Who Can Sponsor an Immigrant to Canada? [Updated for 2020]

Under the Family Class immigration category, citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their relatives, including foreign spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, or grandparents for immigration to Canada. The Canadian government makes family reunification an important goal, and over the next three years, the country will welcome over 260,000 people who will be reunited with their family in Canada.

 

 

Who Can Sponsor an Immigrant to Canada?

A person can become a sponsor if:

• They are at least 18 years old;
• They are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act,
• They can prove they are financially able to assist the sponsored person(s); and
• They have enough income to provide for basic needs of dependent children of the principal applicant.

 

Who Cannot Sponsor an Immigrant to Canada?

 Certain people cannot sponsor immigrants to Canada:

• People who failed to pay an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments;
• People who have not been able to provide for the basic needs of previously-sponsored relatives who received social assistance from the government;
• People who are under an immigration removal order;
• People who are incarcerated;
• Those who receive social assistance (unless they are disabled), or who are going through bankruptcy;
• People who were sponsored by a spouse or partner who became a permanent resident less than five years ago;
• People who have sponsored a previous spouse or partner and three years have not passed since the spouse or partner became a permanent resident; and
• People convicted of sexual offences, violent offences, or offences which caused bodily harm to a relative, and persons who attempted or threatened to commit this type of offence.

 

Sponsorship of Spouses, Common Law Partners and Dependent Children

 

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child as long as the applicant and spouse or dependents are not inadmissible. For sponsorship purposes, a spouse can be opposite or same-sex and must be married to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

If a couple was married in Canada, they must provide a marriage certificate from the territory or province where they were married. If the couple was married outside of Canada, the marriage must be legally valid in the country where the marriage was performed, as well as legally valid in Canada.

A couple does not need to be married to take advantage of the spousal or common law partner sponsorship provision. If a couple has lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months, with no interruptions, they are eligible for family sponsorship. However, the CIC may require couples to prove their relationship with photographs and other evidence.

The government wants to ensure that sponsored family members have adequate support once they arrive in Canada. Spouses and common law partners must sign a formal agreement which confirms that both people understand their responsibilities. The sponsoring person must also sign an agreement pledging to provide for the basic needs of the spouse, partner, dependent child or other relative.

There are unique requirements to sponsor a close relative to Québec. If you live in Québec, it is important to review the law and consult with a lawyer about the Québec process.

 

Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time

 Generally, it takes 18 months to complete the sponsorship process for people who live outside of Canada, and 24 months for applications by people living inside Canada. In December of 2016, the Canadian government announced its plans to process 80 percent of the spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months. New application forms and procedures are streamlining the process and reducing the waiting time. For example, medical examinations are no longer needed upfront and police certificates are only required for the countries where the spouse or partner most recently lived and where they spent most of their lives since age 18. Complicated or unusual applications may still take more than one year to process.

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The Ultimate Canada Visitor Visa Checklist [Updated for 2020]

Are you planning to visit Canada in the near future? If so, you need to be aware of the requirements for obtaining a visitor visa. A visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa, is an official document stamped in your passport demonstrating that you meet the legal requirements to travel to Canada. This post explains exactly what travelers must do to enter Canada.

Step 1: Canada Visitor Visa Checklist

The first step is making sure you meet the basic requirements for travel to Canada. You must have:

• A passport or other valid travel document
• Be in good health (a medical certificate may be required)
• Have no criminal convictions
• Demonstrate an intent to return to your home country
• Have enough money for your stay (bank statements may be required)

Step 2: Determine if You Need a Medical Exam

People who intend to visit for six months or less generally do not need a medical exam unless they work in specified health fields or in agriculture. You need a medical exam if you will remain in Canada for more than six months, and:

• You have lived temporarily for six or more months in a row in specified countries in the year immediately prior to the date you will enter Canada.
• You are coming to Canada to work in a job where public health must be protected.
• You are applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.

If you need a medical exam, contact the visa office for instructions on how to proceed.

Step 3: Documents Required for Canada Visitor Visa

The nearest visa application center (VAC) can help with the paperwork. Generally, you need the following forms and documents to complete your visitor visa application:

• Application for Temporary Resident Visa
• Family Information Form
• Photocopy of the Information Page of Passport
• Two Photographs (with name and date of birth written on back)
• Proof of Financial Support (bank statements)
• Photocopy of Marriage License or Certificate
• Purpose of Travel Statement
• Photocopy of Current Immigration Status (if your country of residence is different from your country of citizenship, you must provide proof of legal status)
• Custody Documents or Letter of Authorization from Both Parents (for minor children traveling with one parent)

You can apply online or on paper. Each person who seeks entry into Canada must submit a separate application.

