Immigration lawyer & law

Emigration to the USA, Want a Green Card For Talent?

2009-07-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

by Groshan Fabiola

Emigration - moving from one country to another - can radically change a person's life. Of course, the more developed the country of your choice is, the more difficult is to emigrate there. Developed countries build barriers to unregulated immigration and attempt to search for skills and talent among the crowds desiring to immigrate.

This article is for people who seek emigration to America which is among the countries with the most strict and difficult immigration laws. There are four ways to obtain a green card - a status of a permanent resident alien in the USA. One can immigrate on the basis of (a) family relations; (b) employment/professional skills; (c) by winning in a Diversity Lottery; or (d) by obtaining a status of refugee/political asylum. There are thousands and thousands US law firms working in the area of immigration. We - a law group of Milgrom & Associates - work on all kinds of immigration cases. But our primary area is helping those whose goal is emigration on the basis of their unique professional skills and talent. And in this area we perform certain services that, as far as we know, are not offered by any other American attorney or law firm.

Let's say you are a foreign inventor and have a new invention you want to patent in the USA, or if you are a programmer, wrote a new computer program, and want to protect and register your copyright in the USA, or you are a composer who wrote a symphony which needs protection in the USA... In other words, if you (a) don't live in the US, (b) created something valuable and (c) want to protect your intellectual property rights in America - we can help you in doing that. Some other law firms offer such services, too.

Let's further say that after taking steps to protect and register your rights you believe that there is a demand for your creation in America. Then we can assist in monetization of your intellectual property. We can search for a company interested in licensing, manufacturing, marketing and selling your invention, for example. Or look for buyers for your computer program. Or find performers for your symphony. And when those interested parties are found we will conduct negotiations with them, draft an agreement on your behalf, and otherwise protect your interests. Very few - if any - law firms in the US offer this kind of services to their foreign clients. Finally, if your creation is commercially successful in America and emigration to the United States is your goal; we can help you and your family to get green cards - on the basis of that commercial success. As far as we know, nobody in the US offers all of the above as one package. These legal services offered by our firm are unique. Also we assist foreign talents and professionally successful people from all walks of life - science, literature/theater/music, business, sports, and industry - in obtaining green cards. We help them and their families in their emigration to the US.

Emigration to the US on the basis of professional achievements, getting green card for talent is not an easy task. We will assist you in navigation of stormy emigration waters and bring your family ship into a safe harbor.

About the Author
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How To Become A US Citizen the Quick & Easy Way

2009-06-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

by Linda Florentine

There is so much misinformation floating around about how to become a US citizen that it's enough to make one sick. So this article is going to give you the straight facts directly from the mouth of the US government itself. Yes, some of this stuff is open to interpretation, but most of it is pretty straight forward. Hopefully, this article will give you a solid idea of what is required.

For starters, you must be living in the United States currently and living there for some period of time. How much time? Unfortunately, that's one of the gray areas the nobody can give a definitive answer to. But trust me, it better be for at least a year or more.

You must also have residence in a USCIS district when filing. USCIS stands for United States Citizenship and Immigration. In other words, if you are living in an area of the US that doesn't have one of these districts, you can't file for citizenship. You must be able to read, write and speak English. This is straight forward and there is no room for compromise here. If you can't read, write and speak English, you have to learn. As to the proficiency, that's one of the gray areas.

You must also have a knowledge and understanding of US history and government. This is probably one of the most difficult parts of the exam for becoming a citizen. You'd be surprised how many people born in this country who don't know anything about our government.

The next requirement is that you are of good moral character. Yes, they can refuse your citizenship if they believe you are immoral.

Finally, you have to believe in the principles of the US Constitution and have a favorable disposition towards the United States. And trust me on this, they will investigate you, your family and everybody you know in order to determine whether or not you're loyal to this country.

In my signature, is a review of a great resource that will absolutely prepare you for becoming a US citizen. I strongly advise you take a look at it.

About the Author
Visit http://easynaturalizationreview.blogspot.com to read my review of this great resource and discover more about the Citizenship Process.

English and French Tests When Immigrating to Canada

2009-04-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

by Amy Nutt

When immigrating to a foreign country, one is faced with new customs and languages. In Canada, new immigrants applying as a "skilled immigrant" are required to pass either an English or French language test. French tests are mandatory for those immigrating to the province of Quebec. Learning to speak and read English is essential and mandatory in Canada because businesses and services are provided using the English language. This includes such areas as hospitals, retail businesses, emergency services, etc.

Skilled workers are chosen as permanent residents of Canada on the basis of their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, work experience, age, whether they have arranged employment in Canada, number of dependents, and other factors that prove that they have the ability to maintain economical stability. The province of Quebec is responsible for selecting its own skilled workers.

When immigrating to Canada, you are required to prove your English language skills by taking a language proficiency test that is approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). By taking the IELTS Test (International English Language Testing System) new immigrants will see how many points they will receive for the language section of the test. If the score in the language test is between 7.0 and 9.0, then four immigration points are awarded for that part of the test. Immigration points are awarded for each individual part and then totaled.

If the score is within 5.0 to 6.9, two immigration points are awarded. If the score is less than 5.0, no immigration points are awarded for that section. The test is designed for people who intend to study or work where English is the communication language.

The IELTS is used all over the world to measure the ability of a person to communicate in English. IELTS measures the ability to communicate in English in the four language skills that includes listening, reading, writing, and speaking. More than 6,000 education institutions, government agencies, faculties, and professional organizations recognize IELTS scores as an honest assessment of one's ability to communicate in English. As one of the fastest growing English language tests in the world, the IELTS is taken every year by millions of people across 120 countries.

