Marriot Hotel Scam

There's a reader who sent me an email asking about his job offer from Marriot Hotel. He's asking if the offer is real or just a scam.

Here's a forwarded email from "Canada Immigration Lawyer"

From: Canadaimmigrationlawyer Consultant
Subject: CANADA AIRPORT IMMIGRATION LAWYERS OTTAWA.
To: ********@yahoo.com
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 10:33 PM

DEAR APPLICANT,

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR MAIL HAS BEEN RECEIVED, NOW YOU SHOULD CONTACT OUR ZONAL TOURIST DEPARTMENT ON HOW YOU WILL REACH THEM WITH THE PAYMENT OF $218 U.S DOLLARS, FOR YOUR AUTHORIZATION LETTER, SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO SEND YOUR AUTHORIZATION LETTER TO THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION BUREAU OTTAWA FOR YOUR VISA ISSUANCE.

HERE IS THE MAIL ADDRESS ON HOW YOU WILL CONTACT OUR ZONAL TOURIST DEPARTMENT FOR YOUR LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION.

zonaltouristdeptcv@yahoo.ca

NOTE: YOU SHOULD CONTACT THEM WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT SCAN AND YOUR DOCUMENT CODE..CA-AF01225 TO ENABLE THEM IDENTIFY YOUR ENTIRE DOCUMENTS.

BARR. DAVID COHEN.
CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

This is obviously similar to that of Omni Hotel Scam. But to better guide you, read about my previous entry, Guaranteed Visas and Jobs in Canada.

By the way, David Cohen is a real immigration lawyer and I'm sure he has nothing to do with that email.

So if you receive similar job offer from Marriot Hotel, think again before sending that money.

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Fight Flu!

Swine flu in Canada is like to worsen and the Government of Canada does not take it sitting down. It has set up a hotline and websites for information about the swine flu virus - FightFlu.ca.

Fightflu.ca is brought to you by your federal, provincial and territorial governments to help you and your family stay healthy and prevent the spread of the flu and other infectious diseases. Through this website, you can have access not only to general information related to influenza, but also to information and resources specific to your province or territory.

This pan-Canadian portal represents a unique approach by all levels of government to provide Canadians with a single source of credible information that will help them to protect themselves not only from seasonal flu, but also from a host of other infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza.

Canada Visa Philippines supports the Government of Canada in fighting swine flu. You can also help in spreading the word by linking to www.fightflu.ca.

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Swine Flu effect to Temporary Foreign Workers from Mexico

Although swine flu in Canada was said to may have came from Mexico, the Government of Canada is not imposing any restrictions on temporary foreign workers from Mexico.

In Canada, where some 14,000 Mexicans labor on fruit and vegetable farms, authorities said no restrictions were currently imposed on travel, although temporary workers were being screened carefully before departure from Mexico.

"We are monitoring the situation closely, and we're working closely with our federal partners to gather information and manage the impact on Canada of the evolving health situation in Mexico and determine what action is required," said Alykhan Velshi, spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.[Source]

For Mexicans who wish to work in Canada, visit www.mexico.gc.ca

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Swine Flu in Canada

Canada is the third country to confirm human cases of swine flu. There were already six cases of swine flu reported.

Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, said the east coast Canadian province had confirmed four "very mild" cases of swine flu in students ranging in age from 12 to 17 or 18. All are recovering, he said.

"It was acquired in Mexico, brought home and spread," Strang said.

The western province of British Columbia confirmed two further cases.

It was said to be acquired in Mexico. Read the full story from news.yahoo.com

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. Read more about swine flu here



For more information about swine flu in Canada and how the Government of Canada is handling the situation, visit Public Health Agency of Canada's official website, www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

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Settlement funds is not just a show money

UPDATE: 2011 Settlement Funds requirement

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Update (Jan 19, 2010): Settlement Funds Requirement - January 1st to December 31st, 2010

If you are applying under Federal Skilled Worker program, part of the requirement before you will be issued visa is that you must have sufficient settlement funds.

Settlement funds is not just a show money. You must be able to satisfy the Visa Officer that the funds you will declare is unencumbered and that it is available for use on your initial settlement in Canada.

The amount of money you need to support your family is determined by the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Number of Family Members	Funds Required (in Canadian dollars)
1	$10,833
2	$13,486
3	$16,580
4	$20,130
5	$22,831
6	$25,749
7 or more	$28,668

To establish that you have enough settlement funds, you need to provide original bank certificate. Since the objective is to convince the Visa Officer that the funds you declare is available for use, unencumbered and not just borrowed, it will help if will also submit bank statements, copy of bank passbooks and or Certificate of Time Deposits.

