CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

I plan to stay after studying - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | November 26, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I am a student from Jamaica and I am finishing up my master's degree at a university in Toronto. I was told that when I finish my studies I can apply to stay permanently in Canada. How can I do that? - D.L. Dear D.L., As a current master's student in Canada you should consider the opportunities available under the Ontario Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP). There are other provinces that have a similar programme, but since you are in Ontario, I will focus on the requirements under the Ontario PNP. The PNP is open to students who are not 'bonded', to their home country. So, if are not the recipient of a grant or scholarships from your home country or international organisations, which requires your return to your home country on the completion of your study, you may apply. You may submit an application, with supporting documents and fees to Opportunities ...

Immigration corner - I want my son to study in Canada - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Wednesday | November 20, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I have a brilliant son and believe the education system here is holding him back. I've allowed him to sit his examinations privately and he already has five subjects. He is only in fourth form. Someone recommended that I let him do the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), but I don't want him to study in the United States. Could you, please, give me some information on how I can get my son to study in Canada? - GB Dear GB, Congratulations to you and your son on his achievements. You should speak to your son's principal and teachers if you have concerns about his advancement. I'm not sure if you are thinking that you would like him to complete high school in Canada or Jamaica, then attend university in Canada. In any event, there are some fundamentals that you should think about. Canada is an excellent choice for educational ad...

Clearing the air on family-sponsorship policies - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | November 12, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, When I first came to Canada, my aunt was the one who sponsored me. Now I am planning to sponsor my niece, and I read one of your articles where you said that aunts can't sponsor an individual. I am writing to tell you that you are wrong in your assumptions and I'm living proof that aunts can sponsor their nieces and nephews. - EW Dear EW, I'm smiling as I read your correspondence and would like to thank you for sharing your experience. Although you did not share the details of when you were sponsored and your particular circumstances, I would like to reiterate that every immigration file is assessed on an individual basis. Further, the public must be aware that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) changes its programmes and policies on a regular basis and, therefore, those of us who are practising in immigration law must update ourselves ...

My friend needs stronger ties - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | November 5, 2013 Dear Miss Powell, I have a friend who I want to invite to Canada for a couple of weeks in the summer of 2014. She has a mother who is 76 years old, living with her. Do you think it's a good idea to get a letter from her mom stating that the mother is dependent on her child for support? What else can strengthen her application? - HJ Dear HJ, Whenever an individual applies for a temporaryresident visa or visitor's visa, the individual will need to satisfy thevisa officer that she has very strong social and economic ties to Jamaica, that would motivate the individual to return to Jamaica at the end of the time granted to be in Canada. A letter from your friend's mother could help, but she would need to go further by including additional information to strengthen her application. I have mentioned in previous articles some ways that you can establish social and economic ties. I wil...

Super visa horror stories - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 29, 2013 Dear Ms. Powell I read your article regarding the super visa, but wanted to share my experience. My in-laws have been visiting us for the past several years on temporary resident visas (TRV). We finally applied for a super visa this year. Knowing that this is a multiple entry and 10-year visa, and that it would save us the hassle of applying for a TRV every year, I purchased medical insurance which cost us approximately CA$3,000. My mother-in-law received a three-year visa instead of a 10-year. My father-in-law got a three-month, multiple- entry visa.  I have heard some other horror stories and have come to the conclusion that the super visa is a fraud and a total sham only to make money. I urge everyone to voice their concerns, especially people like you who are in the position to raise these concerns louder than most of us. - RR Dear RR, I am sorry that you have such a terrible ...

Afraid of being rejected for visa twice - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 22, 2013 Dear Ms Powell, I saw one of your articles in an old newspaper and decided to write you about my situation. A few years ago, my son, who has been living in Canada for the past 10 years, invited me to visit to meet his girlfriend and to spend Christmas with them. He sent me the invitation letter  and copies of his documents to show he is legit. However, when I applied for the visa, they turned me down, saying I don't have enough ties. I gave them my land title and bank account information, so why would they turn me down? Now my son is getting married to the young lady and invited me to the wedding. I want to apply for the visa to go, but I don't want to waste my money and time and go through all that hassle if they are going to turn me down again. Can I appeal the case? I really want to go to the wedding. Can a lawyer guarantee that I will get a visa to go to the weddi...

Can my dad sponsor me to go to Canada? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 15, 2013 Dear Ms. Powell, M y father married a Canadian and he is now living in Toronto. I asked my dad to sponsor me as I have finished my degree in physical therapy and can't find a job. My mother died last year, so it's just my sister her husband who are trying to help me. I live with them. I feel like a burden to them. My stepmother says that it is not possible for my dad to file for me or my sister, but I feel that she is just saying that because she doesn't want me in Canada. Why would she say that my dad can't sponsor me when I've seen so many people get sponsored by their parents to go abroad? What can I do? - BL Dear BL, Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) policy on family sponsorship is different from that of the United States. Usually, independent adult children cannot be sponsored under the family class. Family sponsorship is generally limited to spo...