Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

What Makes this type of Application Special

Submitting an application for permanent residence can already be a cumbersome process. Now, an application for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate (PR with H and C) consideration is even more complicated than any other type of permanent resident application. This is because you are applying for permanent residence without being eligible to apply through the regularly accepted routes, such as Express Entry, Family Class Sponsorship, and so on. More specifically, you are applying for your permanent residence, because you will suffer from hardship if you return to your home country. In this blog, you will learn about the eligibility for this type of application as well as the application process.

Who is Eligible to Apply for PR with H and C

If you can provide compelling reasons that explain the extreme hardship you will likely be facing upon returning to your home country, you may be eligible to apply for PR with H and C. You also may apply for PR with H and C if you are already in Canada at the present time. You will need to convince an immigration officer that if you leave your established life in Canada, you will encounter unbearable life crisis.

Immigrate to Canada as an Entrepreneur

If you have an innovative business idea, and you can use that idea to create jobs for Canadians, you may be eligible to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Canada is a country with plenty of opportunities. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada allows entrepreneurs, who can compete on a global scale, with to help boost the Canadian economy. However, immigrating to Canada as an entrepreneur is a complicated process. In this blog, you will learn relevant information and a start-up visa application, the required documents, eligibility of an applicant, and so forth.

What is a Start-Up Visa

As its name suggests, a start-up visa gives entrepreneurs the permission to start up their business in Canada. Furthermore, it does give good opportunity for eligible entrepreneurs to obtain their permanent residency. Similar to any other types of visa, a startup visa technically authorizes temporary stays. Since the whole idea of the start-up visa program revolves around boosting the Canadian economy, you are essentially establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with the Canadian government. In other words, you get your permanent residency with the start-up visa, and the Canadian government improves its economy on a global scale.

Getting Canadian Permanent Residence

For most Canada is the land of opportunity! People on the outside cannot wait to enter the beautiful northern country, and the people in it don’t want to leave! Having the freedom to come and go from and to a country is liberating, but there are certain legal requirements that individuals need to meet in order to do so. Life can be quite unexpected and many times people are faced with the dilemma of leaving the country because of personal problems. Individuals with a Permanent Resident status in Canada are required to spend a specific amount of time inside the Canadian borders so they can be eligible for a PR card renewal. Failure to do remain in the country for 2 years can lead to extermination of PR status. You can contact Akrami&Associates to discuss the best options for you!

When you become a PR resident you get a card that is valid for 5 years. To renew PR card you need to be inside of Canada for 2 out of the 5 years to be applicable to a PR renewal. A permanent resident card is needed in Canada to prove that you are a resident of the country. PR cards can expire for a number of reasons. You may be eligible to renew your PR card with Humanitarian and Compassionate Arguments if you have left the country for Employment reasons or Family Emergencies. Of course there are other reasons which can be considered as well. The reasons mentioned above are the two main reasons why individuals do not meet residency requirements. What we focus on at Akrami&Associates are applying for PR and H&R applications are explaining to the officer assigned to your case, is explaining the reasons why you have not been able to fulfill your residency requirements.

Immigration Fraud and Misrepresentation

As a newcomer to Canada, you may not be aware of how companies or the government does business. Alternatively, as an applicant who is applying for permanent residence or citizenship, you may have unintentionally made crucial mistakes on your application, which can ultimately lead to misrepresentation. The Canadian government takes misrepresentation very seriously; if you misrepresent information that is directly related to decisions made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), you will face severe consequences inevitably. In this blog, you will specific aspects of fraud and misrepresentation in terms of immigration applications.

What are the Kinds of Common Fraud

People Pretending to be Government of Canada staff

Requirements for Study Permit

Studying in a foreign country is very exciting and studying in Canada is an experience of its own! While Canada is home of some of the best schools, the process of applying can be difficult and often confusing. Individuals often attempt to apply themselves but miss out on important information needed for their application which causes them to be penalized. That is where we come in. We provide service and guidance for anyone trying to enter Canada with a Study permit. We offer a list of requirements, explanations and making sure that your deadlines are met at the right time, every time.

