CANADA IMMIGRATION NEWS AND TIPS

I am worried about my DUI - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | May 29, 2012 Dear Miss Powell, Twelve years ago, I was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. I pleaded guilty and paid a fine. I did not go to prison. Someone told me Canada considers this a criminal offence. My mother is living in Canada and is about to file for me. I am worried that when I apply my criminal record will show up and I would be considered ineligible. Is there a way to deal with this issue, so that I am not prevented from moving to Canada? - J.K. Dear J.K., Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a criminal offence. Although you did not go to prison, you may have had a suspended sentence, and this will show up on your criminal record. You will be deemed criminally inadmissible by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Nevertheless, do not be discouraged, if you have changed and have not committed any other crimes in Jamaica or elsewhere, you may take the necessary steps to prove

Study-permit woes - Lead Stories - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | May 22, 2012 Dear Miss Powell, I am writing for some advice about study permits. I applied for a study permit to Canada last year but was turned down because of issues relating to financial status, family ties in Jamaica, police certificate, letter of acceptance from a school and proof of visit. I would like to reapply this year. However, I do not understand what the High Commission meant by 'family ties in Jamaica' and 'proof of visit', as it was a study-permit application form that I had filled out. Could you kindly lighten my darkness on these issues? Thank you. - R.C. Dear R.C., When you apply for a study permit, you need to satisfy the immigration officer that you are eligible to study in Canada. You will be required to prove that: 1. You have been accepted by a school in Canada (letter of acceptance) 2. You have the financial means or resources to pay for tuition fees and living expenses during th

Finding work in Canada - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | April 17, 2012 Dear Miss Powell, I have been following your articles and I must say I am impressed with your answers. I read in one of your articles where you said something about the fact that if I  get  a  job  in Canada it would make it easier for me to get my  permanent  residency . Can you help me to find a  job ? I know that there are all kinds of agencies advertising here in Jamaica that claim they can get you a job, but I hear so many horror stories of people paying money and not getting anywhere. Can you help me to find a job and help me with my immigration papers? Thank you in advance. - G.S. Dear G.S., It is true that if you get a job offer that your application for temporary residency will be expedited by  Citizenship and Immigration Canada ( CIC), if you qualify. It is not uncommon for people to contact recruitment agencies to help them to find jobs in Canada. This could be a useful way to go. However,

Fastest route to immigrate to Canada - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | May 1, 2012 Dear Miss Powell, I am a Jamaican citizen and have a US green card. I visit Canada quite often and would love to move there. I find Canada much cleaner and calmer than the US. What is the fastest route to get a Canadian green card? Should I apply from the US or from  Jamaica ? - A.P. Dear A. P, I must first clarify a few points. First, there is no Canadian green card and there is no typical 'fastest' route to immigrate to Canada. You will need to follow the rules and procedures, as outlined by  Citizenship  and  Immigration  Canada  (CIC), based on your circumstances, and then, if you are approved, you get a 'permanent-resident card'. This is the equivalent to a green card. Second, you did not state whether you actually reside in the US or Jamaica. Having a green card gives you the right to live in the US. However, you need to clarify if that is where you reside permanently and w

Published: Tuesday | April 3, 2012 Jamaica Gleaner Dear Miss Powell, I have been dating my same-sex partner for the past five years and we would like to visit Canada and get married, since we can't do so in Jamaica. How should we go about doing this? - B.J. Dear B.J., You will first need to apply for a temporary resident/visitor's visa from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada local office in Kingston. Last week, I wrote about the documents and forms that you will need to submit to obtain a temporary resident visa. Follow the same procedure to make the application for the visa. You should pay specific attention to submitting documents and information that you do not intend to remain in Canada after your marriage. Your next step is to get a marriage licence in Canada by completing the required forms, paying the fee and then submitting it to a registry office in the town/city where you wish to get married. The application may be completed online, printed

Can my husband sponsor me? - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | February 14, 2012 Dear Miss Powell, I had a Canadian visitor's visa  in the 1990's and I overstayed, but then returned to Jamaica. In December, I got married to a Canadian citizen here in Jamaica. Can he now sponsor me? Or would there be a problem? K.C. Dear K.C., Congratulations on your recent marriage. Generally speaking, as long as the relationship between you and your husband is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes, your husband can apply as your sponsor under the public policy relating to 'Spouse or Common  Law Partner in Canada Class'. Note, however, that there could be a few hurdles to cross and I will discuss these below. First, you did not state whether you left voluntarily or under a deportation order. Anyone who has returned to their own country as a result of a deportation order is permanently barred from returning to Canada. The only way around this is by a wri