Ivan Steele Law Office - Immigration and Family Law in the Heart of Toronto

What's the difference between a Federal Skilled Worker and a Federal Skilled Trade Program?

1. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)

🔹️ You must meet all the minimum requirements for work experience, language ability, education, etc.

🔹️ You will be given points for each factor and must achieve 67 points in order to pass.

🔹️ Perfect for managerial job positions, doctors, dentists, engineers, technicians, heavy equipment operators, bakers, plumbers, etc.

🔹️ You must have 1'560 hours total of continuous work for at least one year.

2. The Federal Skilled Trade Program

🔻 You must meet all the minimum requirements and have been issued a certificate of qualification for your skilled trade by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.

🔻 There is NO education requirement, and the language level requirement is lower than in FSW.

🔻 Perfect for technical trades, transportation officers, supervisors in agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, aircraft assembly, cooks, chefs, etc.

🔻 You must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience.

If you want to know more about these programs, don't hesitate to contact me at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

Settle Your Differences: 4 Ways to Get a Divorce in Canada✒️

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of going through an ugly divorce, don’t fret. You aren’t alone—there are many couples in Canada who are trying to navigate their way through the same or similar situations.

Whether you and your spouse have simply grown apart over the years or you have children, and you can’t agree on custody, there are several ways to settle your differences in order to obtain an amicable divorce in Canada.⏬

🔹️ Informal Negotiation
🔹️ Collaborative Law
🔹️ Mediation
🔹️ Arbitration
🔹️ Mediation + Arbitration
🔹️ Court-Facilitated Mediation
🔹️ Litigation

✅If you need assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

Who can apply for the Self-Employed Person Program in Canada?

The Canadian federal government offers this Program for individuals with the needed experience to establish themselves as self-employed individuals in cultural activities or world-class athletics.

To be eligible for this program, you must:⤵️

🔸️ Have at least two years of professional work experience in your profession (in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level)
🔸️ Be willing and able to be self-employed in the country
🔸️ Have the proper education, age and language abilities
🔸️ Meet the medical, security and other necessary conditions

🔔 If you need more information about if you are eligible for this program, contact our lawyer now by sending an email at [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

Start a business in Canada: Get a Visa.

Do you have what it takes to start your own business in Canada?

If so, you may be eligible to apply for the Business Immigration programs for foreign entrepreneurs.🏨

These visas are specially designed to help experienced business owners and investors start their own businesses or invest in an existing Canadian one.

Currently, there are two programs:

1. Start-Up Visa Program:
No minimum investment is required, and you can apply for permanent residency.

2. Self-Employed person program:
Individuals with a min experience of two years as self-employed individuals in cultural activities or world-class athletics can obtain permanent residency by demonstrating financial stability.

✅ So, if you need legal assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

Don't lose your PR status: tips to stay in good standing.

Keeping. your PR status in Canada means you need to be aware of your responsibilities.

If you fail to fulfil those responsibilities, you may be stripped of your PR status and face deportation from the country. ✈️

To avoid losing your PR status, follow these tips to stay in good standing with the Canadian government.

🔑 Stay in Canada for at least 730 days in the last five years
🔑 If you stay abroad, make sure to work for a Canadian organization or business for it to count towards your PR residency obligation.
🔑 If you have been a PR for over five years, keep in mind that the assessment period is the 5 years before your application submission.
🔑 If you have been a PR for less than five years, keep in mind that the assessment period is from your PR issue date to the application submission.

📍 Book a consultation by sending an email to [email protected]✉️

Some conditions where time abroad counts towards your PR residency obligation

If you’re planning on taking time abroad, one of the questions you might have is whether that time will count towards your residency obligation.

Generally, to maintain permanent resident (PR) status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years total) over a period of 5 years after becoming a PR. 👤 ✅

This can be met by living in Canada and taking time off abroad, as long as you meet certain conditions.

Here are some conditions where time abroad DOES count towards your PR obligation:⬇️

If you work full-time for a Canadian organization or business;
If you accompany your Canadian spouse or common-law partner;
If you accompany your permanent resident spouse or common partner who is working full-time for a Canadian business or government institution;
If you are a child accompanying your Canadian parent or PR parent who is working full-time for a Canadian business, organization, or government institution.

