Visas & Advice Detail
Canadian visas Q&A: Part 2
Here are some more visa questions posed by readers of Emigrate Canada newspaper
Dear Emigrate Canada
I am a staff nurse in the British forces with four years remaining in service. At present I have a Dip HE Nursing (Adult) and am studying toward my Bsc (hons) part time.
Please could you give advice on the emigration process and whether I should start applying now?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Julie-Ann
Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot & Co replies as follows:
Dear Julie-Ann,
I would need more information on you to confirm if you will qualify under Canada's existing selection criteria under the Economic Class (Skilled Worker). Assuming you meet the required points, I would recommend you apply now as the current processing time is around four years, so you should be receiving your visas at the same time as you are leaving the forces.
It's nice to see that the extended processing times can benefit somebody!
Dear Emigrate Canada
Firstly, I would like to enquire about sponsorship of my elderly parents after we land as permanent residents. From what I can gather it is taking a very long time for these visas to be processed? Are they influenced by whether or not I have a sibling in the UK? I have a brother - but he may also move abroad. Basically, what hope is there that I would be able to help my parents emigrate to Canada?
Secondly, I have a friend who, like myself, is a registered nurse and wishes to emigrate to Canada. What is the best/fastest route for him and his family? Should he apply for permanent residency via the skilled route and get 'fast tracked' by getting a job offer? Or should he get a job offer and work permit, then apply for permanent residency whilst out in Canada? Could he buy property if on a work permit?
Any advice much appreciated!
Helen
Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot & Co replies as follows:
Dear Helen,
You are able to sponsor your parents under the Family Class, assuming you meet the requirements – including the Low Income Cut Off (LICO); however, they will receive the lowest priority in terms of processing. The lengthy timescales are something that CIC is trying to address, but expect a waiting time of over three years.
There is a demand for Registered Nurses in Canada; however, this occupation requires licensing and registration in the province where you intend to live and work. Once you land in Canada with a valid work permit, you will be eligible for priority processing for your permanent residence application, otherwise you are subject to the regular (slow) processing.
You can buy a property if you are temporarily residing in Canada on a work permit but keep in mind you will have no credit history in Canada when you first arrive. As a rule of thumb, if you have more 25 per cent or more down-payment, you can be approved for a mortgage. However, each province will have its own regulations, so make sure you consult a licensed mortgage broker for the requirements in the province in which you tend to reside.
Dear Emigrate Canada
My reason for writing to you is that I have a couple of questions I can't seem to find the answer to, and wondered if you would be able to help?
Recently, I obtained my PR visa under a PNP. I understand that you must be present in Canada for 730 days within a five-year period.
My visa expires in early 2009, and if I say went to Canada in September would the five-year rule start from when my visa was issued in the UK or when I first got to Canada with my visa and crossed onto Canadian soil?
Secondly, I have been trawling the web sites for job opportunities – the sector and job opportunities I want and am suited to are in Ontario.
If I can't find a job in the province with the relevant PNP, what are my rights under my PR visa to go to Ontario for work?
Also I wanted to say that the layout of the latest edition of Emigrate Canada is much better, and it's been a great source of information over the months, which has helped me navigate through the visa system.
A great paper – many thanks to you and your team.
Yours Sincerely
JP
Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot & Co replies as follows:
Dear JP,
The clock will start ticking once you land in Canada. As a permanent resident, you can live and work anywhere in Canada. Good luck in Canada!
Dear Emigrate Canada
We had our medicals done in the second week of December last year and then the Canadian High Commission (CHC) in London requested updated documents (that is, schedule-1 and summary forms) which we submitted on the 1st of April this year. After waiting three months I sent an email to the CHC for updates on our case. They replied saying that they are doing routine background checks and will come back to us.
What I want to know is how long maximum does it take for background checks? My husband and I are originally from India and we have been living in UK since 1980. These are the only two countries where we have lived all our life.
I will very much appreciate your earliest reply.
Jas
Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot & Co replies as follows:
Dear Jas,
There is no set time for background checks. Without knowing details of your background, I suggest you email CHC London as you have done before for an estimated timescale as your medicals will expire in December 2008.
Dear Emigrate Canada
I'm going out to Toronto in mid-to-late October to see friends. I'm thinking of staying a couple of months and maybe picking up some work while I'm there.
As far as I can tell, I can stay in Canada on my UK passport for six months: is this correct?
Also, reading the article in the June edition of Emigrate Canada it seems as though employers such as McDonalds/ Starbucks etcetera have bulk Labour Market Opinions (LMO) issued to enable them to hire foreign workers.
Am I able to apply for one of these jobs while in Canada and apply for a work permit in Canada? Do I need to apply through the CHC in London? As far as I can tell there is concurrent processing and I can start working while the permit is being issued.
Also, what happens when my job expires or I get another? Can I apply to have the conditions of my work permit changed and apply for an extension to my residency if necessary?
I've looked at the High Commission's website in the UK as well as the CIC website and am finding it hard to untangle the bureaucracy.
Any answers, advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the info in the paper!
Regards,
Tom
Christopher Willis of Willis Brazolot & Co replies as follows:
Dear Tom,
As a British citizen, you can be admitted for up to six months, as a visitor. The bulk LMOs you are referring to are in Alberta, so you would not be able to use these if you are going to Ontario. There is an option for you under the BUNAC programme, which would give you a 12-month open work authorisation. For details, see: http://www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada
You cannot work in Canada unless you are authorised to do so. This could be with a BUNAC visa or a labour market-tested work permit. There are instances where an extension of stay can be granted, depending on your circumstances.
Christopher Willis is a Member in Good Standing with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) #M041230, the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC) and a Fellow of the Canadian Migration Institute(CMI).
He can be contacted on +1 450 458 2186 or by email at: chris@willisbrazolot.com quoting ref: Emigrate2. He travels regularly to the UK for consultations.