How to Sponsor Spouse for Canada Immigration?

by Jessica

The permanent residents and Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old and have financial resources can sponsor their spouses either living in Canada or outside the country to obtain Canadian permanent residency. The sponsor must also sign a sponsorship undertaking to financially support spouse for a period of three years. The sponsored spouse receives the conditional permanent residence for a period of two years during that time the sponsor and spouse must live in a legitimate relation together.

The sponsored spouse must meet the medical, and security checks and failing to meet the medical and/or security requirements will make family member inadmissible to Canada.

Who is a Spouse?

A spouse is persons who is married to the sponsor and their marriage is legally recognized in Canada and place where the marriage ceremony took place.

If you got married in Canada then you must must have a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory where the marriage took place.

If you were married outside Canada:

• the marriage must be valid under the law of the country where it took place and under Canadian law, and
• the marriage, if performed in an embassy or consulate, must follow the law of the country where it took place, not the country the embassy or consulate represents.

When Spouse Can not be Sponsored?

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations excludes the persons from being sponsored as a spouse if:

• you are under age 16,
• you (or your sponsor) were married to someone else at the time of your marriage,
• your sponsor applied for permanent residence but did not include you on their application as someone who should be examined or
• your sponsor has sponsored another spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner in the past, and three years have not passed since that person became a permanent resident (or five years if your application was received on or after March 2, 2012).

Apply for Sponsorship:

The spouse sponsorship is a two step process in which you are assessed for eligibility as a sponsor and if you qualify to sponsor your spouse, then your sponsored spouse must apply for permanent residence.

1. First a citizen or permanent resident of Canada must apply to sponsor a spouse.
   • Your sponsorship application is processed by a Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Canada.
   • You will be notified in writing by the CPC about the decision on your sponsorship application.
2. Your spouse must apply for permanent residence.

Al though it is a two step process, the application for sponsorship and permanent residence must be completed and submitted at the same time.

Spouse living in Canada

Following are the list of forms for sponsoring your spouse living in Canada to become permanent resident:

• Document Checklist [IMM 5443]
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
• Sponsorship Evaluation [IMM 5481]
• Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
• Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008DEP]
• Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669]
• Spouse/Common-law Partner Questionnaire [IMM 5285] 
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476]
• Receipt [5401]

Spouse Living Abroad:

If the spouse being sponsored lives outside Canada, then you need to use the following forms for sponsoring and Canadian permanent residence:

1. Sponsorship Forms:

• Document Checklist [IMM 5443] 
• Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)
• Sponsorship Evaluation [IMM 5481] 
• Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
• Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008DEP] 
• Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669] 
• Spouse/Common-law Partner Questionnaire [IMM 5285]
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] 
• Receipt [5401]

2. Permanent Residence Forms:

• Generic Application Form for Canada [IMM 0008]
• Additional Dependants/Declaration [IMM 0008DEP]
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration [IMM 5669]
• Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
• Sponsored Spouse/Partner Questionnaire [IMM 5490]
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476]

In addition to the above immigration forms, the sponsored spouse may have to follow specific instructions depending on the country of residence.

Western Europe [IMM 3901]
Includes instructions: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Vatican City

Eastern Europe [IMM 3902]
Includes instructions for: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine

China [IMM 3903]
Includes instructions for: People’s Republic of China, Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and Special Administrative Region of Macau

India [IMM 3904]
Includes instructions for: India, Bhutan and Nepal

Philippines [IMM 3905]
Includes instructions for: Philippines

South East Asia and Pacific [IMM 3906]
Includes instructions for: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua-New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam

General Asia [IMM 3907] 
Includes instructions for: Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Taiwan

Latin America [IMM 3908
Includes instructions for: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela

Caribbean [IMM 3909]
Includes instructions for: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago

United States [IMM 3910]
Includes instructions for: United States of America, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Middle East and Central Asia [IMM 3911]
Includes instructions for: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Yemen

Africa [IMM 3912]
Includes instructions for: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Central African Republic, Union of the Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome é and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Japan [IMM 3913]
Includes instructions for: Japan

Where to Send Application?