Canadian tests are placed in two categories that include:

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Test-General: Assesses proficiency levels of general reading and writing skills. Results are accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for immigration points. It is also appropriate for certain post-secondary and employment training programs where practical reading and writing skills are required.

The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Test-Academic: Assesses proficiency of beginning college or university-level reading and writing. The test is made up of four subtests that include: sentence structure, reading comprehension, English usage, and essay writing. Results are used for university or college programs where a higher level of English communication and composition skills are required.

The process of taking the English language tests involves the following steps:

- Make arrangements with an approved testing organization - Pay for the cost of testing. - Include the results of your test with the immigration application. - The CIC will use the test results as proof of your language skills. - Language test results are valid for one year from the date that the test was taken.

The rules for applying for immigration as a skilled worker to Canada can change, so before you apply, make sure you check the current application procedures and most recent selection standards. Once you have all your papers in order, you can prepare for your new life in a warm and welcoming country.

About the Author
Learn English with qualified teachers at home, office or any other place with our free English lessons and our free web 2.0 language translator software.

Discover How To Become A US Citizen. Easy Or Difficault?

2009-04-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

by Sally Saunder

Life is so full of those funny things that just make you chuckle. US citizenship is one of them. There are some people in the US who have been born here who deserve to be citizens about as much as a chimp deserves to be made CEO of Microsoft. And then there are those, fine upstanding people with good heads on their shoulders, who can't become citizens because of one thing or another.

You can maintain "continuous presence" in the United States and preserve your permanent resident status by not remaining outside the United States for more than one year, or by obtaining advance approval from Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for your absence by filing Form N-470 with CIS before leaving. A break in residence of more than one year, without advance approval of Form N-470, means you must start your five-year term of physical presence in the United States again.

Minors with at least one U.S. citizen parent may be naturalized upon the application of the U.S. citizen parent. INA § 322, 8 U.S.C. § 1433. This includes adopted children.

You may file your application for citizenship (CIS Form N-400, please see our "Forms Download" page on our main web site page near the bottom) up to three months before you meet the residence eligibility requirements referred to above.

You may be found not to possess "good moral character" if you were convicted of murder, an "aggravated felony," as defined by federal immigration law, a crime of "moral turpitude," a controlled substance crime (but not for simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana), if you gave false testimony to obtain immigration benefits, failed to provide child support, committed adultery or were involved in prostitution, or failed to register for Selective Service if you are between the ages of 18 and 25. CIS has paid greater attention to the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, particularly to multiple offenses by the same applicant where the latest offense is considered a felony by state law, and is scrutinizing domestic violence or spousal abuse cases very carefully. This is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list of things that can cause problems with the naturalization processes of CIS.

You will be required to take a literacy test to assess your knowledge of the English language, unless you are:

1. Unable to comply due to a documented disability; 2. Are more than 50 years old and have lived in the United States for 20 years or more as a permanent resident alien; 3. Are more than 55 years old and have lived in the United States for 15 years or more as a permanent resident alien.

You will be required to take a test of your knowledge of U.S. history and government unless you are:

1. Unable to comply due to a documented disability; 2. Are 65 years old or older and have been a permanent resident alien for more than 20 years.

If you fail the tests, you will be given a second opportunity to pass the tests within 90 days.

CIS officers are required to make a decision concerning your naturalization within 120 days after your interview, or the examiner may ask you to sign a waiver of this requirement. Most will. If your application is denied, you may appeal to another CIS officer within the same district office. The new CIS officer will have 180 days from the date of the filing of your appeal to make a decision. If you application is again denied, or if there is no decision within the 180 days, you may seek review of the officer's decision in U.S. district court where you live. You may also seek review in federal court if you did not waive the 120-day rule, and CIS does not make a decision within 120 days.

Add to all the above certain requirements for living in this country for a certain length of time and also living in a USCIS district, and becoming a citizen becomes no small chore.

Fair? Maybe not. But those are the requirements and the facts. Good news is, there are resources that will help you get your citizenship. In my signature is a review of one of these resources. I think you will find it most helpful.

No, becoming a US citizen is not easy...but it is so worth it. And the pride you will get when you accomplish it is a feeling that can't be equaled by anything else.

About the Author
How does the US citizenship process works?
Become a us citizen, find out how: http://citizenshipprocess.info

United States Immigration Programs Continue to Strain Local Law Enforcement

2009-03-30T03:39:00.000-07:00

by Tony R. Bertolino

Immigration has been a hot button issue in the United States for quite some time. In fact, it was discussed at length in last year's presidential election year. Perhaps the topic is no more passionately debated than in the states that form our southern border. One of the current questions facing the police forces in the Houston area is - how far can officers go in assisting with the federal issue of immigration control without compromising responsibilities to local matters of crime and justice?

The Department of Homeland Security has a division known as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Part of ICE's efforts includes a 287(g) program, which trains local authorities in immigration duties and gives the officers access to an extensive ICE fingerprint database. The hope is that giving the police officers such power will expedite the process of discovering and deporting those who have entered the country illegally.

The Houston Chronicle printed a story a while back about the effect of ICE's reliance on our communities. The main dilemma facing the suburbs surrounding Houston is the amount of time that officers would need to be away from their local duties in order to be trained by ICE - four or five weeks - as well as the fact that the county would have to continue to pay the salaries of its absent members. Because of these burdens on public safety and the county coffers, none of the six counties that surround Houston has yet applied for participation in the ICE program.

