Tuesday 29 November 2016

5 Errors to Avoid While Filling Out Your Permanent Residence Application in Canada

Canada is one country where there is an abundance of opportunities for everyone who wishes to achieve their dream career. The country is known for its picturesque scenic beauty, magnificent mountains, frozen glaciers, cheerful people and lucrative careers. Even the laws governing citizenship and immigration in Canada are not very strict, however, applying for citizenship in Canada must be treated as a privilege and not as something that is your right. Often applicants take the application process to be a mere formality and make some mistakes when filling out the application form. The family lawyer in Calgary or any other areas can help you avoid making such mistakes and make the immigration process smooth. This blog post discusses four such scenarios, wherein applicants commit errors and jeopardize their chances of attaining citizenship in Canada.

1. Lying while filing your permanent residence application

Lying or providing false information might help you get your way through some scenarios, but doing so when filling out your application form for seeking permanent residence in Canada, could have negative consequences. Authorities have a strict zero-tolerance policy against such instances wherein applicants provide false information regarding the disclosure of their marriage or birth of a child. If found guilty of such misinformation, your application might be rejected. You may also lose your permanent residence permit if you are acting as a sponsor for your spouse or child. Always stick to facts that you could supplement with adequate documentation, and your application would sail through the entire approval process.

2. Applying for citizenship before satisfying the eligibility criteria

You can apply for permanent citizenship only when you have completed at least three years of residency in Canada. Additionally, these years of residency must be within four years preceding the date of your application date, and you be physically present for 1,095 days or more in Canada, within the tenure of those four years. However, several applicants apply for permanent residency, before satisfying the eligibility criteria, and approach family lawyers in Calgary, Vancouver, and Ontario, citing dissatisfaction over receiving the residency questionnaire. Canada offers a transparent and quick procedure for applicants for citizenship, but for only those who are patient.

3. Considering that Immigration is a Right

When it comes to welcoming immigrants with open arms, Canada supersedes its much-hyped neighbor, the US and most Western European countries. Along with flexible immigration laws, Canada also has multiple categories under the citizenship application category that assist you in qualifying without much difficulty. However, applicants fail to realize that immigration to Canada is not a right, but a privilege that must be treated with utmost respect and not contempt or attitude. Applicants need to patiently answer all questions put up by the immigration authorities seeking clarification and not questioning in case their application is rejected.

4. Citing only one source as the research base for the citizenship application

Researching about the adoptive country is one thing that all prospective immigrants religiously pursue, prior to filling up the application for permanent residence. It is always beneficial to refer to multiple sources over the Internet such as government websites and if possible, visit the respective consulate of the adoptive country such as Canada, present in your country. Additionally, do not be easily swayed by information that you get. Often, these facts are statistical and do not the correct picture entirely.

Bottom line

Filling out the permanent residency application in Canada is not an easy task, yet you do not have to make it all very complex and unnecessarily difficult by committing mistakes that you could avoid. Immigrating to Canada is fairly simple and beneficial when you compare to the process prevalent in other Western countries, and all it takes for your application to be successful is little patience and honesty about your bearing. If you are facing any difficulty in filling up the application form, it is beneficial to consult an Immigration Lawyer who is adept in handling all matters pertaining to citizenship and immigration in Canada.

3 Facts You need to Learn about Express Entry Program

There was a major change in the immigration laws of Canada with the introduction of the Express Entry Program. The Express Entry program is a modern and technology-based method that links the immigration process to the specific labor needs of the country. If you are not very sure about the new changes that have been introduced, you can take the help of an immigration lawyer. In addition to taking the help of an immigration lawyer, we provide you with five important facts that you need to know about the new immigration law.

1. Express Entry is an Online Procedure

Candidates need to complete an online Express Entry profile in order to be eligible for express entry program. The new electronic system manages the applications of permanent residence under three economic immigration program. The online process eliminates the need of getting any paper work done in order to save time and money. The candidates who meet the criteria will be accepted among the pool of candidates who apply for immigration every year.

2. No Deadlines

The express entry program, unlike the old procedure, doesn’t have any deadlines for submitting the online application. In addition to the deadlines, the procedure doesn’t have any restriction on the number of candidates who will be accepted for the Express entry process.

3. Highest Ranking candidates can Apply for Permanent Residence

Candidates are ranked among other pool of applicants using Comprehensive Ranking System, a point-based system. Candidates are awarded points based on the information provided on their profile. Candidates who get the highest scores in the pool are issued an Invitation to Apply. Points are awarded for:

Job profile
Age
Level of Education
Nomination from province or territory
Experience or skill

Additional points are provided if a candidate has:

A job offer supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment
A nomination by a province or territory

There are chances that a candidate may stay in the pool for 12 months. If a candidate doesn’t receive Invitation to Apply even after 12 months, they can submit a new profile.

Procedure Manages applications under federal economic immigration

The immigration program manages application based on three programs-

Federal skilled worker
Federal skilled Trades program and
Canadian Experience Class.

Provinces can also recruit candidates through the Provincial Nominee Programs to meet the needs of the local markets. Even after investing a great deal of time and effort in implementing the new procedure, there are some doubts regarding its longevity. There are chances that the immigration procedure may be changed after examining the success of the program and some changes may also be implemented.

