It’s been said that when America sneezes, Canada comes down with a cold.

Many people have that in mind in light of the recent election results, in which Donald Trump became president of the US. Millions of Canadians are asking themselves right now what a Trump presidency means for Canada. Within hours of Trump’s election, Canadian news outlets and commentators tried to answer that question. Read on to learn how Trump’s presidency will affect the True North.

Will Droves of Americans Immigrate to Canada?

On the night of November 8th, Canada’s immigration website crashed due to what many suspected were millions of Americans trying to figure out how to emigrate to Canada. In addition, searches for one-way flights from the US to Canada spiked, as did the search term “moving to Canada” on Google.

In spite of Americans’ desire to move to Canada now that Trump has won the presidency, will record numbers of people from the States emigrate? It’s too soon to tell now, although Canadian immigration lawyers have seen an increase in inquiries from Americans about emigrating.

This isn’t the first time Americans have threatened to move to Canada en masse. In fact, it seems to happen fairly frequently. After the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal in 2015, some Americans warned they’d move to Canada (obviously unaware that the True North had legalized same-sex marriage ten years prior). They didn’t make good on their threat – there hasn’t been a major change in American immigration to Canada since the Vietnam War. Even the number of Americans who moved here between 2001 and 2014 is significantly smaller than the number of their compatriots who fled the country to escape the draft.

While Americans enjoy making such idle threats, they do so without understanding what it takes to emigrate to Canada. The most common ways to become a Canadian permanent resident is to either receive a job offer or have a family member sponsor you. Trying to get in without either of those things is extremely difficult. Canada is quite selective about who it lets in. It’s much easier to come to Canada on a temporary basis through a work permit or a student visa. Those would allow Americans to stay for four years – just enough time to see whether Trump is re-elected.

What about Trump’s Policies on Immigration to the US?

One of the reasons so many Americans are alarmed at the prospect of a Trump presidency is his stance on immigration.

From the beginning of his campaign, Trump claimed he’d build a wall between the US and Mexican border, and make Mexico pay for it. As the campaign wore on, the Republican candidate pledged he’d ban immigrants from countries that he deemed to be exporters of terror. Not coincidentally, those countries have large (if not majority) Muslim populations.

How will Trump’s immigration policies affect Canada? For a start, they stand at odds with Canada’s stated commitment to accept Syrian refugees. That could be problematic for Canada. Canada and the US work closely together to screen foreigners to facilitate higher volumes of trade between the two countries. Should Canada make plans to accept more Syrian refugees, President Trump might object.

It would seem that Trump’s win has empowered politicians on this side of the border who wish to vet immigrants to ensure they share democratic values. Kellie Leitch, a contender for the Conservative Party leadership, applauded Trump and expressed the hope the same plan could be implemented north of the border.

Turn to an Immigration Law Expert for Advice on Moving to Canada

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

What a night! On the eve of the election of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump beats Hillary Clinton for the presidency against all odds. The political pundits were united in their predictions that Clinton would handily win this one….but they were wrong.

As millions watched the media networks tally up the votes, it became clear that the momentum was in Trump’s favour.

As of the writing of this blog, Trump has accumulated 279 electoral college votes exceeding the required 270 to win the presidency. But despite his win, millions of Americans did not support him and prior to the election many were exploring immigration options to Canada should Trump win. Weeks leading up to the election we were contacted by the media on numerous occasions about increasing interest in Americans considering their options for moving to Canada. And as reported, Google searches for “moving to Canada” spiked likely out of fear of a Trump victory.

We also learned that the Canadian government’s immigration website crashed and as of the writing of this blog, it still is down! And overnight when it become clear that Trump would win, even the volume of traffic to our website  increased.  The good news is that our site remains live where you can freely explore your immigration options.

If You Don’t Like the Winner Can You Move?

Now to be fair, during every election cycle, no matter who is running, there’s always an uptick in interest in moving to Canada by Americans. But Trump’s harsh immigration rhetoric certainly stoked the fears of millions, motivating them to seek out what immigration options are available should Trump win.

But just because you don’t like the outcome of an election, can you really move to Canada? The answer is a resounding “no”. In order to move to Canada, you have to qualify under one of the various immigration categories set out by the Canadian government.  And while cross-border travel between the US and Canada is relatively easy, moving to Canada on a permanent basis is another story.

Further, depending on the legal route you take, application processing times can take months and sometimes years. The good news (for now) is that we have the NAFTA agreement which serves to expedite wait times for Americans. But as we have heard, Trump is not a fan of NAFTA which could mean some options may close should Trump keep his election promises on trade.

What If You Are Seriously Considering Moving to Canada?