Step 4: Pay Application Fees

As of December 2017, the fee schedule for visitor visas and super visas is as follows:

• Visitor visa / super visa = $100 per person
• Visitor visa for family of five or more = $500 total

To be eligible for the visitor visa for a family of five or more persons, dependent children must be under age 22 and the family members must apply at the same time and place.

Step 5: Biometrics

Some visitors to Canada need to give biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph). If you need to give biometrics and are applying on paper, the application must be submitted in person at the VAC office.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Families are required to send their applications together with one package. To identify the proper office, visit the webpage and select your country where you currently live.

Step 7: Application Processing

After you submit the application, it will be reviewed to make sure it has all the supporting documentation. Most applications are processed in just a few weeks. After the application is processed, your passport and original documents will be returned to you.

Step 8: Approved

Once your application is approved, the visa will be stamped inside the passport. When you arrive in Canada, a border agent will ask for your travel documents.

Documents required for a Canadian visitor visa are subject to change. Be sure to check the VAC for the most recent information for your country.

Are you interested in immigrating to Canada permanently? Contact the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld to see how we can make your Canadian dream come true.

The post The Ultimate Canada Visitor Visa Checklist [Updated for 2020] appeared first on Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld.

Secret tech experience programs for PR

Canada is fast becoming the next tech and IT hub of the world. From innovative financial services, blockchain, to Artificial Intelligence there is a huge demand for tech talent. In fact, tech and IT workers in foreign countries will find they have many options for becoming permanent residents on the basis of their IT and tech education and experience.

In this article we are looking at permanent immigration programs that will let you live and work freely in Canada. If you qualify under any of the PNPs we mention below, you don’t face any of the restrictions you have to with a temporary work permit.

Ontario Immigration Nominee Program – Tech Draws

The demand for skilled tech and IT workers in Ontario, Canada is sky high. Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo, in particular, are home to vibrant tech industries. In light of that, the province allows the nomination of Express Entry candidates who have tech experience to apply for permanent residence. The following NOC codes are eligible for tech draws:

NOC 2173 – Software engineers and designers

NOC 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers

NOC 2147 – Computer engineers

NOC 2175 – Web designers and developers

NOC 2172 – Database analysts and data administrators

NOC 0213 – Computer and information systems managers

Ontario invited nearly one thousand Express Entry candidates with tech experience in a January 2020 draw.

British Columbia Tech Pilot

BC will be running its ‘Tech Pilot’ Provincial Nominee Program till at least June 2020. BC, like Ontario, is seeing huge demand for tech skills international recruitment. This program works differently to Ontario’s program, though. Its benefits for applications are:

Invitations to Apply – ITAs are issued to qualified and skilled technology workers every week, reducing the time employers and employees must wait.

Prioritized applications – Applications of tech and IT candidates are fast-tracked to make sure the right talent is able to come to Canada immediately.

The list of eligible occupations for Tech Pilot is revised regularly. At the time of writing, there were 29 tech occupations that are in high demand. A few eligible categories are:

NOC 0131 – telecommunication carriers managers

NOC 0512 – Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts

NOC 2131 – Civil engineers

Read more

Minimum IELTS for Canada | Police verification requirements for PR | PR for Caregivers

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

Manitoba has adopted a different approach to Ontario and BC for attracting foreign tech and IT talent. Instead of a dedicated tech-focused PNP, the province has been sending out missions to recruit skilled tech workers. Though the program does not offer the initial benefits that other PNPs do, the biggest draw is recruitment.

MPNP representatives actively assist Manitoba employers recruit foreign talent. Hundreds of IT positions across many different industries are up for grabs at their events. Keep up to date with the latest Manitoba PNP recruitment drive, expected to take place in spring 2020.

Quebec Skilled Worker

Quebec has been long regarded as having one of the toughest provincial nominee programs. Applicants must fulfill national criteria, then also demonstrate French language skills. What many don’t realize is that the Quebec Skilled Worker program gives tech and IT workers an advantage.

QSW requires a minimum of 43 points on employability factors alone. However, the “Listes Des Domaines De Formation’ (List of Training Areas) actually allocates the highest number of points for tech university education. Applicants who can show education in IT and technology can claim 12 points, the highest of any other category. What’s more, their spouses are also eligible to receive 4 points, which is the highest of any category too.

