CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

Dear Ms. Powell, I got married to a Jamaican man over the Christmas holidays. What is the fastest route to get him to become a permanent resident of Canada? My husband is a professional and I heard that professionals can get permanent residence in six months. My neighbour said that her sponsorship application was submitted in 2013 and that she has not yet got through. She said that even though she submitted details of her relationship from the beginning, Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been asking for more proof, even though they are married. She is very stressed out by the process and I'm looking for the simplest route. She also said that there are new rules for sponsorship applications. I already completed the forms for sponsorship. I'm not sure if I should send them in or let my husband apply for express entry. What is the difference between the two processes and which is quicker? - W.J.   Dear W.J., Immigration Refugee and Citizenship ...

Immigration Corner | Afraid to go home : Dear Ms Powell, I am a Jamaican attending school in Canada. I have a job for the summer and plan to take a quick trip to Jamaica before the summer is over. My concern is that my study permit says something about the fact that it does not authorise re-entry. It doesn't say anything about me not being able to work. My programme doesn't end until 2018. I'm worried that if I go back to Jamaica I won't be able to come back to finish my programme. I want to see my family, but I don't want to get stuck in Jamaica. Is there a way to check before I leave to make sure I don't have problems? - J.E. Dear J.E., There is a distinction between a study/work permit and a visa. A study permit without restrictions may authorise you to work within Canada on a part-time basis, up to a maximum of 20 hours, and on a full-time basis during breaks/holidays. You do not have to apply for a separate work permit, provided that...

Immigration Corner | Do I need a visa?   ( Tips for USA Greencard Holders) Dear Ms Powell, D o I need to apply for a Canadian visa if I have a US green card and a Jamaican passport? I am planning to visit my aunt and family for Christmas and I don't want any trouble at the airport. - GH Dear GH, A Jamaican citizen with a valid US green card, which is a card granted to permanent residents of the US, is not required to get a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or visitor's visa in order to travel to Canada. This, provided that they are not deemed inadmissible to Canada and have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Effective March 2016, an individual with a US green card is required to get an eTA. This is also applicable to individuals who are planning to travel to other countries via Canada (in transit). You do not need an eTA if you are a citizen of the US and have a valid US passport.   How To Apply For An eTA The application must be submitted online via ...

Dear Miss Powell, I am 83 years old and I usually spend winters in Jamaica. I have a helper who works with me when I am there. The doctors do not recommend that I go on any extended trip and I'm in need of some help here in Canada. I do not want to be in a nursing home. I would like my helper in Jamaica to come to Canada to work for me. How can I get my helper here? My neighbour said she sponsored her helper some years ago, but that the rules have changed a bit since then. Is there a way to get my Jamaican helper to come to work for me in Canada? - L.M. Dear L.M., A Canadian permanent resident or citizen can hire an international worker to assist them in their home in Canada, provided that both the Canadian employer and the international employee can satisfy certain requirements. Before you can make a job offer, you will first need to get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Canadian government. The LMIA will be your authority to hire an internati...

I mmigration Corner | Tell me about these changes : Dear Ms Powell, I saw online that professionals can sponsor themselves to become citizens of Canada. I tried a few years ago, but I didn't get through. A friend said that there have been changes to the system, and since I am a manager at a bank and my husband is a mechanic, we stand a good chance. My sister is also interested, and she works at a hotel as a chef. Can you please tell me what the changes are and how we can qualify? - C.J. Dear C.J., The Canadian government has several programmes under which individuals can apply to become permanent residents, and later, citizens. The programmes are monitored by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Although family sponsorship is possible for parents, grandparents, children under 18 years, to name a few, many individuals have found that self sponsorship is a viable option. To qualify, individuals need to satisfy the requirements under the Federal Skilled Tr...

Dear Miss Powell, My granddaughter lives in Canada. Can she file for me? My daughter died recently and I don't have any other relatives here in Jamaica. I'm retired and she is 28, married, with one child. I think I could be helpful to her, plus it would be a joy to just be close to my granddaughter and her family. SW Dear SW, If your granddaughter is a permanent resident or a citizen of Canada, she can sponsor you to become a permanent resident of Canada under the family class category of parent and grandparent sponsorship. Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has limited the number of applications that it will accept on an annual basis to 10,000. The quota is currently full; however, the programme will be reopened on January 3, 2017. Therefore, now is the time to prepare your documents so that you can submit them promptly when they begin accepting applications. Your granddaughter must prove that she is financially able to sponsor you. This means th...

Immigration Corner | I fled abuse in Canada : Dear Miss Powell, I got married to a Canadian citizen and he filed for me. I got through and went to Canada. I was excited about my new life. However, from the day I landed in Canada I started getting all kinds of abuse. I decided to stick it out as I really love my husband. I found out that I was pregnant and I wasn't sure how he would take the news, so I asked a minister to talk to him about the way he is treating me. The minister called and talked to him and he got mad at me, saying I had no right to bring his business to the public. He hit me on my face and flung me across the room. I was so scared, I called my family in Jamaica and they said that I should leave him and come back to Jamaica before he kills me and the baby. I packed a bag when he went to work and returned to Jamaica to my parents. I've been in Jamaica about three weeks and my husband has called and threatened me almost every day. He said he is going to tel...