PinoyCare expands in PH, overseas
VISA consultancy firm PinoyCare Visa Center. Inc. is opening more offices across the country and in the Middle East next year to help send more Filipino immigrants to Canada.
Prisca Niña Mabatid, PinoyCare president and chief executive officer, said the aggressive expansion is buoyed by Canada’s recent announcement of welcoming up to 300,000 new permanent residents this year.
The Liberal government of Canada plans on welcoming up to 305,000 new permanent residents this year, the highest projected immigration level in decades, and around a seven percent increase on the 2015 plan.
“This is a welcome development for Filipinos seeking greener pastures abroad,” said Mabatid, who has been in the visa consultancy business for 17 years.
According to the Canadian Embassy, the increase in immigration numbers will be primarily through family sponsorship and refugee settlement programs, though more than half of all newcomers will arrive through economic immigration programs.
Experienced professionals, traders, business persons, and caregivers make up the bulk of all new immigrants to Canada. The target mark of immigrants in economic programs is pegged at 162,400, with projections for high-skilled workers up to 59,000 and caregivers at 22,000.
Mabatid said opening more PinoyCare centers across the country will help them reach out to more Filipinos who want to work and live abroad, specifically in Canada.
At least 10 more PinoyCare offices will be opened in 2017 in Vigan, Naga City, Bicol, Pampanga, Batangas, Ozamis, Dipolog, Kidapawan and General Santos cities, while they will also be reopening its Tacloban branch.
PinoyCare is present in 14 locations across the country.
Likewise, the company will expand to new territories in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan.
“We are also aggressive in growing our overseas operations because we also have plenty of overseas Filipinos who are keen on exploring new countries for work or for permanent residency,” said Mabatid, adding that this market also has a competitive edge because of their work history, English language proficiency, and educational degree.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC, formerly known as CIC) John McCallum said the immigration plan is grounded on Canada’s tradition of being a welcoming and generous country.
In the economic front, Canada is seeking to attract workers who will succeed in the Canadian labor market and integrate smoothly into Canadian society.
The bulk of the applications at PinoyCare are skilled and healthcare professionals. Since the start of the year, the firm has sent 400 applicants to Canada.