Guide to Hire the Best Immigration Lawyer for Going Canada

Guide to Hire the Best Immigration Lawyer for Going Canada

Canada over the past 2 decades has bagged the title for being the dream destination to millions of international candidates. People from all quarters of the globe come to this country to establish their careers. Thanks to the increase in the acceptance rate of Canadian universities and growing job opportunities.

For these two main factors, people are no more shying away from leaving their native lands. Moreover, the process of immigration has been easier than ever before. A skilled and professional immigration lawyer with proper guidance can pilot his clients in the right direction.

Are you planning to try your luck in Canada? If so, hire the best immigration lawyer in order to have a successful application without any unnecessary delays. However, to achieve this feat, you first need to have a good lawyer.

If your lawyer is incompetent, your dream of establishing into Canada can be shattered in no time. Moreover, unintentional unlawful activities can also land you in legal trouble.

Fret not! This article will help you with all the details & tips to hire a professional lawyer with ease.

Ask for Credentials

Before finalizing an immigration lawyer, you must ask for his credentials. According to the rule, one has to have completed a law program ranging between 2 to 4 years in Canada. After completion of their degree, they must take the following evaluating steps before becoming eligible to practice in private or public:

1. Full period of articling
2. Bar admission course
3. Bar exam

If a lawyer fails to meet all these requirements mentioned above, reject him right away. Credentials are the sure shot way to identify the professionals from that of unprofessional ones.

Trust word of mouth

Secondly, you can also rely on word of mouth in case of hiring a good lawyer for immigration. Ask for your friends or relatives or even coworkers who have earlier worked with a lawyer to get into Canada. In fact, 35% of the successful candidates get their lawyers via referrals. This can also get you some discount in some cases.

Look for Experience

Experience matters in the truest sense when it comes to choosing a lawyer, especially for immigration. The entire process is filled up with several rules and regulations. Only an experienced lawyer can have the capability to get you through a successful immigration process.

Usually, it is always advisable to opt for a lawyer who has experience over 10 years at a stretch. This is because they will also be familiar with any sort of change related to immigration. So, as an applicant, you need not take all such hassles.

Consider the Costing

Never shy away from asking the budget of the lawyer. Generally, the lawyers will charge based on hours. This is perhaps an affordable way as you only need to pay for the number of hours you spend with the lawyer. However, make sure to ask a detailed breakdown of the payment. You should also ask him the mode of payment he prefers. Not to mention, before you ink any deal, read between the lines to understand any hidden fees or charges.

Opt for a Representative

If you are working in association with a law firm, make sure to look for your representative. An estimable firm will never hide their lawyers. After meeting the representative, don’t feel embarrassed to ask the same questions which you earlier questioned the firm. Always have a cordial relationship with your representative in order to avoid any stringent rules.

Read the Reviews and Testimonials

Lastly, give a thorough read to the reviews & testimonials given by the earlier clients before deciding on an immigration lawyer. This user-generated content will give a comprehensible knowledge about the streamlined lawyers and make a smart decisive move.

That’s all in a nutshell. Consider all these tips mentioned above and do a little research to appoint a leading immigration lawyer.

Get an Account of Manitoba Immigration Candidates for Permanent Residence

Get an Account of Manitoba Immigration Candidates for Permanent Residence

Manitoba is the darling spot of Canada as every year approximately 15,000 people from countries across the globe come here. This Canadian province promises new jobs and career opportunities for people, apart from offering a congenial ambience to sustain. With the help of any professional immigrant lawyer, candidates can secure a permanent residency in Manitoba.

Based on the latest survey, Manitoba has received the highest number of nominations for permanent residency in 2018. So, if you are planning to make it to Canada, but not sure about your heading, Manitoba is the place. All you need is an experienced immigrant lawyer for guiding through all the legal procedures and formalities seamlessly.

You will be surprised to know that a huge number of people went were finalized for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba as well as and Skilled Workers Overseas immigration options in 2018. According to the released data from the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) showed the total number of candidates to be 5,119.

Some Exclusive Details:

If you are unfamiliar with the term MPNP, it’s time to brush the basics. Broadly speaking, the MPNP is an exclusive part of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program. It is designed to allow the participating territories & provinces to nominate certain number of candidates under economic immigration for permanent residency every year.

Candidates usually hire the best immigrant lawyer to understand all the necessities related to this program to the core. Even being the oldest most provincial nominee program, it has been able to maintain its popularity till now. In fact, since its beginning, it has managed to attract tens of thousands of immigrants.

Statistics Time:

In accordance with the province rule, 90% of the immigrants have to be employed with their 1st year of stay in Manitoba. Needless to say, the same number prefers this place and chooses to settle over here. Moreover, for those who didn’t get a job are provided with community or family connection in the province. In 2018, only 21 percent of candidates came into this category.

 

What are the eligibility criteria?

To get considered for a nomination for this program, you must qualify certain criteria. Amongst the candidate pool, it becomes a tough decision to choose the deserved ones. Hence, the authority has entitled some regulations for an easy selection process.

You need to meet the following criteria to get eligible for the MPNP program:

• You must create & furnish an Expression of Interest or EOI at the province
• Also as deserving candidate, you should have sufficient experience of a skilled worker

Needless to say, the acceptance rate is quite high in Manitoba. Last year, over 25,000 skilled candidates delivered an EOI profile. Out of which, around 8,000 Letters of Advice to Apply had been issued.

Final Thoughts:

The major key finding is that in Manitoba 98% skilled workers get accepted every year. So, if you are planning to settle into Canada, hire an immigrant lawyer and increase your chance to make it permanently out there.

A Comprehensive Guide on Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada

A Comprehensive Guide on Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada

Every year a plethora of international students aspire to pursue their higher academics in Canada. To make their dream come true, they do all it takes to make it to this nation. Starting from preparing for all those standardization tests to hiring the best immigration lawyer, the candidates put in their best endeavors to achieve this feat.

Now comes the fun fact. For those who come and complete their education have a tendency to work in and for the country. This is mainly due to the following reasons:

• Work opportunity
• Cultural diversity

Addressing the growing popularity for continuing their stay, the Government of Canada has launched an exclusive program named post-graduation work permit or PGWP. This bespoke program is designed in order to provide proper assistance to international students to gain priceless work experience in Canada.

You must be thinking what is the added advantage to such a program? Well, this program also aids in getting those international candidates a permanent residence of the country. Needless to say, this path can also avail one the jackpot, i.e. a citizenship in the country.

Are you planning to make it Canada in the near future? Hire an experienced immigration lawyer. He will guide you through all the processes and norms. However, before you go that far, take a quick tour on this program for better comprehension.

