CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

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...

  Dear Miss Powell, I read your articles all the time. Thank you for them. I have a personal question. I am interested in sponsoring my girlfriend and our son. I am a permanent resident of Canada and I have been travelling back and forth for the past three years to see them. With this COVID situation, I think it is best to get them here. My girlfriend already has her COVID shot and should be getting the next one soon. How do I start the process to get them here? How much money do I need to show that I have? What is the first step that I should take? PR Dear PR, Family is important and since the pandemic, many individuals are looking to sponsor their loved ones to join them here in Canada. The first step is to ensure that all the parties involved are eligible. Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will evaluate you, the sponsor, and the persons being sponsored to see if you qualify. WHO CAN SPONSOR? Anyone seeking to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner must first be o...

  Dear Ms Powell, I   have been in a relationship since last year Easter. We met online and he visited last summer and spent the whole time with me. We also talk every day via Zoom. I applied for a visitor’s visa and didn’t get it, so I couldn’t visit him for the Christmas. Due to the virus pandemic, he hasn’t been able to visit this summer. He said that he can sponsor me, but we are not sure, as he is having difficulties with getting his divorce, although he has left his wife about five years ago. I am a Christian and so we haven’t had sex. Does it mean that because we haven’t had sex that we would not qualify as common-law partners? Can he really sponsor me? Would it be easier if he just marries me? Can we marry via Zoom? Looking forward to your response. – J.C. Dear J.C., Last week, I responded to the first part of your question. I noted that it appears that you are in a conjugal relationship, although a case could be made for a common-law relationship, considering COVID-19...

Dear Ms Powell: I have been seeing a Canadian woman for the past three years and we are planning to get married. However, because of the current laws in Jamaica, we can't get married in Jamaica. My partner sent me an invitation letter so that I could visit her and get married in Canada, but I was refused a visitor's visa as they said that I didn't have enough ties to Jamaica. I am a professional in Jamaica with a good job and I'm able to take care of myself financially, so I was surprised that I was refused since I have a USA visa. I just wanted to be with my partner so we can get married and she can sponsor me. It's getting to be very difficult as we spend so much money for her to visit on weekends as she only gets two weeks off at a time. Can you tell me how we can get married so that she can sponsor me to go to Canada? You know what it is like for same-sex couples in Jamaica. I look forward to hearing from you. - B.N. Dear B.N.: I'm sorry to ...

Dear Ms Powell, I am supposed to go into final year at the University of the West Indies (UWI) next September and I'm contemplating not going back. My boyfriend is a Canadian citizen. He takes good care of me and gives me money for my boarding. He is planning to send money for my ticket to come to Canada soon. He, however, wants me to stay in Canada when I visit. He said it doesn't make sense I finish up studies here in Jamaica, as Canada does not recognise Jamaican degrees. He said I could come up and live with him and he will sponsor me. I'm a little confused as my mother died recently and I don't have anyone else to help me. I don't have any money to finish up and any money I get comes from my boyfriend. A friend said I should write you to see if my boyfriend can really sponsor me and if it's true that even if I go Canada I wouldn't be able to use my UWI degree. I look forward to your advice as I'm a little confused. - AT Dear AT, I'm sor...

Dear Ms Powell,   I am  a hard-working Jamaican man and my wife sponsored me to stay in Canada. She said I can't leave as I may not be allowed to return, and that could affect the application. I've been here over a year now and I can't work. I help out around the house, but that alone is not enough as my wife used to do two jobs and I can't do one. My concern is that she is now pregnant and I can't sit around anymore. If I can't work, I may as well go back to Jamaica and work and send back the money for her, so she doesn't have to continue to work so hard. I know her family must be thinking it's not fair to her. Can you help us? - K.J. Dear K.J., Persons who have already submitted an application for permanent residence under the Spouse and Common Law Partners in Canada Class (SCLPC) can now apply for an open work permit within Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced in December 2014 that it will begin issuing open work perm...

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...