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CIC News / 2015 / December / Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen

Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen

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Every month, Attorney David Cohen will answer a few general Canadian immigration questions submitted by our readers. These questions cover immigration programs, eligibility, processing, language requirements, investing in Canada, landing, admissibility, studying in Canada, working in Canada, and much more.

1. I have passed the academic version of IELTS and wish to apply for immigration to Canada as a federal skilled worker. Is it acceptable for Canadian immigration?

The Academic version of the IELTS exam is not accepted for Canadian immigration purposes under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Candidates applying to this program are required to show sufficient proficiency in either English or French by way of a standardized language test recognized by the government of Canada. The following tests may be taken for this purpose:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General test.
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General test.
  • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF).

2. Hi, I’m a civil engineer and my wife is an architect. We would like to apply to immigrate to Canada. However, we have been reading things about racism and discrimination being on the rise — is this true? Are the freedoms of Muslims protected in Canada?

While no country in the world is entirely free of racist or discriminatory elements among its population, the vast majority of Canadians welcome newcomers regardless of their religion, race, or background. Moreover, Canada has one of the strongest and most expansive pieces of legislation in the world to protect religious freedom, among other freedoms: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This Charter lists what it calls “fundamental freedoms”, namely freedom of conscience, of religion, of thought, of belief, of expression, of the press and of other media of communication, of peaceful assembly, and of association.

The new Canadian parliament contains 10 Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs), one of whom, Maryam Monsef, a refugee originally from Afghanistan, recently became Canada’s first ever Muslim member of Cabinet. In short, freedoms of members of all religions are protected in Canada.

3. Hi, I am a skilled IT Engineer with two years of work experience in the US. Now I want to pursue my Master’s degree in Canada, but at the same time I want to apply for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Is it possible that first I apply for permanent residence, then apply for a student visa? Thanks!

While there is nothing in the law that prevents an individual who is currently studying, or clearly intending to do so, from applying to the FSWC, it should be noted that the FSWC is an economic immigration program that targets individuals who aim to enter the Canadian labour market (i.e. work in Canada) upon landing.

Given your intention to apply for permanent resident status before applying for a study permit,* the immigration officer assessing your study permit application may have legitimate concerns about your intention to leave Canada at the conclusion of your temporary stay in Canada, as well as concerns that you may be applying for permanent resident status with the primary goal of studying in Canada upon landing. The decision on the specific case would be at the officer’s discretion.

*Applications for permanent residence as a federal skilled worker are managed through the Express Entry immigration selection system. A candidate may only make an application if he or she has created an online profile and received an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. Admission to the Express Entry pool is not an application for Canadian permanent residence; it is an Expression of Interest.

© 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved

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Comments

  1. Hello Sir, my husband is the candidate of express entry and in the pool already with 331 points.
    Can you please give us an idea about our chances in coming draws because we heard that from 2016 January Express entry points will be go down and increase intake number. Because maximum number candidates are waiting with the points between 300 to 350. Can you suggest me please. We are very disappointed now & waiting for points down for the last 6 months.
    Regards.

  2. Hi sir.i am from India. I have qualified vocational technical course which was 2 year spend for qualified this course.in electrical & instrumentation field.I have also 6 year experience in related field.so may I have apply for federal work permit visa.

  3. Hi, I am Millie. I have my brother and sister in law in Alberta, Calgary Canada. My mum is also there in Canada in her super visa. I am in Australia and citizen there but now I want to move to Canada. Is there any way I can apply Canadian Permanent Resident Visa?

    Please let me know if anything gonna change in future that makes me easy to move.

    Hoping to hear from you soon.

    Thanks.

  4. Hiiiii, Please let me know, what’s kind of education holder ( not Graduate but Diploma ) will apply for federal skill visa if person have more then 10 years experience. And which kind of documents they require. If possible please send me document check list.
    Thanks
    With Warm Regards
    Anand Singh

  5. Hi, I am Arvind from India. I want to apply for Quebec Skilled Worker Programme. I am getting enough points. My Qualification is an M Com & i am working as a Manager Logistics. As i read the information on web, as per M Com qualification profession should be in Accounts or in Finance only. But In M Com i had subjects related to Business Management, with that qualification i am working right now. So is it possible to qualify for QSWP.

