Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

Qualify as an Intra-Company Transferee 

Are you currently employed by an overseas multi-national company? Are you interested in working in Canada? Does the multi-national company have a location in Canada? If so, you may be able to apply for a work permit through an Intra-Company Transfer. Any foreign national that would like to work in Canada must first apply for a work permit in order to legally work. Additionally, in this specific circumstance, you must also work for an overseas multi-national company that has a location in Canada. In order to apply for this type of work permit, there are specific qualifications that you must meet. Therefore, in this article, I will address how to qualify for an intra-company transferee work permit and other important information to consider if you are applying for this type of work permit.

How to Qualify for an Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit

Much like any other immigration application, in order to qualify and apply for an Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit, you must ensure that you meet the required qualifications. Therefore, as a foreign national, in order to qualify for an Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit, you must:

Questions and Answers for Tourist Visas

In this article, I will address popular questions and answers for Tourist Visas. This is intended for foreign nationals that would like to visit Canada for tourism purposes to better understand what can ensue when you are in the process of applying for a Tourist Visa to Canada. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for a Tourist Visa, then I suggest you read our article on “Who Needs a Visitor Visa to Come to Canada” prior to reading this question and answer article. Essentially, this article is intended to clarify and answer your questions regarding any immigration matters regarding Tourist Visas.

Q: What kind of visa should I apply for if I would like to visit Canada for tourism purposes?

A: If you would like to come to Canada for tourism purposes, it is best to apply for either a Visitor Visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa, or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Whether you apply for a Visitor Visa or an eTA will ultimately depend on whether you are applying from a visa-exempt country or a non-visa exempt country. Once this is determined, you may proceed to apply for the appropriate application. Keep in mind, you must first receive your eTA, or your Visitor Visa, prior to travelling to Canada.

The Process of Applying for an Open-Work Permit

Many foreign nationals would love the opportunity to work in Canada. In many circumstances, this is only possible if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. However, it is also possible for a foreign national to obtain a work permit that is open. This is called the open-work permit. In these circumstances, the foreign national would have much more freedom than in a closed-work permit. Therefore, in this article, I will address what an open-work permit is, how it works and how to apply for an open-work permit.

What is an Open-Work Permit

An open-work permit is a type of work permit in Canada that is not job-specific. Due to this work permit not being job-specific, the foreign national applying for this kind of work permit will not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada or any evidence that a Canadian employer has submitted an employment offer through the Employer portal. In other words, these work permits are one of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemptions. Therefore, an open-work permit allows the foreign national to work for any Canadian employer, anywhere in Canada.

Questions and Answers for Study Permits

In this article, I will address popular questions and answers for study permits in Canada, as there are several different circumstances that can arise for students. Additionally, this will also assist you in understanding what a study permit entails. A study permit is an official document intended for foreign nationals to permit them entry into Canada to pursue an education. It was created to give foreign nationals an opportunity to further their higher education and future careers through a recognized Canadian educational institution. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for a study permit, I suggest you read our article on “How to Apply for a Study Permit” before reading this question and answer article. This article is intended to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to study permits in Canada.

Q: I would like to pursue studies for less than six months in Canada. Am I required to obtain a study permit?

A: No, you are not required to obtain a study permit in Canada if you are planning on studying for less than six months. In other words, you do not have to obtain a study permit and you can study in Canada so long as your program or course is less than six months and you will complete the program or course within the authorized stay period in Canada. Keep in mind, even if you are studying for less than six months, it is best to apply for a study permit, in case you are unable to complete the intended course or program or if you choose to want to study longer.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to Reopen Program for January 2018

Thankfully for many parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, the parent and grandparent program will reopen on January 2 of 2018. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has finally made the decision to reopen the program due to popular demand and the “Interest to Sponsor” online form will become available at 12 p.m. EST on January 2. For those Canadian citizens and permanent residents that wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents to Canada, they must fill out this form. The online form will only be available until February 1 of 2018 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Therefore, in this article, I will address the recent news with regards to the parents and grandparents program reopening at the beginning of January of 2018.

