Immigration officials admit failure to stop residency fraud

OTTAWA - Canadian immigration officials admit their refusal rate for Canadian residency applications at the embassy in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates "should have been higher."
That's the conclusion of a 2010 quality assessment report unearthed by an Access to Information request provided to QMI Agency.
The embassy in Abu Dhabi handles visa applications from the Emirates as well as other Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Officials say foreign nationals working in Gulf countries have been able to obtain Canadian residency using fraudulent sponsors who "go to great lengths to try and convince visa officers that they are residing in Canada when in fact they are not."
The report notes the motive is money because highly skilled workers, such as engineers and nurses from Canada and other western countries, get double the salary of other foreign nationals doing the same work.
"An Indian national working in Kuwait will receive a significant salary increase if he acquires a British passport," noted the report.
Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland sees another problem.
"If there's instability in that Middle East country Canada historically will pay to bring to safety Canadian residents - permanent residents," said Kurland. "So, it's a cheap insurance policy paid for by the people of Canada for non-residents."
Kurland says the consequences aren't tough enough for fraudsters.
"The only sanction practically is non-renewal of their plastic (residency) card," he said.
In an e-mail statement, immigration officials noted the government is cracking down on citizenship fraud.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney refused comment.

Citizenship And Immigration Canada Will Increase Skilled Worker Visas In 2012

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Up to 10,000 more skilled workers could be admitted to Canada in 2012

Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney told Parliament last week that he intends to increase skilled workers in Canada by between 8,000 and 10,000 during 2012, up from the current 47,000 to between 55,000 and 57,000.

“The government’s number one priority remains the economy,” said Minister Kenney, “We recognize the importance of immigration to our labour market and we value to contributions of skilled immigrants who add to our international competitiveness. We are committed to facilitating the arrival of the best and brightest in our country.”

This year, Canada’s overall immigrant intake was about 250,000. The government intends to keep that number consistent through 2012, which means that the additional skilled worker visas will take visas away from other Canadian visa categories.

If you are intending to immigrate to Canada in any kind of immigration category, get help. It’s a maze of regulations and paper work. More number do not necessary mean more approvals.

Canadian Immigration and Visas

Currently, Canada immigration is looking for a variety of skilled people who wish to immigrate and enjoy the Canadian way of life. The Canadian Skilled Worker class of visa leads to permanent residency in Canada.
If you are traveling to Canada on holidays, you may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Please visit the Travel Visa section of this web site for further details.
Canadian Immigration has Working Holiday Visas with several countries, allowing under 30s and students the opportunity to live and work in Canada for a limited period of time. For more information on the Canadian Working Holiday scheme, please visit the Working Holiday section of the Canadian Visa Bureau site.
Canadian immigration offers two classes of visas; temporary and permanent. The Temporary Canadian Visas and Permanent Canadian Visas are listed below.

Permanent Canadian Immigration

Skilled Worker Class

• Canada is looking for a variety of Skilled Workers. The Skilled Worker class of Canadian Visa leads to permanent residency. Applicants are required to meet the current pass mark of 67 points. You can apply as an individual or through Canada's Provincial Nominee Program.
  Business Class
• Business migration to Canada can happen under three streams; Investor, Entrepreneur and Self-employed. All Business Class applicants are required to prove their ability as well as meet the minimum pass mark for the Business Points Test.
  Partner Class
• The Canadian spousal policy sets out that most spouses and common-law partners in a genuine relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, regardless of status, are able to apply for permanent residence while remaining in Canada.
  Child-Sponsored Class
• If your child is a a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and is18 years of age or older, then they can potentially sponsor your migration to Canada via the child-sponsored Canadian family visa.

Temporary Canadian Visas

Canadian Travel Visa

• If you are visiting Canada on holiday you may be required to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and have a medical examination prior to entering Canada. For more information on holiday and visitor visas, visit the Canadian Travel Visa section of this site.
  Working Holiday Program
• Canada has Working Holiday Visa arrangements with several countries around the world. The Working Holiday program generally allows students and under 30s the chance to travel through Canada while supplementing their holiday with incidental work.