Do not worry if you do not have long banking transaction history showing the accumulation of your funds. What is important is that you be able to explain, if asked, where din your money came from.

For example, you sold one of your properties to come up with the required funds. You then deposited the proceeds in a new bank you have opened. It will of course appear that the account was just newly opened and you have made a one-time deposit of, say, P500,000.00. Will that be a problem? No. That is because you can simply explain where did that money came from supported by the deed of sale.

Now, if you have real properties under your name, it is best that you also declare them in your Personal Net Worth Statement as well. As long as you have enough funds, it will never be a problem even if you do not have real properties. So there's no need to ask your parents to transfer those land titles under your name. :-)

Settlement fund requirement is no longer required if you have an Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO). It is not easy to find an employer who is willing to process an AEO for you but depending on how you are willing to help yourself, it is possible. Start looking for job vacancies using this Canada Jobs Portal. Remember though, that it is always a numbers game. The more applications you send, the higher the chance that an employer will hire you.

Again, settlement funds is not just a show money. You need it to support yourself and your family on your initial settlement in Canada.

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Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW)

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is national non-profit organization of believing women commited to the equality, equity and empowerment of Muslim women. It promotes Muslim women's identity in the Canadian context, and encourages mutual understaning between Canadian Muslim women and women of other faiths.

The government of Canada recently announced support for Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

Ottawa, April 2, 2009 — Muslim youth will have the opportunity to participate in two projects that will help address issues around discrimination and promote cross-cultural understanding, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.

The projects were announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and Minister of State (Status of Women) Helena Guergis. They are being coordinated by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will provide $441,000 for a project called “MY CANADA.” It gives Muslim youth across Canada the opportunity to participate in activities such as multi-faith sessions for Muslim and non-Muslim youth in schools and community centres to teach peace building and inter-cultural dialogue and conflict resolution skills. It also encourages integration and active participation in Canadian society. [Source]

For more information about Canadian Council of Muslim Women, visit www.ccmw.com.

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Easter Sunday in Canada

Easter Sunday is celebrated in Canada the same way that most christians do. Easter is an annual important religious holiday for the christain community. It is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death by crucifixion.

Here are some 2009 Easter Celebration in Canada

Easter Sunday Royal Royal Brunch
Easter is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death by crucifixion. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and family gatherings. Easter Day is a popular day for attending church, getting together for a big family meal, and staging an Easter egg hunt. It is also a good time for people to decorate Easter eggs, join in Easter craft contests and to indulge in holiday recipes, such as mustard-crusted lamb and the Easter basket cake. [Source]


Easter Egg Hunt For Dogs
Join the Brampton Kiwanis Club & NSD team at the Former OPP Grounds (by Flower Town Senior's Centre) for the fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs, Good Friday April 10, 2009! A fund raising event for the benefit of children with autism in Canada. [Source]

Easter Egg Hunt-Free Family Fun Day — Peterborough
Traditional Egg Hunt, Face Painting, Easter Bunny Meet and Greet, Colouring Contest and Family Fun organized by YLCC [Source]

I'll be taking a long vacation and I might not be able to access internet again until Monday, so, Happy Easter everyone! And Happy Easter Monday, too, for those who are in Canada. :-)

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Visit Visa Extension

I have just received an email from a client whom I assisted in her tourist visa application few months ago. She's asking for help on her visit visa extension.

Are visitors allowed to extend their stay in Canada?

Ordinarily, visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for no more than six months but, in some special cases, visitors man stay longer. If you decide to stay longer, you can apply for an extension and such application must be sent at least 30 days before your Temporary Resident Visa expires.

If you stay longer than you are allowed by your visa, you will lose your temporary resident status and you could be asked to leave Canada.

How to apply
1. Download the application kit here

2. There is a processing fee amounting to C$75 for visa extension and C$200 for Restoration of Temporary Resident Status (due to loss of status as a visitor, worker or student). You may pay the fee through internet or through any Canadian Financial institution. Processing fee is non-refundable.

3. Complete the forms, attach supporting documents including processing fee payment receipt and mail your application to:

Citizenship and Immigration - Visitor
Case Processing Centre
6212 - 55th Avenue, Unit 303
Vegreville, AB
T9C 1W1

You will receive a letter regarding your case and you will be informed if you need to take any further action.