    Regards,
    Arvind Patel

  6. Hi David,

    I had created EE profile in June 2015. You have already reviewed my profile and i had scored 385 in total as score.
    I have created profile in Job bank (NOC 0113) as well and applied few jobs. I am Senior Analyst – Procurement operations with 9 years of experience.
    As of now there is no progress.
    I do have a friend who is resident in Ontario – Toronto.

    Kindly assist me what shall i do to get the nomination or ITA.

    I am really looking forward for to explore the opportunity in Canada to excel in my career.

    Kindly help!

  7. Dear Sir,

    I wish to know about EE pool. As per the points I am able to achieve 65points with IELTS and age,qualiifcation. As per FSW we need 67 points, do we have any means to enter into the pool than opting for 67 points.

  8. i would like to apply temporary resident to canada i am a pharmacist from india after getting TR whether i can search a job there,in six months if not so whether i can apply for multiple entry visa

  9. Hi, I am software engineer with 6+ Years of experience and my wife is pursuing graduation. I wish to apply for immigration to Canada as a federal skilled worker along with my wife. I am suffring with chronic hepatitis B. Will my disease impact migration process?

  10. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau during his election campaign make the promise that he will revert the Bell C-24. Any news about that, Can he keeps his words?

  11. Hi david

    I have masters degree in business and administration and have a work experience of 4 years. I have also scored 07 Bands in my IELTS exam.
    Do I qualify for the express entry for federal skilled program.

    The country of my origin is India.
    Kindly help me out.

    Thanks and regards

    Mohd Tabraiz

  12. I have been in Canada on a Valid Temporary Residence Permit for more than three years. I will like to apply for Permanent Residence. Please advise.

  13. Sir,am a registered Nurse, and a registered pubic health Nurse all in Nigeria, and presently in USA with a B1 Visa, age 49 and with four children and by gender a Male. please i wrote you sometime back and you said you can not quarantee my eligibility for canada immigration. please i am still requesting for your very kind professional advice to immigrate into canada.
    I will be greatful for your kind and quick response to my dear request sir.
    John F. Gbaiyegun

  14. Hi sir as I calculated points for Quebec skill workers programme My point is 60 and 57 is require.
    My education stream is in Area of training aa I don’t have IELTS score with Each 6 I have Overall 6.5. Suggest me what I have to do? Quebec is better for me ?

  15. For those in the FSWP 2014 , Medical done over 4 months ago but no update from Accra.
    expect those in EE. Any hope for F’s we 2014?

    Thanks

  16. Hi,

    My son has graduated from Canada and is waiting for his post study work permit. My question is how he can get PR since he is not getting the job in the area of his studies.? However he has done Coop jobs for 4+8+8 = 20 months durinf his studies.

    Thanks.

  17. I have 3.5 years of experience as a software tester and I have scored 5 Bands in my IELTS exam. Do I qualify for the express entry? Please let me know.

    Thanks,
    keerthi.

  18. Hello, I am planning to sponsor my sister under express entry program. She has accountant degree, now it is said that she will need to obtain a license for being an accountant in Canada, from when we obtain the license for her as we live in Regina Saskatchewan. Thank you. Waiting for your reply.

  19. Dear sir I am from Italy and I am permanent resident in Italy.i have 10 work experience as cow milker,one year pizza maker experience my wife is b B.A. B.ed,which category I can application . I am agree to go any part in Canada. Is any possibility.regards.

  20. Hello David
    I have question regarding Alberta PNP (AINP). I studied in Alberta N working too (NOC -B). As it is reopening on Jan 27, 2015 , do you have any idea what changes we are expecting. Just to keep required documents ready incase .

