CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

  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...

Dear Mrs Powell, My half sister is a Canadian citizen. I have a mechanical engineering degree. The problem is that I haven’t really worked as an engineer. I’ve been working as a maintenance technician, plus I own a small mechanic shop where I work part-time and supervise one guy who works full- time for me. Would I still qualify to go to Canada? Another very important thing is, can I add my mother and my daughter as a dependent? They live with me and rely on me. So I can’t leave them behind if I qualify. Thank you. KE Dear KE, Canada has a very generous immigration system. Individuals have over 100 immigration pathways to choose from. The issue is choosing the best pathway for you and your family. The most common pathway is to use the Express Entry System. This is the system that manages the Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trade Programme, Canadian Experience Class and some Provincial Nominee Programmes. The Canadian government promised that it will be conducti...

    Dear Miss Powell, I am a Jamaican. I am fully vaccinated and would like to visit Dubai for vacation. I’m trying to find the fastest route and least number of transfers. I noticed that I could travel via Canada, as there is a direct flight from Toronto. Could you tell me if I need a Canadian visa? I’m not staying in Canada; I’m just changing planes and going to Dubai. Thank you. – PT BOOK A ZOOM CONSULTATION Dear PT, Jamaican citizens need a transit visa to connect to another international flight via Canada. A transit visa is an official document granted by the Canadian government that indicates that you meet the requirements to travel through a Canadian airport for up to 48 hours. You may request a single- or multiple-entry visa, depending on if you intend to return via the same route. You should ensure that your connecting flight leaves Canada less than 48 hours after your arrival at a Canadian airport. If your connecting flight departs more than 48 hours...

  Dear Miss Powell, I want to apply for a study permit, but it takes a lot of money and effort to go through the process. A friend told me that Canada doesn’t have an officer looking at applications, they use this Chinook computer programme. I know five individuals whose applications were rejected. They say that most individuals don’t stand a chance right now, as they pay their money and it’s a computer that just spits out rejection letters. Is it fair that they are using this Chinook system? Can you tell me more about this system? How can I beat this system? I would really like to pursue my masters, but concerned that my application won’t stand a fair chance. My aunt who lives there is encouraging me to apply, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Maybe I should look at England or the USA. What do you think? Thank you in advance for responding to my question. BOOK A ZOOM CONSULTATION Dear LD, Since the pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been criticis...

Protect yourself! Use a lawyer who is authorised to practice in Canada.  BOOK A ZOOM CONSULTATION No individual can guarantee you a card to live in Canada permanently. This is the prerogative of the Canadian government, which selects qualified individuals and grants them a confirmation of permanent residence. After an individual has landed in Canada, then he will be granted a permanent resident card. It is your duty to guard yourself from scammers, or ‘choppas’, by verifying that the person you are dealing with is authorised to represent you and your family. The Canadian government will only accept applications from lawyers and paralegals who are members in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also accepts applications from notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec and consultants who are members in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Con...

  BOOK A TELEPHONE MEETING  Dear Miss Powell, I read your articles all the time and notice that you give some good advice, so I’m turning to you to help me. I first came to Ontario as a student. I completed my postgraduate studies a few years ago and want to stay permanently, as I have family here. However, because of my age, my scores were low. I was worried that I will have to return home, then my employer helped me to get a Provincial Nomination under the job offer stream. I was very happy for his help, but now he is starting to behave as if he is doing me a big favour. We had a big falling-out recently, and the work environment has become too toxic. I am thinking of quitting. Do you think that if I quit, my application for permanent residence will be affected? RN Dear RN, I am sorry to hear that you are having issues with your employer. When you receive a certificate of nomination under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP), both the employer and the applicant mus...