What is a study permit

In order to study in Canada you first need a Study Permit. Study permits are given to international students who have gotten an acceptance letter from their chosen school inside of Canada. Keep in mind that you are only in need of a Study Permit if you are planning on studying in Canada for more than 6 months, if your program is less than 6 months, a Study Permit is not needed. You should note that a study permit is NOT a Visa. If you are a citizen of an exempt country then what you will require is an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) only. If your country of citizenship is not exempt, you will need to fill out a visa application to get into Canada. Without a proper visa issued by the government of Canada, you will not be able to get into the country. Once you get a visa and are able to get into Canada, your study permit will be applicable for up to 90 days after your program is finished. If your program ends before the date on your study permit, the 90 days begins once the program is finished. You will be asked to leave once the 90 days are up, unless you have submitted a proper application to extend your permit.

Find Out What an Authorization to Return to Canada is

Have you recently been issued a removal order from Canada? Do you know what steps to take now that you’ve been issued this official request for removal? If not, then this article is for you. It is extremely important to understand the stipulations of a removal order from Canada and what exactly you must do if you are issued one. This is especially the case if you’d like to return to Canada one day in the future. Therefore, in this article, I will explain what an Authorization to Return to Canada is and whether or not you would have to apply for this type of application if you are issued a removal order from Canada.

What is Authorization to Return to Canada

The Authorization to Return to Canada is an official immigration application, also commonly referred to as an ARC, that gives special permission to a foreign national that was previously issued a removal order from Canada. The removal order will unfortunately make you inadmissible to Canada for a specific time period. The time period would entirely depend on the type of removal order you received. Whether or not you must apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada will also entirely depend on the type of removal order that was given to you and whether or not you complied with the conditions of the removal order.

Working in Canada

Are you a citizen of the United States or Mexico who’s been wanting to come to Canada for temporary work? Are you an American or Mexican national with a job offer from a Canadian company but not certain about the sort of documentation required to legally work in Canada? Or are you just not sure if you meet the necessary requirements to enter Canada legally as a worker? If so, continue reading this blog for further assistance and information on this immigration matter.

NAFTA Work Permit

Foreign nationals generally require work permits to legally work in Canada. Furthermore, any Canadian company that wants to hire a foreign worker will need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approved by the Employment and Social Development Canada. If approved, the foreign worker can then given the job offer and use it to apply for a work permit. However, in some cases, an LMIA may not be required.

Immigrate to Canada

Are you a skilled professional and are interested in moving to Canada? If so, one of the options that may be available to you is the Express Entry program. Under this program, Canada is looking for skilled workers with qualifying work experience and education to contribute to Canada’s growing economy. If you think this might be you and you would like to know what you need to do to apply, this blog may be for you.

What is the Express Entry System

The Express Entry program is an online application system used by Canada immigration to process permanent residence applications for skilled workers. The first step is for Applicants to create an online profile through CIC’s website. You will be asked to give information about your skilled work experience, language ability and education. You will then be given points based on the information you provide and added into a pool with other candidates where you will be ranked against each other based on the points received.

Provincial Nominee Program

Are you a skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada permanently? Do you have a specific province in mind where you would like to live? The provincial nominee program targets workers who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory. In this blog, we will talk about the application process and eligibility requirements for the Provincial Nominee program. If you are interested in learning more about this type of application, continue to read this blog.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program is one of the available pathways to permanent residency in Canada. Under the program, Canadian provinces and territories may nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in the province or territory.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The temporary foreign worker program is an umbrella program which includes all work permits an individual could apply for. There are many types of work permits within the temporary foreign worker program. In this article, you will learn about different types of work permit that the temporary foreign worker program includes.

Live in Caregiver Work Permit

If you have a job offer to work as a live-in caregiver, and the job offer and the employer meet all the requirements of hiring a live-in caregiver, then you may be eligible to apply for a live-in caregiver work permit. To apply for a live-in caregiver work permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer which is supported by a positive LMIA. To apply for a live-in caregiver work permit successfully, you must submit the following with your application:

What Are the Requirements for Renewing PR Card

Has your permanent resident card expired? Are you traveling outside of Canada and don’t have enough time to renew your expired permanent residence card? Are you confused about what is required to renew a permanent residence card? If so, this blog may help answer some of the questions you may have about the permanent residence card renewal process.

