Category: Bright Immigration

Canada has an excellent immigration policy, which is why for many years, it has been a top choice of country to live in for immigrants. After all, it boasts of opportunities to advance your career, offers excellent welfare benefits, and more—all of which you can enjoy while taking in the spectacular views of the country’s natural beauty.

Many immigration programs require you to secure permanent residency first before becoming a Canadian citizen. Once you are eligible, you can then apply for citizenship. However, just because you meet all the requirements does not mean you need to apply as a citizen. You have the choice to keep your permanent resident status if you want to.

If you are considering whether you should remain a permanent resident or apply for citizenship once you are eligible, then this guide is for you. As immigration consultants in Toronto that you can rely on, we compiled some of the most important details you should know to help you make a more informed decision.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Canadian Permanent Resident?

Staying as a permanent resident instead of applying for Canadian citizenship grants you various privileges that you can enjoy. These include being able to study, work, or live wherever you want in Canada, travel around the country freely, access social benefits, and sponsor some of your family members to immigrate to Canada. You can also keep your home citizenship, have the rights and protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian laws, and apply for Canadian citizenship if you want to. 

Keep in mind that as a Canadian permanent resident, you need to maintain your status, avoid losing it, and reapply to keep your permanent resident (PR) card if needed. You also need to follow Canadian laws, pay taxes, and meet the other obligations of permanent residency.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Canadian Citizen?

Pursuing Canadian citizenship instead of retaining your permanent resident status means you get to reap some benefits in addition to the advantages of permanent residency. If you qualify for becoming a Canadian citizen, you can run for office, vote in the election, travel on a Canadian passport, retain your citizenship unless you decide to renounce it, and become a dual citizen.

You have to meet all requirements to become eligible and enjoy the benefits of becoming a Canadian citizen. Also, you must go through the entire application process. It is best to seek help from a trusted immigration agency to make your application process easier and more efficient.  

Conclusion

Choosing if you would retain your status as a permanent resident in Canada or seek application to become a Canadian citizen is a big decision that can make all the difference in your life. Bear in mind that as a PR cardholder, you are not obligated to become a Canadian citizen, which is why you have to consider your options carefully. By using the information mentioned above as your guide, you can come up with a decision that would help you live your best life possible.

Meanwhile, to help you get access to top-notch immigration services, trust only experienced immigration consultants. They can help you make your application process faster and more convenient.

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program allows its citizens to bring their foreign families with them into the country. One subcategory of this program is the Spousal Sponsorship Program, a program that helps citizens reunite with their spouses in Canada.

People who are eligible for this program are those who have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status. There are two types of application processes for this, which are the inland and outland applications. The most common one is the outland application.

What is Outland Application?

An outland application is one type of spousal sponsorship process that allows citizens living in Canada to sponsor their spouses to migrate into the country. As the name implies, it applies to beneficiaries who are residing outside Canada.

Here are some basic things you should know about outland application:

1. Your spouse can go in and out of Canada while the application is in process

Your spouse is allowed to travel in and out of the country as a visitor while the application is ongoing. They will only need a valid visitor visa to visit if they come from a country that necessitates a visa for visiting Canada.

However, having a valid visa doesn’t wholly guarantee an entry. They will still be treated and processed like a regular foreign visitor. Officers can refuse their entry if it seems necessary.

2. Application is processed through a visa office

Unlike with an inland application, outland applications are processed through the visa office which serves your spouse’s geographical region. This is why it is relatively faster than inland applications. Generally, its processing time will take about 12 months.

The processing time may take longer, depending on how many applications are being processed at the visa office. Before submitting your application requirements, double-check your documents, making sure they are complete and correct.

3. You can appeal your denied application

In an event where your spousal sponsorship application has been rejected, you can appeal your application to the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration & Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). You would need a copy of the refusal notice sent by the visa office to your spouse to process your appeal.

Before you send your appeal application, it is important that you know why your application got denied in the first place. Most commonly, the officers deny requests if they believe or have found evidence that the marriage is not genuine.

4. Your spouse’s visitor visa doesn’t allow them to work legally 

Whether your spouse has travelled to Canada with or without a visa, they would not be allowed to take jobs. As mentioned previously, they will be treated as regular visitors, and visitors cannot work with their visitor visas as well.

Instead, you can use this time to tour them around the country. Take this as an opportunity to spend time together while you are both waiting for your spousal sponsorship application result.

