CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

  Dear Ms Powell, I was doing some research online and came across your articles. I notice that you write mostly for people in Jamaica, but I wonder if you would still be able to help me although I am in the UK. I have lived in the UK for years but only on a work permit. I have a friend who lives in Canada, and he said he is now applying for his citizenship. Canada seems to be the best option for me and my family. When I researched, I saw so many programmes. I don’t know what the best option is. I’m highly skilled and my wife and I have degrees. I am confused. Please help. – A.N. Dear A.N., Thank you for your email. I enjoy hearing from my readers around the world. Although the articles are published in  The   Jamaica Gleaner , the policies and programmes are applicable to individuals in other countries except where I highlight that it is specifically for a particular country. CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION Canada has several routes to becoming a permanent resident and then beco...

Click link to c omplete our free online form to FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA.   Dear Miss Powell, I’m planning   to apply for self-sponsorship to Canada and I wanted to make sure that I have the requirements as it relates to the amount of money that I need in my bank account? Does everyone have to show this amount, or are some people exempted? What is the accepted proof of funds? Thank you for informing us. AK Dear AK, The government of Canada updates the requirements for settlement funds annually and recently released new updates to the settlement fund requirements. Individuals must be prepared to clearly demonstrate that they have the minimum amounts when applying to ‘self-sponsor’ as a Federal Skilled Worker or a Federal Skilled Tradesman. Some individuals do not need to prove the minimum requirements if they qualify under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC); have a valid job offer, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), or ...

 Click to FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA.   ( click link and sign up ) Dear Ms Powell, I would like to live permanently in Canada with my family. I have been interested in years, but I was saving and upgrading my skills to be able to make this move. I have the money, education and skills, but I realise that since I’m now over 40, that most of the programmes are not applicable to me. Are there no programmes available to mature individuals? My prime working years are ahead of me. Isn’t that age discrimination? Why does Canada make it so hard for us? We are not coming to be burdens on their economy. We can take care of ourselves. When you are young you don’t have the work experience and money and when you have the work experience and money, you hear that you are too old. What can I do? AD Dear AD, I hear your frustration. However, there are various programmes available for people of all ages with the skill, work experience, finances and other f...

C omplete our free online form to FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA.   Dear Miss Powell, I’m a hard working tradesman and I keep hearing about people going to work and live in Canada. However, every time I talk to people, they say trades people are not welcome as Canada is only looking for bright people. My aunty keeps complaining that she can’t find a good plumber there and she wishes she could sponsor me as she knows many of her church sister could use the help. If workers are short, how come I keep hearing that people can’t get through? Do they really don’t want a tradesman like me. I have a few CXC and a whole heap of experience. Tell me what to do, please. Tony Dear Tony, Tradesmen are welcomed to come to Canada. There is indeed a shortage of skilled trade workers in Canada. Therefore, the Government of Canada has an immigration category known as the Federal Skilled Trade Programme (FSTP). The FSTP is for applicants with experience in a skilled ...

#COMETOCANADA  FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO COME TO CANADA click here and complete our free assessment form . Dear Miss Powell, I saw where you posted on Facebook that any individual under 35 years with a degree can get to live permanently in Canada. Is Canada really immigrant friendly? Here’s my situation, I am 28 years old and I have a diploma and a degree from Mico. I am a teacher at a high school. I don’t have any family in Canada. Does that mean I qualify to go to Canada? I also have a son and his father isn’t supporting him. Can I take him? Thanks for your time and keep up the good work. RO Dear RO, Canada has a very generous immigration system, whereby individuals who have the education, skills, work experience and other factors, may get permanent residence in Canada in a matter of months. In fact, Canada is the country of choice for most professional and skilled workers worldwide in recent years. Canada faces challenges such as an ageing population and decl...

Dear Ms Powell, My mother lives in Canada and she would like to sponsor me. I am a 25-year-old single Jamaican teacher. Can my mother sponsor me? I have a friend whose mother sponsored her to go to the USA. She says that my mother should be able to sponsor me to go to Canada. Please tell me the best route to go to Canada. Thank you. AH Dear AH, Under the Canadian immigration laws, family sponsorship is generally limited to spouses, common-law partners and dependent children. This is different from the American system. A parent is permitted to sponsor an adult family member in a case where the parent is residing in Canada on her own and has no other living relative or family member residing in Canada. Also, there are some provinces that offer other options for relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members, and so I would suggest that you speak to an immigration lawyer to assess your particular situation in detail. Possible Options ...