Be mindful that every case is different, so consult with a lawyer.

🔎 You can contact me with any questions you might have at [email protected].

The FSW Program: Your Key to Immigrating to Canada as a Skilled Worker

🔎 The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is 1 of the three programs the Express Entry System offers as a pathway to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

It allows you to immigrate and work in Canada with your immediate family members.

You are eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if:
🔹️ You have Canadian work experience of at least 1560 hours during one year of continuous work.
🔹️ You meet the required language levels(English and French) for each language ability.
🔹️ You have a Canadian high school diploma or a foreign equivalent,
🔹️ You have enough financial resources to support yourself and your family.
🔹️ You intend to live outside the province of Quebec.

📩Contact us here for more information https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/

A newcomer's guide to the Canadian Citizenship Program

If you plan on staying in Canada as a permanent resident, you’ll eventually want to gain citizenship. 🎯

Becoming a citizen allows you to vote and travel without the added restrictions that come with holding only a permanent resident status. In order to become a citizen, though, you need to meet certain criteria.

There are two ways to obtain citizenship:

1️⃣ by birth
2️⃣ by Naturalization (the process of swearing an oath to become a Canadian citizen.)

Therefore, there are 3 types of documents that can be used as proof of citizenship:
👉🏻 a Naturalization Certificate,
👉🏻 Registration of Birth Abroad,
👉🏻 and a Citizenship certificate.

A Canadian citizenship certificate is issued to individuals born in Canada, born abroad to Canadian citizens, or those permanent residents who have been granted citizenship.

✔️Do you need more information or have questions?

💡 Contact our now by sending an email to [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

The Canadian Experience Class: A pathway to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) allows certain temporary foreign workers in Canada to apply for permanent residency.

To be eligible for CEC, you need to:

✔️ Have lived and worked in Canada for at least one year in the last three years before applying
✔️ If you have Canadian work experience of at least 1560 hours during this time.
✔️ Meet the required language levels needed for each language ability
✔️ Work in occupation under the NOC skill level 0 or A jobs.

Keep in mind that self-employment and the work experience gained while a full-time student doesn’t count towards this program’s minimum requirements.

🔔 If you need more information on this topic or similar ones, contact our lawyer now by sending an email to [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

What’s a facilitation visa in Canada, and who’s eligible?

Even though Canadian citizens abroad are NOT the responsibility of CIC(Citizenship and Immigration Canada), there are circumstances when it comes to traveller’s aid.🧳

The facilitation visa is given to people when not facilitating the travel would result in undue hardship not created through no fault of the client.

A facilitation visa can be issued for Canadians in distress when:

✅ The citizen had their documents stolen or lost.
✅ Dual nationals are coming to Canada for the first time.
✅ Dual nationals did not obtain a Canadian passport before leaving the country.
✅ Children born in Canada to foreign nationals have returned to their country and do not wish to assert their Canadian citizenship.
✅ Children who go through the citizenship adoption process overseas will travel to Canada, but their birth country only allows them to leave on that country’s passport.
✅ Canadians under 18 are coming to Canada to reside with their Canadian parents.

💡 Do not hesitate to book an appointment here https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/ or send an email to [email protected]. We are very eager to help you with different legal matters.

Common Law Relationships Can Benefit from a Separation Agreement Too 👥

A couple is considered to be in a common law relationship in Ontario if they have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 3 years (if they don’t have a child.)

While common law marriages are recognized, there is no official process for the beginning or the end of the relationship.

That’s why a Separation Agreement is beneficial in setting down the terms of your separation.📜

It is necessary if you have joint property, children or if one spouse wants to begin a relationship with another person and requires a clean slate.

Since it is a legal document, it can help enforce the terms of your separation when facing family law issues.

💡To avoid future consequences in your legal matters, contact Ivan Steele Office Law to leverage our lawyers' knowledge and expertise.

Feel free to send an email to [email protected].📩

Thinking of separation? Top questions to discuss with your family lawyer.

