruption may have a negative impact on timings but also on company image – so it is best avoided.

We hope you find this useful, if you have any questions or want to have a chat about visas, please contact us, we are always delighted to assist -

Email: ellis@actus.ie

Canada’s first immigrants may have been reluctant European outcasts, destined for a lifetime of hard labour, but today this vast country lures 15,000 people annually from the UK alone.

Of the more 15,000 foreigners granted permanent visas to live in Canada in 2009,  many — just under a sixth — were British. Many of these hopefuls arrive to set up in business for themselves in search of the famed Canadian “Dream”, scenery and quality of life.

Similar business culture

With property prices — including commercial property — and other living costs significantly lower, it’s no wonder the country is so popular with foreigners.

Canada is an affluent country with a stable economy and strong links to the UK, making it a more significant market for the UK than its comparatively small population of 38 million might suggest. With an economy worth over 450bn, it’s a prime location for business immigrants.

The advantages of a shared language, a common basis for commercial law, a similar business culture and the presence of many USA and  UK companies in the market make  Canada  hugely accessible to the fledgling and experienced exporter alike.    Admittedly there isn’t anywhere on the planet  closer to the polar circle  with britons or british linkage  than Canada, but the geographical gap between the countries has been bridged by technological advances. The emergence of the internet and related technologies such as Voice-over-Internet phones, as well as video conferencing technology, have made doing business between the countries a lot easier.

The cost of long-haul flying is on a long-term downward trend, too, and the number of flights between the countries is on the increase thanks to the lifting of restrictions on code-sharing in 2009.

Business broker  Luz Maria, who has 30 years’ experience selling businesses in Canada, has some advice for foreign relocating their business the great white north:

“Continue in the same field and don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Business here has adopted a very British system and North American system there’s a chance you’ll introduce some new ideas to the local scene.”

Vibrant, cosmopolitan

Canada is a huge country (more than 20 times the size of the UK) with most people living in one of the major cities and three quarters of the population living in centres of 20,000 or more, making the market easily identifiable. The principal cities of  Toronto and Vancouver are large by international standards, with populations of 2.3 million and 3.8 million respectively. The capital, Ottawa, has a population of just 130,000, although it is in the midst of a record-breaking construction boom.

Canada’s cities are vibrant, cosmopolitan places thanks to waves of post-war immigration from central and southern Europe and south-east Asia. Creative and media, food and drink, recreation and leisure industries thrive.

Other prime sectors in the country are agriculture, mining, oil and gas, telecommunications, biotechnology and railways. With most of  Canada’s population living within 20km of the sea, it is a significant player in marine industries.    Western Canada, whose biggest city is vancouver, is Canada’s largest province, covering the most resource-laden third of the country. As close to China and Singapore as it is to Sydney, it is ideally equipped to service the growing economies of Asia and the Indian Ocean rim. It is also well placed for air travel, freight networks, shipping lines and telecommunications, and the state is home to Ernst & Young, Coopers & Lybrand and many other key international businesses.

The comparatively sparsely populated regions of the Northern Territoritories, Regina, Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal are home to numerous lucrative industries, including offshore gas exploration, mining, farming, fishing and tourism, but they are still ripe for investment as most migrants head for the economically strong cities.

The tourist trade should be highly attractive to the business migrant as Canada’s rich aboriginal culture and stunning natural beauty continues to draw in over a million visitors a year. HC feels that the best business move for an individual looking for a lifestyle change would be in this industry.

“I would recommend a tourism and/or accommodation business — motel or B&B — where you normally get the housing with the business. “This makes the start in a new country much easier and you start interacting with the travellers and local community immediately.”   If you want to live in Canada and set up a business, or manage a new or established business, you will need to apply for a business skills visa. It is advisable to seek assistance from an agent before making your application, as competition is fierce.

“Under the country’s two-stage arrangements, business immigrants are granted now a provisional four-year visa and, after meeting the requisite level of achievement or maintaining their eligible investment, they are deemed fit to make an application for a residence visa. Applicants for provisional visas must have had a successful business career to date and significant net assets to settle in Canada.

For the second stage residence visa, business people must have had ownership interest in one actively operating business in Canada for at least two years, employ at least two Canada citizens and have achieved a decent annual turnover.

Marisol Diaz is  Business developer and  trainer specializing in  helping clients create fulfilling and meaningful business opportunities (or bizopp); business ideas and career opportunities trained professionals. Get help creating your own exciting  opportunity in Canada with a step-by-step books and  guides, seminars and Workshops such as “Steps to Starting Your Own Business” in Canada. Check also   Business, Jobs & Careers    products

Immigrant entrepreneurship has gone beyond traditional ethnic businesses, into a wide range of sectors and innovative areas.   Is there a market here for skilled labour? Actually, Canada is seeing signs of worker shortages in several professions – including engineers, doctors and nurses, to name a few. Added to this is the fact that the population in some provinces is shrinking, and employers are having difficulty filling their rosters with skilled help. Paul Darby, director of the Conference Board of Canada, estimates a shortfall of 3 million skilled workers by the year 2020.

Get in the wagon of  Entreprenuership and Employment Creation of  Immigrants.