Get the help you need. It is strongly recommended that you consult with an immigration professional to explore your options. There are a myriad of options and the complexity of the Canadian immigration system makes it difficult to know how best to proceed. But we are always here to help. You can contact us by completing our free assessment and we will get back you within 24 hours.

Canada may see 320,000 new permanent residents in 2017. What does this mean? The general population mostly won’t notice, but these numbers may impact those seeking work in Canada.

How will this impact Foreign Workers?

Foreign workers will have to try and maximize their Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”) points (i.e. enhance language skills and education assessment). Applicants who achieve sufficient CRS points are advised to enter the Express Entry pool without delay, in order to be invited to apply for permanent residency and hopefully become eligible for an Open Bridging Work Permit.

In order to ensure their employees can be invited to apply for permanent residency, employers are still required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment or Provincial Nominee Program certificate.

The Labour Market Impact Assessment criteria remain stringent and positive Opinions from Employment and Social Development Canada will continue to be difficult to obtain, particularly with the perception of high unemployment in Canada.

As the Federal Government has increased the target of the Provincial Nominee Class, employers are advised to make applications on behalf of their foreign workers as soon as possible, as the vetting process can sometimes become backed up.

What are the New Immigration Numbers?

The target number of 300,000 remains unchanged from 2016. However, the maximum range of immigrants has increased from 305,000 to 320,000. The Levels Plan projects an increase of 0.86% of Canada’s population, which is less than the 1% projected increase. And while 300,000 is the new base target for annual immigration to Canada, these changes in the migration ceiling indicates possible future increases to the overall target.

Economic immigration will increase by only 7% overall in 2017, while family immigration programs will see an overall increase of 5%. And while these numbers are encouraging for anyone hoping to work in Canada, applicants will be competing with applicants in perhaps record numbers, as the overall economic stability and high quality of life makes Canada an attractive destination for people all over the world.

What should I do next if I want to Work in Canada?

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Click here to book a consultation with an immigration professional or fill out our FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

There are many reasons to move from Canada to the United States, such as the larger economy south of the border, or to marry a US citizen.

The cultures are similar in many ways, and the nations are very friendly with one another, which can create the illusion that immigrating to the USA from Canada is a simple matter, when in fact the process can be long and complicated, and there are many different ways to go about it, so it’s important to know about the possible pitfalls as well as the opportunities. If you’re interested in moving from Canada to the USA but wish to avoid being turned away, then read on to learn about 5 mistakes people make when moving from Canada to the USA.

1. Applying Through the Wrong Immigration Stream

There are scenarios where the simplest-seeming solution may not be the best one. For instance, if a Canadian has an American relative who resides in California, then it would seem obvious to apply for US citizenship with the relative as a sponsor. However, the relative may prove to be the wrong kind, or otherwise ineligible to sponsor the hopeful migrant. That said, if the migrating Canadian were to have a specialized professional skill that’s in demand in the destination state and a Californian employer ready to provide sponsorship, then that immigration stream may be the quicker solution.

2. Relative Sponsorship Errors

When trying to migrate to the USA to be with one’s family, it’s important that your sponsor is actually qualified to sponsor you. Sponsors in many cases must be 21 years of age or older. Extended family members cannot be sponsors, and which members of one’s immediate family who do qualify is still limited to specific relationships, such as a spouse or a child.

As well, the sponsor must be able to prove ability to provide financial care for the family member being sponsored, at least to 125% above the poverty line. If the relative sponsoring the migrant isn’t qualified to do so, or if there’s a better immigration stream for the Canadian looking for a green card, then it’s better to have these facts straight before applying.

3. The Applicant is Ineligible for Medical Reasons

It’s no secret that the USA takes precautions to ensure the safety of its citizens, and the green card application process is designed to filter out anyone deemed unfit to enter the country or who may pose a risk for medical reasons. A medical exam is part of the migration process, and those who have communicable diseases, or dangerous mental or physical disorders, or drug addictions will be regarded as unfit for entry. Specifically which disorders or maladies may or may not constitute medical grounds for ineligibility is one of the many considerations for which an immigration professional’s knowledge may eliminate potentially costly guesswork.

4. The Applicant is Ineligible for Extremism or Criminality

Similarly, applicants whose values are probably incompatible with American values, or who have been convicted of serious offences will not be eligible. Individuals with provable extremist views are likewise not eligible, and no member of a totalitarian political party will receive a green card. The crimes that are too serious to overlook may not be obvious to some applicants, which is why any applicant who has ever had brushes with the law should speak to an immigration expert to see how US immigration officers regard the seriousness of the crime in question.

5. False or Incomplete Documentation

Probably one of the most challenging aspects of migrating to the USA is the tremendous amount of documentation required. Immigration officials require that everything is filled out correctly: incomplete applications will not be considered and often the person migrating to the USA is forced to depend on documents being provided by governmental departments and individuals. For this reason, many have had their application unduly delayed because of a tardy document or two.