Separation can be an emotional time.

It’s normal to feel confused and upset about your situation, which might make it challenging to know what to expect. While this can be an overwhelming time, the best place to begin is with the support of your family lawyer, who can help you navigate the process of separation and tell you what to discuss with them in preparation for your case. 🤝

To make sure you’re on the right track, here are some questions that you may want to ask yourself before proceeding further:

🔻 What is going to happen with the home, your pensions and other significant assets?
🔻 Do you anticipate shared / joint parenting?
🔻 When should you set up your own bank account and credit card and close the joint accounts?
🔻 What financial documents should you be gathering?

📌 Every situation is unique and should be viewed and treated as such. If you need assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

Why Getting a Will is a Must at Several Life Stages?

A will makes sure your assets get where they’re supposed to go after you die, but you don’t need to wait until you’re older or in ill health to get one done.

In fact, there are several life stages where it’s especially important to take steps toward creating your own estate plan and making a will. ✍🏻

If you:
👉🏻 Are becoming a homeowner
👉🏻 Have significant assets in your name
👉🏻 Inherit something
👉🏻 Are just getting married
👉🏻 Are having children
👉🏻 Are going through separation or divorce
👉🏻 Are currently managing a business

📍 If you would like to book a consultation with me, email me at [email protected] or make an appointment here https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.✉️

Surrogacy and Egg/Sperm Donation in Canada - Your Top Questions Answered by a Lawyer

Making the decision to use a surrogate or egg/s***m donor🥚 to build your family can be an exciting one - but also a confusing one.

So here are the most important things you should remember:⤵️

While surrogacy, s***m and egg donor are legal in Canada, it is prohibited to pay for the donor.
There are many surrogacy arrangements where the surrogates remain involved in the child’s life.
An egg and s***m donation can be anonymous.
While anonymous donations generally protect the donor from parental obligations, without a legal arrangement, they can be sued for child support.

📌 Every situation is unique and should be viewed and treated as such. If you need assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

***mdonoragreement

The executor of your will: how to choose the right person?

The executor of your will—the person in charge of handling your estate after your death—is someone you have to trust will do the right thing when you’re gone.

But who should you choose? 🤔

Figuring out who the best person to be in charge of your estate after you’re gone can be tricky, especially if you don’t leave any instructions in your will as to who you want to take over.

However, keep in mind that it’s all about whom you trust most to:

🔹️ allocate your real estate, money, and personal assets according to your wishes
🔹️ manage any business interests
🔹️ act as a trustee for a trust created if you have minor children
🔹️ carry out all your funeral wishes
🔹️ handle your digital assets

📍 If you need legal assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

What CAN one reimburse surrogates in Canada?

👶🏻Surrogacy in Canada is becoming increasingly popular, with many couples opting to have their children with the help of a surrogate parent.

Unfortunately, there are still some misconceptions about how much they can be reimbursed and for what:

The Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA) is the main law that governs surrogacy in Canada.

As such, it contains a list of lawful reimbursements such as:⤵️

🔻 maternity clothes,
🔻 disability insurance,
🔻 prenatal vitamins,
🔻 medical notes,
🔻 lost income in relation to the surrogacy
etc.

However, not everything is listed in the regulation, which can be a challenge to navigate.

👉🏻 As a rule of thumb, think of it like this: would the surrogate have incurred this cost anyway?

If the answer is No, you are free to reimburse.

📌 If you need legal assistance with any fertility issues, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

🗣Careful! Social media is starting to be used as a weapon in Family Law.

Today, it's becoming more and more common to use social media as evidence in legal disputes, especially when one of the parties involved has posted something incriminating or otherwise questionable.

There are several different ways that people have used social media to their advantage in family law cases, including the following five examples: 👇🏻

1) the use of Facebook's geo-tagging feature;
2) posting photos that could be considered incriminating;
3) posting false statements;
4) making inappropriate posts about the other party;
and 5) inappropriate comments on another person's post.

💡 So, think of this post as a reminder not to write negatively about your former spouse, children, or others in a public forum as it can be used against you in an affidavit.