About the Permanent Residence Card Renewal Process

Having a valid permanent residence card is important if you plan to travel outside Canada and will need to re-enter Canada by plane, train or boat. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to board and re-enter Canada. It is important to note that you still have status as a permanent resident even if your card has expired. The card is however important for establishing your permanent residence status while traveling outside Canada and when you need to return. For this reason, it is always advisable to apply for a renewal.

How to Detect Fraudulent Immigration Services Being Offered

It is very important to recognize the Immigration services that you are hiring prior to them receiving your hard earned money. There are various fraudulent Immigration services that are being offered around the world that pretend to be authorized and real Immigration services, like Akrami & Associates. For foreign nationals that are not aware of which companies are real or fraudulent, this article will come as a great aid in determining this. Therefore, in this article, I will explain how to tell when a company is offering fraudulent Immigration services and how to know if a company is authorized to provide Immigration services.

Signs of a Fraudulent Immigration Service

Before committing and providing any Immigration service with your money, it is very important to determine first whether they are a reputable and known business. There are many different companies, nationally and internationally, that are providing fraudulent Immigration services to vulnerable clients who don’t know they are fraudulent. Below, I have listed a few signs of a fraudulent Immigration service that you should be aware of.

File a Refugee Claim

The hardship individuals who are coming from war-torn countries face, puts them in a position in a horrible position. Their country of origin, in a state of emergency, is obviously not making it priority to provide travel documents to help individuals leave. In some cases, the government is actively preventing individuals from leaving. Ultimately, for one reason or another, individuals are essentially stuck. Individuals who escape will not be allowed to cross other countries boarders easily at all, because they do not have valid travel documents, and could end up with nowhere to go. Fortunately, the United Nations has recognized the need for some individuals to seek protection in another country is a situation which arises sometimes, and it should be their right, as a human, to receive this protection. Therefore, countless countries have implemented procedures to help refugee claimants, and provide asylum from their country of origin. Canada is a country which provides protection to asylum seekers. Though, the process is very extensive and can be very confusing. Therefore, this article will aim to break down the process of making a refugee claim in Canada.

To Begin

First, you must either make it to a Canadian port of entry, where you will be arrested and detained and brought into custody with the RCMP. This is not the same as being arrested for criminality. One should think of this arrest as the beginning of protection, and it is simply the beginning of the refugee claim process. This is not to take away from the rigorous assessment individuals will face when filing a refugee claim, but it is important to understand you are not being arrested for criminality. It would not make sense for immigration officers to let anyone who has no intention of returning to their country of origin, roam free around the country, as it is likely they would not leave if their refugee claim was denied. If you are already in Canada, you can file an asylum claim at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) inland office or an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) inland office. CBSA or IRCC officials will then determine if an individual is eligible to land as a refugee.

Eligibility of the Group of Five

First and foremost, in order to sponsor a refugee, make sure you are a group of five or more Canadian citizens, Registered Indians, or permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older and who live (or have representatives) in the community where the refugees are expected to live. This group of people is called the Group of Five. Sponsors need to have collectively arranged necessary settlement to financially support the principal applicant (the refugee) for the full duration of the sponsorship. The sponsors are also obligated to fulfill the terms of the Sponsorship Undertaking.

Who is not Eligible to Sponsor a Refugee

Like any other sponsorships, a person who has been convicted in Canada of the offence of murder or other offences, and five years have not passed since the completion of the person’s sentence, then this person is ineligible to sponsor a refugee. A person who has been convicted of an offence outside Canada, and five years have not elapsed since the completion of the person’s sentence imposed under a foreign law, then this person is also ineligible to sponsor a refugee.

Things to Know about an Express Entry

Have you ever wanted to move to Canada, but not sure about how you may pursue your dream? Well, there is an opportunity for you to become a permanent resident of Canada. With the Express Entry application, you are given a good chance of being considered as a skilled immigrant and move to Canada. Throughout this blog, you will gain an understanding about the required documents and qualifications of Express Entry.

