Permanent Residence Immigration Interviews
January 28, 2008
While many of our clients applying for Canadian permanent residence in the skilled worker category are approved without the requirement of an interview, when interviews are scheduled, we prepare our clients for their interview. Prior to June 2002, language ability was assessed at the interview. Since June 2002, however, language ability is assessed primarily on the basis of IELTS or TEF results for English and French respectively. The function of the interview, therefore, is to examine any or all of the potential Canadian Immigrant’s education, employment history, relationships, or to screen for potential security issues. It is best to be prepared by having one’s original documents organized and readily accessible for the Canadian Immigration visa officer when required. At times, Canadian Immigration visa officers may appear unpleasant or aggressive in their questioning, however it is best to answer honestly, calmly and completely to all questions posed to have the best chance for success at the interview.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit www.akcanada.com for more information or a free assessment.
Immigration Job Title Guidelines
January 21, 2008
A potential Canadian immigrant recently contacted me as she was completing Abrams & Krochak’s on line questionnaire. She was concerned that the job title she had in her country of citizenship may not correspond with the duties someone is expected to have performed for that occupation in Canada. Her concern, while ultimately unwarranted in her particular case, is a valid one. Just because a person is called an “engineer” for example, in his/her country, does not mean that he/she is performing the duties expected of an “engineer” in Canada in the eyes of Canadian Immigration authorities. A good resource to check the duties associated with particular job titles can be found at Human Resources and Social Development Canada on their National Occupational Classification page.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit www.akcanada.com for more information or a free assessment.
Immigration Sponsorship and Children
January 17, 2008
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada may sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for immigration to Canada. After determining that the sponsor is eligible to sponsor, by examining the sponsor’s status in Canada, and his/her income, a Canadian immigration visa officer must evaluate whether the relationship is genuine. One of the best ways to determine this is if the couple who are considering immigration to Canada has conceived a child together. Recently, a client was asked to provide the Statement of Live Birth for the couple’s child that was born in Canada as evidence of the couple’s relationship. Any government document that confirms the names of both parents of the child should be tendered as evidence to establish that the relationship is in fact genuine.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit www.akcanada.com for more information or a free assessment.
Clarifying Degree Requirements for Skilled Workers
January 12, 2008
There has been much confusion regarding the points allocated for a skilled worker applicant with an Associate’s Degree as opposed to a Bachelor’s Degree when applying for immigration to Canada. If the Associate’s Degree is issued by a community college which offers no higher level of degree in that discipline, then a two year Associate’s Degree will receive twenty points. If, however, the Associate’s Degree is issued by a university which offers a Bachelor’s Degree in the same discipline when another year or two of study is completed, then that Associate’s Degree is considered an incomplete degree by the Canadian Immigration process and will not receive twenty points.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit www.akcanada.com for more information or a free assessment.
Travel Arrangements for Permanent Residency
January 8, 2008
We are currently representing a client for Canadian immigration from the UK whose application for Canadian permanent residence was submitted to the Canadian High Commission in London. He decided to make a visit to Canada, but arrived with a one way plane ticket and had no accomodations arranged in advance, nor did he have any friends or family in Canada to visit. After a lengthy interview by immigration at the airport and a lengthy phone call from an immigration officer to me at my office, our client was admitted as a visitor to Canada. He could easily have been refused entry, however, so it is good practice to have a return ticket and prearranged accommodations when travelling to Canada as a visitor who is applying for permanent residency in Canada.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit www.akcanada.com for more information or a free assessment.