Steps on How to Apply for a Study Permit in Canada

There are many individuals from all over the globe that would love the opportunity to travel to Canada to study and experience the Canadian way of life. However, many of these individuals do not realize the requirements needed in order to study in Canada. First and foremost, you must obtain a study permit in order to study in Canada for over 6 months. In order to better prepare yourself for what to expect when applying for a study permit, in this article I will explain in detail the eligibility requirements for a study permit and how to apply for a study permit in order to study in Canada.

What is a Study Permit

As per the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) definition, a study permit is an official document issued by CIC that authorizes foreign national students to study at a recognized educational institution in Canada for the duration of the intended program of study. Furthermore, it indicates the conditions for each student including whether their travel in Canada is restricted and/or when they must leave Canada.

How to Immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador through PNP

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is a very unique and beautiful destination for foreign nationals to immigrate and settle in Canada. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is a province in Canada that is located on both the mainland as well as an island. As a result, the scenery and landscapes are incredible. Foreign nationals who are applying through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) have three different ways to gain permanent residency in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under this program, Newfoundland and Labrador chooses individuals who have a connection with Newfoundland and Labrador. In this article, I will address what the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is and the three different ways to gain permanent residency in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is an economic immigration program that assists the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to meet its labour market needs and prioritizes economic development within Newfoundland and Labrador. It also assists foreign nationals by offering an alternate and quicker entry into Canada for permanent residency. The program facilitates Newfoundland and Labrador to nominate foreign nationals with skilled work experience and who qualify under the provincially established criteria to work in Newfoundland and Labrador and obtain permanent residency. These individuals will then be able to contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.

Steps in Obtaining a Permanent Resident Card

Once a foreign national receives permanent residency in Canada, they should obtain their permanent resident card as well. This card is essentially a wallet-sized plastic card that includes pertinent information about the permanent resident, such as their height, eye colour, gender, etc. The card also includes the permanent resident’s photograph, signature as well as the date that they obtained their permanent residency in Canada. Obtaining a permanent resident card as a permanent resident of Canada is necessary to identify your status. Therefore, in this article, I will address the steps in obtaining a permanent resident card in Canada and other important information for permanent residents.

The Purpose of a Permanent Resident Card

It is very imperative that permanent residents of Canada obtain a permanent resident card to properly identify their status within Canada. As previously mentioned, a permanent resident card also includes specific personal information about the permanent resident. This information is extremely important especially when entering and exiting the country. If a permanent resident decides to exit the country and re-enter via a commercial vehicle, such as an airplane, train, boat or bus, they must show their permanent resident card to confirm their status in Canada before boarding. If the permanent resident does not have the permanent resident card while travelling, they will face complications trying to re-enter the country.

New Changes to Medical Inadmissibility Rules

Mr. Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Immigration Minister, has recently announced that the current regulations with regards to medical inadmissibility for migrants to Canada do not abide by Canadian values and thus need to be reformed. Immigration Canada is very particular with who they allow into the country. If a foreign national is deemed to be medically inadmissible to Canada, then they will be denied entry. The medical inadmissibility can be due to a number of different reasons. Therefore, in this article, I will explain the new changes to medical inadmissibility regulations in Canada and how to overcome medical inadmissibility.

Changes to Medical Inadmissibility Regulations

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Ahmed Hussen, had a meeting with Parliament’s Standing Committee on Immigration on November 22, 2017, to discuss and review medical inadmissibility rules for immigrants to Canada. He felt as though this was long overdue and very much necessary. Currently, Canadian Immigration refuses foreign nationals wishing to enter Canada either temporarily or permanently for medical inadmissibility if they believe the foreign national would cause an excessive demand on social and health care services. However, this regulation is over forty years old and needs to be reformed into a 21^st century. Specifically, Mr. Hussen stated that this principle of the excessive demand on social and health care services does not align with Canadian values and does not allow for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Foreign Nationals can Work in Canada Without a Work Permit

In most circumstances in Canada, a foreign national will need to obtain a work permit prior to working in Canada; if not, they would be working in Canada illegally and this can lead to further consequences. However, luckily, there are some circumstances where a foreign national can work in Canada without the need to obtain a work permit. It is very important to know the types of work that do not require a work permit before starting work. Therefore, in this article, I will explain certain circumstances in Canada that allow foreign nationals to work in Canada without a work permit.