What is an Express Entry

Express entry is a system of Canadian immigration which seeks to attract highly skilled foreign nationals to the Canadian labor market. This system uses a point ranking program to seek out the most highly skilled immigrants. A Comprehensive Ranking System is used to determine which individuals will be given the chance to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This point system collects points primarily from these four main categories: education, language, experience, and age. That being said, if you are proficient in multiple languages, have great work experience, excel in your educational pathway and/or have a high degree like MA, BA, PHD, etc, you possess a good chance of being selected. Highly skilled foreign nationals will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, through one of the 3 express entry streams. Ultimately, express entry is the way in which applicants make themselves candidates to become permanent residents through either the Federal Skilled Trades program (FSTP), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Canadian Experience Class, depending on their qualifications.

Overcoming Your Criminal Inadmissibility Permanently 

If you have a criminal record outside of Canada, and have been denied entry to Canada, you may want to overcome that inadmissibility. You may do this by applying for a temporary resident permit or applying for criminal rehabilitation. However, as the name suggests, temporary resident permit is just a temporary solution. After the permit expires, you will have to re-apply. If you do not wish to re-apply over and over again, we hereby present you the permanent solution, criminal rehabilitation. If you are eligible to apply, we strongly recommend you to apply for a criminal rehabilitation. In this article, you will learn information about Criminal Rehabilitation as well as the steps required in order to apply for a Criminal Rehabilitation.

Criminal Rehabilitation – The Permanent Solution

The Criminal Rehabilitation application would serve as a permanent solution for overcoming your criminal inadmissibility to Canada. If your criminal rehabilitation application is approved and you do not reoffend, you may travel to Canada without the need to worry about your past criminal record.

Who are Business Visitors

Business visitors are individuals who travel to Canada to participate in particular business activities, such as meetings, conferences, and on-site investigations. In order to legally work in Canada, most individuals need a work permit. However, business visitors do not need a work permit. More specifically, the major difference between a business visitor and a business person is that a business person is making a salary from a Canadian company and participating in activities which are beyond the scope of a business visitor’s permitted activities. A business visitor, on the other hand, does not directly work for a Canadian company, but rather visits Canada to participate in activities that are related to international business. At this point, you may be wondering what specific factors qualify you as a business visitor. In this blog, you will learn relevant information about business visitors.

What Can a Business Visitor Do

A business visitor is someone who enters Canada to participate in international business activities, without directly interfering with the Canadian labour market. That being said, a business visitor are permitted to:

Immigration and Credentials

Many immigration applications, such as Federal Skilled Worker applications and study permit applications, require applicants to provide their credentials. The credentials refer to the applicant’s education and work experience. If you obtained your credentials outside Canada, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will require you to have your credentials assessed. At this point, you may be wondering the importance of having your credentials assessed. Having your credentials assessed will show employers what you are qualified for. That being said, employers will better determine if you need more training, education or Canadian work experience, and if your credentials are equal to the standards set for Canadian workers. In this blog, you will learn information about credential assessment.

Credentials vs. Qualifications vs. Competencies

Immigration terminologies can be confusing to foreign nationals. The meaning of a credential is not necessarily the equivalent of the meaning of a qualification. As a result, it is important for you the fully understand the following terms.

Working in Canada

Are you a foreign national looking to work in Canada? Have you already received a job offer from a Canadian company and not sure what you need to do next? If so, this blog will provide you with useful information about the work permit application process and what you will need to do to work legally in Canada.

What is a Work Permit

A work permit is a document issued by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows a foreign national to work legally in Canada. There are two types of work permits: an open work permit and a closed work permit.

Working and Traveling in Canada

Canada is a beautiful country that has many tourist hotspots that attract foreign travelers to visit. You may be mesmerized with majestic view of the Banff National Park, Niagara Falls, Toronto’s CN Tower, Whistler, and many more. There are also many young individuals who want to work in Canada and have the ability to visit the aforementioned tourist hotspots. If you are a young individual who wants to work and travel in Canada, there is good news for you. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has launched the International Experience Canada Program that gives youth the opportunity to gain work experience and travel in Canada. In this blog, you will learn about how the International Experience Canada Program works.

Understanding the International Experience Canada Program

The International Experience Canada Program, as previously mentioned, is a program that allows youth to travel and work in Canada temporarily. Citizens of countries with a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada who are between 18 and 35 years old may be eligible for the International Experience Canada Program applications. There are three types of travel and work experience under the International Experience Canada Program: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op Internships.