Conclusion

Those were some of the important facts that you need to know about the new immigration procedure introduced. Take the help of an immigration lawyer to get detailed information about the procedure if you plan to apply for immigration. Authorized immigration representatives can assist candidates during all the stages of the immigration process.

Friday 12 August 2016

3 Ways an Experienced Immigration Lawyer Helps Your Case

One of the most common handicaps that people planning immigration and foreign citizenship have is little awareness of immigration laws and procedures. Immigration laws consist of various clauses and subclauses which can be difficult to comprehend for people who are not in the legal profession. Individuals planning relocation to a different country should, therefore, hire the services of a qualified and experienced immigration lawyer to ensure they don’t land on the wrong side of the law or experience unnecessary inconveniences. This blogpost discusses more strong reasons you need an expert immigration lawyer on your side when moving to another country.

1. File the necessary paperwork

Immigrating to another country entails taking care of lots of paperwork which will confuse a lot of people. It is very easy to make a small mistake that can cost you big when dealing with such vast amounts of information and requirements. This is where professional immigration solutions come into the picture. An experienced immigration lawyer is equipped with 360 degree knowledge of applicable laws and processes. They know how the system works and have exposure to similar cases. Such a rich profile puts them in a position to help clients file the required paperwork accurately and timeously, and account for any changes in the immigration laws of the country.

2. Explore available options

Those looking to immigrate to a foreign country need to know more than just the right paperwork to submit. They should also be in a position to explore all their options when it comes to filing for a citizenship. An immigration lawyer can offer assistance in this regard by giving you answers to questions that you may have, such as:

● What you need to do to be eligible for automatic citizenship?

● Whether you can get citizenship through marriage? If yes, what the process is?

● How much it costs to apply for citizenship?

● What rules you need to abide by once you become a citizen of the country

A reputable professional will never hide facts from their clients and will always make them aware of any issues they may find in the case when filing for a citizenship. They also suggest measures to tackle the impediments.

3. Secure a job legally

Many people move to foreign countries to explore better job opportunities. Such individuals need to abide by the laws of the land that define conditions that immigrants need to fulfill to secure jobs in the country legally. They also need to manage the huge amounts of paperwork, which can be an overwhelming task for a layman with little knowledge of immigration laws. Under such circumstances, hiring the services of professionals is the best option available to immigrants. Immigration lawyers help clients file the necessary paperwork. They also take all the right steps to help them find a job legally to ensure that they don’t face deportation.

Final few words

The benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer are not restricted to those discussed in this brief. An adept and experienced lawyer will take all the necessary steps to ensure that their client’s application has a high success rate and that all avenues for recourse are pursued in the face of obstacles. Clients should also make sure that they supply accurate information to their lawyers and avoid withholding any facts that can impact the outcome of their application.

4 Immigration Options to Canada

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act came into force in 2002 and replaced the Immigration Act which was the legislation governing immigration to Canada since 1978. Since then the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada wields considerable power to regulate the immigration laws in Canada. The migration rate to Canada is very high due to impressive job and business opportunities. Many come to the country for pursuing higher studies, but eventually become landed immigrants. For better understanding we have written this blog that tells about some immigration options in Canada.

1. Skilled Workers

If you wish to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, you have several options to apply for in any skilled worker class. If you are assured about the province where you want to apply, you can submit an application through one of the programs in that province. Skilled workers are welcomed by the Canadian economy as they contribute to its growth and development. If you obtain a job offer letter from any of the Canadian employer, it becomes easy to process the immigration application in less period.

2. Family Class Sponsorship

There are number of ways to bring your family members to Canada. You can wish to explore various family sponsorship programs that are available. No matter which program you choose, it is important to assure that the family member meets the eligibility requirements so that you do not face any troubles in the immigration process.

3. Investors and Entrepreneurs

If you are planning to invest or set up a business in Canada, you may qualify the immigration process in less time. The Canadian society aims at attracting individuals that can contribute to the growth and development of the Canadian economy. There are many immigration options through which you may choose to apply. Some of these programs are federal programs, programs offered by a particular province, such as the Quebec Business Immigration programs.

4. Canadian Experience Class

This program aims to encourage those with study or skilled, professional or technical work experience in Canada to immigrate permanently. If you have certain technical or professional skills, you may create an online profile. If you tend to fulfill the conditions and eligibility requirements, the immigration officers of Canada may add you to the pool list of the candidates. According to your rank in the pool list, you will be permitted to migrate to Canada.

5. Last few Words

Migration to Canada may not be a tough task if you follow the entire process legally. In some cases you may be restricted to proceed further due to some factors that are not acceptable. You should seek advice either from immigration lawyer In Calgary or from any other province in Canada who may guide you with the immigration solutions. Make sure, you have consulted a professional immigration lawyer before starting up with the immigration process under any category.

Why Hire a Private Criminal Defense Lawyer?