The Canadian government issues immigrant visas to business immigrants who qualify under the Business Immigration program.  There are three categories of business immigrants: Entrepreneurs, Investors and Self-Employed persons.  Each program has its own criteria for selection, and require Business Experience as defined in the immigration regulations.     An Entrepreneur must have a minimum of two years of business management and ownership of a percentage of equity in a business within the past 5 years.  The business must meet certain specified criteria that relate to the number of employees, the total annual revenue, net income and net assets.  The entrepreneur must also demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $300,000 CAD.  If the applicant meets these criteria, then he or she will be issued an immigrant visa and become a permanent resident subject to the condition that he or she starts or purchases a business that meets certain minimum requirements for any one year period within the first 3 years of becoming a permanent resident.  If the conditions are met then they are lifted, if they are not met then the immigration department may take steps to attempt to remove the permanent residence status.

An Investor must have a minimum personal net worth of at least $1,600,000 CAD that has been legally obtained, and meet the specified criteria regarding past business ownership or management.  If these criteria are met, then he or she must invest $800,000 in a government guaranteed investor fund for a five year period.  During those 5 years there is no interest paid on this money, but the return of the principal to the applicant is guaranteed by the government.  Financing is available for the investment amount.  There are no conditions attached to the permanent residence status of an investor.

The Self-Employed category requires an ability to be self-employed in Canada in the field of cultural activities, athletics or the purchase and management of a farm.  The applicant must have experience in one of these areas and if successful, will be issued an immigrant visa that is not subject to any terms and conditions.

It is important to be represented by a competent, experienced lawyer in filing a business immigrant application, to ensure the greatest chance of success with a minimal amount of delay in the processing.    For further information and a free assessment, please contact us at

Marisol Diaz is  Business developer and author specializing in  helping clients create fulfilling and meaningful career opportunities for local and international trained professionals. Get help creating your own exciting career opportunities in Canada with a step-by-step books and  guides, seminars and Workshops such as “Steps to Starting Your Own Business” in Canada. Check also   Business, Jobs & Careers    products

Getting that call from a Canadian headhunter is a great feeling. The market is tough! Sometimes its fluke, but usually its validation that you have done a good job or someone values you highly enough to refer your name to the headhunter.

So how do you get on their radar? You will be able to find pages and pages of tips but here area couple that will work for you. There are 2 main ways to get headhunted: Building your profile in the market (get noticed) and networking.

1. Build your profile: Be highly competent at what you do,develop a reputation for excellence put in the hard work, show initiative, be a leader and accept responsibility, Never compromise your values or beliefs Keep your word at all times Get noticed and talked about

2. Network: Build and maintain a list of contacts and make an effort to keep in touch with them as often as possible. Join professional associations and bodies. Volunteer to speak at seminars, conferences or industry functions, or write articles for newsletters, newspapers etc. Be confident and promote yourself. Dress and act at the level to which you aspire. Always be there when someone needs your help If you consistently do these things then it wont

 Resources

New Grad Career Expo: Wednesday January 25th, 10am – 7pm
• Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto
• More info on newgradexpo.ca

Doors Wide Open   and New Grad Career Expo  for instance  this  January 2012 are having a big hiring year its biggest ever, in fact.   This week we spoke with a coordinator and  manager for them, for advice on getting hired by a variety of fields.   Those managers that  oversees sales hiring in the West and  East Canadian regions.    Both managers  suggests job seekers at  the variety of fields  and elsewhere begin by presenting a picture of what theyve done in their careers as concisely and precisely as possible. Every word on your resume or profile should count,  and job applicants need to understand the difference between responsibilities and accomplishments.   Too often we ourselves receive resumes that describe their previous roles, but dont talk about what they did in those roles that would distinguish them from the 10,000 other people in a similar role.

Be precise. If you were in a sales management position, dont just say you led the sales team, talk about the amount of revenue you brought in, or the specific degree to which you surpassed your sales quota.   Too often [applicants] leave out the numbers because theyre worried they are too low, but without those specifics you dont stand out; you look like everyone else.   Theres also a temptation to be exhaustive when you put your resume together, but a resume that is really tightly written and represents your big accomplishments stands out more than an encyclopedia of everything you have ever done. Be judicious about what you put on there.

Visit and  contact us here.

For a host of  employment companies, Franchise and Business Opportunities in  Canada, dont forget to get your  subscription to  our Magazine.

Sport and leisure is a global business requiring skilled personnel.  Local and overseas opportunities are available for lifeguards, recreation managers, fitness instructors, studio group instructors, personal trainers, group exercise coordinators, sales/leisure managers and PR and marketing managers.   The betting, gaming and theme park industries mainly have positions in trading, developing online games, marketing, finance, customer services management, duty and general management, HR and for bilingual internet operators and croupiers.

Leisure franchise business

Leisure franchise business opportunites are franchises that operate in the vast leisure industry.  Leisure franchises range from venues such as pub franchise opportunities to fitness club franchises and gym franchises.  Other leisure franchises  involve childrens leisure franchises, pet leisure franchises, sport leisure franchise opportunities, and leisure internetfranchises, and many more leisure franchise options beside. In a social trend that sees growing pressureon leisure time, the effectiveness of national franchise leisure brands being at the forefront of their customers mindsthrough effective leisure marketing, make leisure franchises some of the most popular and fastest growing franchise models in the Canada.

Explore leisure franchise opportunities . Below and request further information with aview to starting your own leisure franchise business

For other resources and workshops aimed at  business, jobs,  career transition and  entrepreneurship  visit  here