canada | Page 9 of 26 | Bison Immigration Consulting

Travelling to Canada with a Criminal Record? Navigating Inadmissibility Rules

When considering a trip to Canada, if you have a criminal record must be aware of the potential barriers they may face upon entering. Canadian citizenship is the only guarantee of entry, and lacking this, one’s criminal history can lead to inadmissibility. It’s important to address any issues related to inadmissibility beforehand to prevent visa denial, refusal at the border, or expulsion.

Defining Criminal Inadmissibility
Criminal inadmissibility refers to the barring of individuals from entering or remaining in Canada due to a criminal background, which could be from within Canada or abroad. The decision is based on the severity of the crime, the imposed sentence, and the time lapsed since the offense or sentence completion.

Evaluating Offense Seriousness for Immigration
Canadian immigration authorities differentiate between “criminality” and “serious criminality.” Foreign offenses are assessed against Canadian federal law, primarily the Criminal Code, which lists three categories: summary, indictable, and hybrid offenses. Summary offenses are minor, while indictable offenses—treated like hybrid offenses for immigration purposes—are more serious. Serious criminality is marked by potential sentences of 10 years or more imprisonment if committed in Canada.

Foreign National Inadmissibility
A non-citizen or non-permanent resident of Canada is criminally inadmissible if convicted of or has committed a crime punishable by indictment in Canada. Arrests, pending charges, and multiple summary offenses not from the same incident may also lead to inadmissibility.

Disclosure of Criminal Records
Canada’s partnerships, especially with the U.S., facilitate criminal record information exchange. Entry into Canada may require presenting travel documents that reveal any criminal history, which can lead to inquiry or denial. Permanent residents or applicants for work, study, or residency must submit police certificates from their current and former places of residence since turning 18.

Overcoming Criminal Inadmissibility
Persons with criminal records desiring entry into Canada can pursue several options, including a Temporary Resident Permit, deemed rehabilitation—or automatic rehabilitation after a prescribed time without re-offense— or, for serious offenses, applying for criminal rehabilitation after a specified period post-sentence. Furthermore, a legal opinion letter by a Canadian immigration lawyer might clarify an individual’s admissibility status.

Inadmissibility Beyond Criminality
Canadian inadmissibility isn’t restricted to criminality but extends to security, human rights violations, financial, medical reasons, and misrepresentation—a serious offense leading to a five-year ban.

Those with criminal records must carefully navigate the complexities of criminal inadmissibility to ensure successful entry into Canada. Understanding the distinctions between offense types and taking the appropriate steps towards legal consultation, resolving inadmissibility, and upfront criminal history disclosure are essential. Always seek professional immigration guidance for a smooth journey to Canada.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Budget Breakdown: Savings Needed for Relocating to Canada

Are you contemplating relocating to Canada? It’s crucial to grasp the financial prerequisites for various Canadian immigration channels, as mandated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These requirements are in place to affirm your financial stability, ensuring you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself at the beginning of your Canadian journey, helping to smooth your transition while seeking employment and settling into permanent housing. Here’s a breakdown of the essential financial savings for some favoured Canadian immigration programs.

For aspirants who are thinking to relocating to Canada via the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), having proof of funds that aligns with family size is a pre-condition. These amounts are revised annually and are constructed on half of the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) as defined by Statistics Canada. Current necessary savings, in Canadian dollars, are as follows:

Single applicant: $14,690
Couple: $18,288
Three-member family: $22,483
Four-member family: $27,297, with incremental increases for each additional family member.

However, if you’re applying via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), there’s no need to present proof of funds. Likewise, if you hold a valid Canadian work permit and have secured a job offer, the proof of funds requirement for FSWP or FSTP can be waived.

For those eyeing the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), showing financial preparedness is also a requisite, albeit with slightly lower thresholds given its 12.5% LICO-based calculation:

Single individual: $3,672
Couple: $4,572
Three-member family: $5,260, and so on.