The situation where an individual faces criminal charges is stressful and frightening. The accused always prefers to wind up the case within a short span of time, so that long court proceedings do not have too much impact on the financial or personal life. Getting in touch with an experienced lawyer, in such a scenario brings in a lot of relief to the accused and family.

Understanding the criminal law and procedure isn’t easy and there are chances of the accused losing the case because of lack of required knowledge. Criminal defense lawyers make the task of solving the case and getting justice for their clients easy. The defense lawyers keep themselves updated about the changes in the rules, which means they are more aware of the criminal proceedings and how to go about a case. There are several reasons why an individual needs to seek the help of a criminal lawyer to fight the case.

1. When the accused doesn’t have a lawyer, the court provides a lawyer to fight on his behalf. A public prosecutor might not be able to help accused as much as a lawyer from private law firm could help. It is advisable to hire a lawyer who has enough time and patience to go through the case.

2. The public prosecutor handles lots of cases every day, which makes it difficult to pay a lot of attention to just one case. Private law firms have a team of lawyers with experience in handling different types of cases. They pay more attention to each case and also advise the client on how to go about the case.

3. Criminal proceedings are emotionally stressful and private lawyers make sure they are always there to support the clients. They spend time with the client to get more information, which helps in getting the decision in their favor. A court lawyer might not be always approachable and usually doesn’t spend more time with the client.

A criminal lawyer is always with the client throughout the proceedings. If at all, the client is arrested, the attorney might arrange for a bail or explain the rights to clients upon detention. It is, however, important to choose the right criminal lawyer who has several years of experience and a good reputation among clients. There are several lawyers in Calgary, but not all are equally talented and capable of getting their clients out of the criminal case, clean. If possible, talk to a few friends and acquaintances for reference and meet some of the recommended lawyers before finalizing one.

Everything You Need to Know About Canadian Start-up Visa

According to several media reports, Canada is one of the top-ranked business destinations. The current political and business environment of Canada attracts citizens from different countries from all over the world. The availability of both tangible and intangible assets and an ease of doing business has made Canada the most attractive start-up destination. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) department has formulated start-up visa program to attract people who plan to start their businesses and help these businesses sustain in a conducive environment. The first step to start your business in Canada is to get a start-up visa. It is advisable to take the help of a lawyer who is aware of the various immigration solutions to help you get a visa without any hassles.

Qualifications for Start-up Visa

• Letter of support from venture capital fund, business incubator or angel investor group.

• Ownership requirements such as 10 percent of the business rights for the desired business.
• Score at least 5 in all the four categories for either French or English of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

• Adequate capital to settle and manage the cost of living in Canada.

Documents of Support from Canadian Investors

• You need to get a letter of support from designated organization after you reach a business agreement.

• Attach a letter of support in your CIC application.

• The designated organization sends a Commitment Certificate (CC) to CIC.

• CIC will use the Letter of Support and organization’s Commitment Certificate to assess the application.

Requisite Minimum Investment
• A minimum investment of $200,000, if investment comes from designated Canadian venture capital fund.

• A minimum investment of $75,000 if investment comes from Canadian angel investor group.

• Getting an acceptance in the incubator program is essential.

• Canadian venture capital fund or angel investor group, named as a program participant need to provide the minimum investment.

If Startup Fails

• It shall not affect your permanent resident status.

• Private and public sector share the risk.

Conclusion
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has formulated start-up visa program to provide an ease of doing business to many immigrants who want to start their business venture in the land of opportunities. If you wish to shift Canada to start your business venture, and there is any legal hassle, do consult a reputed visa and immigrant law consulting firms for immigration solutions.

Comprehensive Guide to easily get a Canadian Study Permit

The presence of top-ranking universities such as McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia has made Canada one of the most preferred destinations among students. If you are planning to immigrate to Canada to study in one of these Universities, it is important to get a study permit. You need the help of Canada immigration lawyers in order to apply for a study permit successfully.

Application for a Canadian Study Permit

The first step in getting a study permit is to apply at your preferred University and get an acceptance letter. After you get an acceptance letter, you need to apply for a study permit. The most important factor that you need to take care of when you get a study permit is to provide enough funds that will cover your tuition fee and cost of living. You also need to inform whether the expenses will be incurred by any of your relatives or from your pocket.

Academic Expenses and Tuition Fees

The immigration department while issuing a study permit also facilitates a candidate with certain relaxations. If you manage to show the mode of expenses at least for a year, it may work and you get a study permit. When you are in Canada, you can get a part-time job to manage your expenses. When you get a study permit and start your study in Canada, you will be allowed to work for 20 hours per week during the period of study and full time during your break.

Family Background and Related Factors

Another important factor considered by the immigration department while the issue of a student permit is your relationship with your native country. You need to convince that you have a good tie in your native country and you will return to your country after completing your study. You need to prove that you have reasons to go back to your native country because you have good family ties or assets.

Conclusion

According to the Canadian Immigration Laws, getting a study permit is not a difficult task. You need to follow the guidelines and mention all the facts related to the duration of your stay, sources of expenses and family background without any manipulation. If you face any hassle while applying for a study permit, consult immigration law firms and take their assistance for an easy and trouble free Canadian study permit.

Immigration Lawyer In Calgary