"Taking people out of pocket for an extended period of time would be a problem," said Cpl. Hugh Bishop, representative for the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

Are the lines between federal and local responsibilities necessarily becoming blurred as the need to address immigration concerns reaches the forefront of policy discussions? If so, is there a way to train the needed law enforcement without further straining resources? These questions will need to be addressed as our country moves forward with the myriad of legal issues created by the immigrants entering our country every day.

With law offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio, our immigration attorneys make it a priority at Bertolino LLP to keep ourselves at the forefront of immigration law. If you have an issue that requires legal assistance, please contact one of our immigration attorneys. http://www.belolaw.com

About the Author
Tony R. Bertolino is the managing partner at Bertolino LLP with law offices located in Austin, Houston and San Antonio, Texas. A member of the Trial and Appellate Litigation Team, Mr. Bertolino's practice is devoted largely to complex transactions, commercial litigation, business law, entertainment law and family law matters. You can read more about Mr. Bertolino at http://www.belolaw.com

Immigration in Panama

2009-03-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

by Laurie Cooper

Panama is a beautiful country. Panama property is one of the most sought after places in the world where people want to settle down. As such there are many reasons why one should settle down or buy Panama property.

The Panama real estate today is booming. This means that today there is high value for the real estate as more and more people are looking to settle down in the country. People who come to take a vacation in the country soon fall in love with the country's beauty and purchase Panama property to settle down. Many people spend a lot of money to purchase property and to build their dream homes in Panama property.

As such Panama has developed a multi-cultural community that caters people from all parts of the world. English is most commonly spoken in Panama and therefore it is easy for anyone from any part of the world to blend in well with the culture of Panama. Most basic amenities area at hand and a lot of money is spent by the government to take care of the civic and the social needs of the people of Panama. Also there are the basic facilities of schooling and education that is well provided for. After the treaty with the United States there is much development in the country and it is free from any forms of internal aggression. Also the low cost of living is a good incentive for the people who are living in the country. The taxes are less and there are many tax exemptions that are offered that make the cost of living very low in Panama property.

If you are looking to settle in Panama property then you should get immigration help that will help you to settle in Panama property without any problems. There are many sources that will help you to get immigration to Panama. You should make sure that you have all the necessary documents ready that are necessary for immigration. This may include a medical certificate, an income certificate as well as a good conduct certificate from your original country.

Also there are many options available that will give you immigration and finally citizenship of Panama. This would include conditions like if you are married to a Panamanian or if you are working in Panama which would constitute of a work permit or you should have some personal sources of income in Panama. You can also be an investor in Panama real estate. There are two sections to this, small scale investors and large scale investors. This will depend upon the type of income that you are generating. Also you can have agricultural permits. If you want to know more about the options on settling down in Panama then you should make sure that you know all the rules and procedures.

It is best if you take help from the agencies that will aid you in settling down in Panama. With the right help you can settle down in Panama property without any problems or hassle.

About the Author
You plan to buy some property, and Panama property is a great choice for sure. If you like exotic countries with beautiful beaches and mountains, than you should visit Laurie Cooper's site http://www.cpanama.com and check Panama real estate offer.

Canada Immigration: What You Need to Know

2009-01-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

by Chris Robertson

If you're considering immigrating to Canada, you're certainly not alone. Due to its high standard of living, its excellent education system, and its universal health care, Canada immigration is attractive to people around the world. And, who can ignore the country's peacefulness, safety, and sheer beauty?

There are a number of paths to Canadian immigration. For example, provinces and territories share authority with the federal government and can fast track applications for permanent residency. The immigrants given priority are those who the provinces and territories deem to have skills in areas defined as important by the provincial authorities.

There are also immigration options based on marriage and family relationships. If, for example, you're married to a permanent resident or citizen, you can achieve permanent residency through their sponsorship. Similarly, if your parent is a permanent resident, he or she can sponsor you if you're less than 22 years of age, if you're financially dependent upon him or her, or if you are disabled. If you're the brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, there are circumstances under which you can be sponsored for residency.

Through its business class application, the country also extends Canadian immigration to those who fit its entrepreneur and investor requirements. For example, if you have a net worth of $300,000 and extensive business management experience, or net assets of $1 million, you may be eligible for these immigration categories - and, in the process, realize significant tax savings.

Similarly, if you have an offer of employment, are a temporary foreign worker, or have experience in any number of occupations listed as desirable by the federal government, you may be eligible for immigration. Although the list of occupations changes from time to time, they currently run the gamut from financial managers and health care managers to mining engineers and crane operators.

Although Canada accepts close to a quarter of a million immigrants each year, Canadian immigration isn't necessarily a cakewalk. Indeed, navigating the various immigration categories and finding the one that will reduce your delay in moving to the country can be confusing at best and impossible at worst. After all, in 2006, close to half of applications for immigration in the business and skilled worker categories were refused.

Because the immigration process can be so tricky, it is helpful to engage the services of a Canadian immigration consultant who can assess your chances of qualification and smooth the way for successful immigration. A Canadian immigration consultant who is accredited by the country's government can go even further, by representing you during the application process and, if necessary, making your case to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. You can find immigration consultants online, but make sure that you select one that has a high success rate (a 95% success rate should be the standard you use), one that will provide you with a free assessment of your chances for success, and one that offers personal and effective services at reasonable prices. When you do, you'll exponentially increase the chance that, this time next year, you'll be enjoying the high standard of living that Canada has to offer.