If your temporary resident status extension has been granted, an immigration document will be sent to you. If your application is refused, you can only stay in Canada until the expiry date of your current temporary resident status.

If you applied for restoration of temporary resident status, you will receive a letter advising you of the decision and instructions to follow.

If your application has been referred to a local office, you will be notified of this and will subsequently be contacted by this office.

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Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status

Two weeks ago, I received an unexpected call from a client who successfully landed in Canada sometime in 2002. He said he applied for a Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status but was denied. The letter he received from the Canadian Visa Office in Manila referring to the determination of his status as permanent resident of Canada also stated that he did not comply with the residency obligation.

Permanent Resident's Residency Obligation
To maintain your permanent resident status, you must meet certain residency obligations. To keep your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period. A permanent resident may lose his/her permanent resident status if:

A permanent resident who does not meet their residency obligations could lose permanent resident status.

If convicted of a serious crime, a permanent resident may be deported from Canada.

Pursuant to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act section 28, a permanent resident complies with the residency obligation provisions with respect to a five-year period if, for at least 730 days in that five-year period, the permanent resident is:

physically present in Canada

is outside Canada accompanying Canadian citizen who is their spouse or common-law partner or is a child accompanying a parent;

is outside Canada employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province;

is an accompanying spouse, common-law partner or child of a permanent resident who is outside Canada and is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian business or in the public service of Canada or of a province.

Why was his application for Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status?

Technically, the said client actually stayed for more than 800 days in the five-year period immediately before the the date he filed his application for a Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status. He needed to apply for a travel document because his PR Card expired while in the Philippines. His application was refused because he failed to submit enough documents to support his residency in Canada for at least 730 days.

Supporting Documents to apply for Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status
The following documents may help you support your claim of residency in Canada:

your Revenue Canada Notice of Assessment(s) (NOA) including pages showing total income for the year in question

job attestation (employment certificate indicating the period covered)

pay stubs

bank statements

car registration / insurance

utility bills

medical prescriptions

apartment / car lease

Right to Appeal
The said client actually contacted me to seek help on his appeal.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada, a permanent resident have the right to appeal a decision made outside Canada by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on his/her permanent residency obligation.

The said client was given 60 days to make an appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division.

For more information about Travel Document - Determination of Permanent Residency Status, click here

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Canadian Visa Office - Beirut, Lebanon

Lebanese nationals who are applying to live and work in Canada no longer needs to travel to nearby Visa Office in Syria. The Canadian Visa Office in Beirut, Lebanon is nw processing permanent resident visa appliation.

These changes was made March 31, 2009. Prior to this, Beirut’s visa office only process temporary residence applications (temporary resident visas, students and temporary workers)

Montreal, April 3, 2009 — As of March 31, Lebanese nationals applying to immigrate to Canada may select the visa office in Beirut, Lebanon, as their main point of service, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“This change follows up on last year’s announcement, which gave immigration applicants from Lebanon the option to have their interviews conducted in their own country rather than have to travel to Syria,” said Minister Kenney. “That was a first step. We have now expanded the services offered in Beirut to provide citizens of Lebanon access to all visitor and immigration services.” [Source]

Federal Skilled Worker applicants from Lebanon will need to submit their application to the Case Processing Centre - Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia in the same way that other applicants from other countries do. Here's CIO Mailing Address.

To qualify under the new Federal Skilled Worker program, applicant must have at least one year work experience in any of the high demand occupations. For applicants with Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO), they don't need to submit their application to CIO. They may submit their application to Canadian Visa Office applicable to them.

For more information about Canadian Visa Office in Lebanon, vist http://beirut.gc.ca

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Croatia: Visitor Visa Exempted

By law, all visitors to Canada require a temporary resident visa, except citizens of countries that were granted visitor visa exemption.

Just recently, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced that visitors from Croatia will no longer be required to obtain a temporary resident visa.

The Government of Canada conducted a comprehensive country review of Croatia, including a technical visit in December 2008. Visa policy decisions are based on a country-by-country assessment of a number of criteria such as socio-economic profile, immigration issues, travel documents, safety and security issues, border management, human rights, and bilateral relations.

“Removing the visa requirement will facilitate travel for Croatian citizens to Canada and will help improve ties between our two countries” said Minister Kenney.[Source]

For the updated list of countries with visitor visa exemption, click here.

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