CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

  Dear Miss Powell, Thank you for your articles about Canada. I look forward to reading them each week. My situation is this: I receive confirmation of permanent residence and because of the lockdown, I haven’t been able to go to Canada. What can I do? I already left my job and have been living off the savings that I wanted to take to Canada. I even had COVID while waiting. Will I be permitted into Canada? What can I do? I look forward to your response in The Gleaner. – G.R. Dear G.R., Congratulations on receiving a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR). I am sorry to hear that you got the COVID-19 virus. I trust that you are now fully recovered and do not have any symptoms or complications. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on June 22 that travel restrictions have been lifted for some individuals, including individuals who have unexpired COPR. This does not include individuals arriving directly from India. If an individual from India is coming to Canada via an indirect ...

  FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TO LIVE PERMANENTLY IN CANADA SIGN UP HERE Dear Miss Powell, I got a job offer from an employer in Canada. Can I just go to the nearest doctor to get my medical report for a work permit? Why do they need a medical report? What will they be checking for? What if they find something? I await your response. Thanks. – D.G. Dear D.G., Any individual applying for a temporary or permanent resident visa to Canada could be subject to medical examination by an approved doctor. Medical reports could be requested for applications such as work permit, study permit, some visitor’s visa application and applications for permanent residence. When you apply, you will be advised whether you will need to provide the report. Most applicants are required to do various medical tests and checks with an approved medical practitioner as a part of the application process. The doctor is expected to submit a report to the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the repo...

FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP   Dear Ms Powell, Is the Express Entry System the only way to get to live in Canada? That system seems to be very difficult, as I hear many people say they applied and did not get through. I have the money to be able to sponsor myself and my family. Is there a specific occupation and age limit that is being accepted? I want to know the best way to move to Canada. Please help. – GW Dear GW, The Express Entry System is not the only way to get to live permanently in Canada. There are over 80 economic programmes that can be utilised by individuals, based on their background and qualifications. However, the Express Entry System is the most utilised method by individuals who are interested in self-sponsorship. The Express Entry System is an electronic mechanism used to manage the existing economic programmes, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, the Federal Skilled Trade Programme, The Canadian Experience Class, and some of the Provi...

Dear Miss Powell, I am a truck driver and I have a brother in Saskatchewan who wants to help me to move there. He said brothers can't sponsor under the new rules but that with my skills, I may be able to get a work permit, and I could stay with him. Is there a work programme under which I can apply to work there? How can I get to live there permanently with my brother's help? - JN Dear JN, The province of Saskatchewan has a long-haul truck driver programme that allows approved employers to bring individuals to Canada to work within their trucking company/firm. After you have worked for a minimum of six months with the same company and if the employer offers you a permanent position, you could be eligible to apply to become a permanent resident under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Programme (SINP). How To Qualify  The first step would be to get a job offer from a SINP-approved trucking firm. I do not recommend that you contact employment agencies who charg...

Dear Miss Powell, I came to Canada with my mother on a visitor’s visa in 2008 to help my aunt who was sick and needed a helper. The summer after I finished high school in Jamaica my mother took me to Canada. I was 16 at the time.  My mother and I now live with my aunt.  I passed seven subjects in Jamaica and wanted to go to college/university here, but my aunt and mother are worried that the immigration authorities would send me home if they found me. I have been helping my aunt and some of her friends with housework just to get some pocket money and to have something to do.  I would really love to get my documents so that I can go to school and stop hiding. I’m scared go anywhere and to talk to anyone apart from family friends as I don’t want to be sent back to Jamaica. My aunt says if I’m not careful anyone can call the police who can lock me up and then deport me. I don’t have anyone in Jamaica to help me so I wouldn’t know what to do th...

Dear Ms Powell, How can I get permanent residence in Canada? My husband is a chef and we would love to qualify. - W.L. Dear W.L., I am continuing my answer from two weeks ago, and I hope to provide you with tips on how to improve your Comprehensive Ranking Score, so that you can receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. You will need to provide language reports for English and/or French. Canada is looking for individuals who can fill the gap in the labour market and contribute to the economy. They are looking for professionals or federal skilled workers, as well as certain specified skilled trade workers. TRADE WORKERS The skilled trades that are currently eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Programme and the Express Entry System are those that are classified as industrial, electrical, construction, maintenance and equipment operation, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production, processing, ma...

Dear Ms Powell, I heard about a school in Halifax where I can study 'massage and hydrotherapy'. Can you tell me how I can find out if this school is accredited? Can I get a permit to stay in Canada when I finish? - CR Dear CR, It is a good idea to check if a school is accredited or is considered to be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), before you embark on studies as a pathway to becoming a permanent resident in Canada. There is a list of DLIs which may be found on IRCC's official website:  www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-institutions-list.asp . On the successful completion of your studies, you may apply for a post graduate work permit (PGWP). The work permit will allow you to work in Canada for a specific period of time. The amount of time that you will be granted will be based on the length of your studies. The permit will not be granted for a period longer than the period of study. Therefore...