CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Dear Miss Powell, I am a single woman looking to apply for a visa to study in Canada. Since I'm single, what information can I present about 'family ties' to the officer? O.P. Dear O.P., Many individuals are faced with this issue when they apply for a temporary resident visa such as a student, work, or visitor's visa . The standard question that is asked of an applicant is: 'Why would you return home after your trip?' Many individuals are offended by the question, but it is a legitimate one as the visa officer needs proof that you will not be a flight risk, will not break the immigration laws of Canada, and that you honour the terms of your temporary resident visa. That means that you will need to present substantiated facts that at the end of your studies, you will not remain in Canada illegally but that you will return to your home country when required to do so. The visa officer is looking for proof that you have established social and econom...

Dear Miss Powell, I got permanent residence in Canada about five years ago and I moved there with my family and stayed a few months. However, I wasn't able to get a job, so I returned to Jamaica. I had only taken a leave of absence from my job to see if I could settle in Canada and since I didn't get a job, I went back to work in Jamaica. My wife and two children stayed. I continued to support them and went up every holiday, when I got leave, and any chance I got. I am now back in Canada and just got a good job, so I quit my job in Jamaica with the intention to stay in Canada. My permanent residence (PR) card expired recently and my wife submitted the application to renew all our cards together. My wife and children's cards were renewed, but mine was rejected. Can I appeal this decision? - PJ Dear PJ, When you are granted permanent residence of Canada and you receive a PR card, you have an obligation to ensure that you are present in Canada a minimum of 730 days ...

What can I learn from US visa process? Deidre S. Powell - Canada  Dear Ms Powell, I have a United States (US) visa and I would like to apply for a Canadian visitor's visa. Do I need to submit the same documents that I did to get the US visa? Are they going to ask me pretty much the same questions? What can I expect at the Canadian embassy? - RM Dear RM, Most visa officers are looking for the same basic reassurance. Therefore, you will need to satisfy the visa officer that you have strong social and economic ties to your home country that would motivate you to return at the end of the time granted. Essentially, you need to establish that you will not remain in Canada illegally and that you can afford the expense of the trip. To establish social and economic ties to Jamaica you will need to provide certain documents such as: 1. Birth certificates of your dependent children. 2. Marriage certificate /proof of common-law relationship such as a statutor...

My friend needs stronger ties - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | November 5, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I have a friend who I want to invite to Canada for a couple of weeks in the summer of 2014. She has a mother who is 76 years old, living with her. Do you think it's a good idea to get a letter from her mom stating that the mother is dependent on her child for support? What else can strengthen her application? - HJ Dear HJ, Whenever an individual applies for a temporaryresident visa or visitor's visa, the individual will need to satisfy thevisa officer that she has very strong social and economic ties to Jamaica, that would motivate the individual to return to Jamaica at the end of the time granted to be in Canada. A letter from your friend's mother could help, but she would need to go further by including additional information to strengthen her application. I have mentioned in previous articles some ways that you can establish social and economic ties. I wil...

Afraid of being rejected for visa twice - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 22, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I saw one of your articles in an old newspaper and decided to write you about my situation. A few years ago, my son, who has been living in Canada for the past 10 years, invited me to visit to meet his girlfriend and to spend Christmas with them. He sent me the invitation letter  and copies of his documents to show he is legit. However, when I applied for the visa, they turned me down, saying I don't have enough ties. I gave them my land title and bank account information, so why would they turn me down? Now my son is getting married to the young lady and invited me to the wedding. I want to apply for the visa to go, but I don't want to waste my money and time and go through all that hassle if they are going to turn me down again. Can I appeal the case? I really want to go to the wedding. Can a lawyer guarantee that I will get a visa to go to the weddi...

Source:  Published in the Jamaican Gleaner - Tuesday April2, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I read  your articles every week and I find them very informative. I recently got an invitation from my cousin in Canada to visit the family. I want to apply for a visitor's visa, but everyone I know who has applied was refused on the basis that they don't have "sufficient ties". What does that mean? How do I prove that I have sufficient ties? Your response would be appreciated. - LC Dear LC, When you apply for a temporary resident/visitor's visa, it is up to you to convince the immigration officer that you are not a flight risk and that you have intentions of returning to Jamaica at the end of the time granted for you to visit. To do so, you will need to establish that you have sufficient economic and social ties to your home country. Economic Ties There are several ways to establish economic ties. You should include as many of the following proofs with your ...