Study Permits

• If you are planning to study in Canada for more than 6 months, you will be required to obtain a Canadian Study Permit. Some students are required to undergo medical examinations for their Study Permits.

Canadian Visa Bureau specialises in skilled worker migration to Canada. Canadian Visa Bureau also offers visas for holidays, working holidays, work rights and immigration.

7 TIPS ON IMMIGRATION TO CANADA FOR SKILLED WORKERS AND ADDITIONAL USEFUL INFORMATION

Question Number One: Can I change my Immigration Class after I have submitted my application?
Tip: You cannot change your immigration Class once you have submitted your application. We advise that you will read all the Immigration Classes presented in “My Immigration Consultant” e-book and apply to the class that best fits you.
Question Number Two: What happens if I do not meet the financial requirements set by Immigration Canada?
Tip: Applicants that have Arranged Employment (as defined by R82) do not need to meet these financial requirements. “Arranged employment” means a job offer in Canada that has been approved by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) or that is exempt from HRDC approval.
Question Number Three What happens if I do not meet the financial requirements and I do not have an Arranged Employment but I do have relatives or friends in Canada willing to help me financially?
Tip: If your relatives or friends have some extra money they could spare, then they could open a trust account in your name at a Canadian bank in Canada. When the Visa Officer is ready to ask you to provide proof of money to settle in Canada, only then your relative should open up the account and obtain a letter from the Canadian Bank stating;
that you have a trust account opened in your name; and to specify the total amount of Canadian dollars. Make a copy of the letter for your records and provide the Visa Officer with the original one.
Question Number Four Does Immigration Canada provide me with a job offer?
The Answer is No.
Tip: When you get our "Canada Immigration Expo"you will automatically have information that will give access to hundreds of job offers and employers all over Canada. It will provide you with the names of employers and their addresses where you could send your resume to. Additionally you will find samples of Cover letters and Resumes so that you could potentially be one of the best applicants for the job.
Question Number Five Is there a way that I could speed up my Immigration process?
Tip: Skilled Workers and Business Applicants, who wish to settle in a province that offers Provincial Nominee Program and have an approved job offer, will receive accelerated immigration process.
Question Number Six If I am short a few points for qualifying under the point system, is there a way that I could still apply to Immigrate to Canada and have a successful application?
Tip: If you are short a few points for qualifying under the point system, [color=#550000]"Canada Immigration Expo" will provide you with all available search tools and resources which will give you access to register on line with hundreds of Canadian recruiting agencies and employers to secure a job offer and ultimately obtaining the 10 points towards your eligibility
Question Number Seven If I will be asked to attend an Interview, would my performance have an impact in the Visa officer’s decision?
Tip: Yes. Your ability to meet the Canadian immigration criteria depends, of course, on your personal and professional background. By the same token, it also depends on the way you will answer the Canadian Immigration officer’s questions so that you manage to provide him/her, in less then ½ hour time, with the selected information that best underscores your merits, while avoiding unnecessary exhibiting your weak points.
In performing their assessment, the immigration officers have a duty to fairly treat each candidate, but they do not have a duty to protect your interests in particular. Given that the number of people who apply each year for immigration to Canada is considerably higher than the annual level established by the government of Canada, the immigration officers are rather expected to act selectively, in order to choose those who they consider to be the best.
However, we consider that it is our role, through information, guidance and valuable advice provided with "Canada Immigration Expo” and other resources, to promote your interests, and to make sure that you are effectively considered one of the best and that you are granted the permanent resident status at the end of the immigration process.
Additional Important and Useful Information

More Indians immigrating to Canada as skilled workers and students

"In 2012, Canada plans to admit between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents. We have maintained the immigration levels despite the recession because our economic growth will require a steady stream of new immigrants to meet labour market demands," says Simon Cridland, spokesperson of the High Commission of Canada in Delhi.