Conclusion

Canada is one of the countries that give the best benefits and opportunities for immigrants. Many foreign nationals are continually coming to Canada to find stable work. As such, the population of foreign families in Canada is growing as well.

The spousal sponsorship program is just one of the several programs that Canada has made to help reunite citizens or permanent residents with their spouses outside the country. If you are preparing to submit a spousal sponsorship application in Canada, you should look for an immigration advisor for assistance.

Looking for professional help from a trusted firm? Please contact our immigration consultants in Toronto at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

When you live alone in another country, you can’t help but feel homesick and lonely sometimes. Some people cope with this loneliness in different ways, while some will try to bring their family to where they are. 

In Canada, citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, children, parents, grandparents, or common-law partners to immigrate to Canada. To do this, you can work with a reliable immigration consultant to guide you through the whole process from application to the day your sponsored relative arrives in the country. 

A common misconception is that citizens and permanent residents can only sponsor immediate family members. However, this is false because it is also possible to sponsor an extended family member to immigrate. 

If you’re considering immigrating to Canada, stick around. We’ll give you more information about this topic so you won’t have to feel lonely and homesick in Canada again!

The Lonely Canadian Program

The Canadian government started a program called “Lonely Canadian Program” or the “Other Relative Program,” allowing Canadian Citizens or a permanent resident to sponsor an adult son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece to immigrate to Canada. 

If the extended family member you are sponsoring is married or has children, they, too, can sponsor their immediate family with them to immigrate to Canada. However, the person being sponsored must be related to the sponsor by blood. 

To sponsor a relative, you must ensure that you do not have a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Besides that, you need to make sure you aren’t also with someone who is a foreigner that can be sponsored. 

This program was made in favour of those people who do not have any relations in Canada and cannot sponsor immediate family members. But you should remember that standard immigration rules apply, and you will need to enter into an undertaking with the Canadian government before sponsoring a relative, pledging to be financially stable for when your relative arrives until 10 years after they resettle. 

Sponsoring a Parent

When you want to immigrate an extended family member but have a living parent or grandparent with you, it may be quite confusing. Some may say that you can’t sponsor an extended family member, while others say it’s possible. 

After discussions on the matter, the Federal Court in Bousaleh v. Canada stated that if the Canadian sponsor doesn’t meet the requirements of sponsoring a parent or grandparent, they can sponsor their extended family member. But if the foreign parent or grandparent doesn’t meet the criteria for immigration, the Canadian cannot sponsor a different relative. 

Due to the confusion and unsatisfactory approach, many opt to work with experienced immigration consultants to ensure that they meet all the requirements and go through the process without any stress and confusion. If you want a hassle-free approach in dealing with sponsorship, it’s best to work with a consultant regarding this. 

What You Need to Know About Sponsoring Extended Family Members

In some cases, several Canadians have sponsored distant relatives that they don’t know very well or have unrealistic expectations of their relationship with their extended relative, making it unclear how they’ll proceed. 

If you’re planning to sponsor a relative soon, you must remain financially liable when your relatives immigrate and even when they deteriorate. Because of this, you must discuss your concerns and expectations with your relative before you go ahead and sponsor them. 

Conclusion

Thanks to the Lonely Canadian program, many Canadians and permanent residents have brought their relatives home with them, making them feel less lonely and more at home. If you’re thinking of sponsoring an immediate or extended family member, remember the information we stated above and work with a reliable immigration consultant from Bright Immigration. This way, you’ll have a smooth sponsorship process, and you’ll have your relative with you in no time!

If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

When your loved ones want to move in with you, but she or he is from another country, one solution to this is through spousal sponsorship. In Canada, with spousal sponsorship, you can bring in your foreign partner permanently. However, it isn’t as easy as you might think it is. Some people apply for a spousal application, only to find later on that it has been disapproved because the relationship doesn’t look genuine enough.

Not only can that be disheartening, but it is also a major headache if you’ve been trying to get your loved one in for a while. In this article, we will share with you three documents you need to provide as proof of your genuine relationship:

1. Relevant Relationship Documents

There isn’t any official document that will solidify the fact that the relationship between you and the person you’re trying to get into Canada is real. However, a collection of these documents together can do so. For example, some of the documents you can use include text messages, traded gifts, phone history, letters, emails, wedding pictures, and marriage certificates.