About the Author
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: Canada immigration
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Foreign Relatives and US Citizenship

2009-01-05T04:40:00.000-08:00

by Sally Odell

Permanent residents and US citizens may help qualifying foreign relatives to petition for citizenship and permanent residence in the US. If you have already been accepted as a natural born U.S. citizen, or naturalized, or if you are currently living in the U.S. during your qualifying permanent residency period, you are able to help your relatives outside the US become US citizens.
In general here is what you need to know to help your family become US citizens. This needs to be done with the assistance of a qualified immigration attorney due to the many recent changes is the USCIS rules.

The person applying for a green card or visa (termed a foreign national) must have a relative that is a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident. They must also be able to show proof of their status and proof of their relationship to the applicant. As you might expect, there are a lot of forms to be filled out during this process, and rather than risk filling out the wrong one and delaying the process, make sure you consult with a competent immigration lawyer. They know precisely which forms you will need, and when and where to file them on your behalf.

The person applying has to also prove their wage (income) is 125% above the poverty line for the whole family, including the applicant. If that isn't possible then the applicant may become a joint sponsor with another relative. If that isn't feasible, then the applicant's assets may be considered.

If the applicant's relative is a US citizen it must be proven that the applicant is a child under 21 years old; the married son/daughter; brother/sister of a US citizen; spouse or parent of a US citizen. In these instances, there are various qualifying ages that should be checked out by consulting with your immigration attorney.

If the applicant needed a sponsor and that sponsor is a US permanent resident, the sponsor has to prove the applicant is the wife or husband, or unmarried daughter or son. As you can see, this is not the easiest process to follow and there are a lot of areas where having immigration legal counsel will make the difference in the final outcome.

In order for a petition to be filed, you and your immigration lawyer need to be very thorough on your application forms. While this process from start to finish might be complex and cumbersome, the end result will be the happy reuniting of a family; something that most immigration lawyers strive for each day.

About the Author

Sally Odell - Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, PA is an immigration lawyer in Miami with immigration law offices in Orlando and Miami Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.rifkinandfoxisicoff.com.

Where Do the Candidates Stand on Immigration Laws?

2008-12-21T04:39:00.000-08:00

by Todd A. Smith

Throughout the historic 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama and John McCain have disagreed and debated over issues such as the war in Iraq, the economy, and faith and values, rarely agreeing on a problem or solution. However, when it comes to the need to reform United States immigration laws, both candidates seem to be on the same wavelength and both are determined to secure U.S. borders and provide a path to citizenship for law-abiding undocumented immigrants and their families.

According to barackobama.com, the problems with immigration laws include a forty percent explosion in undocumented immigrants since 2000, broken immigration bureaucracy and unsuccessful immigration raids, which produced only 3,600 arrests in 2006.

Obama said, "The time to fix our broken immigration system is now … We need stronger enforcement on the border and at the workplace … But for reform to work, we also must respond to what pulls people to America … Where we can reunite families, we should. Where we can bring in more foreign-born workers with the skills our economy needs, we should."

The Democratic nominee wants to secure the borders by adding needed personnel, infrastructure and technology at U.S. borders and ports. Obama and running mate Joe Biden want to improve the immigration system by keeping immigrant families together and providing business owners with the workers they need to contribute to the economy. In addition, "Obama and Biden will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants," according to his website.

The Democratic ticket would also change immigration laws by requiring that undocumented immigrants pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line if they want to become United States citizens. Furthermore, Obama and Biden want to work with Mexico to promote economic development so that immigrants will not feel the need to enter the U.S. illegally to earn suitable wages to support their families.

McCain and running mate Sarah Palin also favor reforming immigration laws to promote a secure border, a path to citizenship and punishment for companies that hire undocumented workers.

"As you know, I and many other colleagues twice attempted to pass comprehensive immigration legislation to fix our broken borders; ensure respect for the laws of this country; recognize the important economic contribution of immigration laborers; apprehend those who came here illegally to commit crimes; and deal practically and humanely with those who came here, as my distant ancestors did, to build a better, safer life for their families, without excusing the fact they came here illegally or granting them privileges before those who have been waiting their turn outside the country," McCain said.

To secure U.S. borders McCain will set guidelines to secure the border through physical and virtual barriers, deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in border states, and continue the utilization of the US-VISIT visitor security program.

McCain and Palin would prosecute "bad-actor" employers who hire undocumented workers by creating a database that would quickly verify a job applicant's work eligibility status. The Republican would also reform immigration laws by creating a temporary worker program that meets the labor needs in this country by ensuring that students who are educated in America have the opportunity to work in this country upon graduation and reforming caps for the H-1B visa program to rise and fall with the demand for workers and market conditions.

And like their Democratic counterparts, the Republican ticket would change immigration laws by requiring all undocumented workers to enroll in a program to resolve their citizenship status, which will require them to pay fines, learn English, pass a citizenship course and guarantee that no one who enters this country illegally will get a green card before those applying legally.

About the Author
Todd A. Smith is the web master for ; Regal Mag The preeminent Online Magazine for African American Men. For more information on this subject visit our ; Community Section

How to get USA Visa for your spouse?

2008-12-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

by Munish

A spouse is a legally wedded husband or wife. This visa is for you if you want to settle in USA on the basis of your relationship with your partner. There are many categories like H1-B visa, L-1, IR-1, CR1, K3 visa etc. This helps you to obtain permanent residence immediately. The first step is to file a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 for your spouse (husband or wife) to immigrate to the United States.

You file the petition with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) immigration Field Office in the United States that serves the area where you live.

To obtain spouse visa, you must meet the following requirements: You must be legally married. Merely living together does not qualify a marriage for immigration Unmarried partners are ineligible to sponsor visas to the United Stated. You must be 18 years old before you can sign the Affidavit of Support, which is a form that will be required later in the process. You are also required to satisfy health and character requirements. The marriage must still be in existence; An appointment package is sent to the agent or the applicant.The appointment package gives the applicant an interview date and tells you the specific requirements of the visa. It includes instructions on where to go to have the required medical examination. During the interview process, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer.