Each province under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) sets its fund requirements for relocating to Canada. Reach out to the respective provincial immigration body for exact figures and to assess whether you can sustain living costs in your chosen destination.

Legitimacy of funds is paramount. To substantiate financial resources, provide an official letter from your financial institution detailing contact info, your name, outstanding debts, and your account details including account numbers, opening dates, current and six-month average balances. Importantly, these funds must be readily accessible upon arrival in Canada — borrowed money or real estate equity will not suffice. Joint accounts with a spouse—or even an account solely in their name—can be accounted for, given you can prove unrestricted access to those funds.

In sum, understanding and preparing the appropriate financial resources is essential for a smooth transition to Canada. Stay abreast with IRCC for any alterations to financial need thresholds and verify the specifics with provincial immigration authorities for PNPs. Planning ahead financially is an indispensable step in realizing your Canadian dream responsibly.

Adequate financial preparation is crucial for those looking to start anew in Canada. By understanding the varying proof of funds requirements for each immigration pathway, you can better plan and save for your move, ensuring your first few months in Canada are as seamless and worry-free as possible. Whether through the FSWP, FSTP, AIP, or PNPs, being aware of these essentials can help instill confidence in both yourself and the IRCC about your transition to life in Canada.

For more information email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Canada’s IRCC Rolls Out New Open Work Permit Options for Select PNP Candidates

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled a pivotal temporary measure for certain individuals aspiring to become permanent residents through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This new policy, effective since August 11, 2024, and slated to expire on December 31, 2024, introduces the option for eligible to apply for an open work permit (OWP). Candidates must, however, hold a job offer, possess a valid or recently expired work permit, and have a confirmation of nomination support letter from the province or territory of their residency. It’s important to note that this policy could be retracted at any moment as per IRCC discretion.

Eligibility for the OWP under this policy is dependent on a few scenarios. Firstly, those who have a valid work permit, and have applied for a new one under section 200 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. They must also present a support letter from the provincial or territorial PNP authority as well as a current employer’s job offer letter. Secondly, individuals whose work permits expired after May 7, 2024, can apply provided they sought to extend or restore their temporary resident status, in addition to meeting the aforementioned documentation requirements. Lastly, the candidates who had authorization to work on May 7, and whose work permit extension application is in process or approved, are also eligible. Complete criteria details can be found on the IRCC webpage.

IRCC aims to balance the proportion of temporary and permanent residents in Canada through this strategic maneuver. The policy is designed to facilitate the transition of qualified temporary residents within the PNP, acknowledging their economic contributions and community integration. In doing so, it seeks to bolster the labor force with skilled workers already in Canada and streamline their pathway to permanent residency.

IRCC’s new policy fosters a supportive environment for skilled workers on temporary status, by providing them with viable opportunities to secure an open work permit while awaiting permanent residency. Potential applicants are encouraged to make the most of this interim policy, which reaffirms Canada’s commitment to nurturing talent and addressing labor market needs. For personalized guidance on work permits and Canadian immigration processes,

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

Ontario and British Columbia Announce Latest Provincial Nominee Program Draws

This past week marked significant activity within two of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), with Ontario and British Columbia each conducting draws to invite a range of candidates with vital skills and experience. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) have both targeted individuals possessing the professional credentials, language proficiency, and employment backgrounds looked upon favorably for those seeking to establish permanent residence within these provinces

In Ontario, a selection round on September 5th through the OINP’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream resulted in 96 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) being issued. Eligibility criteria included having a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 290 to 393. This particular Provincial Nominee Program stream attracts French-speaking skilled professionals aspiring to live in Ontario, requiring them to be a part of the federal Express Entry pool either through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). They must also fulfil certain linguistic, education, work experience requisites, have intentions to settle in Ontario, and prove they have adequate settlement funds. Receipt of NOI is essential before candidates can proceed with their application for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Meanwhile, British Columbia carried out two draws on September 4th through various categories of their PNP. The initial draw extended 75 invitations across Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level & Semi-Skilled categories, requiring a minimum score of 128, with the latter category necessitating at least 110. The subsequent draw was specifically aimed at individuals with work experience in childcare within the province’s vital sectors, calling for as few as 80 points for an invitation and going up to 99 points depending on the category.