Advanced Insights

Multiple employers in Canada seek workers for their enterprises with the right set of skills and language proficiency. International students coming from India, China, New Zealand etc. happen to possess the required skills and thus are capable of getting well-paid jobs in the country.

In accordance with the norm, this program lasts between eight months and two years. Moreover, if you study for at least 2 years in any Canadian government recognized university, you can gain a work permit for 3 years at a stretch.

Not to mention, the work experience which you will gain in this tenure will pave the path to get hold of Canada Express Entry program. Here’s not the end. In order to encourage the stay of the international students, the government has made some good changes encompassing the program.

As per the new rule, international students can now apply within 180 days of their graduation or post-graduation from any Canadian university. Earlier the days was limited to 90 days to make the application. However, with the doubling of the former number of days, it is to be expected that more and more number of students will be applying for PGWP. Hiring a professional immigration lawyer can help them get through the process seamlessly.

Advantages:

• No need for a separate study permit
• The earlier study permit will be valid for 180 days post completion of education
• Easy to obtain jobs
• Less hassle

You can also acquire all these advantages if you plan to go to Canada. However, to make it happen, you must qualify certain criteria.

What are the Qualifying Criteria?

• Candidates must retain a PGWP valid for the next two years
• They should also have a 4-years bachelor’s degree from an overseas university
• For those who lack the same need to have a diploma from any university of Canada
• International students should also have good marks based on the tests like CELPIP or IELTS
• They should also be able to relocate to the new job location within 30 days of accepting the appointment letter.
• Candidates must provide a commitment for working a minimum of 2 years at an entry-level position in the company
• Lastly, they have to agree for applying for immigration within 365 days after they join a Canadian company

Bottom line

That’s all in a nutshell! With such advantages and benefit-driven features, getting a PGWP is not a daunting task. All you need to hire a reputable and experienced immigration lawyer to guide you through the entire procedure.

Why You Should Choose Canada for Higher Education

Why You Should Choose Canada for Higher Education

Do you want to complete your higher education from a foreign university? Are you still asking yourself which country will help you best to complete the education?

The right answer to your questions is Canada.

Overtime Canada has become the most sought-after country for higher education. The positive attitude of the Canadian government has helped the students from all over the world to apply to the universities. If you are thinking about applying to Canadian Universities, it is better to get in touch with an immigration lawyer beforehand.

Just to be sure about your decision, check out the following benefits that you will get if you study at a Canadian University

English Is Everywhere 

The official native language of Canada is English and French. However, most people understand English and communicate in this language. Each and every Canadian University offer courses which are taught in English. You just need to find the right field for you and apply for the same. To know about scholarship opportunities and applying norms in Canada, you should contact an immigration lawyer.

Canada Has Many Top Ranked Universities of the World

Most of the Universities in Canada are highly reputed in the academic world. Many of the higher education institutions compete with the famed UK and USA universities. The graduate employability rate of Canada is also very high which really makes this country lucrative for the students.

Research Values

This is one of the key components of the graduate programs of Canadian universities. The universities support and give a scholarship to the students who have got the best research ideas. If the idea of the research is good, the industries and the government often come forward to bear the cost of your research. You just need to follow through some rules and regulations. The best option for you is to get in touch with an experienced immigration lawyer so that you do not need to worry about the nitty-gritty of law.

Beautiful Environment

The environment of Canada offers the students an overall soothing experience. In their off time, the students can explore different places of Canada to relieve the stress. The peaceful political environment also creates a safe haven for the foreign students.

Multicultural Values

Every year Canada allows thousands of immigrants from across the world. A large number of students that come to Canada for educational purpose often make the beautiful country their home. The multicultural values of Canada prevent any unpleasant racial situation from taking place. The government of Canada ensures that the value of different culture is respected and maintained properly in the country. To know more about the culture of the country contact an immigration lawyer immediately.

Immigration

As an immigrant student, you will be offered work permit at Canada. After the graduation is completed a three-year long work permit is automatically allocated to the students. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada can help the students so that they can get a visa easily. After working in Canada for a year you can also apply for permanent citizenship. You can read more about working in Canada after graduation here!

There is no doubt that Canada can provide the best opportunities to you. So, what are you waiting for? Get help from an immigration lawyer and apply for the Canadian Universities right away.

Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada: Total Fee Structure for the Express Entry System

Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada: Total Fee Structure for the Express Entry System

The second largest country in the world, Canada, is the new immigration hot spot. As per Statistics Canada, the country’s population increased by 1 million people in just 2 years. After all, it’s a country of countless opportunities, a better quality of life, free healthcare, and friendly people.

Even though more than 80 programs are available to immigrate to Canada, becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident can be tough, given the terms and expense. One of the easiest pathways to apply for Permanent Residency status in Canada is through the Express Entry program.

What is the Express Entry System for applying for Permanent Residence in Canada?

Express Entry is an electronic immigration selection system designed to choose skilled workers from overseas and grant them permanent residency in Canada. Devised to rank economic immigration candidates, the popular program invites candidates with qualifying CRS scores to apply for PR status in Canada.

The Express Entry process is pretty fast, screening potential applications in as little as 6 months. If selected, the eligible candidates (along with their families) are allotted permanent residency (PR) Status by the Canadian Government, valid for 5 years. Since Express Entry is a federal immigration system, immigrants are eligible to settle anywhere in Canada.

But, what is the cost to immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry System?

The Complete Fee Structure of the Express Entry Immigration Program

The exact amount of fees to be paid for immigration under the Express Entry program depends on the candidate’s profile. However, there are two major fees that every applicant must pay under the Express Entry immigration program.

Government processing fee for your family members and you

The processing fee is paid to the IRCC to process your immigration application and includes the following costs

• $550 CAD for the applying candidate
• $550 CAD if a spouse or common-law partner is accompanying the applicant
• $150 CAD for each dependent child

The right of permanent residence fee

The right of permanent residence fees includes the following costs

• $490 CAD for the applicant
• $490 CAD if a spouse or common-law partner is accompanying the applicant
• No right of permanent residence fee for dependent children.

In addition to the process and permanent residence fees, there is a list of costs Express Entry Program applicants must pay as a part of their PR application process.

Biometrics fee

When submitting the application, a biometric fee is levied to cover the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. The biometric cost varies from $85 CAD per person to around $170 CAD if the applicant is accompanied by the family.

Language test fee

To gain PR status in Canada through Express Entry, an applicant must establish their language skills by taking an approved language test in English or French. The English language tests include IELTS (~ $300 CAD) and CELPIP. For the French language, there is TEF Canada and TCF Canada (~ $350 CAD). On average, the language tests cost around $300 CAD per person.

