| New doors of investment
open to Nigerians in Canada, says Canreach CEO
By ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Abuja
Thursday,
November 16, 2006
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• Jag
Farmaha
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Many Nigerians desirous of seeking greener pastures outside
the shores of the country have had their dreams shattered
owing to inadequate information and ignorance, while some
have lost thousands of naira to conmen.
Mr Jag Farmaha, President of Canreach, a Canadian immigration
consultancy, who confirmed in this interview with Daily Sun
that many persons have been prevented from crossing the immigration
hurdles in the past, said most people do not succeed in their
quest for visas because they do not understand the workings
of immigration.
Through his company, Canreach, he said many people across
the globe have obtained visas and started working in Canada,
while others have also benefitted from investment opportunities
that abound in that country. He spoke with Daily Sun
on how to come to Canada and even secure a job on arrival.
Excerpts:
Canada's constitutional laws, allows holders of Canadian permanent
resident visa and his accompanying dependants to permanently
reside in Canada and earn a livelihood within the country..
The Federal Skilled Worker Class is primarily point-based
and confers permanent resident status upon applicants who
are able to demonstrate an ability to become economically
established in Canada. Applicants are assessed under six factors
and numerous sub factors, providing for 100 points. The applicant
needs to score a minimum of 67 points to be eligible to apply
for permanent immigration, after a mandatory evaluation, and
assessment of the applications.
All assessments are done within 1 to 2 business days from
the time they receive the completed assessment form automatically
compute. We believe that each case deserves careful evaluation
for Canadian visa. Moreover, our immigration consultants are
in position to give you personal advice regarding your chances
of migrating to Canada.
How long does it take to obtain a permanent resident
visa?
Depending on the time of application, the immigration programme,
the office in question and other factors, the processing time
for an application for permanent residence filed under the
economic class can vary from between 12 - 40 months. This
is the time generally needed to demonstrate compliance under
one of the applicable categories; a clean bill of health for
the applicant and accompanying dependants; sufficient assets
to successfully establish the family in Canada; and a confirmation
of no criminal records for the applicant and the overaged
accompanying dependants.
Where are applications submitted?
Applications for Canadian permanent residence are generally
filed with an appropriate immigration office outside of Canada
that serves the country, where the applicant has lawfully
resided during the previous 12 months or the application must
be filed at the immigration office that serves the applicant’s
country of nationality. In case of Nigeria, the applications
are sent in Accra, Ghana.
What are the Applicable processing fees to process an application
for Permanent Residence?
Applications for Permanent Residence must include the appropriate
non-refundable processing fees for applicants and their accompanying
dependants.
For applicants applying under the skilled worker programme,
the application fee is currently set at Canadian $550 per
adult and $ 150.00 per child who is under the age 22. Processing
fees must be filed with the application.
How can a Nigerian get Canadian citizenship and passport?
After physically residing in Canada for three (3) years within
the last four years period, as a permanent resident, you are
eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship and Canadian passport.
A Canadian passport holder does not require a visitor visa
to visit USA and many countries in Europe. The benefit is
that Canadian citizens may travel to the US without a visa,
and may seek employment in one year under the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which provides a list of eligible
classes of employment most of which are executive, managerial,
professional or scientific in nature.
Under the current Canadian Immigration Act, the applicant
requires only 67 points (lowest ever) to be eligible to apply.
The application is evaluated by Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC) based on the regulations in effect on the date
your completed application and the processing fees are received
at the Canadian Embassy.
Due to the constantly changing immigration rules and regulations,
the eligible points could be raised at anytime and if this
happens, those people who are eligible under the current act
may not be eligible after the change. That is why, we strongly
recommend and encourage that the applicant should act now
and submit the application as soon as possible before the
points are raised again.
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