Skip to main content

I plan to stay after studying

I plan to stay after studying - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | November 26, 2013

Dear Ms Powell,
I am a student from Jamaica and I am finishing up my master's degree at a university in Toronto. I was told that when I finish my studies I can apply to stay permanently in Canada. How can I do that? - D.L.
Dear D.L.,
As a current master's student in Canada you should consider the opportunities available under the Ontario Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP). There are other provinces that have a similar programme, but since you are in Ontario, I will focus on the requirements under the Ontario PNP.
The PNP is open to students who are not 'bonded', to their home country. So, if are not the recipient of a grant or scholarships from your home country or international organisations, which requires your return to your home country on the completion of your study, you may apply.
You may submit an application, with supporting documents and fees to Opportunities Ontario, under the PNP.
You will need to satisfy certain requirements and provide the necessary proof. The main requirements and documents are:
1 Legally residing in Canada for a minimum of one year and have a study permit, temporary resident visa, work permit .
2 Successfully completed or will complete a minimum of one year's study in the master's programme at an eligible Canadian university.
3 Sealed copy of your university transcripts.
4 Demonstrate an intention to live or work in Ontario.
5 Résumé or curriculum vitae.
6 Certified copy of your university degree, certificate and diploma.
7 Copy of birth certificate and a copy of all the pages of the passport for yourself and any dependent.
8 Provide a recent, original letter/ statement to demonstrate that you are able to meet the minimum savings/ income to support yourself and any dependent you may have. The table below gives an example of the amount of Canadian funds that are currently required:
Number of family members Funds required
1            $11,086
2            $13,801
3            $16,967
4            $20,599
In your particular case, you will need to submit a letter from your university to prove that you are in the last semester of an existing master's programme and that you have been a full-time student at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario. You should also submit a copy of documents such as your bank statement, lease, utility bills and credit card statements, to show that you have, in fact, lived in Ontario for a minimum of one year. You do not need to provide proof that you have a job offer in order to be eligible to apply.
The non-refundable application fee is currently CDN$1,500. It will take approximately 90 days to process your application. There is a limit on the number of applications that will be processed annually, so you should submit your application as soon as possible. The key is to provide all the relevant information to demonstrate that you have a genuine potential to settle successfully and permanently in Ontario.
Once your application is successful, you will receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate. Within six months after receiving that certificate, you may apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to become a permanent resident. 
If you have additional questions about your eligibility or need assistance with your application, you should consult privately with an immigration lawyer. 
Best of luck!
Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, commercial, real estate, personal injury, family and administration of estates. She is on the roster of mediators for Ottawa, Toronto and the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica. Email: info@deidrepowell.com. Subject line: Immigration Twitter: deidrespowell Facebook: jamaicanlawyer
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can my boyfriend sponsor me

Dear Miss Powell, I am a Jamaican citizen and I live with a man who is a Canadian citizen, even though he was born in Jamaica. We have been living together for the past two and half years in Jamaica and we own a small business. We buy and sell household goods and small appliances. He usually goes to the USA and Canada to buy the stuff for the store, and I manage the store. I asked him if he could sponsor me, as I would like to go back to college to certify as a nurse. I see where that kind of job pays well. I have the subjects, and it has always been my dream. He said that he won’t be able to sponsor me since he hasn’t lived in Canada for over four years, and he doesn’t even pay taxes there anymore. Is this true that he can’t sponsor me? What information could we provide them to qualify? Looking forward to your response in The Gleaner. Thank you. JO Dear JO, Canadian citizens may be able to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, even if they are living outside of C...
Post a Comment
Read more

Immigration Corner | Married to a Canadian, will they harass me?

Immigration Corner | Married to a Canadian, will they harass me? : Dear Miss Powell, I am married to a Canadian citizen. Before we were married, I had my visitor’s visa, so I was going back and forth, and he did the same. That works out good for both of us as we are very busy with our work, plus my husband says he... The immigration officer will not “harass” you because you are now married. However, you should expect to provide explanations about the reason for your visit and whether you are considering living or working in Canada. You should be honest with them as you could be barred from Canada for approximately five years for misrepresentation and have difficulties with future applications.
Post a Comment
Read more

Immigration Corner | Why does it cost so much to go to Canada?

  Dear Miss Powell, Why does it cost so much to go to Canada? I spoke to a consultant and he said I need to have at least CDN$15,000 to pay to go Canada. Honestly, Miss Powell, if I had that amount of money to give the Canadian government, I wouldn’t need to leave Jamaica. I am a professional with a little savings with my mother, and an old house that my grandmother left me, but I can’t give that money away. Why do they charge so much? Is there a programme that doesn’t need so much money? AF Dear AF, If you wish to apply via the Express Entry System under the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, or Federal Skilled Trade Worker, you must demonstrate that you have the financial means to support yourself and your family when applying for permanent residence, with a few exceptions. The required amount is called ‘settlement funds’. The government of Canada does not take the funds from you. The only fees taken from you after you receive an invitation for permanent residence are the applicat...
Post a Comment
Read more