Educational Credential Assessment

Educational credential assessment is a report that must be submitted with the Express Entry application to access the applicant’s degrees and diplomas earned outside of Canada. It costs around $200 CAD for each applicant. Including the courier handling charges, the ECA would cost around $300 CAD.

Medical Examination

All PR applicants must have an immigration medical examination done in order to successfully file their application. The fee for this medical exam varies from physician to physician, but, on an average, costs between $250-320 CAD.

 

Category	Single Applicant	Applicant with Spouse	The applicant with Spouse & One Dependent Child
Application Processing Fee	$550 CAD	$1,100 CAD	$1,250 CAD
Permanent Residence Fee	$490 CAD	$980 CAD	$980 CAD
Biometric Fee	$85 CAD	$170 CAD	$170 CAD
Language Test Fee	$300 CAD	$600 CAD	$900 CAD
Educational Credential Assessment	$300 CAD	$600 CAD	$600 CAD
Medical Examination	$250 CAD	$500 CAD	$750 CAD
TOTAL	$1,975 CAD	$3,950 CAD	$4,650 CAD

 

If you want to apply under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), an additional fee is charged depending on the province chosen by the applicant. The applicable fee varies between $250 CAD for New Brunswick to $1,500 CAD for Ontario.

Hence, for a single applicant applying for permanent residency status in Canada under the Express Entry system, the total bearable cost would be around $2,500 CAD including all the miscellaneous expenditures.

How can I turn my tourist visa into a student visa in Canada

How can I turn my tourist visa into a student visa in Canada

Canada is one of the most beautiful countries to visit. The endless lakes, parks, forests, and monuments promise to make your vacation worthwhile. But, alongside all the beauty, the country is also home to world-class universities and a high-quality education system that attracts around 150,000 international students annually. So, if you are a tourist who is a student or are planning to pursue higher education, you might want to extend your stay in Canada to complete your studies.

But, is it possible to get your “Visitor Visa” or V-1 Visa converted into “Student Visa” or S-1 Visa in Canada?

Transforming your Canadian “Visitor Visa” to a “Study Visa”, As of now, you can’t just request your “Visitor Visa” to be converted into a “Study Visa” within Canada.
As per the official site of the Government of Canada, to study in the country:

1. The applicant should have a legal status.
2. The applicant should have a study permit (if applicable)

 

Tourists wanting to pursue a short-term course of study for six months or less do not require a study visa or a study permit. They can complete the course on their visitor visa before its expiration. However, no visa extensions will be granted for completing a short-term program.
If you wish to enroll in a long-term educational program, which has a duration of more than 6 months or will exceed the permitted time limit of your stay, from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you must apply for a study permit from outside Canada.
You are not required to get a new study visa if your V-1 visa is valid for a longer period than your study permit. However, most single entry visitor visas are valid for 6 months, so it is important to have a Study Visa (S-1) alongside your passport and study permit.

Why a “Visitor Visa” can’t be changed to “Study Visa” from within Canada?

Many tourists enter Canada using a “Visitor Visa” with an intent to study. A misconception is that they can simply file a change to update their “Visitor” status to “Student” status from within the country’s premises once they get accepted into a DLI institute. This mindset is quite common among foreign nationals and is referred to as “preconceived intent” – this might result in denial of your study permit.
Moreover, the officials at CPC find it difficult to perform background checks on foreign visitors from within Canada. This may delay the processing of your study permit, which will ultimately delay your visa.
Hence, to avoid the intent conflict and background check fails, it is advisable for visitors to apply for the study permit and S-1 visa before entering Canada, and, from their home country.

How to apply for a Study Permit as a Visitor in Canada?

To apply for a Canadian study permit and study visa, one would need
● An enrollment letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
● Proof of funds to show that you can afford your tuition fees, living costs and return travel
● No criminal records
● A medical examination to prove good health
● Proof that you will leave Canada once you complete your studies
Once you have submitted your application, you would need to wait until it is approved.

On approval, a letter of introduction, and an S-1 visa will be issued, which must be shown at border control in Canada along with a valid passport. Once you are given the clearance, you’ll be granted the student permit and will be allowed to stay in Canada for the duration of your course plus 90 days.

Planning to Relocate in Canada? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Planning to Relocate in Canada? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The government of Canada is set to welcome almost a million people as the permanent residents of the country. As per the government officials, the program has started from the end of 2017 and will run till the end of 2020. Along with that, the International Experience Canada has made it easy for young people, aged between 18 and 35, to move to the country.

No matter how big the opportunity is, it is important to do some research before making any decision regarding immigration to Canada. Consulting an immigration lawyer Toronto can help you fasten the process with better probability of succeeding. To make the research hassle free, a guide with detailed information about almost everything is provided below. Check out the information to make a knowledgeable decision.

Visa

Acquiring a valid visa is the primary step that you need to take. A visa is a stamp in your passport that indicates that you have been permitted to travel and stay, either permanently or temporarily, in the country. There are two categories of Canadian visa; i.e permanent visa and temporary visa.

Temporary Work Visa: With help of this type of visa, you can stay in Canada for a certain period of time. The time period is settled by either Canadian Consulate or the Border Services Officers. The new system of application requires the candidate to create an online profile. After proper verification, the profile will be submitted to the pool of candidates. The applications are randomly drawn from the pool at a regular interval. The invitation to apply for the work permit is then sent to the chosen applicant.

Permanent Visa

Express Entry System

The Express Entry program of the Canadian Government lets the immigrants apply for the permanent residency visa. In this system, applicants are able to create online profiles to convey their interest in the permanent visa for immigration to Canada. There are three economic immigration programs through which the candidates can create their work profile. The categories are depicted below.

• Federal Skilled Worker Class: This economic application category is specified for the experienced, skilled professionals. The professions that the applicants belong to must be sought after by the Canadian Government. A skill test will be conducted to measure the skillfulness of the candidate. Apart from the skill test, the candidates must fulfil some other criteria.
• Federal Skilled Trades: In this category, the applicants must have at least two years of experience. To apply, the candidates must have a job offer in hand or have a qualification certificate.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This is applicable for those applicants who have at least a year’s work experience in Canada. The language test and a medical test is must for the applicants to become eligible. The whole process takes almost 6 months to complete, but, you can apply for a bridging visa until the CEC is being issued.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This is one of the most celebrated ways of gaining a permanent visa. In this category, the workers can get nominated for permanent residency, depending on the situation of the labor market of the particular region.

Business Immigration Program 

This is suitable for the self-employed, entrepreneurs and experienced investors. Apart from this, there is also a Self-Employed Persons Program. The Start-Up Visa for Entrepreneurs is another option for the immigrants to apply for the permanent visa.

