Archive for month: May, 2024

I am writing this blog as I consistently encounter this issue in my practice, and it became clear that prospective temporary permanent applicants need some assistance.

Today, I will discuss how your resume should be prepared for Canadian immigration purposes, as the Canadian resume format is different.  It is imperative that your resume is prepared, having in mind that it will be read by an immigration officer.  Your resume may be included in submitting your application for a:

1. Study permit
2. Work permit, and/or
3. Permanent resident application, an example, an OINP application

For immigration purposes, a chronological format is the best. After you immigrate to Canada, you will need to amend it again for the Canadian labour market, which has different requirements, as you will need to meet employers’ and recruiters’ needs.

The recruitment industry has changed enormously with the digital age. What worked in the past can be professionally fatal today, as recruiters don’t read resumes anymore—they scan.

The result?               You have only 20 seconds to impress the recruiter.

Yes, you might be the best candidate with great qualifications, but if your CV does not communicate that at a glance, you’re done.  It is your job to SHOW IMMEDIATELY that you are the ideal candidate.  That FIRST IMPRESSION is the most important part of a resume; therefore, you will need to research how to effectively prepare your resume at that time.

For now, I would like to assist you in preparing your resume for your immigration-related applications.  Your resume will be read by an immigration officer in charge of your file. Therefore, it needs to meet the immigration requirements.

Every country has different requirements, and a resume prepared for countries in the European Union, or, for an Indian market, most likely will not meet the requirements for Canadian immigration, as immigration officers will be looking for specific information related to your immigration file.

If you’re applying for a specific immigration program, you may also want to check if your resume fits the criteria of the program, in the first place. There are specific rules about which jobs are considered skilled trades or skilled workers. Also, if the job fits the criteria, keep those criteria in mind when writing the descriptions of your past work experience—just make sure that the duties and skills you mention in your description are accurate to the positions you have held. Also, you should review and cross-reference your duties and responsibilities with the corresponding NOC code.

Please also bear in mind that your resume, included in your immigration application, should coincide with your social media accounts, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, as immigration offices DO cross-reference your resume with your social media accounts.

For your ease of reference, attached please find a template of a chronological resume.  I trust that these observations and the template will be of assistance to you.

If you intend to come to Canada as a worker, a student or a permanent immigrant and need assistance in submitting your application, please contact us.

Click Here to Download the Resume Template

Individuals submitting their applications for immigration to Canada must ensure that all supporting documents issued in a language other than English or French are accompanied by an official translation, regardless of your immigration category, be it a temporary or permanent resident application.

This also applies to multilingual documents containing text in English and/or French, such as the European Criminal Record Check, ID cards, driver’s licence, etc.. wherein just several or even one single word is in another language, as it might be an officer’s discretion to return or refuse your application.

IRCC does not accept translations done by you, the applicant, family members, or your legal representative, be it a consultant, a lawyer, or a notary, regardless, your representative may be a certified translator.

Documents written in a foreign language must be:

1. translated by a certified translator and
2. accompanied by an affidavit or a declaration signed by a translator and/or stamped by the translator who translated the document

Please note that some provincial nominee programs may have their specific translator’s affidavits, and therefore, you need to ensure that the translation meets these specific requirements.

If documents are translated in Canada

Applicants should use the services of a certified translator who is in good standing with their provincial or territorial organization. The translator’s certification can be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number of the association. In Ontario, such an association is called the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO). Every province has its own professional translation association.

Documents translated by a non-certified translator

Whether the translation was conducted by a certified translator or in situations where the translation cannot be provided by a certified translator, for languages such as Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian and other nations with a very small population in Canada, in either case, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit/declaration wherein the translator swears to the accuracy of the translation.

SOMETIMES, the translator is required to swear that the translation is a true rendition of the source document in front of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths.

Who can swear an affidavit?

In Canada:

• a notary public
• a commissioner of oaths
• a commissioner of taking affidavits

Outside Canada:

• a notary public, or equivalent

Translations done outside Canada.

Each country may have different requirements for the translation of documents. Therefore, the translations need to meet the requirements of that country. Regardless, it MUST be accompanied by a translator’s affidavit or a declaration.

Continue to Part 2 »

Beware of Immigration Fraud!

You’ve decided that you want to immigrate to Canada to make a better life for yourself and your family. During a consultation, you discover that you do not have enough points, and in order to obtain a higher score so you can immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry system, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required.

An LMIA is initiated by a Canadian employer from within Canada and is issued by Service Canada. In addition to your Express Entry application, an LMIA is also often necessary for a work permit. The employer needs to prove to the Canadian government that the company is unable to locate a Canadian permanent resident or citizen to fill the position. It is a complicated, lengthy and fairly costly process that companies often do not wish to go through, as the employer is required to provide financial documents to Service Canada, pay the required salary, advertise for one month in accordance with the requirements established by the government, and submit an application for the LMIA to Service Canada. The employer will also most likely be interviewed by Service Canada to ensure that the job offer is genuine. Because of all these challenges, some employers are reluctant to go through the process and instead try to meet their employment needs within Canada.

And that is when unassuming and trusting individuals may get ripped off by those selling fake LMIAs. This happens in various countries where companies are involved in the immigration business but are not licenced, acting instead as unauthorized “ghost” consulting firms. Be vigilant. Protect your investment, your savings and your future from bogus promises and fraudulent individuals. Fraud is a criminal offence in Canada.

Identity theft is another form of fraud to watch out for. Once you’re in Canada, criminals involved in identity theft may pose as immigration officers. They may call you and require you to meet them, threatening that you will be deported if you refuse to meet with them and pay them money. They usually schedule their meetings close to immigration centers. Don’t be scared. Protect yourself and call the police, and refrain from engaging in further conversation.

Be cautious about immigration services with suspiciously low prices. Fees that are much lower than the market rate and easy-entry programs are attractive, but if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. They may be selling you services for an immigration program that doesn’t exist! In addition to fake LMIAs, be on the alert for other false documents, such as visas for made-up programs.

Do not be deceived by advertisements that quote very low fees. You need to question what kind of service such a company is going to provide for so little money. Properly preparing an application for a client requires professional knowledge and time. Individuals that charge low fees are usually not authorized to represent you to IRCC, and the low fees are just there for them to make some quick, easy money.

There’s no need to take our word for it. A little research will bring up real-life cases where would-be immigrants have become victims of fraudsters.

Don’t be the victim of a scam; contact a licensed immigration professional. We’re here to help with your LMIA, work permit and permanent residence, and we’ll do it the right way!