Seeking to migrate to Canada

Good day,

I seek information on migrating to Canada. Currently, and for some time now, there is a wave of information on migration to Canada. Also, suddenly, everyone is a consultant or an expert on Canadian migration, the new buzz. Well, I am seeking better for my family and I.

Firstly, I am interested in knowing the costs associated and the realistic time frames involved, and exactly what to do.

I am the mother of a three-year-old daughter, along with a spouse, who is my daughter's father. I just turned 34 and am currently 1 1/2 years away from being awarded my undergraduate degree in language, communications and society from University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Jamaica. I hold a certificate in management studies. I have 15 years work experience, 10 of which are in customer service. I have no family in Canada.

My spouse has a cousin there but I am not certain of her residency status. We also have a mutual friend who has been there for a number of years now. I also have a Facebook friend from high school.

Please provide me with any assistance you can.

Dear friend,

There are several ways in which one may emigrate to Canada. Some of these include the skilled worker and professional programme, the Canadian Experience Class, the Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Class and the Family Class.

One of the categories that you might consider is the Skilled Worker and Professional Class given your education and work experience. In order to qualify for the Skilled Worker and Professional Class, you must either have arranged employment or have one year of continuous full-time paid work experience in at least one of the 29 occupations listed by the Canadian Immigration authorities.

Increase your points

Since June of 2010, each occupation has a cap of 20,000 per annum. There are six selection factors that the immigration authorities consider in regard to the application. These factors are education, work experience, your age, your ability in English or French, your adaptability to Canada and whether you have arranged employment. Points are assigned based on these factors. The occupation where you would probably fit among the 29 job categories is the Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management. However, this job category has already reached its cap. However, if you have arranged employment, the cap will not apply to you. Having family in Canada will increase your points as well.

You do not appear to be eligible under the Family Class as a cousin would not be eligible to sponsor you. Friends can help you settle in Canada but are not able to assist in your application for the purposes of immigration.

The Entrepreneurs and Self-employed Class requires a large amount of capital investment in order to qualify. The Canadian Experience Class requires that you (a) work in Canada with a valid work permit for a period of at least two years full-time in a skilled occupation or (b) study in Canada in a post secondary institution for at least 2 years or (c) complete a master's degree for at least one year. You are then required to work for at least one year in Canada, with a valid work permit in an occupation that is classified as 0, A or B under the National Occupational List and then apply for permanent resident status.

Time lines for immigration varies with the class of immigration that you apply under. The fees and timelines are all available on the website.

I hope that you have a better understanding of the process and that you make a wise choice.

Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams is a barrister/solicitor of bars in Jamaica and Ontario, Canada. She is president of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation and former counsel at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Email: info4immigration@gmail.com