How to immigrate to Canada if you have tech and IT experience

If you have built a career in tech in your country, there is a very good chance your skills are in high demand in Canada. At Immigration Way we have helped thousands of people come to Canada legally and settle into prosperous lives. Speak to a qualified Toronto immigration lawyer and find the right program for you.

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Police Certificate Canada (CIC) Needs for Immigration

Many Canadian immigration programs require a police clearance certificate (or police certificate). This is a simple statement by the police that you don’t have a criminal record or if you have a prior and pending criminal charges.

Police certificates are very important if you are trying to become a permanent resident. The police certificate Canada immigration authorities demand must:

• Contain all relevant information (name, date of birth and more)
• Be issued by the appropriate authority in your country
• Be written in English or French (or be accompanied by a valid translation)
• Not have a disclaimer stating that the authority does not take responsibility for the information in the certificate

On the basis of the police clearance certificate for Canada, CIC will decide if you should be allowed into the country.

Learn all about the police clearance certificate for Canada below.

What is a police clearance certificate?

A police clearance certificate is a document that outlines criminal activity. For purposes of immigration, the police verification certificate proves that you have not been involved in any criminal activity. If you do have a criminal record, CIC will assess your admissibility on the basis of this certificate.

Canadian immigration officials rely on this police certification to make sure you are not a security risk. If they feel that your past criminal activity poses a danger to Canadian society, your application may be denied.

A police clearance certificate must be in English or French. If the police certification you receive is in another language, you must also provide an official/certified translation of the document and an affidavit with your application.

An affidavit for a translation is a document that says the translation is a true and accurate version of the original text.

What Canada immigration programs need a police clearance certificate?

Generally, most immigration programs require a police clearance certificate for Canada. Immigration suggests someone who is planning to come to a country permanently or for a long period of time. That’s why Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry and spousal sponsorship require police certificates.

Short stay visas don’t, typically, require police certificates. For example, the Visitor visa (tourist visa), which may be valid for up to 10 years, does not require a police clearance certificate be submitted with applications.

When is a police clearance certificate for Canada PR required?

CIC can require you and any family members (aged 18 years old and over) for a police clearance certificate. If you are applying for permanent residence, then you will most likely have to submit it. Here is a short list of PR programs that require police certification:

• Express Entry
• International Experience Candidate
• Provincial Nomine Programs
• Other immigration and citizenship programs

Which countries do you need a police certificate for?

It does not matter which country you are a citizen of; if your Canada immigration program requires it, you must provide a police certificate Canada accepts. CIC states that police certificates must be provided for all countries in which you have lived for six months or more, after you turned 18.

• Not required up to 18 years – You don’t need police clearance certificates for countries you lived in till you turned 18.
• Six month residence, but not always in country – If you have lived in a country for six months but travelled for a month outside the country during that time, it is best to get a police clearance certificate.
• Lived in a country for 5-6 months – If you lived in a country for just under 6 months, it is best to get a police clearance certificate, to be on the safe side.
• Did not live in the country six months in a row – If you have lived in a country for a total of six months, but not six months consecutively (in a row), you do not require police certification from that country.
• Time in Canada – You don’t need to show a police certificate for the time you have spent in Canada.

Where do I get the police certificate in my country?

The process for getting a police certificate varies from country to country. Many countries have updated their processes for obtaining police certificates in the last few years. It is best to get in touch with your police or government to find out what the process is for getting the certificate.

Police clearance certificates may be known by different names in different countries. They may be called:

• Police clearance certificates
• Judicial record extracts
• Good conduct certificates
• Or any other name

Note: Some countries offer more than one way of getting a police certificate. It is possible that certificates obtained in one or more such ways may not be acceptable to Canadian immigration officials.

Make sure you find out if the police certificate you are getting is accepted by CIC. Police certificates today will typically require you to provide photographs, your fingerprints, addresses in the country and more.

When should you get the police clearance certificate?

Depending on your immigration program, you may choose to obtain your police verification certificate before you begin or submit your application. Police certificates are, generally, valid for one year from their date of issue.

However, for Canada immigration, the police certificate must have been issued at most 6 months before you submitted your application.

What this is means is if your certificate is 8 months old when you submit your Canadian immigration application, it will not be considered.

For countries in which you no longer live, the police verification certificate must have been issued after you left that country for the last time.

Is your police certificate getting delayed?

IRCC allows extensions to deadlines for submitting police clearance certificates if it’s taking more than 90 days to process your police verification.