You hate your spouse's lawyer.

You can't stand their face, their condescending attitude, and their seeming eagerness to take advantage of you and your feelings of anxiety over your divorce process. 👀

Let's talk about why it happens so often in the first place and what you can do to stop it from messing with your head.

First of

Remember that it's not about your spouse's lawyer.

🤝 It's about you and your spouse finding a better and cheaper resolution than the alternative.

Some lawyers will deliberately attempt to bring out your vindictive side to ruin your credibility in front of a judge or arbitrator.

🗣Do your best to ignore it so it won't distract you from the resolution you are trying to achieve.

Divorce negotiations are hard enough without you having spend your energy on things that you cannot control.

📍 If you would like to book a consultation with me, email me at [email protected] or make an appointment here https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.✉️

Interested in surrogacy?🤰🏻 Differences in Birth Process Between Canadian Provinces

In Canada, surrogacy agreements are governed by provincial laws.

Therefore, each province has its own laws and regulations surrounding surrogacy agreements and procedures involved in surrogacy, such parent registrations, birth certificates, social insurance numbers, parental rights and responsibilities and legal name changes.👶🏻

So:

↪️ In British Colombia
A Court order is not required when you have met the conditions of S.29 of the Family Law Act and the surrogate never appears on the birth certificate.

↪️ In Alberta
A Court order is required to establish the parentage of your newborn baby.

↪️ In Manitoba
Again court order is required, and the surrogate will appear on the birth certificate with the names of both intended parents.

💡If you need a legal consultation on any fertility case, email me at [email protected] or make an appointment here https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.✉️

Spousal sponsorship in Canada: How can you prove that your relationship is genuine?

You have probably submitted all the paperwork and paid the hefty fees to sponsor your spouse.

But even then, there's no guarantee that your application will be accepted by Canadian immigration officials. 👭🏻🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏻

In fact, you have to prove that your relationship with your spouse is genuine, and this means providing documentation of past and present interactions between you and your partner.

Some factors that affect the genuinity are:

👉🏻 the length of your relationship
👉🏻 the time of an engagement and/or the wedding
👉🏻 your behaviours before the wedding
👉🏻 the level of contact and communication
👉🏻 the provision of financial support
👉🏻 the knowledge of each other's daily lives, etc

If you want to sponsor your common-law, conjugal partner or spouse, I highly recommend contacting a qualified immigration lawyer.

💡To avoid future consequences in your legal matters, contact Ivan Steele Office Law to leverage our lawyers' knowledge and expertise.

Feel free to send an email at [email protected] 📩

Who qualifies and who doesn't for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) in Canada?

A PRTD is issued by the Canadian Immigration Visa Office, allowing you to enter the country through a commercial vehicle.

You can only apply for one from outside Canada if you meet the following requirements:

🔻 You are a permanent resident of Canada
🔻 You don't have a valid Permanent Resident (PR) card
🔻 Are outside Canada
🔻 Are returning to Canada by a commercial vehicle (airplane, bus, boat or train)
🔻 Your Permanent Resident Card is not ready or has expired while travelling

🔔 If you need more information on this topic or similar ones, contact our lawyer by emailing [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

What are the requirements in Canada for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)?

If you are a permanent resident in Canada, you can apply for a temporary travel document, otherwise known as the permanent resident travel document (PRTD).

This is the case when you do not have a valid permanent resident card when you want to enter Canada.🧳

In order to obtain the PRTD you:

📍 Have to have been physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within 5 years.📍

This is the only permanent residency obligation.

These obligations are assessed while applying for a PR (Permanent resident) card renewal, a PRTD, or for Canadian citizenship.

➡️What are you waiting for? Do not hesitate to book an appointment here or send an email at [email protected]. We are very eager to help you with different legal matters.

Who qualifies for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) in Canada?✒️

The SDS study permit process provides students from some specific countries (China, India, the Philippines, Morocco, Senegal, Pakistan, and Vietnam) with a unique opportunity to fast-track the processing of their study permits.🌍 Do keep in mind that study permit does not, by itself, allow you to travel to or enter Canada. You may also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). These will be issued with your study permit.

