1) What is the Skilled Worker Program? (Canada)
Answer:
There are several programs which allow for immigration to Canada as a permanent resident. The Skilled Worker program allows individuals and their immediate family members to apply for permanent resident status on the basis of their scoring on 6 factors: Age, Education, Language Ability, Work Experience, Arranged Employment, and Adaptability.
2) What is a lock-in date? (Canada/Australia/NewZealand)
Answer:
The lock-in date is a reference point to freeze certain factors for the purpose of processing applications. Regulations in effect on the lock-in date usually apply to applications submitted that date. Changes in regulations after the lock-in date do not usually apply to applications submitted on or before lock in date. Therefore, no points will be lost if, for example, the applicant’s age or occupational demand points change during the processing of the application. A lock-in date is the date on which a visa office receives a completed application form, with full payment of the cost recovery processing fees.
3) Does my spouse or partner and children have to qualify independently for Canada? (Canada)
Answer:
No, immediate family members such as a spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children can be included in your application. Such family members will not be required to separately qualify as long as the principal applicant meets the 67 point pass mark.
4) What if I have children who are over 22, can I include them into my application? (Canada)
Answer:
If you are married with children, your application should include everyone unless your children are married. If your children are over 22, they will only qualify to accompany you as dependants if they have been full-time students since turning 22 or have a medical condition or disability that renders them totally dependent on you.
5) What happens after my case is submitted? (Canada)
Answer:
Once the application is submitted, it will move through various stages of processing at the visa office. The main stages are acknowledgement of receipt, paper screening, selection interview or waiver decision, selection interview date (if required), issuance of medical examinations, and issuance of visas.
6) What kind of medical conditions may cause my applications to be rejected from Canada or Australia? (Canada/Australia/NewZealand)
Answer:
Applicants intending to enter Canada or Australia as permanent residents may be denied entry if their health or any of their dependents' health (whether accompanying or not) fall under one of the following categories:
• Is a danger to public health or safety; (E.g. SARS)
• Would cause excessive demand on the Canadian health care system or on social services in Canada. (E.g. Cancers, AIDS)
7) After obtaining the PR, how long must I reside in Canada to maintain permanent resident status? (Canada)
Answer:
An individual is required to be considered resident in Canada for a period of 2 years out of any given 5 year period in order to maintain permanent resident status. In the absence of significant ties with Canada (Cultural, Family, Business or Employment ties), an absence of greater than 3 years out of any given 5 year period may lead to automatic forfeiture of Canadian permanent resident status.
8) Once I obtain my PR for Canada under the skill worker program. Do I have to work in a field that is related to my past employment positions? (Canada)
Answer:
There is no requirement for an applicant to become employed in Canada in an occupation that is consistent with past employment experience. Instead of looking for skill employment, you may also start your own business in Canada as you wish.
9) If my occupation is on the MODL of Australia, and the result is positive during skill assessment, does that mean I can automatically qualify for MODL points? (Australia)
Answer:
No, under the new rules, relevant work experience is also required for claiming MODL points.
10) If my nationality is from a country where English is my native language, do I still need to under go IELTS test for migration to Australia? (Australia)
Answer:
Unfortunately if you need to claim 25 points for language, then the simple answer is yes you need to take the IELTS test. If English is your native language then it is possible to get 15 points without taking the test. The test is split into either general or academic path ways. It depends on your career / trade as to which type of test you need to take. The level of competency in each of 4 areas (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) is assessed. You need to score a total of 7 in each of the 4 category in order to qualify for 25 points.
11) Who can sponsor? (Canada)
Answer:
You may be eligible to sponsor if:
• The person you want to sponsor is a member of the family class: (Mother, Father, Spouse, and dependent child)
• You are 18 years of age or older
• You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• You reside in Canada
• You sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored and, if applicable, his or her family members.
• You and the person being sponsored sign an agreement that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities.
• You have an income that is at least equal to the minimum necessary income, the amount of which is published yearly by the Canadian government.
This condition does not apply if you are sponsoring only
- Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner who has no dependent children, or
- Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner whose dependent children have no children of their own, or
- Your dependent child who has no children of his or her own.
12) What will the person I want to sponsor have to do? (Canada)
Answer:
The person you want to sponsor and, if applicable, his or her family members will have to:
• Sign the Agreement (form IMM 1344B).
• Complete the forms included with The Immigrant’s Guide and provide appropriate documentation in support of their application.
• Undergo a medical examination.
• Pass criminal and security check.
• Obtain passports and in some countries, exit visas
• Go for an interview at a Canadian visa office, if required.
13) If I live outside Canada, can I sponsor? (Canada)
Answer:
If you are not a Canadian citizen (PR only), you cannot sponsor if you live outside Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen, you may sponsor a spouse, a common-law or conjugal partner, or a dependent child who has no dependent child of his or her own. You must live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
