Tag Archives: permanent resident

Brit in Toronto frustrated with immigration backlog

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Free stock photo depicting a bloke in a snazzy hat who is a little bit frustrated about something

We spotted this story in yesterday’s Toronto Star about a British endocrinologist called Satya Dash living in Toronto for four years who is very frustrated with the current backlog in the immigration system.

Snip:

“In July, Dash was supposed to start as a staff physician at the University Health Network and teaching at the University of Toronto, but a backlog has put his new job on indefinite hold.

“Across Canada, the backlog — said to be the result of Ottawa’s deployment of much needed resources on the new Express Entry system — has wreaked havoc on the lives of thousands of Canadian Experience Class applicants.”

Worth a read.

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Five quick tips from an immigration lawyer

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You already owe Lorne Waldman $500 in fees just by glancing at his photo

So you come over from Old Blighty, check out Toronto and think, “Hmmm, think I could make a go of this.”

Next steps? Probably legal advice.

Lorne Waldman, Founder, Waldman & Associates, graciously pencilled us in for five minutes to give a few tips on hiring an immigration lawyer.

What are the pros of using an immigration lawyer?

Not as simple as it seems. If you hire a good immigration lawyer he or she can help you through the labyrinth and find ways to qualify for permanent residence status. But I have seen cases where lawyers or consultants have given bad advice and made things worse.

It also depends on the complexity of the person’s situation. If the person has a good job in Canada and can easily qualify he or she may not need a lawyer. The major con of hiring a lawyer is the expense.

Realistically, what are the costs involved and are there programs or subsidies to help with this?

The cost depends on the lawyer and the work being done. I have seen lawyers charge thousands to do a permanent resident application. Some lawyers charge by the hour and the hourly fee will usually be in the hundreds of dollars.

In immigration matters many charge a block fee which will often be in the thousands for a permanent resident application.

Legal aid will cover some types of applications — applications for refugee status and some humanitarian applications … but most services are not covered by legal aid.

What are the top mistakes immigrants make in their application process that they should avoid?

The number one mistake is that they provide inaccurate information. This can lead to the person being rejected for misrepresentation.

The second biggest mistake is filing an incomplete application. If they do then the application will be returned.

Do you have any tips to speed up the immigration process?

Make sure you qualify under whatever program you are applying. File a complete application and make sure all the information is accurate. Do not file anything that is misleading or wrong.

Are immigrants to Toronto getting a fair chance to improve their life, for example, job opportunities?

No. There are many obstacles for immigrants, especially those in the professions who often find it difficult to get licensed in their professions.

Thank you, Lorne, some honest answers there. As always, Brits in Toronto recommends getting good legal advice in whatever course of action you may decide to take.

New expedited work permit applications for spousal sponsorship applicants

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If they weren't just characters in an absolutely hilarious '70s TV sitcom, George could have sponsored Mildred ... or vice versa

If they weren’t just characters in an absolutely hilarious ’70s British TV sitcom, George could have sponsored Mildred … or vice versa. But we’ll never know. Shame

Spotted a bit of positive news on the website of an immigration law firm.

Snip:

“The Government of Canada has announced that, effective immediately, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will expedite the issuing open work permits to applicants for permanent residence in the Spouses or Common-Law Partners in Canada class (SCLPC).

“The SCLPC permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner to come to Canada.

“This change means that the spouses and common-law partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will now benefit from expedited access to open work permits while their applications for permanent residency are being processed.

“This represents a substantial shift from the previous practice of holding work permits until an approval-in-principle had been obtained on the application for permanent residency.”

Full story here.

Quiz: Can you pass this Canadian citizenship test?

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And your starter for 10, no conferring: name this country

And your starter for 10, no conferring: name this country

“Can you name Canada’s first head of responsible government or the first European to explore the St. Lawrence River?

“If not, then you may know less about Canada than most of its new citizens.

“About 140 students from across the country were put to the Citizenship Challenge on Wednesday when they played a bingo-style game at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The students answered questions about Canada similar to those that appear in a Discover Canada citizenship test.”

Read the full story on Metro.

Bonus story: What is a Canadian Permanent Resident visa?

“What does it mean to have permanent residence in Canada? Immigration to Canada is, and has always been, a changing process. With over 60 Canadian immigration programs that lead to permanent residence in Canada, it is understandable that a degree of confusion arises from time to time. New programs open, old programs close, criteria for existing programs are modified, and definitions change. Some newcomers to Canada who have successfully attained permanent residence status remain unsure about precisely what it is. This article will deal with some common questions surrounding permanent residence in Canada.”