Other articles you want to read

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

Express Entry Draw Canada 2019: Latest Figures & Invitations Process

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

What happens if I don’t submit my police certificate for Express Entry?

If you don’t submit the police certificate Canada requires at the time of filing your Express Entry application, you may be granted additional time to file the certificate. However, there is a high chance your application will be rejected.

Here are a few things you should consider:

• If you are unclear about whether the certificate is required, then consider sending it anyway.
• If you are uncertain if the certificate is required, and you don’t send it, it is best to explain it very clearly in the Letter of Explanation.
• If you have explained yourself and you have valid reasons for thinking it was unclear, CIC may ask you to submit it at a later date.

Why might a police verification certificate be rejected by CIC?

A police clearance certificate may be rejected by the CIC for a number of reasons:

• Being out of the validity period (i.e. more than 6 months old, at the time of submitting the immigration application).
• Mismatch in information on the certificate and that provided in the application (eg. spelling of your name or passport number).
• The police certificate does not meet the criteria laid down by CIC.
• The certificate does not cover you for the full period of your stay in the country.

Don’t forget, if you have a prior criminal record, CIC may reject your application if it considers you pose a security threat to the country.

Is getting a police certificate difficult?

How difficult it is for you to get a police clearance certificate varies from country to country. Make sure you go through the most appropriate and official process for getting the certificate, else it may be rejected by the CIC – and your time, effort and money will go waste!

What should my police certificate say?

Police verification certificates around the world are different. However, there is certain information that must be included in your certificate:

1. Logo of the authority
2. Date of issue
3. Clear subject line that shows it is a police clearance certificate, judicial record extract, good conduct certificate, or similar
4. Statement attesting lack of criminal record or list of offences
5. Seal/sign of the official authority

If the police clearance certificate contains a disclaimer stating that the authority is not responsible for the accuracy of the information, CIC may reject the certificate.

Do I need a police certificate for PR?

Yes, most permanent residence (PR) programs, such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, require police certificates be submitted.

How long is the police verification valid for?

A police clearance certificate or equivalent is usually valid for one year. For the country in which you are presently resident, the certificate must not be more than 6 months old at the time of submission of the application.

How Express Entry Works

Candidates who are eligible for a program under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades, or other) submit a profile into the pool. The profile is assigned a CRS score, which is based on their age, education, qualifications and other criteria. CIC regularly invites candidates with the highest scores to apply for permanent residence. Once that is complete, the application is typically processed within six months.

Police clearance certificate for Canada immigration from India

The police clearance certificate for Canada immigration from India is a must. Whether you are applying under Express Entry, for spousal or family sponsorship, or PNPs for permanent residence, it is essential that you submit the police certificate with your application.

Where to get the police certificate in India

The Indian Government streamlined the process for procuring the police clearance certificate for immigration to Canada only a few years ago. The certificate for Canada immigration from India can be procured in two different ways:

1. Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) – An appointment must be taken before you visit your nearest PSK; fingerprints will be taken; certificates are issued in a standardized format (in English) and are accepted by CIC.
2. Police superintendent – The police certificate for Canada immigration can be obtained directly by making an application to the local police in-charge; certificates will be in the local language and will need to be translated; since these are not standardized, CIC may not accept this type of police clearance.

Don’t know how to get a police certificate in your country?

The CIC does not provide specific guidance about how to get the police certificate in individual countries. If you are unsure of how and when to get the police clearance certificate, speak to an experienced Toronto Express Entry lawyer. Our specialists have expert knowledge about jurisdictions around the world and will help you with your police certificate and immigration application thoroughly.

It is essential that you apply for the certificate at the right time, with the right authority and that the certificate contains the correct information.

Need to give a language test for your immigration application? Learn more about CELIP and IELTS.

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Latest CRS Score August 2019 and What CRS Cut Off to Expect in September

Great Opportunity to Explore Canada: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Ready to Start

Canada sends invites to thousands of immigrants every year. However, the vast majority of people choose to settle in large cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. There is not a lot of movement to sparsely populated parts of Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has seen that though there are plentiful jobs in these areas, skilled workers are simply not migrating there. To change that it has launched the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

About the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

IRCC will be working closely with the communities it identifies to find the right candidates. It wants these communities to become welcoming places to live and work for immigrants who choose to come.

The IRCC recognizes that the communities it will identify will have little experience in modern immigration. People who come to Canada today expect to be able to find jobs, find adequate housing and settle into a high standard of life. That’s why the government will be working directly with local agencies to ensure immigrants are happy and provided for. This means working with:

• Community-based partners
• Federal and provincial governments
• Trade and employment bodies

Speak to an immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada to find out what you need to start your application. Stay tuned as we post more Canada immigration latest news.