As you can tell, the more you include these documents, the likelier it is for you to avoid getting refused due to the dissatisfaction of relationship genuineness. However, when it comes to proving your marriage, you should prove it to be “bona fide.” In other words, your marriage should be real, meaning that you two intend to stay together to build a future and not just get married for the sole purpose of moving one of you to Canada.

2. Irrelevant Relationship Documents

While the examples we’ve shared with you earlier can be used to prove your relationship with your loved one, there are other documents that you might think will also have the same results, but that isn’t the case.

Here are examples of such documents: lack of kissing on married photos, no wedding ring, photos that lack family members, lack of travel history, and no honeymoon. Other factors that might get your document unapproved can be the lack of touching in pictures, pictures that show the same clothes in multiple locations, informal reception, and documents that aren’t consistent with one another.

While your relationship might be genuine, these documents do little in terms of proving that. You might find yourself explaining some of these pictures. For example, if you’re contacted and asked why your family members aren’t in your wedding photo, you’ll need to explain.

3. Common-Law Sponsorship

If you aren’t legally married with your partner but are still together in a way, you can still get him or her into Canada through common-law sponsorship.

Again, many factors will help you prove this. For example, you will need to present proof of divorce, proof of long-time cohabitation, and evidence such as bank accounts and life insurances to show that you’ve been together for at least a year.

Conclusion

The inclusion of as many documents as possible that will prove the relationship is genuine will increase your chances of not only avoiding refusal but also getting your loved one into Canada much sooner. Making sure that your documents are all in order can be quite a headache. For this reason, we highly recommend that you work with an immigration agency so that you can go through the process much smoother and quicker.

Are you looking for a Canadian immigration agency in Toronto to help with your immigration-needs? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you!

The COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching effects on people’s lives. Everywhere, businesses and offices have had their workflows changed because of the measures to slow the spread of the virus. The processing of immigration papers is no different.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or CIC is still accepting applications for spousal sponsorship. However, the expectations for how to immigrate to Canada through this route are drastically different today compared to before the pandemic started.

Expect Stops at All Stages

A normal timeline for citizenship processing will have milestones to expect at predictable intervals. After the applicants have completed and submitted the necessary documents, there is a 2.5 to 3.5-month waiting period for the AOR, or the Acknowledgement of Receipt.

This notifies the applicants that their papers will be processed, and decisions will be reached. Incomplete applications will not receive the AOR; instead, they will receive their application again, with a notation that the documents were incomplete or incorrect.

Shortly after receiving the AOR, applicants will get their Open Work Permit, Medical Requirements, and Biometrics. Work permits can be applied for at the same time as citizenship, but it is not automatically included and must be requested. The work permit, medical, and biometrics requirements normally reach applicants within 3.5 to four months.

Delays with Interviews and Approvals

Furthermore, some applicants may be requested to sit in an interview. This is for special circumstances, where the immigration officials deem it necessary to verify the relationship between the sponsor and the immigrant. A request for an interview normally delays a citizenship process by about three to four months.

The entire process takes at least ten months if the spouse being sponsored is already in Canada. It will reach eight to 12 months if the spouse is still outside the country. For larger embassies with more manpower, like the U.S. or the U.K., it may only take six months at most.

Keep in mind that the process described above is the normal waiting period. This is what to expect when there is no global pandemic. This means that, for ongoing applications, the estimates for each phase will be delayed by about two to three more months or at least 30 percent of the total processing time.

Exemptions Given COVID-19

In light of the developments regarding the novel coronavirus, the CIC has agreed to some concessions regarding sponsorship documents. A couple’s Record of Solemnization, for example, will be enough in lieu of a Marriage Certificate.

This is if the applicant experienced difficulties in obtaining the official government form due to closures and work suspensions. In case the applicants will use this instead of their marriage certificate, they must include with the application a letter explaining the situation. Police certificates and PR photos need not be submitted during the application, provided that these can be submitted at a later date. A letter of explanation must also be included.

All in all, individuals will have six months after the CIC receives their request to provide the missing documents. Upon receipt of an application, the CIC lets it stay in the system for three months. At the three month mark, they will review the application, and give it an additional 90 days in the system in case of deficiencies. Within these six months, applicants will need to have completed their documents, or their application will be forfeited.

What to Do in the Meantime

Typically, it takes about three months to gather all the documents for a sponsorship application. Even if a marriage certificate or a record of solemnization of marriage is not available, steps can be taken by applicants to get this ready in time for the submission of documents. Other documentary preparations like evidence of the spousal relationship can also be prepared.