In general, the following is required: A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States. Birth certificate Divorce or death certificate of any previous spouse Marriage certificate Police certificate from all places lived since age 16 Medical examination Evidence of financial support. A completed Form I-864 Affidavit of Support from petitioner/sponsor is required. Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, Form DS-230, both Part I and Part II Two immigrant visa photos Proof of the marriage and the husband/wife relationship Payment of immigrant processing fees, as explained below

About the Author
Gerald Cipolla & Associates specialize in L visa , and investor visa lawyer services. For more detail visit http://www.immigrationvisaus.com/

Obtaining an Australian Visa: Rules To Keep In Mind

2008-11-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

by Jo Alelsto

A visa generally refers to a formal endorsement which is endowed by a certain government on a person's passport, and this denotes that the individual's passport has been thoroughly checked and found valid by the country he or she wishes to visit. This also allows the bearer to legally travel to his or her destination. An entry visa indicates that the bearer has gotten official permission to enter a country as a visitor, but this does not however guarantee outright admission. The other major purpose of a visa is to allow a government to limit, as well as control, the entry of aliens into a country. Generally, there are two types of visas commonly issued, and these are the passport entry visa and the immigrant entry visa. The passport entry visa allows for the person to visit the country on a specified duration, while the immigrant visa is given to those who want to settle permanently in that country. So how should one get an Australian Visa?

Based on information posted on the Australian Government's official web site, most visa applications are approved or denied in 30 seconds, but there will be times when the standard application process takes a bit longer to undertake. For starters, the most common Australian visa issued is the Electronic Travel Authority or ETA. This is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and allows for multiple visits to Australia with up to three months for each visit. Applications for these are usually quick, and the applicant will know the result in a short span of time. In getting an ETA however, you first need to check if you're qualified for this. Foremost, only passport-holding individuals from selected nations like the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada are allowed to apply for an ETA. You could check out the complete list of eligible countries from the Australian Government web site.

If ever you belong to any of the countries approved for this visa, you may apply online. Once you're on the official government web site, click on the "Apply for ETA" button, and thoroughly read as well as accept the information stated. An ETA application has a A$20 application fee levied, but you could use your credit card to pay for this too. Next, provide all personal information required. Once you complete all necessary forms and provide the pertinent information, start waiting for approval. According to Australian visa experts, most applications made online are approved or denied in 30 seconds. However, if you encounter any delays, you may re-check your status every 12 hours, to verify your ETA application status.

For those who wish to do business Down Under, special business visas are also offered. However, the length of stay for business travelers who get this type of visa will depend on the agreement that will be met upon after the person consults the Australian visa office. Business visa are usually valid for up to 5 years. There are also temporary visas for those who wish to go to Australia to do some special activities like sporting competitions, entertainment performances, or temporary short-stay company assignments. Those wishing to be granted temporary residence visas in this country however need to be sponsored by an Australian company or organization. Those who get temporary residence visas need to remember that the exact length of the stay indicated on the document needs to be strictly complied, and when the visa expires and you still need to stay quite longer, then you are advised to immediately consult with the country's Department of Immigration and Multicultural affairs office. Failure to do so will incur the person a hefty fine, along with the imposition of other penalties.

About the Author
Jo is an author and publisher for 'Visas for Australia' (http://www.visasforaustralia.co.uk), one of the world's leading visa authority that processes Australian tourist visas, Australian business visas and Australian working holiday visas. If you are going to take a trip and apply for an Australian visa or if you want to achieve your dreams of travel Down Under then you should have a look at Visas for Australia.

Two options for getting yourself a Canadian Visa

2008-11-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

by Alam smith

Immigrating to another country can be quite a challenge. However it can also be a relatively easy process depending on a lot of factors. If you are looking at moving to Canada, considering the option of a permanent residence visa under the skilled worker category might be the best option for you. Of course as the category suggest, you would need to fall into a section of the skilled worker category. There is plenty of easily available information for you to position yourself and see where you could fit in. Once you have made the decision to migrate her are the two options that are open for you to explore. Whichever one you decide to take should get you your Canadian visa if all your documents are in place.

Option 1: Hiring a representative or a consultant

If you can afford an immigration representative or a consultant, this would be the best way to go. Immigration consultants know the ins and outs of immigrations laws and the documents that you are required to provide. They will also be able to advise you on the category of skilled labour that you can apply for a visa under. According to the laws of the Canadian government, a paid immigration consultant is one that is approved by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. There are websites that will help you check the credibility of your immigration consultant before you get started.

All immigration consultants will charge you a fee for their services. This fee is not to be confused with the official immigration fee that you have to pay the Canadian government.

Option 2: The DIY (do it yourself) option

The second option available for you to explore is to actually do the whole thing yourself. This way you will actually save a lot of money, as the fee that most of the immigration consultants take is two to three times that of the fee that you are required to pay the Government of Canada. However, unless you know exactly what you are doing, this would not be a wise idea as you will have to spend a lot more time researching information and getting your documents into the order that they need to be in.

About the Author
Alan Smith is an eminent analyst and writer which is writing about :Two options for getting yourself a Canadian Visa

7 tips to make immigrating anywhere a smooth ride

2008-10-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

by Lavana James

Immigrating to another country is said to be as stressful as divorce or the death of a loved one but there are ways and means of making the immigration process a whole lot easier and more pleasant for you and your family.

