canada | Page 11 of 26 | Bison Immigration Consulting

Preparing to Study in Canada? Check Out This Essential Guide

Embarking on an educational adventure to study in Canada is an exhilarating experience that comes with the challenge of adapting to a new cultural environment. Effective preparation combined with the appropriate services can facilitate a seamless transition as you embark on your academic voyage.

Upon your Canadian arrival, be prepared to present certain documents to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The essential paperwork includes your valid passport, an introduction letter at the port of entry for newcomers, a valid study permit for seasoned students, your school acceptance letter, an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), a valid visa, or documentation indicating U.S. status, proof of financial support, and a spotless criminal history. It may also be necessary to show results from a sanctioned immigration medical examination if it’s demanded.

Immediately after passing through immigration, securing a communication medium is crucial. To study in Canada, you’ll need to connect with the world around you, register for crucial services, and more. Conveniently, you can set up a mobile phone connection at airport kiosks of leading providers like Rogers upon arrival. Certain eligibility criteria could offer you the perks of financing a modern mobile device along with your plan, enabling access to the latest technology at budget-friendly prices.

Securing a place to live is your next step, with options ranging from college dorms to independent living arrangements in apartments, rented rooms, and townhouses. To find the perfect abode, explore Rentals.ca, Kijiji.ca, university message boards, or Facebook Marketplace. On our webpage, we also provide resources on how to elude common housing scams.

For students who want to study in Canada opting for off-campus living, dependable home internet is indispensable for engaging in online lectures, submitting assignments, and collaboration with classmates.

As your classes commence, the management of your study schedule and preparation for assignments and exams takes precedence. Abundant classwork will necessitate a reliable internet setup for accessing educational content and research. While public internet might not always be accessible, providers like Rogers ensure high-speed internet packages that are ideal for streaming, television, and unlimited data across numerous devices, bolstering both study efficiency and relaxation time.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, your move to Canada as an international student can be crafted into an organized and stress-free experience with anticipation and the right choices in services. Rogers stands out with its customized deals for international students to facilitate every facet of your Canadian educational journey.

Canadian Permanent Residency vs. Canadian Citizenship: Key Differences Explained

In Canada, permanent residents (PRs) are entitled to numerous advantages similar to those who hold Canadian citizenship. They have the freedom to reside, work, study, and contribute to the economy. Despite these similarities, there are key differences that distinguish permanent residents from citizens. Being well-versed in these differences is crucial for individuals with aspirations of settling in Canada for the long term.

One of the main differences is in the realm of political engagement. Permanent residents do not possess the right to partake in voting or pursue political office, limiting their involvement in shaping the governmental landscape of the nation. Another area where PRs face restrictions is employment, particularly positions that necessitate high-level security clearance, which are reserved for citizens.

Residency requirements are also a distinguishing factor. Permanent residents must maintain a physical presence in Canada for at least 730 days within a five-year period to retain their status, unlike citizens who are not bound by this rule. When it comes to travel, PR card holders do enjoy some freedom but are limited compared to the extensive visa-free travel afforded to Canadian passport holders, who are ranked highly for travel mobility with access to 187 countries visa-free as of 2024.

In terms of stability, while it’s uncommon, permanent residents can lose their status under certain circumstances like inadmissibility due to criminal or security reasons. In contrast, with Canadian Citizenship Canadian citizens are typically immune to such revocations unless citizenship was acquired through fraud or misrepresentation.

The transference of status to internationally born children is another area of difference. A child born in Canada to PR parents is deemed a citizen, but permanent residents must go through the sponsorship process for children born abroad. For citizens, they generally can pass citizenship to their children; however, there are limits, such as the First Generation Limit that the government is reviewing, which restricts citizenship by descent for those born abroad.

For individuals considering a future in Canada, understanding the variances between permanent residency and citizenship is essential. Both statuses offer unique benefits and obligations. While a PR card grants numerous rights, citizenship unlocks the full spectrum of benefits associated with being Canadian, including political rights, broader travel opportunities, and the ability to pass citizenship onto one’s progeny regardless of where they are born, subject to certain conditions. Those seeking to navigate the path to Canadian citizenship should stay informed of the latest immigration policies and amendments to make well-informed decisions about their long-term residency in Canada.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

How to Sponsor Your Spouse for Immigration to Canada

Reunification of families is a cornerstone of Canadian immigration policy, ranking just behind economic immigration in terms of newcomer entries. For the year 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to admit 114,000 new permanent residents through family sponsorship channels. These include programs for spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, as well as children, parents, and grandparents. Family sponsorship is pivotal for foreign nationals married or in a committed relationship with Canadian citizens or permanent residents, paving their path to Canadian permanent residency.

Two principal routes exist if you want to sponsor your spouse: Inland, for those within Canada, and Outland, for applicants outside the Canadian borders. If you want to sponsor your spouse, sponsors must be over 18, Canadian permanent residents or citizens currently residing in Canada, and must not be incarcerated, insolvent, under a removal order, or charged with any serious offense. They also should not have been previously sponsored to Canada as a spouse within the preceding five years.