You must pay the required processing fees and send the completed and signed application forms along with supporting documents to the Case Processing Center in Canada at the following address:

CPC Mississauga
P.O.Box 3000, Station A
Mississauga, ON
L5A 4N6

The form 5476 Use of Representative is optional and you need to submit this form only if you are being representative by authorized immigration consultant or immigration lawyer.

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Skilled Worker Immigration through Manitoba Nomination Program

by Jessica

Canadian province of Manitoba has its own nomination program that permits foreign skilled workers with strong connection to the province to obtain Canadian  permanent residence. The program is designed to facilitate foreign nationals who have work experience or graduated from Manitoba post-secondary educational institutions.

1. Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program:

Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (MPNP) is divided into two streams depending on the labor market and foreign national’s ties to the Manitoba community.

1. Currently working in Manitoba: Applications are accepted from temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who have been working full-time for at least six months and whose employer has offered a full-time, long-term job.
2. Skilled workers overseas: Applications are accepted from skilled workers who score sufficient points for employability and adaptability based on five factors. The eligibility factors include  age, English proficiency, work experience, education and Connection to Manitoba.

2. Connection to Manitoba Community:

The connection to the Manitoba community can be demonstrated through the following:

• Applicant has completed an eligible Manitoba education or training program of at least one year for which he/she received a diploma or degree,
• Applicant has a valid post-graduation work permit issued by Citizenship and ImmigrationCanada (CIC),
• Applicant has a job-offer letter from the Manitoba employer for whom he/she has been working at least six months.

If you have friends and family members in Canadian provinces other than Manitoba then you maynot be eligible for Manitoba Nomination program.

Similarly, if you are in Canada and have completed your education from another province and worked there, you may not qualify for the program as Manitoba wants to determine if the applicant has a sincere desire to settle in Manitoba or not.

The Province of Manitoba has the sole authority to approve the nomination of individuals for permanent residence. The MPNP nomination decision will be based on  assessment of your  potential for successful economic settlement as an independent skilled worker. Your genuine intention and ability to settle in Manitoba with permanent residency will also play a key role in your eligibility assessment.

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What are Rules for Canada Study Visa under Student Partner Program?

 by Jessica

Increasing number of students from India are choosing Canada as a preferred designation for higher studies abroad. Over 20,000 India students entered Canada to embark on their journey to the better foreign educational credentials.

Canada provides the opportunity to work during studies, obtain post-graduation work permit and become permanent resident under the Canadian Experience Class. Canadian colleges anduniversities also offer exceptionally top quality education at relatively lower costs compared to United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

Indian students can benefit from the student partner program (SPP) which is only open for the Indian students. SPP is an administrative collaboration between Canadian visa offices in India and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC).

Students do not apply to the SPP, they apply to a participating Canadian college and may be considered under the program if they meet the eligibility criteria. Following is the checklist for Canadian study visa:

• Payment of Tuition Fee: Copy of receipts for tuition payment (one Semester/one Year – as asked by the SPP institution)
• Proof of Available Funds: You MUST demonstrate the purchase of a special GuaranteedInvestment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution, in the amount of $10,000 CAD to cover living expenses for your first year in Canada.
• Language Proficiency: IELTS test results taken within last 24 months with overall band not less than 6.0, with no individual band lower than 5.5 bands in any module.
• Minimum Education: Passed out from 12th Grade in the last two years or completed their Bachelor’s Degree in the last five years with atleast 50% score in their latest qualification.
• Graduated with not more than two accumulations per year.