Immigration experts can help you stay on top of the inflow of necessary documentation, as well as ensure that it’s all done properly, catching errors that may annul the application. It’s important to note that an error that appears to be misleading or a deliberate untruth can make the applicant permanently ineligible. Much hangs in the balance of an application, which is why a professional consultation may be crucial to one’s success.

Trust a Real Immigration Expert

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Click here to book a consultation with an immigration professional or fill out our FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Lululemon has been courting controversy on a frequent basis over the past half decade, including problems with their premium yoga wear and insults directed against their target market demographic.

Lately, they’ve been threatening to pull out of Canada if the government doesn’t grant them specific exemptions for hiring foreign workers. Instead of undergoing the same process that most companies go through when hiring a foreign worker, they demand to bring whoever they wish into the country at any time.

Why Does Lululemon Want To Avoid Hiring Workers According To Law?

The complaint that Lululemon recent leveled against the government claims that Canada doesn’t have enough skilled workers to fulfill roles at its head office in Vancouver, which employs 1,200 people. Lululemon stresses that they already invest in a variety of educational programs around Canada to help develop the skills they desire. Nonetheless, after growing to become a $2.1 billion company while in Vancouver, Lululemon believes that they’re unable to find any more skilled Canadians to fill important roles.

Essentially, the company wants to operate in a similar fashion to Microsoft, the Canadian film industry and Canadian universities. The leadership at Lululemon believes they have the same talent requirements as the above businesses and organizations, and should be granted the same exemptions.

Which Foreign Worker Rule Do They Want Changed?

Lululemon claims that temporary foreign worker rules need to be relaxed to help them compete in the labour market. Specifically, the company wishes to no longer undergo the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) process, which focuses on showing that a company has a plan to transition to a Canadian workforce after hiring a foreign worker to fill a temporary spot.

Professor Domonique M. Gross of Simon Fraser University points out that, if granted this exemption, Lululemon would no longer need to have “consideration for available Canadians” and wouldn’t have to prove anything to the Canadian government. Despite claims that outline their desire to seek top-notch talent from fashion hotspots such as London, New York and San Francisco, Lululemon could easily abuse LMIA leniency by replacing all Canadian workers with less expensive foreigners.

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Click here to book a consultation with an immigration professional or fill out our FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Do you think your spouse will become a citizen as soon as you’re married? Think again. It’s a widely-held belief, after all, that the marriage joins two people’s lives in such a way that binds their property and their identities.

It’s a widely-held belief, after all, that the marriage joins two people’s lives in such a way that binds their property and their identities.

However, this is sadly not the case, and non-Canadians are NOT given Canadian citizenship after marrying a Canadian. This fact is not widely understood, and it’s important to understand that marrying a Canadian does not automatically lead to citizenship (and why) to navigate the Canadian immigration system effectively.

The government must be able to verify that a marriage is real and not one of mere convenience. Read on to learn how to achieve citizenship after marrying a Canadian.

A Spouse Has a Criminal Record

One reason why marrying a Canadian doesn’t generate instant citizenship is that it’s possible a Canadian may marry someone who is a criminal that may compromise the safety of other Canadians. There are many reasons why an applicant may be deemed not admissible, such as ties to terrorist groups or totalitarian political parties. Proof of espionage or political subversion or violent crime is grounds for declaring an applicant inadmissible.

There are also many other crimes that make an application inadmissible, such as a drunk driving conviction. Being part of a political party that is guilty of crimes against humanity will render the applicant ineligible.

There are many reasons why an applicant may be deemed not admissible, such as ties to terrorist groups or totalitarian political parties. Proof of espionage or political subversion or violent crime is grounds for declaring an applicant inadmissible. There are also many other crimes that render an application inadmissible, such as a drunk driving conviction. Being part of a political party that is guilty of crimes against humanity will also render the applicant ineligible.

This sort of discretion on the part of the Canadian government does not only protect its citizens but also the people of the world generally, insofar as a Canadian passport renders its holder especially mobile on the world stage. Individuals with ill-intent who gain access to Canadian citizenship, therefore, can potentially pose even more of a worldwide threat.

Other Factors

Criminality is not the only factor by which an applicant may be automatically rejected, Health factors are taken into consideration as well. Applicants with a communicable disease or other serious health concerns are also likely to be rejected.

For married applicants already living in Canada, free and clear of criminal or health issues, there are timelines as to when to apply for citizenship. The applicant must have been physically inside Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,460 days during the six years immediately before the date of the application for citizenship. They also have to be in Canada at least 183 days of each of the four calendar years within the six years immediately before the date of application.

