CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Dear Miss Powell, M y sister is s ick in Ontario and she is be gging me to visit her. I already have a valid visa, so I am not worried about that. I’m just so confused about what to do during this pandemic, as the policies seems to be changing all the time. I want to be there for my sister. However, I’m not sure I can deal with the added stress. Do you think it’s safe to travel at this time? What are the things I need to do to have a safe trip? – W.P. Dear W.P., Travelling during the pandemic is not for the faint at heart. Apart from the standard requirement of wearing a mask while travelling, you must take note of the new travel restrictions, which will require some planning and preparation. If you are travelling to Canada, you should be aware that there are new COVID-19 restrictions that you must adhere to. I will outline below the steps to follow to ensure that your travel experience is a little less stressful. PRE-DEPARTURE You must first check if you are authorised to enter Canada...

  Dear Miss Powell, I read one of your articles where you said that a visitor can get a work permit. I came to Canada to visit my sick mother; now she has recovered nicely, but I don’t want to leave her alone. I am a practical nurse and so I was looking online to see how I can convert my visitor’s visa to a work visa, but can’t see where to download the forms or where to send in an application. Can you guide me, please? – A.I. Dear A.I., There is a temporary policy in place where visitors can apply to extend their stay in Canada as workers. This policy is applicable to persons who have entered Canada before August 24, 2020, maintained your legal status, and can satisfy the criteria to received work permit. This new policy is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In my last article on this topic, I highlighted the requirements and qualifying factors. The key requirement is that an applicant would need to be prepared to include proof of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or LM...

  Dear Mrs Powell, I took leave from my job to visit my aunt in Canada just before the lockdown. Shortly afterwards, I got an email from my boss saying that due to COVID-19, she had to lay me off. I was terribly upset but couldn’t leave. My aunt said she would be happy if I could stay longer with her and that I should contact you to see if it is possible to get a work permit or something to stay in Canada. Can a visitor get a work permit? How can I stay in Canada now? Hope to get a response soon. – K.P. Dear K.P., I am sorry to hear that you lost your job in your home country. However, do not despair as there could be many opportunities for you to extend your stay, get a work permit, or live permanently in Canada. The most critical thing is to ensure that you maintain your legal status. Click link to c omplete our free online form to FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA.   MAINTAINING LEGAL STATUS When someone visits Canada, they are usually given a maximum of six months ...

Dear Miss Powell, I read one of your recent articles and I am in a similar situation, as my girlfriend is living abroad. I would like her to visit me here in Canada, but I am not sure how to do this. A friend in the United States (US) said that he applied for a fiancé visa to get his girlfriend to go to the US, so he said I should ask you about that arrangement for Canada. I now seek your assistance in finding out how I can have her apply for a fiancée visa to Canada? That way, she can travel to Canada so that we can get married, and then I would sponsor her once I’m in a position to do so. How do we apply for my girlfriend to come to Canada? – E.B. Dear E.B., I know that family reunification is on the minds of many of my readers, as I have received several questions relating to this topic since COVID-19. I encourage you to contact an immigration lawyer personally as there may be various options available to you, based on the details of your case. Nevertheless, I will answer your quest...

Dear Miss Powell, I have a Canadian visa which will expire by the end of the year, and I would like to go to Canada in the summer to see if I should really apply as a skilled worker to live there. The problem is that I am pregnant, and with COVID-19 and the talk of a second wave, I’m concerned that I could get stuck in Canada. What happens if my baby is born there? Will he get Canadian citizenship? I heard about ‘birth tourism’ in Canada. What would be my child’s status if he is born there? How will that affect my visa? Can I stay (in Canada) to take care of him while he goes to school? What are some of the things I should consider? Thank you for your time. – I.N. Dear I.N., If you are a foreign national and you give birth in Canada, your child will automatically become a Canadian citizen. This is a right under paragraph 3(1)(a) of the Canadian Citizenship Act, irrespective of the status or citizenship of his parents, with the exception of persons born to accredited diplom...

Dear Miss Powell, Why is it so hard to get a visitor’s visa to Canada and the USA? I’ve travelled to Barbados and Trinidad and I just want to see what it is like being in North America. How can I convince them that I don’t want to live in a cold country, but just want to vacation in the summer? LM Dear LM, It is not difficult to get a visitor’s visa if you are able to satisfy the requirements of the visa officer. The key to note is that when an individual applies for a visitor’s visa or temporary resident visa to another country, it is the responsibility of the applicant to pass the security, financial, social and other evaluations before they will be granted a visa to be admitted into the country. There are some key factors that an applicant should consider. They are: 1. Provide a properly completed application form with accurate information about yourself and your family. Ensure that you do not provide conflicting information or make mistakes, as there are strict...