If you want to be eligible for an SDS, you must meet the following criteria:

🔹️ Have a letter of acceptance from a learning institution in Canada
🔹️ Have a clearance document that confirms the result of your recent medical examination

🔹️ Provide a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) that shows you have an investment account balance of $10,000 or higher.
🔹️ Provide a receipt for the payment of the tuition fee for the first year - among other things.

You will also need to get a medical exam before you apply (if you need one)
Get a police certificate before you apply (if you need one)
Have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
Have a language test result for either English or French.

🔔 If you need more information on this topic or similar ones, contact our lawyer now by sending an email at [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

What are the requirements for the “Authorization to Return to Canada”?✔️

If you have been found inadmissible to Canada or have failed to comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, then you may need an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)

In order to apply for the ARC, you need to provide the following documentation:
✅ An approved TRV (temporary resident visa)
✅ Your valid passport
✅ Photos of your latest passport
✅ A letter where you explain the purpose of your visit and reasons you should be allowed to visit Canada again
✅ Receipt for processing fee

Beware: They can still deny entry to Canada even with an approved ARC!🚨

✔️Do you need more information or have questions?

💡 Contact our now by sending an email at [email protected], and we will get back to you shortly.

Requirements for different visa extensions in Canada✈️

Many people who live in Canada do not hold Canadian citizenship but come to the country on temporary work or study visas with a definite end date.

Luckily, it's fairly easy to get a visa extension in Canada, and the Canadian government offers several different types of extensions depending on your reason for needing to stay longer.

Here's what to keep in mind:

➡️ Visa Extensions for Visitors: It allows non-citizens to stay in Canada for a period of 6 months, and it’s advisable that you extend your stay at least 30 days prior to the expiry of your status.

➡️ Visa Extensions for Study Permit Holders: if you fail to extend your study permit, you have 90 days to apply for a restoration permit.

➡️ Visa Extension for Work Permit Holders: you cannot extend your permit beyond the validity period of your passport.

📩Contact us here for more information https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/

What are the benefits of a Study Permit in Canada?⤵️

Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and its top universities are equally as diverse, boasting international students from over 190 countries.

There are several visa options available to help you pursue your education in Canada, with the most popular being the Study Permit Visa (SPV)

Why should you care about a study permit?

👉🏻 If you are enrolled in a full-time study program, you can work on or off campus.
👉🏻 When you complete your study program, you can apply for a PGWP( Post Graduate Work Permit) to gain Canadian work experience.
👉🏻 If you want to study in Canada, then you will require an acceptance letter along with a study permit.

✅If you need assistance, schedule a consultation at https://www.ivansteelelaw.com/contact-us/.

Want to study in Canada without a study permit? No Problem (Sometimes)

If you want to study in Canada as a foreign national, you will need to have an authorized study permit. However, there are circumstances that can exempt you from this requirement.

So, a study permit is not required when/if:👇🏻

🔹️ You are a family member or member of the support staff of a foreign representative or ambassador authorized by the government to perform diplomatic duties.
🔹️ You are employed in the armed force of a country that's part of the Visiting Forces Act.
🔹️ Your study program is equal to or less than 6 months and will be completed within the authorized period of the stay.
🔹️ You are an Indian under the "Registered Indian Act."

These are only some of the cases when you don't need a study permit in Canada.

Be mindful that every case is different, so consult with a lawyer.

🔎 You can contact me with any questions you might have at [email protected].

Can you apply for a spousal open work permit from outside Canada?

The Inland Spousal Sponsorship Open Work Permit is available to all those spouses of Canadian citizens who have already applied for permanent residence inland. 📩

So, if you have a permanent residency application within Canada, have the same address as your sponsor, and meet all the requirements under the spousal sponsorship – then you can apply for a work permit.

As you can see, this is not doable from outside Canada.🌍

You can only apply for the spousal open work permit from within the country while your permanent residence permit is being processed.

➡️What are you waiting for? Do not hesitate to book an appointment here or send an email at [email protected]. We are very eager to help you with different legal matters.