In 2010 Indians were among the highest numbers of immigrants who moved to Canada under the following categories: skilled workers, Canadian experience class, entrepreneurs, self-employed, investors and provincial nominees. In total, 30,252 Indians gained permanent resident status in Canada in 2010, an increase of more than 4,000 compared to 2009. In terms of source country for immigrants, India was second only to the Philippines.

"For skilled Indian professionals, the economic categories are very attractive. Many Indians have done very well in this country as entrepreneurs, executives, academicians and in public life," says Deepak Obhrai, the Indo-Canadian MP from Calgary, Alberta.

Indians have chosen to move to popular cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary.

"Calgary now has over a 1,00,000 Indians. Various provinces have their own nominee programmes to attract skilled immigrants to fill in local shortages," added Obhrai.

In addition to skilled workers, another popular Canadian immigration route for Indians is the student category. Recent initiatives from Canadian immigration like the post-graduation work permit programme and Canadian Experience Class have become attractive options for Indian students. In 2011, it is estimated around 13,000 Indian students studied in Canada.

The Canadian Experience Class fast-tracks permanent residency visa applications for skilled temporary foreign workers and graduate students who have spent time in Canada on temporary visas.

In order to be eligible for this visa class, applicants must be either: a temporary foreign worker with at least two years of full-time skilled work experience in Canada, or a foreign graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada. Applicants must also be fluent in English or French and apply while working in Canada or within one year of leaving their job in Canada.

If you would like to apply for a Canadian visa WorkPermit.com can help. WorkPermit.com has been dealing with visa applications for over twenty years. We have an in-house immigration attorney and would be delighted to have an opportunity to help you with your visa application. Please feel free to contact us for further details.

Finding-Selecting-Choosing a Canada Immigration Lawyer for your needs

How do you find and choose a Canada immigration lawyer?  How do you decide which one to use?  How does the Canadian Government regulate who can call themselves a immigration consultant or Why Hire A Immigration Lawyer or Consultant vs Do-It-Yourself?  Who can charge to represent your application?

Many people ask friends "Who did you use?" or "Do you know someone who can help me or my business about Canada immigration?"  Many people do research with their favorite Search Engine.

On the web, after qualifying your search terms to include such things as:  languages spoken by the lawyer, city, or immigration category -- you may want to look for a Client testimonials section on a lawyer's web-site see example below. 

You should also look for a information about specific experience and qualifications of the lawyer you wish to consider, e.g. in BC, have they made a point of saying to the Law Society that they have a Preferred Area of Practice in Canada Immigration Law?  or in Ontario, has the lawyer become formally Certified as a Canada Immigration Law Specialist? 

see also lawyers with experience in Immigration Litigation when seeking help with an appeal(s) - or lawyers with experience with Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act s/a www.justice.gc.ca/en/anti_terr/act.html Department of Justice Canada / Ministière de la Justice Canada - web info

e.g. Toronto Missisauga area J. Eastman LLB. former counsel with Justice Canada

for example see Toronto lawyers with Canada Immigration Specialist Certification

for example see Vancouver lawyers with stated Preferred Area of Practice in Immigration Law

Why choose a Lawyer who has developed-acquired "special expertise" in Canada's Citizenship & Immigration Law?  Why not a general practice lawyers, or a lawyer who you know has done a great job with your other family or personal matters, and what about "Immigration Consultants"?

Canada's laws and regulations in the area of immigration seem to change more frequently than other areas, you want someone who not only keeps up with the latest developments but also can handle potential legal and bureaucratic complications, e.g. where you may need formal legal representation at a Tribunal or a higher court to sort out / appeal your application if it is refused-rejected by an immigration officer or manager or tribunal.

Choosing between a number of specialists, consider -- if a lawyer has taught Canada immigration courses-workshops to other lawyers/government-officials/public-groups (e.g. through the local Lawyers' Continuing Legal Education Society, professional development program) you may assume they are experienced in this area of law, and worth contacting for an interview, or sending a email to e.g. sample courses.