Family Sponsorship Program

Through this program, the permanent residents of Canada can sponsor their spouse, conjugal partner, dependent child and other relatives to get a permanent resident visa of Canada. The sponsor becomes responsible for the financial wellbeing of the person they are sponsoring.

Finding Places to Live

When you are moving to a new country, finding a place to live can get a bit difficult. The government-run Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation can help you with the required information. You should complete all the procedure regarding immigration to Canada before searching for a house.

The best option is to rent a property instead of buying while beginning your new life in Canada. It is best to stay in hostels or motels before choosing the right place to stay. Check whether the basic amenities, such as heating and water, are working properly before renting any house.

How and Where To Find A Job

A job is the pivotal piece of a puzzle which helps to solve difficulties of starting a new life in an unknown country. Getting a job might sound easy, but the real world is starkly different than the imaginary one. Construction is the most sought after job in Canada. Apart from that, the following jobs are also considered popular among the immigrants. Immigration to Canada always becomes a little easier if you have a permanent source of income.

Skilled Workers

The shortage of IT workers in Canada is huge. The government is anxious that the country will struggle to fill the posts in the coming future. Along with IT, medicine and management sectors are also facing a severe deficit in human resources. As per the reports of the Canadian Government, the shortage will be getting worse in the coming five years.

Thus, people belonging to these professional sectors have more chance of getting their visa approved.

Skilled Traders

The most popular job description under this category is construction. However, electrician, millwright, plumber, and engineers are some of the job descriptions that people can apply to. The people who are applying for the fields of sales, accounting, and marketing should remember that it takes time to touch the bar of achievement that they are hankering after.

Salaries

Almost all the provinces of Canada offers good salaries to the workers. According to the reports, salary trends in Canada are on the rise. The reports have shown that average weekly earnings last year rose to 3.2 percent than the year before. Among the provinces, Alberta offers the most competitive salaries and lower living costs.

Health Care

Canada is revered all over the world for its free health care system. The provinces and the territories finance the basic health care services and most surgeries. The provinces have the last say regarding what should be covered by the state-sponsored medical insurance. Know the rules of the provinces regarding the health care before relocating there.

Being a tolerant country, Canadian Authority might cut some slacks for the immigrants. However, to start ahead, you should know every aspect of the country. Immigration to Canada will be smooth if you take the knowledgeable steps.

How Immigration is Impacting Canadian Jobs?

How Immigration is Impacting Canadian Jobs?

Since long, Canada is being a stringent supporter of providing roofs over the heads of immigrants and refugees. In the wake of the refugee crisis of 2016, when the world was showing their conservative sides, it was Canada which opened its border to almost 30,000 Syrian refugees. Only last year, Canada became a new home to 296,000 refugees and immigrants.

However, the Canadian immigration policies are being heavily criticized for sometimes. The concerns range from straining the social support system to lowering the average wages. Terrorism is another major concern of Canadian citizens. While some of the concerns have merit others are considered as biases against refugees and immigrants.

To solve this somewhat critical point of debate, here are some morsels of information about how the immigrants impact the Canadian job market and thus, impact Canadians.

Canada Has a Long History of Immigration

Did you read history in your school?

Well, if you had then you are well aware that Canada is built by the immigrants.

If you think we are talking about the 21.9% foreign-born population of Canada, then you are wrong. We are talking about the first days of this country. Canada transpired as a country after British and French started to build colonies in the 1600s. The indigenous people, who are often mistaken as immigrants, are the only true blue Canadians. Those indigenous people hold only 4.3% of the entire population. The remaining 95.7% of people are all immigrants or rather, the descendants of immigrants.

So, the multiculturalism and immigration have created the separate identity of today’s Canada. In fact, Canada is revered in the world stage for its diverse culture and open mentality for the immigrants. Many Canadians also respect this Canadian immigration culture that is well known around the world. 

Immigrants Are Maintaining the Population

The low birthrate of Canada would have made the population shrink if the immigrants were not allowed to move into the country. Not only Canada, but the shrinking population is also increasingly becoming a headache of the developed nations.

To maintain a steady population, the birth rate should be around 2.1 children per woman. This birth rate overweighs infant mortality, the number of men and other different factors.

In 1970s, the birth rate of the country dropped below the regular threshold for the first time. Since then, the number is dropping steadily. Currently, the Canadian birth rate is 1.6 children per woman.

This is the direct effect of education. As the women are enjoying better access to education and birth control, they have started to recognize their roles that are way beyond becoming a mother and a wife. Many European and Asian countries are also facing a similar situation. Japan is one of the widely cited examples in this matter. The governments of such countries are afraid about the future when the number of old people will outgrow the number of young ones.

The countries, that have a strong immigration system, can, however, avoid the catastrophic situation. Such countries, make sure that the population remains steady or continues to grow despite the lower birth rates. By creating easier Canadian immigration policies, the government is trying to do just the same thing.

Immigration is Good for the Canadian Economy

The economists and immigration lawyer around the world debate about the impact of immigrants on the total economy of the country. Not going into dreary detail, we can simply say that if the population drops, the economy of the country follows suit.

Fewer workers mean less number of goods and services that can be produced. If the production falters, so does the economic output. Currently, Canada is growing 1.5% annually. Now consider there are no immigrants in the country. That means, there is less manpower in the field of production. Which implies, less number of people have to produce the same number of goods and services to maintain the economic growth of Canada. Without the help of the immigrants, who are propping up the Canadian population, reaching this feat would have been next to impossible.

Let’s say the Canadians were able to produce all the goods and services without the help of the immigrants. Now, who will buy those products and services? The immigrant Canadians add to the country’s purchasing power also. With money in their pockets, the immigrant Canadians are able to purchase goods and services which in turn boosts the health of the Canadian economy. If there were no immigrants, then the country had to find new ways to sell the products to the external markets to maintain the growth rate.

So, the Canadian immigration policies are not only helping the country to maintain its cultural diversity, but it is also helping the country to maintain its economic growth as well.

Do Immigrants Drive Down Wages?

No.

The critics point out that as the immigrants are prepared to work in lower wages than the native-born Canadians they are pulling the wages rates down. This is one of the most outrageously biased points that the critics often use to win arguments.

The truth is, Canada has far too many jobs. When the number of vacancies is lower than the number of applicants, the employer tends to offer more wages to draw in talents. In the case of Canada, most of the industries are facing labor shortages. So, immigrants have no hand in making the wages lower.

In fact, some Canadian companies offer Canada born employees more wage as employers believe that they will require less training than the immigrants. The basic reason for the immigrants to get lower payment is that they are often compelled to work below their qualification.

