CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Dear Ms Powell, I worked in Canada last year on a contract as a skilled labourer. I was hoping that my employer would rehire me this year and I could get a work permit. He however said he can't do so this year as the Canadian government is not allowing him to hire any more temporary foreign workers. He said if I come back he would be happy to hire me, but he is having a hard time and can't help me to get the work permit this year. How can I get to go back? - KE Dear KE, I sympathise with you and your former employer, as many temporary foreign workers (TFW) and employers alike are up in arms about the recent changes under the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker Programme (TFWP). Most employers are limited to only 20% of their workers being temporary foreign workers especially in the food and accommodation sectors. That is because the government is focusing on reducing unemployment rate and ensuring that persons who are already in Canada can fill these positions.   Apply

On the January 27, 2015 , Citizenship and Immigration Canada ( CIC) updated the requirement for settlement funds.  Individuals applying under the Express Entry system must provide proof of settlement funds if you do not have a valid job offer. The amount required is based on the number of persons in your family. Number of Persons in Family Minimum Funds Required (CAD$) 1   11,931 2   14,853 3   18,260 4   22,170 5   25,145 6   28,359 7 or more   31,574 What proof will you need to submit?  Cash   Bank statement from your bank showing that you have savings or investments  accounts in your name or the name of a spouse or common law partner   Investments in the form of Cash Deposit ( CD), fixed deposits, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills   Bankers draft, cheques, travellers cheques, money orders Other source of inve

Dear Miss Powell, I  met a Canadian man about three years ago. We fell in love and got married last year November. I have been faithful to him all these years. After we got married, he told me that he has HIV. He has shown no signs or symptoms and neither have I. However, after he told me that he has HIV, I got tested and realise I, too, have HIV. He is now putting together papers to sponsor me and I'm worried that I will be denied the opportunity to join him in Canada as he says a medical will be necessary. I love my husband and I forgive him for not telling me about this. I just want us to be able to live together. Is it possible for persons who are HIV positive to get a visa to Canada? Will this affect the sponsorship application? If it's possible, what steps would I need to take. I am a professional and I have been in excellent health since I was diagnosed. - Anonymous Dear Anonymous, I am sorry to hear that both you and your husband have contracted HIV. Howeve

Dear Ms Powell, I'm thinking of applying under the express entry programme, but I don't know if I would qualify. I understood the selection process under the skilled worker programme, but I'm now a little confused about this new programme. I'm 28 years old, married to another professional, and we both have bachelor's degrees from the University of the West Indies. Would I qualify? How much points would I get? Can you tell me how they are now selecting persons to go to Canada? - P.A. Dear PA, The express entry system is not a new programme. It is an electronic system to manage the existing economic programmes, that is, the Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSW) the Federal Skilled Trade Programme (FST), The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and some of the Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNP). Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has introduced a new way of awarding points to individuals. Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), individuals are a