CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Changes to application process - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | December 24, 2013 C itizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced on December 18, 2013 that it will start accepting new applications under the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) Immigrant programme on January 2, 2014. The programme will reopen, allowing Canadian permanent residents and citizens to reunite with their parents and grandparents through application for sponsorship. Therefore, parents and grandparents are not restricted to applications for a super visa only, but can now be sponsored to become permanent residents of Canada. This is welcoming news, however, there are new restrictions on the number of applications that will be accepted in 2014. CIC indicates that it will be accepting 5,000 applications worldwide for 2014. This is a global figure, with no limits on the country of origin. Therefore, persons who are eligible and qualify under this category will need to act promptly by submitting a complete and...

How can a chef get to Canada? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | December 17, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I met a man in Negril and we have been corresponding since then. He promised to sponsor me to go to Canada. He said he is not sure how to go about doing it and I should find out. I work as a chef at a resort, but I read that chefs can't apply. Is there any other way for him to help me to get to Canada? - RT Dear RT, In a previous article, I mentioned that chefs were removed from the category of persons who may apply under the Federal Skilled Trades category at this time. This restriction is not placed on persons seeking to come to Canada under the Family Class. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident  can sponsor their spouse, common law spouse, or conjugal partner to live in Canada. You will need to prove to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that you are in such a relationship. In Canada you are considered to be a 'spouse' after you hav...

I want to apply for permanent residency - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | December 10, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, For the past 12 years, I have worked in Canada as a seasonal worker. Someone told me that I can apply for permanent residency, but I'm not sure if I qualify or how to go about it. I want to do things the right way, so I'm writing to you to help me. - KJ Dear KJ, You can apply to become a permanent resident under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This category is open to temporary foreign workers and foreign students. To be eligible, you must have acquired a minimum of 12 months of legitimate full-time or equal amount of part-time work experience within the last 36 months; plan to live outside of the province of Quebec; and meet the language requirements. I am not sure what type of work you were doing, but there are a few major changes of which you should be aware. Since April 2012,  Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) reduced the wor...

News Release — Streamlining the Passport Process for Canadians Abroad Ottawa, December 9, 2013  — Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today announced improvements to passport services for Canadians living and working outside Canada. When the improvements take effect on December 9, 2013, Canadians living and working outside Canada will have the option of choosing as a guarantor: an adult with a valid or recently expired Canadian passport (less than a year); or a member of an expanded list of a variety of occupations (listed below). “ Canada is continuing to make the passport application process more efficient and streamlined for Canadians living abroad, ” said Alexander. “ As of December 9, 2013, if you are applying for a Canadian passport abroad, finding a guarantor will be much simpler. ” In addition, the list of guarantor occupations will be consistent for all Canadian passport applicants, wherever they may be outside Canada. If ...

Immigration corner - How do I apply to live in Canada? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | December 4, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I  am  currently a final-year student at the University of Technology, where I am completing my degree in computer science. It is my wish to apply for residency in Canada after completing in April 2014. I currently have a maternal uncle and his family who live in the Ontario whom I visited this past summer. How do you suggest I go about completing the process if it's viable? - T.E. Dear T.E., Based on the information provided, various options are available to you. However, the best option would be to seek to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW). Earlier this year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) reopened this option and posted a list of occupations that are eligible to apply. This list will be updated on annually basis. A  computer science degree will no doubt provide you with various opportunities, both in Jam...