As a separate note, the Saskatchewan Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has closed as of August 30th, 2024. No further applications will be accepted post-closure, but any submissions already in the pipeline will be finalized. This measure is intended to enhance settlement outcomes by simplifying the available immigration pathways. Saskatchewan remains open for alternative immigration programs and is offering information sessions for those seeking other opportunities to immigrate.

Conclusion:
This week’s PNP selections by Ontario and British Columbia demonstrate an ongoing commitment to bolstering Canada’s workforce through immigration. As these provinces identify and extend invitations to qualified individuals, prospects for skilled workers abroad continue to flourish. Those interested in Canadian immigration should take note of these developments and consider exploring eligibility under various PNPs. As always, potential applicants are advised to stay informed on recent changes, such as the closure of Saskatchewan’s program, to strategize their pathway to Canadian residency effectively.

For more information please email hello@bisonimmigration.com

Saskatchewan Launches Two Provincial Nominee Program Pathways for Skilled Immigrants

The Government of Saskatchewan has taken a progressive step by introducing a pair of fresh Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways under the established Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). These groundbreaking channels, unveiled on August 30, cater specifically to professionals in the healthcare and agricultural sectors. Jeremy Harrison, the minister overseeing Immigration and Career Training, announced these initiatives as the province’s strategy to address the nationwide issue of labor shortages. Saskatchewan’s goal is to refine its immigration framework to better reflect the labor market’s evolving demands, simultaneously assisting employers in nurturing business growth.

The Agriculture Talent pathway is designed to bridge the workforce gap, matching the burgeoning labor needs in agriculture—a stalwart of Saskatchewan’s robust economic framework. With agricultural exports eclipsing $3.2 billion across four primary crop sectors in 2023, this field’s vitality to the provincial economy is undeniable.

The Health Talent Pathway aligns with Saskatchewan’s ambition to fortify its Health Human Resources (HHR) plan, consolidating all SINP healthcare recruitment endeavors into a single, streamlined process.

Who qualifies for these programs? To enter the Agriculture Talent pathway, aspiring individuals must fulfill a set of prerequisites, such as possessing a language proficiency of at least CLB 4, though some occupations may mandate a higher proficiency level. The criteria extend to a complete secondary education, a minimum of one year’s full-time work experience within the last three years (or six months of full-time employment with a SINP Provincial Nominee Program-approved job offer), a commitment to living and working in Saskatchewan, and securing a full-time job offer in an eligible agricultural position within the province.

For the Health Talent pathway, the eligibility terms are variable and depend on whether the applicant has a profile in the federal Express Entry pool. Essential requirements for all candidates include meeting Saskatchewan licensing standards, relevant post-secondary education, and a pledge to reside and work in Saskatchewan. Non-Express Entry candidates need a CLB 5 language proficiency and specific work experience stipulations.

In 2023, Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) was the conduit for 7,350 immigrant arrivals, and the 2024 nomination allocation sits at 8,000, with projections anticipating nearly 20,000 new arrivals by the end of 2025. Saskatchewan is fast becoming a sought-after destination due to its affordability, moderate tax rates, and initiatives such as the Graduate Retention Program which offers tuition reimbursements to eligible graduates.

These new immigration pathways under the provincial nominee program are more than just conditions and requirements—they are part of Saskatchewan’s plan to invigorate its labor force with skilled professionals in high-demand sectors. With these initiatives, the province not only seeks to alleviate the immediate labor shortage but also to pave the way for a dynamic and prosperous economic environment in the years to come. Enthusiastic individuals around the globe who consider making Canada their new home should take note: Saskatchewan’s promising opportunities beckon.

For more information please email us hello@bisonimmigration.com