What communities have been identified for the pilot

At the time of writing, 11 communities in 5 provinces have been listed. These are:

Alberta – Claresholm

British Columbia – Vernon, West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson)

Manitoba – Brandon, Altona/Rhineland

Ontario – North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins

Saskatchewan – Moose Jaw

The communities identified have a high quality of life. Each is a prosperous economic centre, with a low population. For those looking to experience true Canadian life and surroundings, these are great cities to settle in. In fact, these communities are located near major cities and will be well connected to important amenities and transportation.

Benefits of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

• You and your family will come to Canada as permanent residents
• Candidates will have jobs/strong community support to find jobs
• Small communities that will welcome you and take care of you
• Possibly shorter application process compared to Express Entry
• Candidates with lower CRS score may benefit if they are well-suited to communities’ economic needs and job vacancies

Application process for permanent residence

The application process for PR here is different to Express Entry. The application process involves:

1. Candidate approaching one of the listed communities or an employer in the community
2. Submitting an endorsement application to be assessed by the community
3. Candidates that are ‘best fit’ will be endorsed and can apply for their PR
4. CIC will assess the PR application against Federal Selection Criteria and Admissibility requirements
5. Once approved, candidates and their families will be welcomed to settle in the community

The application process requires an understanding of what Canadian employers are looking for. Make sure you get an experienced immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada to file your application. We know how to make your application stand out from the crowd.

How soon can you come to Canada as a permanent resident

IRCC expects that immigration candidates under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will begin to receive PR invitations before the end of 2019. It expects people will start settling in Canada under this program by the summer of 2020. Check our website regularly for Canada immigration latest news. Or speak to our immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada and let us take care of that for you.

Apply immediately

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is fresh and there will be few applicants right now. The sooner you can apply to communities, the sooner you can come to Canada. Once local communities are inundated with applications, processing times will slow down again.

 

Make sure you speak to our immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada before you start your application. At the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld we are experienced immigration professionals who know how to file perfect applications. Especially since you need to show your suitability to the local community, we will ensure you are seen as a very promising candidate. Subscribe to our blog to keep abreast of Canada immigration latest news.

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Sponsoring your family to Canada in [2019]

Post updated on July 2019.

If you are a Canadian person or a permanent citizen of Canada, age 18 or over, you could sponsor certain member of the family to become Canadian long-term citizens. If you end up being a permanent citizen, you can live, research as well as work in Canada. If you sponsor your relative to become a permanent resident, you are responsible for sustaining your relative monetarily when she or he arrives. Always consult Immigration way lawyer Toronto before applying for sponsorship immigration in Canada. To be a sponsor:

You have to be 18 years old or older.

• You and also the funded family member must authorize a sponsorship agreement that devotes you to provide financial support for your family member, if required. This agreement also states the individual coming to be a permanent resident will strive to support her or himself.
• You must offer financial backing for a spouse, common-law or conjugal companion for 3 years from the date they become a long-term resident.
• You must provide financial backing for a dependent child for Ten Years, or until the child becomes 25, whichever precedes.

You can sponsor:

• Spouse – (constraints apply)
• Common Law companion – (constraints apply)
• Conjugal companion – (constraints apply)
• Reliant children
• parents – (Extra conditions apply)
• grandparents – (Additional conditions apply)
• brothers or sis, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons that are orphaned, under 18 years old as well as not married or in a common-law relationship
• One more relative of any age or connection yet just under specific conditions
• Accompanying relatives of the above (as an example, partner, companion and also reliant youngsters

Spouse – You are a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is lawfully valid.

Common-law companion – You are a common-law partner, either of the opposite sex or exact same sex, if: you have actually been cohabiting in a conjugal partnership for at least one year in a constant 12-month duration that was not cut off. You will need evidence that you as well as your common-law companion have integrated your events and also set up a household.

Conjugal companion – This category is for partners, either of the other sex or same sex, in remarkable circumstances past their control that avoid them from cohabiting as a result cannot qualifying as common-law partners or spouses.

Dependent youngsters – A son or daughter is dependent when the child

• is under the age of 19 and also does not have a spouse or common-law companion
• more than the age of 19 and depended substantially on the financial support of a parent because before the age of 19 as a result of a physical or psychological condition

Check here for more info or book an appointment to consult with our lawyer.

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