As immigration lawyers, we often get inquires from people asking whether they should move from their place of residence to Canada or to the US.
Now this may seem like a standard question for an immigration lawyer but in most cases, we find that such people have really “jumped the gun” so to speak. What I mean is that as immigration lawyers, our job is to assess qualifications, outline procedures, and determine costs for making the big move to another country.
What we really can’t do is to advise on whether someone should make the move or not. A subtle distinction at first glance but a very important one. A person’s decision to pack up and move to another country, regardless of whether they qualify for immigration, is a major life choice that can only be made by that person. Factors such as family, employment, culture, climate, crime, schooling etc have to be evaluated.
I always encouage people to do their homework first in terms of their desired destination before speaking with us. Of course we welcome everyone but we hesitate to get involved before a person actually does their own research and has made up their mind that “yes I want to move”. But once this decision is made, by all means, come speak with us and we will do our thing: Evaluate, assess and advise on the best ways and means for immigration to Canada or to the US.
It may turn out that one’s dreams of greener pastures will be realized or that it’s best to stay home as the immigration laws are not on your side. We like making dreams come true but we also try to avoid unnecessary hardship for people in making fruitless applications when there is no chance of success. Either way we try our best.
So should you move? Well, that’s up to you.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