  21. i m a pg holder in electrical engineering with one year experiance..is it possible for me to migrate canada?please send me the requirements….

  22. Hi, i applied for sinp on 2 jan 2015 and i got file no. After that i didn’t get any reply so i can’t understand what i have to do. i have to wait or try in an other state. Plz… reply as soon as possible.

  23. Hello my very dear David
    I wish for you all health…all wealth&common wealth…as all well as treasures of wisdom&good luck for your care &your interest for answering all the questions..but in fact i would like to knwow for example if you want to immigrate..&you moved to canda.. how much you cost for a rented very small house….in a reasonable place for a month..how much is the lodging&life as well as food means of tranportation..&what kind of jobs for someone who…is a graduate from the faculty of pharmacy can get…if hee needs another equilavent studies in canda&how much this cost….&when he can get a work in the government after such studies….&if the government there can give long-running loans for housing…education…or permanent jobs…for those who fininshed their studies.&how much it take time untill we can get such things…which city is less expensive&have more available work there…in fact the prices in Egypt very reasonable for housing&lodging…also very nice places to visit….although Cairo is not very clean city…but there are other beautiful&various destinations you can visit espically in such time of the year when the weather is marvellous….i hope you can visit also Egypt.i know that also Canda is not only one of the most beautiful places in the world&have human rights…freedom….respect of human individual….but i know also it very expensive in housing&lodging…as well as the weather is not nice all the year…although we also the weather is very hot&dump in summer here…so i know that evryplace have its advatages&disadvantages…i know it is a kind of adventure to change all your life&go to another city or country that is completely different than you…but is this truely deseves…or just …an adventure…because if there is no more benefit…i think it is much better to stay in your place…&not change all your life or lose your money….i know it is differnt from one to another…but we should plan wisely for our financial expenses….i hope all of you are well&enjoying yourselves&i hope also to see all of you in Egypt even if not as tourists but also as investors here because really it is not expensive&you have available labour work……i wish all hapiness&pleasures as well as blessings of the world be yours…

  24. Dear sir,

    I am a MBA Finance qualified person and having 6 years of work Experience in Accounting & Finance field. i have also done IELTS exam. but i got only 5.5 bands overall . but in speaking module i got 6 band. my wife is a double graduate and she is having 3+ years of work experience in computer field. she has got 5 band overall in IELTS exams. so please let me know ,do i qualify for express entry. waiting for your revert.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Pratik vyas

  25. I already applied in cec in September 2014.visa office started processing my file in Jan 2015.I am working noc(2282).I working same employer Still nothing hear from them still

  26. I have 2+years of experience as a software engineer and I have scored 5 Bands in my IELTS exam.I have completed my masters also Do I qualify for the express entry? Please let me

  27. Sir, I need to ask that my band score is 6 overall in my 2 attempt & 5 for my husband. I have heard that from Jan 2016. Score for IELTS will be 5 minimum requirement. Then can i apply for Express Entry.
    Need your guidance.

  28. Dear Attorney David Cohen

    My name is Klay Amer i have 35 years old, i’m from tunisia. i’m educated in archeologie management and other training… i want to immigrate to canada to work to build my life.
    i hope to have apportunity to meet with you to discuss how you can help me or you put me in the right way.

  29. sir, my son has completed 10+2 with cbse borad with 61% marks. He wants to go for canada. But he gets ILETS points only 5 band. if it is possible that he comes i skilled workers programme

  30. My name is Marwan top Tunisian nationality Laureate nurse assistant certification since 2010 from the National School of Nursing Sciences and has worked at the clinic for two years and now I am looking for a job you have at the earliest possible opportunity with the knowledge that I mastered French and English Feel young

  31. Hello Team,

    I have a query on the MPNP program. What is the approximate time frame taken by the authorities to sent the Letter Of Approval Once the application & SPP2 is submitted.