Dealing with any nation's bureaucracy can be quite daunting and complicated if you do not really understand the process and requirements of moving to a new country. One of the smartest moves you can make to ensure a relatively hassle-free journey is to recruit the services of either an immigration consultant or a reputable immigration lawyer.

Too often you hear of prospective immigrants who have been turned down by the authorities simply because they did not provide sufficient evidence of skills, education etc. or provide the relevant documentation required for a successful application.

When you consider the amount of applicants and the time it takes to process each application then you really don't want to have to go right to the back of the queue simply because you weren't informed about the procedures involved.

There are generally seven ways of securing a visa to your new country of choice and once you have ascertained which category you and your family fall into then you can simply follow these easy steps

• Apply for a visa from your existing home base

• Receive the visa

• Immigrate to your new home

• Receive your permanent residence visa once you have fulfilled certain obligations specific to each visa type

• Once you have been in your adopted country for its required amount of time, you can then apply for citizenship if need be

Seven criteria that may qualify you for entry into another nation

• Business Visa - Entrepreneurs are generally welcomed to most countries with open arms as they positively influence both the economy and the employment rate in their adoptive country. Prospective business owners must have sufficient funds to sustain themselves and will have to transfer prescribed funds to set the business up. Persons who qualify for a Business Visa are generally eligible for permanent residence after a period of time.

• Work Visa - There is a general shortage of skilled workers in the world today and many countries actively encourage people with the relevant education and experience to immigrate. Prospective immigrants should fall into the age group of 19-51 years of age, should possess a permanent job offer from a locally registered company commensurate with both your experience and qualifications. In some cases the applicant may qualify for permanent residence as well.

• Retirement Visa - Retired persons who can produce proof of their financial sustainability are normally welcome to immigrate to most countries. Sufficient funds will be required to be transferred on acceptance and an application for a visa of this type must be made from the country of origin. It is generally possible to apply for permanent residence once you have successfully obtained your retirement visa.

• Relatives Visa - Family members of citizens are generally allowed to apply for a relative's visa and these members can apply for permanent residence, generally after a prescribed period in the adoptive country.

• Students Visa - People who wish to study abroad may apply for a student's visa but in most cases they cannot apply for permanent residence.

• Permanent Residence Visa - Many applicants of the above visas can successfully apply for permanent residence after a specified period of time. Be aware that permanent residence does not affect the person's citizenship and the holder of a permanent residence visa will still hold a passport from their country of origin.

• Citizenship - A person generally only qualifies for citizenship by birth, descent or naturalisation, the latter deriving from a valid permanent residence visa or permit.

About the Author
www.imcosa.co.za

Immigration Issues: The U.S./Mexican Border Fence Debate

2008-09-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

by Angel Martin

Much has recently been made of the Mexican/U.S. border fence prospect. Due to mounting concerns over national security, the demand for a more secure border has become a central issue in the debate on controlling illegal border crossing. With the passing of the Secure Fence Act in 2006, which authorizes and partially funds the possibility of 700 miles worth of barrier construction along the border, it became apparent that support for the plan was not limited to the most anti-immigration members of government. Although the bill was passed with relative ease in congress, there is no shortage of opposition against the concept of a physical barrier separating Mexico from the United States. There are compelling arguments on both sides of the issue, and this article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the barrier strategy.
Primary Pro-Fence Rationalizations:

1) First and foremost, increased prevention of contraband trafficking: There are relatively few who would argue against the fact that large numbers of criminals depend on the relatively porous sections of the Mexican border to traffic profitable contraband. According to the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, as much as 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the US in 2004 was smuggled through Mexican territory. If one can easily transport illicit drugs across the U.S./Mexican border, what stops the transport of dangerous weapons, possibly weapons of mass destruction, from entering the U.S. the same way? It would be impossible to place enough border patrol stations along the unprotected sections of the border to end any and all illegal crossings and contraband transport, and with the risk of terrorist activity threatening the U.S. it would seem that we could not afford to allow even one individual to cross illegally. A physical barrier such as the double or triple, barbed-wire fence proposed would undoubtedly make entry more difficult for an unburdened individual and even more difficult for an individual transporting contraband.

2) It would limit the numbers of illegal immigrants crossing to live and work in the U.S.: While the debate over the exact effects of undocumented workers living and working in the U.S. are hotly debated, most will acknowledge that at least some of the effects are indeed negative, particularly when it comes to the economy.. The Center for Immigration Studies estimated that illegal immigration costs the government roughly $10 billion each year in deficit, the bulk of expenditures relating to public education, medical treatment for the uninsured, the federal prison system, and food assistance programs. While the amount of illegal aliens already living in the U.S. is dramatic, reducing the steady flow of new illegals would help to ease the burden created by those already present.

Primary Anti-Fence Rationalizations:

1) The effectiveness of a physical barrier may not justify the cost: While the Secure Borders act placed the cost for the fence at around $2 billion many skeptics argue that this figure severely underestimates the difficulties faced by such a massive construction effort through at times treacherous terrain. Critics point out that the construction of a much smaller fence separating San Diego and Tijuana, which by 2006 had already cost $74 million dollars. Many urge that a "virtual fence" solution would be more effective and more affordable while minimizing impacts on property and wildlife.

2) The fence would have a disastrous effect on wildlife: While the U.S./Mexican border has significance for the human population, area wildlife has never paid any attention to it. The Environmental Protection Agency fought the plan to fence off 700 miles of border territory, arguing that it would virtually annihilate wildlife corridors and migratory routes, but lost due to Homeland Security's exemption from federal laws such as the Environmental Protection Act when matters of national security are concerned. Many species, including the rare and endangered jaguar, depend on their ability to travel vast distances in search of mates and food. Additionally, in certain areas the fence would cut off access to the Rio Grande, the only source of fresh water for animals in the vicinity.