Certain Work that does not Require a Work Permit

Before I explain in detail what kinds of work do not require a work permit, I will outline and list most of the possible work scenarios in Canada that do not require a work permit. The list is as follows:

FAQ – Federal Skilled Workers

In this article, I will address detailed questions and answers for foreign nationals who would like to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Federal Skilled Worker Program was intended for skilled foreign workers to be chosen for permanent residency in Canada based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English or French, and other qualifying factors. The foreign national must have strong qualifications in order to be selected for permanent residency as they are specifically selected from a pool of candidates. In order to discover more information about the Federal Skilled Worker Program, please continue reading this article or refer to our article on “Federal Skilled Worker Jobs that Lead to Permanent Residence.” The intention of this article is meant to clarify any questions or information you would like to know with regards to the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Q: How do I qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker category?

A: In order to qualify and be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker category in Canadian Immigration, the skilled foreign worker must have the following requirements met:

FAQ – Electronic Travel Authorization

In this article, I will address detailed questions and answers for foreign nationals who require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. When a foreign national desires to come to Canada to visit, they will need a Temporary Resident Visa, also known as a Visitor Visa, or an Electronic Travel Authorization in order to be authorized to enter. If the foreign national is from a visa-exempt country, they will not require a Visitor Visa but instead must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization. In order to discover more information about the Electronic Travel Authorization, please continue reading this article or refer to our article on “Who Needs an ETA.” The intention of this article is meant to clarify any questions or information you would like to know with regards to an Electronic Travel Authorization.

Q: My trip to Canada is within the next couple of days and I am unable to submit any additional documentation that Immigration is requesting of me for my ETA application. Am I still able to travel to Canada?

A: This is a very interesting and important question to ask with regards to Electronic Travel Authorizations. For instance, if Immigration is requesting a medical examination or a police clearance certificate and you are still awaiting the decision from the doctor or police, or if you are experiencing problems uploading information online, then you may request a case specific enquiry to request an extension. The case specific enquiry is also done online and will request identity information from you with regards to the ETA. It is best to request an extension in order to submit this information as Immigration did require you to send this. Conclusively, if you cannot provide the documents and have not requested an extension, you will not be permitted entry into Canada.

Find out eligibility for Express Entry & a Guide to Profile Creation

The Express Entry program has become one of the most popular immigration programs for foreign nationals from around the world to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Of course, in order to apply for Express Entry and be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada, there are many eligibility requirements that must be met. Additionally, for the Express Entry process, there are two steps that one must take in order to successfully complete the process. Therefore, in this article, I will explain the eligibility requirements for Express Entry as well as guide you through the first step of Express Entry which is the profile creation.

What is Express Entry

The Express Entry system is utilized and intended to manage applications for permanent residency in Canada under specific federal economic immigration programs. It is essentially created to assist foreign nationals to come to Canada based on several factors that will be beneficial to the Canadian economy and labour market. Additionally, the Express Entry program was also created to upgrade from the traditional Canadian immigration process and will result in faster processing times for permanent residency applications.

FAQ – Working in Canada

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for individuals looking to work in Canada and some important information you should consider if you are applying for a work permit application. A work permit application in Canada is created for foreign national workers who would like to come to Canada to work and thus contribute to the Canadian economy. If you feel as though you would want to apply for a work permit in Canada, I suggest you read our article on “Prepare to Work in Canada” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to working in Canada.

Q: What exactly is a valid job offer in Immigration context?

A: This is important to note before seeking employment opportunities in Canada. A valid job offer in Canadian Immigration context is a genuine and honest offer of employment from a valid Canadian employer. A foreign national worker will require a valid job offer prior to applying for a work permit in Canada.

FAQ – Express Entry

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for individuals who are applying for permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry program. If a foreign national acquires the required skills and work experience, they may be able to apply under the Express Entry economic program of Canada. Express Entry was intended as a faster way to obtain permanent residency as a foreign skilled worker. In order to discover more information about Express Entry, please continue reading this article. Essentially, the intention of this article is meant to clarify any questions or information you would like to know with regards to an Express Entry.