Immigrants Make Sure That There is a Steady Supply of Skilled Workers

No country will allow immigrants if they do not play important roles which are beneficial for the country. Likewise, the Canadian immigrants fill important job gaps of the market. As a result of the lower birth rates, the workers in some certain area will start to shrink. For example, the skilled trade sector of Canada is seeing a severe shortage of workers. There are simply not enough persons in the country who can take place to the people who are retiring from the profession. Healthcare and IT sectors of Canada are also facing similar kind of problems.

There is no denying that open Canadian immigration system is creating some major problems. The immigrants, however, bring more to the country than the critics think. Thus, the best way is to solve the problem without getting biased. In fact, being the only country people find safe to move in, Canada should be proud and so should be the Canadians. If you are new to Canada, here are 4 things you can take benefits of immigrating to this lovely country!

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration? [Updated for 2019]

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration? [Updated for 2019]

If you are considering studying abroad or pursuing opportunities in Canada or other countries, you might have heard of the standard IELTS exam. But, what is IELTS?

What is IELTS?

The International English language testing system (IELTS) is the most well-known standardized English proficiency test across the globe. The IELTS is developed by leading language assessment experts and is taken by millions of individuals seeking higher education every year.

This comprehensive English proficiency exam assesses your English skills in every aspect: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. The IELTS is a thorough demonstration of your ability to use English to study, at work, and in your everyday life abroad.

The IELTS is recommended for anyone hoping to further their education and expand on skills in English dominant countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and New Zealand. The exam is recognized and accepted by universities, employers, immigration officers and other professional organizations.

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS test format is broken down into four categories: speaking, writing, listening and reading. There are two versions of the exam, tailored for either academic or general training. The total exam time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening and speaking categories are the same for both exam types; however, the subject matter for reading and writing varies depending on if you are interested in academic or general testing.

Reading, writing and listening categories of the exam are all written on the same day with no intermediate breaks. The speaking component can be completed within a week before or after the other tests, according to your testing organization.

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration?

For each program under Express Entry, there are different IELTS score required. Below are three tables that specify the IELTS score results in each of the four categories and how it translates to your Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) level.

 

Federal Skilled Worker Program – IELTS – First Official Language (Maximum: 24 points)

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points per Ability
7	6.0	6.0 – 7.0	6.0	6.0	4
8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5	5
9	7.0	8.0	7.0	7.0	6
10+	7.5 – 9.0	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	6

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 Federal Skilled Trades Program – IELTS 

CLB Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
10+	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0
9	8.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
4	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0

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Canadian Experience Class – IELTS 

NOC	CLB Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
0, A	10+	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0
0, A	9	8.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
0, A	8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
0, A	7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
B	6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
B	5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0

IELTS Listening Tips

The listening portion of the exam is 30 minutes, where you will listen to four recordings of native English speakers. The recordings will feature conversations, a monologue, an educational speaking, and a lecture.  You will write your answers by hand, and later assessed on your ability to comprehend main conversational ideas, information, opinions, attitudes and idea development.

The best IELTS listening tips are to practice reading comprehension beforehand, and carefully read questions before you begin listening! Training yourself to read context clues before you listen will help you hear the information you are listening for. There is often spoken clues in words and phrases that will guide you to the questions you need to answer.

IELTS Writing Tips

The writing portion of the exam is 60 minutes and topics vary depending on the exam format.

If you are taking the academic test, topics will pertain to undergraduate and postgraduate studies, or professional programs. Task 1 is to summarize a graph, table, diagram, or chart. You may need to describe data, trends or visuals. Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a problem, argument, or point of view. This written response requires a formal style and proper grammar.

Academic IELTS Writing Tips: Always include a conclusion at the end of your passage that summarizes your main points, and closes off your thoughts. Make sure words flow concisely.

The general training test will also focus on two tasks. Task 1 is to explain a situation or a letter request, which may be presented formally or in a personal style. Task 1 is to write a point of view essay in response to a problem, argument, or point of view. This section can be written in a personal format.

General IELTS Writing Tips: Always express your point of view as clearly as possible. Do not copy words or phrases that will not be included in your final word count. Using descriptive words for your thoughts provides a readable and personalized essay.

IELTS Speaking Tips

The listening portion of the exam is 11-14 minutes, and consists of three parts. During Part 1 the examiner will ask you general questions about work, family, home, studies, and personal interests.  Questions will last about five minutes. For Part 2, you will be given a card with a question about a general topic. You have one minute to prepare before speaking about the topic for up to two minutes.  You will be asked a few further questions regarding the topic. Part 3 contains further questions regarding the topic in Part 2. You will be able to further discuss ideas and issues for about five minutes.

The best IELTS speaking tips are to practice speaking English out loud as much as possible and listen to yourself! Take advantage of every opportunity to have verbal conversations with friends, colleagues and teachers. The more confident you are with your speaking abilities the easier verbal comprehension becomes.

There are no right or wrong answers on the speaking test, so take your time, express your thoughts and use proper English!

IELTS Reading Tips

The IELTS reading portion is 60 minutes long, and is comprised of 40 questions that test multiple reading skills. You must be able to pick up detailed information, skim read, comprehend opinions and arguments and summarize ideas.

The academic test includes three long texts that can range from factual to analytical context. Scripts are taken from magazine, newspapers, journals or books. They are selected at a skill level for individuals entering university or seeking professional designation.

The General Reading test includes articles from books, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, or guidelines. These materials are meant for everyday exposure and comprehension.

The number one IELTS reading test tip is to practice! Speed is not the determinant in a successful exam, rather skillful reading that allows you to pick up on critical words, ideas and general context. All the information you need to answer the questions are included in the text, so take your time and find the answer!

IELTS Success

To pass the IELTS exam, you need a minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each category for the Academic test. Minimum accepted scores vary depending on institution requirements.

If you want to succeed on the IELTS test, follow these tips and guidelines to master your English skills and begin your journey to success. Preparing for every exam section in advance will fully prepare you and give you the confidence to ace the exam and score the highest marks!

Are you looking to apply for the Express Entry program? Contact the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld to give your application the best chance at acceptance.

 

Despite Changes, the Parents’ Sponsorship Program is Still Luck-Based

Despite Changes, the Parents’ Sponsorship Program is Still Luck-Based

Many people from across the world immigrate to Canada every year with the dream of a better life ahead of them. Leaving their families behind, people set out on an endeavour to start a new life. However, the Canadian government offers a parent sponsorship program that enables those in Canada to bring their parents and grandparents here and come together with their loved ones again.

In order to improve the parent sponsorship program for immigration, the federal government of Canada has gone an extra mile to ensure some significant enhancements are made. This program is specially designed and tailored to help immigrants who would like to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada to live with them.