As of today, the planned 700 mile border fence is far from being completed. The battle will continue to rage over the best approach to solving the problem of illegal immigration via the Mexican border, but the ultimate solution will likely consist of high tech and low tech components. In a post-9/11 America, border security and immigration will remain at the center of political discourse. Immigration has always been an essential characteristic to the identity of the United States, and regardless of temporary waves of panic and the resulting security implementations, it is likely to remain as that way.

About the Author
For additional information on immigration issues, visit http://www.manchanda-law.com to set up your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with one of the nation's top immigration attorneys, Rahul Manchanda. Manchanda Law Offices PLLC 80 Wall Street, Suite 705 New York, NY 10005 phone: (212)968-8600

Canada Immigration :: Personal Experience

2008-08-15T03:04:00.000-07:00

by Nabil Orfali

In 2001 I applied for Canada immigration and after 6 years I got the visa, during those 6 years I submitted my immigration documents every year. However, I'm writing here about preparing my landing and my first year in Canada.
My plan was as follow: to go with my small family of three to Canada to do landing and receive our Permanent Resident Card, which takes between 4 to 9 weeks, and explore the Canadian job market. So if I could get a job then I can go back to my country sell my furniture, car, and pack my staff and go to Canada to start my new life.

That's really what happened. I landed in Canada in 2007 and worked actively with community centers and collected lots of information about Canadian job market and culture, and guess what? I could get a job as IT Project Manager after 80 days of landing. Everybody in Canada told me that this is a record and rarely happens. The secret is: you have to have a high positive spirit, be motivated, don't listen to losers, and the most important don't take survival job ... your job search is your FULL time job. So i went back to my original country packed up everything, sold my car, furniture, and stuff and came back to Canada to start my new life.

It's vital to try to collect as much information as you can from trusted resources like government websites and personal experiences; and always verify everything you hear from people. People who are unable to find a job in their profession are most likely to miss some skills that are required in the Canadian competitive market; like English communication skills (which is the key for any job), licenses for Engineers and Doctors, and other inter-personal skills.

I encourage everybody to consider professional certificates from a globally recognized institutes. For example in my case, as I'm an IT Project Manager, I worked hard to achieve my PMP (Project Management Professional) certificate, and that helped me so much in my career in Canada.

I have decided to write my complete immigration experience in my blog, check it out at: http://www.immigrationexpertise.com it covers various areas about daily life in Canada as a Newcomer.

About the Author
I landed in Canada a year ago, and since I could make a significant achievements, I decided to share some valuable information about how to settle smartly and quickly in Canada.

The Difference a Good Immigration Lawyer Can Make

2008-08-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

by Angel Martin

My name is Angela. A little over a year ago I met my husband, an Israeli citizen working temporarily in America sponsored by the Israeli company by which he was employed.

As we dated and became closer, we realized we couldn't stand to separate at the end of his stay. He was to be in the U.S. for six months, and in the time we had been together we had gotten an apartment and engaged to marry. We knew that once his time was up with the company for which he worked, he would have to become legal in order to find another job. We would be married by that time, so, young and naive, we assumed the process would be relatively easy and painless. We had no idea what a fight was in store for us. We did some research on line about what petitions we would need to file, and were shocked to find out how expensive the required petitions would be.

Unbeknown to us, our information was inaccurate, and instead of needing somewhere around $500, a price we already found to be outrageous, we would need over $1000. Beyond that, we realized certain particulars of our case would make the process even more difficult, as my husband had overstayed his visa in the United Kingdom by several months a few years before. We knew that every paper and procedure had to be completed perfectly before submission lest we be set back an additional six months, as one small mistake can often mean getting your entire submission returned to you, and we knew there were certain issues with our case that called for professional insight and navigation. We were sure an attorney would be incredibly expensive, and I was concerned about hiring an attorney for the first time in my life without having a single trusted recommendation. I knew hiring the wrong representation could be a costly and unpleasant mistake.

One night I was watching a network news show, the topic of which happened to be immigration that evening. One of the contributing analysts was an immigration attorney from New York City named Rahul Manchanda. I knew as a pundit on a national news show he had to be accomplished and well-established, but what stood out most was his passion and knowledgeability regarding immigration issues. It was obvious to me that his heart was in it. He was also very warm and charming even as he debated, and I decided to at least contact him and hope that he might take my case. I researched him and discovered that he had an international reputation as one of the very best in his field, which also made me certain his prices would be far too high for any mere mortal to afford.

I decided to contact him anyway, and made an appointment to visit his office. It is located on Wall Street, which was at once intimidating and reassuring. The office was, as expected, quite nice and also reasonably private. Upon meeting him I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that while in my mind I was far from a client of significance or importance, Mr. Manchanda treated me like his top priority. I was even more surprised to find that his prices were so affordable, he did nothing to perpetuate the stereotype of the "bloodsucking lawyer" who would bleed his clients for all their worth. The best part about his work as our attorney was the fact that he cared. He understood what our situation meant for us. He understood that all we wanted was the simple dignity that came with the right to work. My husband knew all too well how easily it was to be taken advantage by greedy employers who knew the position in which the pre-legal worker found himself.