If you want to sponsor your spouse, you are also obligated to execute a financial undertaking, committing to provide for their partner’s essentials, including food, clothing, housing and additional necessities, as well as health needs not covered by public healthcare. This responsibility is legally binding and remains in effect for three years post-arrival, even if the couple’s relationship ends.

Eligibility for these pathways further depends on the type of partnership. A spouse is someone who is legally married to the sponsor, a common-law partnership entails at least one year of cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship, and a conjugal partner denotes a significant and committed relationship of over one year facing barriers to cohabitation.

The goal of IRCC is to process spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months, irrespective of the chosen pathway. Inland applications require that the foreign partner have valid temporary resident status and reside with their sponsor in Canada. Those in conjugal relationships cannot apply via this pathway and traveling outside Canada during this process is not recommended due to re-entry risks.

Outland sponsorship is an alternative for couples who cannot reside together in Canada and permits the foreign national to travel during the application process. This might also suit those currently in Canada who anticipate the need to exit and re-enter the country while their application is pending.

Family sponsorship is a testament to Canada’s commitment to bringing loved ones together. Whether you choose Inland or Outland sponsorship, ensuring adherence to the eligibility criteria and understanding the application process is key to successfully reuniting families in Canada.

Conclusion: Spousal and partner sponsorship is an important aspect of Canadian immigration aimed at family reunification. With two distinct pathways, relevant for both residents and non-residents of Canada, it’s crucial to comprehend the requirements and obligations to facilitate a smooth transition towards permanent residency for sponsored spouses or partners.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Navigating the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Canada, known for its welcoming nature toward newcomers, offers various ways to achieve permanent residency, especially in the sought-after province of Ontario. Thanks to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) tailored for Ontario, immigrants have a substantial opportunity to settle in this vibrant region. The OINP is crafted to invite those who are seen as a perfect match for addressing the specific needs of Ontario’s labor market and demographics.

There are multiple streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, targeting specific groups of immigrants. For instance, the OINP’s Human Capital category features the Skilled Trades stream, which mandates applicants to currently live within Ontario and hold a valid work permit when applying. A noteworthy benefit of this stream is its alignment with the federal Express Entry system, beneficially granting nominees an additional 600 points on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

When considering higher education as a stepping stone to permanent residency, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program offers pathways for individuals holding a master’s or doctoral degree from an Ontario institution. Both the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams fall under the Masters and PhD category and require candidates to have legally resided in Ontario recently. While these streams do not integrate with the Express Entry system, they do share the requirement of profile registration via Ontario’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

Outside of the Human Capital category, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program extends further options across three additional categories: the Employer Job Offer, In-Demand Skills, and Business categories. Potential immigrants could find a fitting path whether they have a job offer from an Ontario employer, possess skills in high demand sectors, or seek to start a business in the province.

For those with dreams of making Ontario their home, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program presents robust options. From skilled tradespeople to international graduates to entrepreneurs, there’s a pathway designed to welcome you to this dynamic Canadian province. With each program’s nuances, like necessary work experience, educational requirements, or job offers, it’s crucial for candidates to keep abreast of the specifics. Taking this journey can often begin with expressing interest or entering Express Entry pools — steps toward a permanent life in Ontario.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

BC, Alberta, and Quebec Hosts New Provincial Nominee Program Draws

This week unfolded with a surge of activity across three Canadian provinces, each issuing invitations for immigration candidates through their respective programs. In British Columbia, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) called upon 144 hopefuls to seek provincial nomination. Within this group, 52 individuals were selected across various categories including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled roles, with the latter requiring a marginally lower minimum score of 110 compared to 132 for the other streams. Specialty draws saw invitations for 32 childcare workers, 29 construction professionals, 24 healthcare workers, and a handful of veterinary care professionals, with required scores ranging from 80 to 101.

Meanwhile, Alberta focused on its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, extending invites to 54 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 300. These draws, reported retroactively, are part of Alberta’s Express Entry-aligned Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Successful candidates are set to receive a substantial boost of 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a subsequent federal draw. Furthermore, the AAIP announced a forthcoming Expression of Interest system debuting on September 30, 2024, which will prioritize continuous application intake over the existing monthly system, considering both qualifications and provincial labor demands.

Quebec also revealed its provincial immigration results, albeit retroactively, welcoming 1,490 individuals to apply. Each candidate required a minimum score of 580 and a Level 7 oral proficiency in French as per Quebec’s competency levels or an equivalent standard; some candidates with job offers outside Montreal were also considered.

These strategic moves by British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec underscore Canada’s commitment to skilled immigration and reflect the tailored approach of each province to meet labor market requirements. Prospective immigrants with relevant expertise stand to benefit significantly from the recent nomination rounds and upcoming system changes, which promise a more dynamic and responsive immigration framework.

Remember, maintaining updated knowledge on such provincial nominee programs is critical for your aspirations to secure a future in Canada. Whether considering a move as a skilled worker, international graduate, or other professionals, understanding the nuances of each province’s criteria could make all the difference in successfully navigating the path to Canadian residency.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com