The year 2017 saw a considerable number of applications for the parent sponsorship program; however, the Canadian government could only approve 9500 applications out of 10,000 entries for sponsors. The reason behind application rejections were the many problems in this program. The government had not pre-decided a clear gauge for judgment before disqualifying some of the applications for sponsors. The government may have worked on new improvements in this program but the program is still based on a lottery system.

Although the government has made a vital change to the application form, they have added a field that asks information about family income. This clearly states that the government wants to use income as a parameter for qualification for the applicants. This newly introduced change at least sets a definite standard for consideration, whereas, previously, applicants had to depend completely on luck for their selection. It was entirely a lottery.

However, what is imperative to note is that the change won’t totally do away with the lottery system as the income criterion does not ask for any proof. Immigration lawyers in Canada believe even a change like this one will not be able to reduce the difficulty level in filtering out ineligible applicants.

In the parent sponsorship program for immigration, luck plays the role of an ultimate decider. There are a whole bunch of applicants who apply each year and get a rejection every time. Not because of ineligibility, but, just because their luck didn’t work in their favour. That means, if someone remains unlucky, they may never be able to sponsor their parents.

This is why, despite the federal government’s new amendments to a problematic lottery program for parent sponsorship, immigration lawyers in Canada believe strongly that the revised system is still extremely erroneous. Bettering and reconstructing the parent sponsorship program will demonstrate the Canadian government’s commitment to aiding more people in reuniting with their parents and keeping families together.

All You Need to Know About Working in Canada after You Graduate

All You Need to Know About Working in Canada after You Graduate

Universities in Canada are well-known and reputed around the world. Many international students aspire to pursue a degree or certification in these universities and colleges for a world-class education. If you have been a student in Canada and have a degree from here, you have probably had the opportunity to network here and even make some friends. Studying and living here gives one an opportunity to know the country better before you decide to migrate to Canada. If you are someone who is looking to be in the country for long-term, luckily, there are a few possibilities that allow you to stay back in this country post your graduation to explore work opportunities. You can either choose to stay in Canada for the time being after you graduate or you may decide to move here permanently by seeking residency in Canada.

Ways to Work in Canada Temporarily After You Graduate

If you wish to work in Canada temporarily after you complete your studies, one of the ways is to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The application will cost $255 and the processing usually takes anywhere between 50 and 110 days on an average. To qualify for a PGWP, you must have graduated from an accredited institution in Canada and you must be at least 18 years old. You must be a full-time student enrolled in a degree or diploma program that is a minimum eight months long. It is necessary for your educational institution to meet the basic requirements to back your work permit. To be eligible, you should have documents from your institution to prove that you have met all the requirements for graduation from your program.

You must apply within 3 months of completing your program while you still have a valid study permit. Once you have successfully received your PGWP, the span of time you will be allowed to live in Canada will be contingent to the duration of your study program. For coursework of eight months to two years, you will get a permit for the same length of time. For a one-year-long program, you will typically be allowed to work and live in Canada for an extra year. In case you were enrolled in a two-year-long program or have pursued multiple programs, your work permit will commonly let you live and work in Canada for three years.

There are exceptions to the above rules. Under certain circumstances such as PGWP requirements for graduates of some schools in Quebec, for transfer students, for accelerated programs and for flight schools, you may still be allowed to seek a temporary stay in Canada. If you are already employed, you may be allowed to avail an employer-specific work permit that enables you to stay in the country for a definite period of time to work for only that particular employer. You can also apply for an open work permit enabling you to work for any eligible employers.

Work in Canada Permanently After Graduation

If you have finished your education from Canada and have decided to continue living in this country permanently, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency once you have successfully completed your education. If you have a Canadian education and some work experience while studying, these factors may provide you with some additional help in your application. If you have family in Canada, you can opt for permanent residency through sponsorship. In case these options are not available to you, try applying through Canadian Express Entry. To be able to apply via EE, you are required to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience and you should meet language and other requirements.

Another option for permanent residency is via the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Every Canadian province has its own program with its own set of rules, so it is better to compare each of these programs to find something that most closely fits your profile.

Are you looking to apply for work permit or residency? To gain more information and get assistance in your process of filing, reach out to Ronen Kurzfeld, an immigration lawyer in Toronto, Canada.

Adjusting to the Canadian life: A guide for new immigrants

Adjusting to the Canadian life: A guide for new immigrants

The decision of moving to a new country across continents is a big one and comes along with a lot of baggage. As a newcomer in Canada, you will find many significant cultural differences between your own country and the new country where you are about to start a new life. In order to be able to settle in well into a new country, the smartest thing to do is to learn about the Canadian culture and adapt to it so you can escape uncomfortable situations. Doing so will make you feel more confident and happy about your decision to move across the globe. Take a look at some of our advice on how you can get used to the Canadian culture:

Research and read about Canada before your big move: It is important you read as much as you can about the new country prior to your move. Prepare yourself emotionally and get acquainted with the Canadian culture. Learn the local Canadian jargons and popular terms by following the pop culture on this side of the world, read Canadian news sites, watch movies and TV series and listen to podcasts. Continue to read, watch and follow the Canadian resources even after you have arrived in Canada. Once you are in the new country subscribe to some Canadian magazines and newspapers. This will help you gain more familiarity with your new surroundings.

Participate in different groups created by new immigrants and Canadians: It is always wise to get to meet and know other people who are planning a move just like yourself or some others who have already moved to Canada before you. Connect with newcomers from across the world. Every immigrant goes through the same process of acclimatization. You can learn from each other and lend support to one another. Take part in group chats, networking meets and community gatherings to get to know local people and get used to the new environment.

Learn about Canadian holidays: Learning about Canadian holidays and celebrating them will make you feel at home and will enable you to fit in well and become accustomed to your new home.

Try volunteering: Participating in projects and events to assist others without any payment may not be something that might be of any interest to you. However, volunteering will open doors for you to meet new people from various cultures and backgrounds, and allow you to adapt quickly into the Canadian way of life. According to records, approximately 47 percent of Canadians volunteer in some capacity as it adds value to your profile and benefits you to get Canadian job experience.

Join language classes: Canada has two official languages, French or English. It is valuable and is considered an asset to know these two languages. This will make communication simpler and make it easier to call a new country your home. Register into classes to learn and master these languages. You can also practice writing, reading and speaking the new language smoothly.

Develop interest in some popular local sports: Try and pick up local Canadian hobbies and sports such as hiking, skiing, working out in the gym, ice hockey, basketball and so on. You don’t necessarily have to start playing basketball and ice hockey but if you gain an understanding and develop some interest, it will help you in starting conversations and making a new circle of friends.

So, are you all set for your big move to Canada?