If you need legal advice on the timeline for your spousal immigration to Canada, or for assistance in gathering the documents for sponsorship, get in touch with us today. We are immigration lawyers in Toronto who can handle spousal sponsorship, express entry, and more. Contact us today for more information.

Canadian educational institutions are gaining traction in today’s world. With so many people setting their sights on studying in areas like Toronto, Vancouver, and many other fantastic areas, you’ll thank yourself for choosing Canada! Even in the COVID-19 stricken world, many people apply to Canadian universities to experience incredible opportunities once things normalize. 

America’s educational system, while significant, is slowly losing out to Canada. American colleges have registered a drop in almost 40% in recent years. Students are not exactly keen on America’s policies for education, especially for those who are not citizens of the United States. With schools like the University of Toronto experiencing a 20% increase in international applications, it is safe to say that Canada is the way to go in 2020 and onwards. 

Why Are People Choosing Canada Over the United States for Universities?

There are plenty of reasons people might have chosen schools in Canada over the historically dominant American universities. With plenty of changes made to policies and structures for both countries, immigration agencies in Canada have long prepared for an influx in international students. Here are some reasons why students are choosing Canadian universities over those in other countries in 2020:

1. The US Visa Policies Are Not Supportive of International Students

The USA of today does not exactly enjoy having foreigners within their soils. Trump’s administration is mostly the cause of the drop in international students for recent years due to his imposing of stricter restrictions for these students. Once a student visa holder completes his or her education, they are forced to leave shortly after. Booting out students who have dutifully paid for their education makes the USA a less than ideal choice to study due to the lack of continuing education and job opportunities. 

2. Costs are Exorbitant in America

Not only are goods and services costly, but tuition fees for American institutions are exorbitant. These fees are not only for international students but also for American citizens. Expensive tuition often makes education difficult, especially for students trying to support themselves. The student debt crisis is why America struggles with its systems for educating their youth in some areas. Canadian schools are more affordable for international students, and even less expensive for citizens. 

3. Employment Opportunities are Better in Canada

Canada has plenty of options for students who wish to pursue their career within its borders after graduating. Immigration consultants in Toronto, Vancouver, and other places in Canada can assist with the processing of papers and a future as a citizen. 

4. Better Healthcare Policies are Present in Canada

Many people who read on US healthcare policies know how bad it can get for emergencies. With the current COVID-19 pandemic exposing the flaws in US healthcare, this has made people less enthusiastic about choosing life in America. Meanwhile, Canada’s healthcare system has concrete policies to provide everyone with equal medical care opportunities. 

5. Canada Has Better Policies Overall

With all the opportunities to become a citizen after graduation, and with all the fantastic people you will meet without discrimination, Canada offers so many great things. With healthy communities, excellent governance, better healthcare, and overall incredible quality of life, you’ll thank yourself for choosing Canadian education. 

Conclusion

Education is one of the most important investments you can make in life and what better way to continue your education than on Canadian soil? With our top-class universities ready to serve you a different kind of knowledge, choosing Canada for your studies will be the best opportunity of your life. 

If you are looking for professional help from a trusted firm, please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.

Canada is a welcoming country with one of the most open and progressive immigrant policies in the world. That’s why workers and families view it as the land of opportunity where they can start a new life. 

Families are also placed as a high priority, that’s why Canada has family reunification immigration programs that allow a permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or foreign partner to migrate to Canada – be it for mixed-orientation to same-sex marriage. 

Seeing as love knows no geographical boundaries, couples who are not yet married can’t help but beg the question: is it possible to sponsor their girlfriend or boyfriend’s immigration to Canada in 2020? 

Determining the Eligibility for a Sponsorship to Canada 

The first step to applying for sponsorship is first to determine whether that person is eligible to come to Canada or not. So long as you’re an 18-years-old or above Canadian citizen or have permanent residence, you can sponsor your partner to migrate to Canada. However, there are some exceptions to the rule.

For one, you won’t be able to sponsor your partner if you have a history of failing to meet the requirements of a sponsorship agreement, which includes basic requirements necessary for quality living. 

An individual’s absence from paying alimony or child support will also prove that you don’t have the financial means to sponsor someone, along with instances where you had to declare bankruptcy and the inability to pay back an immigration loan. 

Being convicted or crimes from offences that have a sexual nature and violence will also immediately rule you out as a sponsor. Lastly, if you were an immigrant who was sponsored by a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, you will have to wait to finish the five years before being able to sponsor someone else. 