  32. Dear Sir,
    I am Diploma in electronics engineer. I have 19 to 20 years of experience in the field of electronics. In staring i have been worked as engineer, in middle time i was self employed and currently i am working since last 7 years in a company as a PLC base plant supervisor and technician.
    i have gained score in IELTS for 5.5 band. having age of 43 yrs my spouse is also graduate having tw9 child dependent, can i eligible to apply for Canada or for Quebec province and how much time does it take to get visa for immigration

    Thanks.

  33. 340 score come down in 2015 in express entry or not. tell me

  34. Dear David,
    Greetings!!
    I would appreciate if you could share when can we expect changes in the express entry system to grant additional points for siblings.

    Looking forward for your answer.

    Thanks

  35. Hi

    I have quick question, I am going to apply for parents and grand mother in 2016, Just wondering should I send two separate courier package or 1 courier package with parents and grand mother applications together in one package

  36. Hi , could you pls ans . My wife is applying through express entry and we have total 345 points.
    Ieites score for my wife is 6 in all and mine is 5.5 in all.
    We applied in Oct. Is there any chance for us with this score?
    Rules are going to be change?
    When we can expect the positive response.
    Regards

  37. Hi, I have a father in-law who is 91 years old and my husband and I want to get my sister as my father in-laws’ live in caregiver. What would be the process.

  38. hello, my husband is in india and processing time s so slow and long. we can’t wait until 16 month. so please can you tell us when justin trudeau is changing immigration rules.

  39. Hello David,

    May I ask your views about the priority of CIC on other PNPs given recent development of the new Government’s enormous interest in speeding up Syrian refugees’ arrival in Canada.

    Look forward to your reading my inquiry. Thanks!

    Regards,
    Michael

  40. I have done bachelor of medical laboratory technology and presently i am working in the field of transfusion medicine department. I have total 14 yesrs of experience in the field and i wish to apply for canada. Suggest me suitable way in regard to my qualification.

  41. Dear Sir
    I recently received a PT notification from Ontario in my Express entry profile. I currently have 407 CRS points. My fiancé is a Canadian national by birth and we are engaged for the past 2 years, I have solid evidence of the engagement, our other pictures together, whatsapp chat history for the entire period and the call history.

    My question is will it prove sufficient ties with Ontario if I declare my engagement, or will I have to get the marriage done. The issue is that she is currently in Ontario, Canada and the marriage ceremony will have to take place over Skype and the other issue is that when I update my married statues in the Express entry profile, my points go down to 383 (below the eligibility for OOPNP program).

    Please advise what to do?

  42. Hello Sir,

    I’ve cleared the IELTS general test and also done with the ECA by WES, however when i enter the EE profile it shows ineligible. I tried creating a new profile and it again shows ineligible for no reasons known to me. Should the old profile deleted? If yes, how is that done?

    Have you come across any similar scenarios and if you can help to deal with it?

    Thanks & Regards,
    Anjalee Vishnani

  43. Dear Sir
    I am writing to ask you for the information about provincial nomination program (PNP) of Canada . I seek about it at cic website but I am unable to find it . Please write me the mandatory requirements eligibility criteria
    Age 28 (11/08/1987)
    Experience 08 years in insurance field (I have been working in my working area eight years )
    LANGUAGE skills I got 7 bands in general training exams
    listening 7.5
    reading 7
    writing 7
    speaking 7
    Education :- I have done my graduation from guru Nanak Dev university at amritsar

    I am looking sasketchwan province program & Ontario province program

    please held me or write me what should I do

    I look forward hearing from you soon

    Yours faithfully
    sanjeev bansal

  44. hello sir or madam, this is Abdul Hakim Halimi from Herat , Afghanistan sir I have worked 2 years with Canadian armed forces and 3 and half years with United state and Italian forces as a translator and interpreter also it is about 8 years I am teaching English and computer I mean I am an English and computer instructor and I have graduated from political science university , fast English And Persian Typist too few more skills I have also like motor bike mechanic also for all these skills that I have how can I take visa to go to Canada with my small family I have two sons and my wife please give me more information how can I apply for visa

    thanks