Other Things To Look For In Selecting a Lawyer

Has the lawyer been featured in any news articles, from credible publications e.g. city, regional, national newspapers or TV stations?  An example is the profile that CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation] gave to Ed Corrigan, Immigration and Refugee Lawyer who works out of London, Ontario. Reading things like news articles give you another view of what type of cases this lawyer or law firm handles and a little bit about their "style" of dealing with clients and of course the media.

Has the lawyer had articles published in recognized Canada Law Journals [e.g. www.journal.law.mcgill.ca?

e.g. David Matas, Canada Immigration / Human Rights Lawyer, Winnipeg, Manitoba and his article in the McGill Law Journal, article The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Fifty Years Later in 2000 see www.journal.law.mcgill.ca/abs/vol46/1matas.html - ABSTRACT [with link to entire article]

The problem with testimonials on a lawyer's web site, are they are often self-serving, you don't expect them to put up a testimonial from an unsatisfied former client. However they serve a purpose in giving you an idea of the range of clients they have dealt with.

How connected to their local community is the lawyer you're considering. Do they mention on their web site that they are a member of a local business group? -- help fund raising efforts for English as a Second Language tutoring program? (considering programs like this have had budget cuts in many local schools in e.g. BC in recent years) -- the purpose of seeing this is that it helps give you an idea of one way a lawyer has a "feel for" the community-social-business environment in which you may want to immigrate to.

Many of these factors may have no bearing on how you choose to select a lawyer, but they do help you evaluate different lawyers web sites. One immigration lawyer advises prospective clients, that .... immigrating to another country is a major decision that can have short and long term costs, you are looking for someone that you are going to depend on probably not only for yourself but also your family's well being, in terms of getting through the immigration process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

The relevance of a web site according to search engine queries is a topic of much discussion, you will get different results using the same search term e.g. "Canada Immigration Appeals Lawyer" on ... Google.com from Yahoo.com from MSN.com from Teoma.com (Teoma is owned by AskJeeves.com) and not to forget Gigablast.com a small search engine that produces results disproportionate to its size.

Why Do People Migrate to Canada?

The 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada annually receive a great number of people relocating and looking to start a better life. This is no wonder because, among other things, Canada gives the same rights to landed immigrants that it does to citizens. Consistently ranked as one of the top countries to live worldwide, there are many reasons to migrate to Canada.

Related Searches:
Immigrate United StatesImmigrate Lawyer Health Care
Canada offers all its citizens and permanent residents universal health care regardless of income level. Most provinces offer coverage free of charge, excluding dental work. The system is mostly funded publicly and most services are supplied by private enterprises. In general, prescriptions are dispensed to seniors free of charge. A substantial social security network exists as well and includes unemployment insurance, welfare, family allowance and senior pension.
Economy
Today Canada's GDP is ranked one of the world's highest. In the areas of human, social, financial and natural resources, Canada is ranked consistently high by the World Bank. One of the top trading nations worldwide, its market-oriented economy competes and production patterns rival the United States. Canada is a member of the G-8, an economic partnership of industrialized nations, and of this group, the country's debt burden is the lowest.
Education
Canada's education system is highly touted worldwide. Among member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (O.E.C.D.), Canada is first in net enrollment for 18- to 21-year-olds in public and private post-secondary education. Part of the reason for this is an average low cost for tuition.
Diversity
An ethnically diverse country, Canada's residents come from all walks of life. The minority population in Canada is just below 20 percent, and its immigration rate is the highest per capita in the world. The largest groups in the country are of northern European ancestry, while both Asian and Slavic minorities are visible, especially in the larger cities of Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto was recently singled out as the most ethnically diverse city in the world by the United Nations.
Crime
Compared with its southern neighbor, Canada's violent crime record is substantially lower. Murder, aggravated assault and robbery statistics are far below similar stats for the United States. For murders in Canada, weapons are only involved on average 33 percent of the time, and this may largely be the result of strict gun laws countrywide.
Climate
Canada is famous for its bitter winters. But for populations in the southern portion of the country, whether inland or along the coasts, climate is varied. Southern Canada receives four distinct seasons, with summers being surprisingly warm and, in some cases, uncomfortably humid.