One of the most amazing things about Canada is that it is a beautiful potpourri of cultures from around the world. You don’t have to let go of your own culture when you arrive in this country but you can find new cultures to celebrate too.

If you have made the decision to immigrate to Canada, Immigration lawyer Ronen Kurzfeld can assist you and offer you guidance in applying for the Federal Skilled Workers Program or to seek other lawful ways to immigrate to Canada.

Immigration Officials Says that It’s Fraudulent to Grant Passport to Babies Born to Non-Resident Parents in Canada

Immigration Officials Says that It’s Fraudulent to Grant Passport to Babies Born to Non-Resident Parents in Canada

One of the top immigrant officials of Canada has mentioned that the so-called passport babies are a genuine problem in certain parts of the Canadian locales.  It is necessary to close the loophole which is being exploited by some pregnant foreign tourists to curtail the fraud practice.

A former Director General of Citizenship and Immigration has said that the policy resolution passed by the conservatives will end the practice of offering citizenship to babies born in the country is just like using the hammer to squash a fly.

Delegates have endorsed a resolution to put an end to the policy of providing a birthright citizenship claiming that too many people are traveling to Canada simply to give birth and obtain the status for their children.  Party members  have voted to rewrite the key section of the nationality law in Canada. However, the resolution is non-binding for the future government.

Proponents of change that have been introduced by the delegates from Labrador and Newfoundland have said that the move is important for cracking down the foreigners who are traveling here to secure the privileges and perks for their kids who come with being a Canadian.  The change is going to depend on a section of the Canadian Law which has been made intact with the advent of the distinct Canadian citizenship.

Conflicting Statistics

Canada is one among the few developed countries which grants citizenship to any child that is born on its soil irrespective of the immigrant status of the parents. It has some exceptions, such as the children of the foreign diplomats are excluded. This is creating a problem as only 300 babies were born in this country while 2000 were born to the non-Canadian mothers. This phenomenon has become pretty common.  It is crowding the facilities and the space which is available to the residents of Canada.

The Director General has said that he doesn’t want to see birth tourism happen but on the practical side abolishing the birthright citizenship is simply creating inconvenience for the millions of Canadian for addressing a small problem. He has suggested means like asking the hospitals to make the non-residents pay more money for covering the medical expenses. Also, changes in the policy of offering visas can also be made. The visa officials can refuse entry to people if they suspect that the person is traveling to Canada just to give birth.

B.C. Birthing Houses

There has also been a significant rise in the number of birthing houses which hosts pregnant tourists who will give birth to a Canadian baby. Officials are also planning to put some regulations on these birthing houses or to put a ban on them. These houses are an abuse of the system and the policy. Measures should be taken that are more targeted and focused rather than a wholesale change.

According to MP Alice Wong, passport babies can take away the resources from their system. Moreover, it is also dangerous for the mother and child. As a matter of fact, the liberals have also supported this.

Immigrants Fleeing Trump’s Nation With Hope

Immigration Officials Says that It’s Fraudulent to Grant Passport to Babies Born to Non-Resident Parents in Canada

Immigration Officials Says that It’s Fraudulent to Grant Passport to Babies Born to Non-Resident Parents in Canada

One of the top immigrant officials of Canada has mentioned that the so-called passport babies are a genuine problem in certain parts of the Canadian locales.  It is necessary to close the loophole which is being exploited by some pregnant foreign tourists to curtail the fraud practice.

A former Director General of Citizenship and Immigration has said that the policy resolution passed by the conservatives will end the practice of offering citizenship to babies born in the country is just like using the hammer to squash a fly.

Delegates have endorsed a resolution to put an end to the policy of providing a birthright citizenship claiming that too many people are traveling to Canada simply to give birth and obtain the status for their children.  Party members  have voted to rewrite the key section of the nationality law in Canada. However, the resolution is non-binding for the future government.

Proponents of change that have been introduced by the delegates from Labrador and Newfoundland have said that the move is important for cracking down the foreigners who are traveling here to secure the privileges and perks for their kids who come with being a Canadian.  The change is going to depend on a section of the Canadian Law which has been made intact with the advent of the distinct Canadian citizenship.

Conflicting Statistics

Canada is one among the few developed countries which grants citizenship to any child that is born on its soil irrespective of the immigrant status of the parents. It has some exceptions, such as the children of the foreign diplomats are excluded. This is creating a problem as only 300 babies were born in this country while 2000 were born to the non-Canadian mothers. This phenomenon has become pretty common.  It is crowding the facilities and the space which is available to the residents of Canada.

The Director General has said that he doesn’t want to see birth tourism happen but on the practical side abolishing the birthright citizenship is simply creating inconvenience for the millions of Canadian for addressing a small problem. He has suggested means like asking the hospitals to make the non-residents pay more money for covering the medical expenses. Also, changes in the policy of offering visas can also be made. The visa officials can refuse entry to people if they suspect that the person is traveling to Canada just to give birth.

B.C. Birthing Houses

There has also been a significant rise in the number of birthing houses which hosts pregnant tourists who will give birth to a Canadian baby. Officials are also planning to put some regulations on these birthing houses or to put a ban on them. These houses are an abuse of the system and the policy. Measures should be taken that are more targeted and focused rather than a wholesale change.

According to MP Alice Wong, passport babies can take away the resources from their system. Moreover, it is also dangerous for the mother and child. As a matter of fact, the liberals have also supported this.

Immigrants Fleeing Trump’s Nation With Hope

What is the Right Term for the Border Crossers of Canada?

What is the Right Term for the Border Crossers of Canada?

A recent increase in the asylum seekers of Canada who are crossing Canada-U.S border have led to the discussion about what to call them. Some of the people have to say that they are illegal immigrants. While on the other hand other people refer to irregular crossing because of the entries that happen away from the official border points.

The representative in Canada for UN High Commissioner for the refugees says that people should not be qualified as illegal. They are actually regular arrivals.  They might enter irregular. However, there is nothing irregular when you are crossing an international border in order to claim an asylum.  It is very clear in the act of The Immigration and Refugees Protection Act that it is also applicable to the people who transit through some other country.

Conservative MPs have to say that the act of crossing the border is quite illegal. This is an offence under the custom’s act.  This is the reason this is the term that they are going to use.

It is illegal to enter Canada a non-official point of entry. There is no debate regarding whatsoever. The problem arises from the fact that people are coming, illegally crossing the border. Thereafter, they claim the asylum. The officials will not be able to do anything about since the people are allowed to claim the asylum in Canada if when they have entered the country illegally.

The Debate

The law is quite specific when it comes to this. It states that when a person comes through irregular or regular crossing for seeking asylum they are actually doing it as per Canadian law of section 133 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Immigration Minister has explained that the reason he has used both regular and irregular for describing the border crossing which happen in between the official point of entry.

