CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Help! I'm working with an expired permit - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | March 26, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I am  a Jamaican living in Canada. My work permit expired last week and I didn't realise before now. What should I do at this point? Your urgent response would be appreciated. - BB Dear BB, You must stop working and immediately apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to have your work permit restored or extended. You have 90 days from the date of expiry in which to make this application in order to not risk deportation and further penalty. You should send an application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada as a worker. You may submit your application electronically or via mail to the case-processing centre in Alberta. You will need to submit the following documents: 1. Completed form IMM5710 - 'Application to Change Conditions, Extend My Stay or Remain in Canada' 2. Photocopy of photo page of passport 3. Photocopy

I want a Super Visa instead - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | March 19, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I am an avid reader of your column and wondered if you could assist me. My daughter applied to sponsor me over two years ago and we haven't heard anything about the application. I don't really want to live in Canada. I just want the freedom to visit my daughter and grandchildren whenever I feel like and possibly spend some valuable time with them without the bother of rushing back or applying to renew a visa. Can I cancel the sponsorship application and tell them to use the fees to just apply for the Super Visa? What would I need to do? What is the difference between the sponsorship and Super Visa? - K.M. Dear K.M, Your daughter can cancel the application for sponsorship and you may then submit a new application for the Super Visa which is available to parents and grandparents. The application process is fairly similar, except the processing time is shorter. The S

Can't tell my girlfriend about past conviction - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | March 12, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I went to school in the United States and while living there I was found guilty of a small offence and I paid a fine. My girlfriend lives in Toronto and she wants us to get married. I haven't told her about my previous conviction as I'm worried that this could upset her. Can I apply for Canadian citizenship now or will my conviction as a youth be a problem? - M.R. Dear M.R., If you were found guilty of a criminal offence, you could be deemed criminally inadmissible to enter Canada and this could be a problem, but not one that you cannot overcome. Depending on the nature of the offence, you may have options available to you which may allow you to get a visa to visit, get permanent residency and later become a citizen. You should note that an application to become a Canadian citizen is a two-step process and you cannot automatically apply to become a Canadian