The Canadian High Commission in India recommends that Indian students must submit their applications for Canadian study visa by 01 August for September entry and by 01 December for January entry. The visa office will not be able to process the study visa applications in time and most likely be refused if submitted after the above mentioned deadlines.

http://www.visato.com/canada/what-are-rules-for-canada-study-visa-under-student-partner-program-20131228

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High Demand Professions for Canada Skilled Trades Immigration Program

March 6, 2014 by Jessica

Canada Skilled Trades program is for those foreign skilled persons who wish to immigrate to Canada to live a better and healthy life. These trades persons have skills and experience but may not have higher educational qualifications. Foreign nationals can apply for the Canadian immigration under Skilled Trades program if they experience in any of the 43 high demand jobs which are divided into two groups.

Group A includes 17 jobs which are in moderate demand whereas group B includes 26 in-demand jobs. 43 jobs are eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades program in the first year of the program. 

There is a total cap of 3000 applications for the first year of the program starting from May 4, 2013 to April 30, 2014. There is a sub cap of 100 applications for the occupations in the group A.

Applicants having a qualifying offer of employment or a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority will not fall under the annual cap.

Group A – Jobs with sub-caps of 100 applications each (and their corresponding 2011 NOC code)

• 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
• 7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
• 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
• 7271 Carpenters
• 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
• 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
• 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
• 8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
• 8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling services
• 8241 Logging machinery operators
• 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
• 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
• 9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
• 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
• 9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
• 9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators

Group B – no sub-caps (2011 NOC code)

• 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
• 7233 Sheet metal workers
• 7235 Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
• 7236 Ironworkers
• 7237 Welders and related machine operators
• 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• 7242 Industrial electricians
• 7243 Power system electricians
• 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
• 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
• 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
• 7251 Plumbers
• 7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
• 7253 Gas fitters
• 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
• 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• 7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
• 7314 Railway carmen/women
• 7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
• 7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
• 7371 Crane operators
• 7372 Drillers and blasters – surface, mining, quarrying and construction
• 7373 Water well drillers
• 8231 Underground production and development miners
• 8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
• 9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will process the applications in the order in which the applications are received.

Source: http://www.visato.com/canada/high-demand-professions-canada-skilled-trades-immigration-program-20140306

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International Experience Canada for Spanish Youth

March 2, 2014 by Jessica

International Experience Canada Visa Program for Spanish young people is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in Canada through travel and work. The program is designed to provide Spanish youth the experience of Canadian life by living and working in Canada on a work permit valid for up to 24 months. The good thing about the International Experience Canada is that applicants many not even need an employment offer before leaving Spain in some cases. It is a good way of having fun while traveling across Canada, adding some international experience to professional resume, or doing co-op internship in Canada.

Assessment Process:

The applicants are assessed in following two stages:

• IEC Assessment: Stage 1 is conducted completely online through an IEC Kompass account to determine whether you meet the IEC eligibility criteria. All supporting documents must be submitted electronically through your IEC Kompass account.
• If your application is accepted at stage 1, an IEC conditional acceptance letter will be sent to you. In order to begin step 2, you will then be directed to submit an application for a work permit to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and your application will be assessed in accordance with Canadian immigration law and regulations.

International Experience Canada Categories and Quota:

 There are three categories under the International Experience Canada:

Working Holiday:  The working holiday visa allows young Spanish citizens of ages from 18 to 30 years to travel to Canada and work in areas of tourism and hospitality, retail, trades, engineering, administration, business and all other professions. Prior job offer is not required and applicant is allowed to work for any employer for a maximum period of 24 months. The annual quota for this category is 800.

Young Professionals: It provides an opportunity to the Spanish Youth to add international work experience to their resume. They can work in the areas of science, law, education, commerce, finance, communications, administration and business, and others. However, they must obtain a job offer and work for the same employer in Canada. There are usually120 places for Young Professionals each year.

International Co-Op: Students enrolled in Spain seeking to gain international co-op experience can avail this option. The students can work in the areas including science, law, education, commerce, finance, communications, administration and business, and others. They must obtainjob offer before applying for International Experience Canada. There are 70 places for International Co-op every year.

Source: http://www.visato.com/canada/international-experience-canada-spanish-youth-20140302

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