Defining the Three Main Categories of Immigration for Loved Ones to Canada 

Sponsoring a partner to immigrate to Canada can be complicated as each situation is different, but it generally falls under three categories: 

• Spousal Sponsorship – this sponsorship involves the legal marriage between a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a foreign citizen that is at least 18-years-old. So long as you meet these basic requirements, you can apply for Spousal Sponsorship. 

This sponsorship also doesn’t require you to show a certain level of income, but having social assistance without any disabilities will bar you from applying for sponsorship. 

• Common-Law Sponsorship – couples who are not yet married but have been living together in Canada for at least a year can apply for a common-law sponsorship. Of course, you will need to provide evidence of cohabitation and an exclusive relationship – from shared assets, travel history together, relationship with families, and other documents that prove you have a legitimate and committed relationship. The process also involves an interview with a visa officer. 
• Conjugal Sponsorship – this is arguably one of the most complicated out of the list as it caters to couples who do not fit either category. The relationship involves a “marriage-like” set-up, minus the legalization and legitimacy of a real marriage. 

In that sense, you will need to provide a history together, shared assets, and some form of public expression that supports your relationship to apply for conjugal sponsorship.

 

Conclusion: Sponsoring Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend to Become a Full-Fledged Canadian Citizen 

Love knows no bounds, and Canada is an open country that places high importance on bringing families together. With that in mind, the guide above should clue you in on the steps to properly sponsor your partner. 

If you’re looking for immigration consultants in Toronto, get in touch with us today to see how we can help! 

If you are looking to apply for a Canadian work permit, there are a few things you need to know about before getting started. Just like with any organized agency, the Canadian government has a set of codes, jargon, or acronyms that are meant to make communication between departments easier. 

Some of these codes may be easier to understand, yet others require a bit more explanation for more accurate comprehension. If you aim to obtain a Canadian work permit, this article will help you understand which codes to use in your application.

Case Codes To Use When Applying for a Canadian Work Permit

A Canadian work permit will allow foreign nationals to be able to legally work within the country. Although there may be select circumstances where a foreign national may be able to apply for work without a work permit, most circumstances will warrant the need for this document.

One of the main elements each Canadian work permit will contain is a case type code. This will usually be found in the middle part of the document. Here are some examples of the case-type codes found on the Canadian work permit application documents.

Case Code Definitions

07 – The US government

08 – The US government (dependent)

20 – Worker Not Elsewhere Specified

21 – Employment form

22 – Official status

23 – Entertainer

24 – Student

25 – Commuter

26 – National of a communist country

27 – Under application

28 – Under enforcement

29 – Refused application for permanent resident

52 – LMIA exempt

54 – Same employer or Subsequent open work permit

56 – Post Graduation work permit (PGWP)

57 – Live-in caregiver work permit

58 – International Experience Canada (IEC)

59 – Co-op work permit

86 – Others

98 – Seasonal worker

Skill Type Codes and Categories

0 – Management occupations

1 – Business, finance, and administration occupations

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

3 – Health occupations

4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community, and government services

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport

6 – Sales and service occupations

7 – Trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations

8 – Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

Skill Levels Under National Occupation Classification

There are five significant skill levels under NOC. These skill levels reflect the level of education, experience, and skills a person needs to be able to qualify to apply for a job in that classification. Here are the classifications that fall under NOC.

0 – This class includes managerial positions, such as chief executive officers, senior government

managers, college presidents, club managers, and store managers.

A – Class A covers jobs that generally call for a university degree, such as financial auditors, civil engineers, human resource professionals, and physicists.

B – This class refers to jobs that usually require a college diploma, such as admin assistants, event planners, insurance underwriters, plumbers, welders, and customs brokers.

C – Class C requires a combination of a high-school diploma and job-specific training, such as

transformer winders, court clerks, collectors, payroll administrators, and postal workers.

D – Class D refers to labour jobs that usually need on-the-job training, such as fish weighers, meat packagers, cloth carriers, and shipfitter helpers.

Conclusion

If you are applying for work with the hopes of eventually migrating to Canada, you have to make sure that you have the necessary job experience that will fall under a specific application stream. 

Should you need help in your application for a work permit or immigration papers, contact Bright Immigration. We are an immigration agency that aims to help you get your application submitted successfully. Our representatives are recognized by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council and Law Society of Upper Canada. If you’re looking for professional help from a trusted firm please contact us at info@brightimmigration.com or call 1-888-404-8472.