A New Waiting Period

For applicants living outside the country, there’s some good news: Canada’s ruling Liberal Party has removed the 2-year wait for couples to be united. A spousal sponsorship is a likely immigration route to take. Nonetheless, the application process is demanding.

Apart from vetting the applicant for criminal activity or health concerns, he or she and their spouse still have to prove that the relationship is honest and legitimate. Proof takes many different forms. It may include providing documents showing co-ownership of property, bills, or shared bank accounts. Any documentation of the applicant and sponsor sharing household responsibilities counts toward legitimacy, as does proof of cohabitation. Communications between them that are of a loving marital nature may be asked for by the immigration officers.

As well, immigration officials are trained to not use the same set of questions for each set of interviews, so there is no tried-and-true method of answering their questions that will lead to the desired result. Inconsistencies in the couple’s story can lead to the applicant being rejected. The only true way of being sure to pass the interview is, to be honest, and in a demonstrably true marriage.

You need expert guidance to help you navigate the Canadian immigration system to ensure that you understand what is expected of you and why. The citizen application process for everyone can be exhausting for its legal minutia as well as the sheer depth of information that must be provided. You need a professional immigration expert to maximize your possibility of success.

The Help You and Your Spouse Need

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Click here to book a consultation with an immigration professional or fill out our FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

How to get Canadian temporary work permits for permanent residency may be a nagging question for any non-Canadian working in the country through a temporary work permit. The uncertainty of what happens when that permit expires is very real. What is to stop the government from deporting the expired permit holder? Or, more importantly, what can be done to prevent removal from Canada? In scenarios like this, it’s good to know the facts.

The path to permanent residency in Canada can be daunting in its complexity. However, a temporary work permit can actually be a stepping stone towards permanent residency. In some ways, the possession of a temporary work permit can ease a permanent residency candidate’s overall application experience. For an individual who is already in Canada on a work permit, there are several paths to transforming one’s temporary status to permanent residency.

The Provincial Nominee Program

Through the Provincial Nominee Program, for instance, foreign workers are nominated for permanent residency by employers, but each program can be different across provinces. Most of these applicants must be highly skilled for certain jobs, although some provinces involve a select few unskilled occupations for this program as well.

The Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class also allows applicants to apply for permanent resident status. People with temporary resident permits who are looking to become permanent residents using the Canadian Experience Class need to have either two years of work experience in Canada already or have completed one year of post-secondary studies as well as one year of work.

Temporary Residents

Temporary residents have the advantage of already being in the country legally, as well as being gainfully employed and (hopefully) adapting to Canadian culture.

However, that does not guarantee that the way ahead isn’t fraught with challenges. Canadian laws can change at almost any given time, depending on the economic or political conditions of the day. It is natural for the uncertainty of temporary residency to be a burden. The same may be said for anyone attempting to transfer from temporary worker status to permanent residency. While the work of getting to work in Canada has already been done, that does not mean the temporary resident is now an expert in Canadian immigration law. It is because of this fact that it is always advisable to consult an immigration expert who can guide the worker through the rough waters leading to permanent residency.

What if a Worker is Fired or Laid Off?

Say a temporary worker in Canada wants to become a permanent resident and preparing to enter the Provincial Nominee Program. Then the worker is told by the employer that the worker’s services are no longer required by the company. In a situation like this, the worker must find another way to satisfy his standing as a temporary worker applying for the program that will lead to permanent residency, and even small mistakes can be costly or catastrophic. An immigration expert can help maintain the client’s momentum toward the goal of permanent residency. Furthermore, the temporary worker will be able to concentrate more on completing the program or getting a new sponsor, depending on the circumstances.

The scenarios around failure to renew one’s temporary work permit can be bleak. Some people begin families in Canada without citizenship. If their work permits expire, they may be forced to leave the country, potentially separating the worker from his or her spouse and children for extended periods of time. Programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program or the Canadian Experience Class are in place to hopefully mitigate consequences like these, as well as retain the talent of the workers whose skills are of benefit to the country.

Temporary workers may not yet be permanent residents or citizens, but having achieved that status is proof that the person is qualified to be in the country and is beneficial to it. However, if you feel that Canada is the right place for you to live permanently, then it is incumbent upon you to acquaint yourself with the paths toward permanent residency that are available to you through your temporary worker permit.

And yet, an immigration expert may be able to find better immigration streams if they prove necessary, such as a spousal sponsorship. There are innumerable possibilities if you have the most knowledgeable support. That is why it is crucial to find immigration experts who are respected and trustworthy, and whose primary focus is on the Canadian immigration process.

Work With an Experienced Expert

Are you interested in immigrating to the U.S. or moving to Canada? Contact VisaPlace today.

All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Click here to book a consultation with an immigration professional or fill out our FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.