Q: Will I have a higher chance of being invited to apply for permanent residency if I have more than one Express Entry online profile?

A: Unfortunately, no, it does not give you a higher chance of being invited. As per Canada’s immigration law, you may only have one profile at a time. Thus, creating more than one profile at a time will not give you a higher chance to be invited to apply for permanent residency.

Find out what documents are needed for a LMIA

When applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, you may not know exactly what documentation is required of you in order to get a higher chance of a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A Labour Market Impact Assessment, better known as a LMIA, is a document from Employment and Social Development Canada that permits a Canadian employer to hire a temporary foreign worker. When applying for an LMIA, there are specific documents that are required to submit from the Canadian employer and the employee alike. It is important that all of these documents are submitted with the application prior to hiring the foreign temporary worker. In this article, I will address the important documents needed from the Canadian employer and the foreign temporary worker for an LMIA application.

Documents Needed from the Canadian Employer

Every LMIA application can be different depending on the Canadian employer and the employee they are looking to hire. The below documentation is general, however, the more of these documents that you can submit, the stronger your application will be. It is very important to consider what you are trying to prove to Immigration by providing these specific documents. Therefore, keep this in mind when compiling the appropriate documentation.

When a Child is Born to a Canadian Citizen Outside of Canada

There are many Canadian citizens who live outside of Canada and have established a family abroad. As a result, most times, they would like their children to also have Canadian citizenship. However, there are certain circumstances that allow the children to gain citizenship and others that do not allow them to gain citizenship. This can often be a complicated and confusing process to go through for the Canadian parent. Therefore, in this article, I will address how to determine whether your child is a Canadian citizen or not and the steps to take in order for them to gain citizenship.

How to Determine Whether a Child is a Canadian

It is important to recognize that every circumstance is different depending on several factors. The official way in determining whether or not your child is a Canadian citizen is by applying for a proof of citizenship on their behalf. This option is only available for Canadian citizens who were citizens at the time their child was born. Evidently, if you obtained Canadian citizenship after your child was born, they do not automatically become Canadian citizens.

FAQ – British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) in Canada and some important information to consider if you are applying under this program for permanent residency in Canada. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is an economic immigration program that assists the province of British Columbia to meet its labour market needs. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply under this program, I suggest you read our article on “Basics of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program in Canada.

Q: What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)?

A: The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a program that allows individuals to be nominated by British Columbia in order to fill any economic and labour market needs the province has. This program also allows skilled and qualified individuals with the opportunity to work in British Columbia and gain permanent residency in Canada as a result.

How to Immigrate to British Columbia through PNP

There are many provinces and territories in Canada that foreign nationals would love to travel to. Specifically, the province of British Columbia is a distinctive destination for foreign nationals to immigrate. The province of British Columbia has one of the lowest crime rates in Canada and thus makes it one of the safest places to work and live. British Columbia also has a variety of different cultures that creates a vibrant society that welcomes many foreign nationals from all over the world. Foreign nationals who are applying through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program have three different ways to gain permanent residency in B.C. Under this program, British Columbia chooses individuals who have a connection with British Columbia. In this article, I will address what the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is and the three different ways to gain permanent residency in B.C.

What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an economic immigration program that assists British Columbia meet its labour market needs and prioritizes economic development within British Columbia. The program facilitates British Columbia to nominate foreign nationals with skilled work experience to work in British Columbia and obtain permanent residency. These individuals will then be able to contribute to British Columbia’s economy.

FAQ – Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) in Canada and some important information to consider if you are applying under this program for permanent residency in Canada. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program is an economic immigration program that assists the province of Alberta to meet its labour market needs. If you feel as though you would be eligible to apply for under this program, I suggest you read our article on “Basics of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program” before reading this question and answer article. The intention of this article is meant to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion with regards to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program in Canada.

Q: If I am applying as a semi-skilled worker under the AINP, is a language test required of me?

A: A language test is required of all semi-skilled workers that are applying under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). You must submit an official language test result in order to apply for this program. It must also meet the language standards.