Any person who crosses the Canadian border from United States in between the port of entry is surely committing an illegal act. However, when the person claims the asylum, the charge stays pending for determining his/her refugee claim.

Once a person is on the Canadian soil, the charge of crossing irregularly will stay pending prior to the determination of the asylum claim.  A spokesperson for the Public Safety mentions that Canadian law is consistent with the United Nation Convention on Refugees. This indicates that the refugees entering illegally to look for the asylum shouldn’t be penalized if they are presenting themselves to the authorities. In case the refugee claim has been denied, the failed claimant has to leave Canada. As a matter of fact, the claimants might have to face charges for the other crimes. Each of them is assesses for national security and criminality as they are stopped on the northern side of the border.  The prosecutors decide whether they will lay the charge. Anyone who is convicted to the crime can be sentenced to ten years or more than ineligible claim of asylum in Canada.

In between January to July 2018, around one percent of the asylum seekers who have entered in an irregular way have been charged with a criminal code defenses.  There is no charge against claimants who have entered Quebec irregularly. However, who entered Canada irregularly have been removed but the claim of large majority is still being processed.

How Canada Immigration Calculates Processing Time?

Canada: Requirement for North Immigration Strategy

Canada: Requirement for North Immigration Strategy

The modern approach of Canada towards immigration makes two capital mistakes. Firstly, it assumes that immigration in this present century is a southern Canadian phenomenon. This means that most people are invariably going to move to the southern cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Secondly, Canadian immigration has to turn almost exclusively on an economic demand.

Demand for People in North America

There have been reports of continuous and aggressive ice- melting in the Arctic during the summer season. This is part of long term and accelerating trend which serves to confirm that Canada is going to need many more people in the Northern part in the coming years.

In simple words, Canadian immigration and migration in this century is going to be mainly northern in character. This is going to be driven more by the geopolitics and national strategy than the conventional economic considerations.

The settlement of the southern border in later half of 19^th and 20^th century presages what is supposed to come. In comparison to the present day mythology regarding people having populated the 49^th parallel just because it is comparatively warm or because majority of the trade runs with the American neighbors, Canada’s southern settlement’s original logic was basically military in nature.

The U.S. is the natural enemy of Canada and the population of Canada followed the fortifications lines along Canada and U.S. border which was supported by the rail lines gradually spanning the entire expanse of the large country along the east-west axis.

Economics

The economics actually followed the strategic logic and not the reverse. If people are to survive as a country for the balance of the century and have a hope of managing large Arctic and northern real estate which will be exposed and to be contested by the virtue of ice-melt of Arctic. Thereafter, economics will again have to follow a strategic logic.

However, Canadians might not even remember how to do a strategy.

Two Artic Giants

There are mainly two Arctic giants in this present century living irrespective of people like it or not in extreme strategic juxtaposition: Russia and Canada.

On the Russian Side of the Artic Ledger, there are around 2 million people residing in Far Russian North with all supporting expertise and infrastructure commended by a demographic mass. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people living in the leading northern cities such a Yakutsk, Norilsk, and Murmansk. The large Siberian belt underlying the Arctic base in Russia has a population of around 40 million people.

Again on the Canadian side of the ledger, across three Northern territories, there is a total population of about 115,000. Below the territories across ten provinces, the quasi-northern population of the country to be less than two million.

In fact, people of the northern territories have less than one percent people who are actively thinking about or even working on the northern border.

To say the truth, it is difficult to control, manage, and protect the north which includes the environmental terms along with paltry demographic resources. Even if Russia and the other Arctic countries are not taken as future threat, there are not enough people in and when it comes to surviving multilateral or bilateral processes regarding how to manage the north in our interest and also on their terms.

How to Apply for Immigration to Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds

How to Apply for Immigration to Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds

People who do not qualify to immigrate to Canada under any of its immigration programs may still be able to qualify under on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds. Section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, known as IRPA, gives Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) discretion to grant a person permanent resident status or an exemption from immigration criteria for humanitarian and compassionate reasons. The purpose of the law is to allow flexibility for exceptional cases of hardship. The H&C process is not intended to be an alternative means of applying for permanent resident status.

This article will examine who is eligible for an H&C exemption and how to apply for immigration to Canada on H&C grounds.

Who May Apply on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds?

H&C grounds are available to people who already live in Canada who do not qualify for permanent residence, or for people who want to immigrate to Canada who are not eligible under the immigration laws. Humanitarian reasons are most commonly invoked by people whose application for refugee status has been denied. However, there are many other situations where people apply for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. For example:

A foreign national who does not meet specific immigration criteria, such as failing to meet the residency requirements, failing to garner enough points under the skilled worker program, or failure to pass the medical examination, may ask for admission on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

A person who has been excluded from immigration to Canada due to their medical condition can apply for H&C admission. A government official confirmed that over 90 percent of H&C applications after a finding of medical inadmissibility are allowed.

Some adult children of immigrants who were excluded from the permanent resident process may be eligible under H&C grounds.

There are many other scenarios which could make a person eligible for immigration H&C grounds. As long as there are specific legal obligations that a person must satisfy to immigrate to Canada, a person can request an exemption from the legal obligations on H&C grounds.

Who May Not Apply on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds?

The government will not consider H&C requests from temporary resident applicants. It will also not consider an H&C application from people who already have a pending refugee claim.

People who have already been denied admission from the Immigration Review Board within the prior 12 months cannot apply again until one year has elapsed, unless they have children under age 18 who would be adversely affected by removal, or if they can demonstrate that the adult or the dependent has a life-threatening medical condition which cannot be treated in the family’s home country.

Certain rules and restrictions apply to people who have been a “designated foreign arrival” because of the way they entered Canada. If you have been classified as a designated foreign arrival, you cannot apply under H&C grounds unless five years have passed.

H&C Grounds

CIC will decide whether a person meets the standard for H&C on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered during the process include, but are not limited to:

• ties to Canada;

• establishment in Canada (for people already living in Canada);

• best interests of children who would be adversely affected by the H&C decision;

• adverse conditions in the person’s country of origin;

• health considerations, including whether the person’s country of origin is unable to provide appropriate medical treatment;

• family separation;

• whether a person has been unable to leave Canada due to conditions in their home country;

• other unique or exceptional circumstances. 

How to Apply for H&C Admission

Applicants already living in Canada must file two forms: the general application for immigration to Canada (form IMM 0008), and an application requesting an exemption based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (form IMM 5283.

Applicants living overseas must use the application forms for one of the three immigration classes (family, economic or refugee) and supplement it with information explaining why humanitarian and compassionate grounds should apply.