One could work for a week and come to find that his boss had no intention of paying him. Worse yet, no matter your qualifications, and my husband was an EMT, without legalization you are at the mercy of whatever under the table work you can find. Mr. Manchanda understood that this immigration quagmire was stubbornly preventing us from establishing our lives together, which is all two people in love really want to do. This case, as with most immigration cases, was very personally significant and Mr. Manchanda treated it that way. I'm honestly not sure where we would be without the help of Rahul Manchanda, but I am sure that thanks to him my husband and I can go to sleep at night without the nagging fear that we had gotten in over our heads and might not find our way out together.

The American immigration process is not user friendly. I believe it is intentionally designed to to be difficult and overwhelming. I believe it functions as a filter. Not everyone who begins the process of legalization will need an attorney, but many will. Most reasons for leaving one country and becoming a citizen of another are deeply important, and if you find that the current seems to be against you, you may need the help of a professional. It is so important to choose wisely. Do your research and consider carefully.

Rahul Manchanda made all the difference for us, and I'm proud to reccomend him to anyone in need of good representation, it's the least I can do. He offers free initial consultations, and sometimes that first bit of guidance can make all the difference in helping you to understand your course of action. But please, regardless of who you choose as your representation, make sure he or she is a good human being as well as a good attorney.

About the Author
For help with immigration issues visit http://www.manchanda-law.com today to set up your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with one of the nation's top immigration attorneys, Rahul Manchanda. Manchanda Law Offices PLLC 80 Wall Street, Suite 705 New York, NY 10005 phone: (212)968-8600

Immigration law,Dallas immigration law experts,Dallas immigration lawyers

2008-07-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

by David Swaim

Experienced immigration lawyers can determine the most suitable visa category for you. They offer you an interactive, innovative, and easy-to-use questionnaire that asks for all the basic facts and information required to start your visa process. Tidwell, Swaim and Associates, representing over 100 countries with over 30,000 successful immigration law cases. Experts in Employment-Based Cases, Family-Based Cases, Citizenship Cases, Federal Cases, Colleges and Universities, Removal and Deportation Cases. Dallas immigration law experts. http://www.tsalaw.com

The services offered by TSALAW(immigration lawyers in the Dallas) are of great assistance when a person makes a decision to immigrate to the Dallas,USA.

Dallas immigration attorneys representing over 100 countries with over 30,000 successful immigration law cases. TSALAWs' Dallas immigration lawyers represented large number of immigration law,Family-Based Cases,Citizenship Cases,Federal Cases,Colleges and Universities, Removal and Deportation Cases. As Dallas immigration law experts we can help you in Employment -Based Cases. We have immigration lawyers who handled large number of successful cases. http://www.tsalaw.com

Services Offered by TSALAW for immigrant includes

* Family-based Visas * Work visas and marriage visas * Green cards * Executive transfers * Fiancee visas * Citizenship and administrative appeals * I-751 petitions to remove conditional residence * Mergers and acquisitions * Adjustment of status * Employer regulatory compliance

Immigration lawyers help a number of clients ranging from multinational executives to treaty investors, software professionals, researchers and scientists, as well as artists, athletes, entertainers and fashion models. For those who are seeking employment, they give employment guidance.

With the support of the latest online visa processing technologies, immigration lawyers based at Dallas offer fast, secure and economical immigration services.

You will receive an honest assessment of your case before we start, a fair and reasonable fee which is usually more competitive that other immigration firms, and our guarantee that we will work with you to achieve your goals. We encourage you to compare our Firm's capabilities, and our commitment to our clients and the proper application of the law to our cases. There is a reason that over 70% of our new clients are referred to us by current and former clients.

About the Author
David Swaim, the Firm's managing partner and an immigrant lawyer, is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Handled over 30,000 successful immigration law cases. http://www.tsalaw.com

Getting an Immigration Visa

2008-07-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

by Groshan Fabiola

There has to be kept in mind that US immigration visa is mostly recognized for its flexibility and availability provided to the ones living in other nations. Applying for entry permission at a Consulate outside the United States, as a non-immigrant or immigrant, can be allowed by US immigration visa. The applications used to be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in the past, as getting an immigration visa was often time consuming and required substantial paperwork. But, fortunately, things have changed considerably throughout the past decade, due to the successful implementation of electronic forms used to get visas from consulate.

An important aspect which has to be taken into consideration is being represented by the fact that, to foreign nations who enter in to United States, there are various types of visas available. Also, there has to be kept in mind that, as according to new rules and regulations, the U.S. immigration visa is practically being divided into two types, such as nonimmigrant visa and immigrant visa. Pay attention to the fact that lawyers specialized in this field are playing a significant position in protecting the rights of the ones who choose to immigrate to the United States. It is important as well to be considered that people should read and learn as much as possible before immigrating, so that they could practically avoid any misunderstanding on the way. If things are being done properly and the terms and conditions imposed by immigration laws are being expected, people can successfully enter the United States and start looking for advantageous options to take. Plus, getting an immigration visa also depends on the accuracy of the information provided. If immigrants properly understand these procedures, there should be no problems with their applications or with their immigration attempts.

About the Author
For more resources about Immigration Help or about Issues on Immigration or even about Illegal Immigration, please review this webpages.

Immigration Bonds Are Here To Help Migrants

2008-07-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

by Mike Selvon

Immigration bonds are not frequently talked about when it comes to bail bonds. If you are not an immigrant, then you will not need this form of specialized bond nor a bail bond agency that specializes in immigration. If you are a natural citizen, then you will not need the services of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS, to help bail you out of a problem.
Immigration bonds are issued by the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service to bail bond agents who specialize and are licensed to bond out immigrants to the United States. It is not just any old license.

It is one that is specially given out by the INS for a bail agency that knows the inner workings and risks associated with immigrants. Studies have shown that immigrants from certain countries are more likely to run and force a bail enforcement agent to try to track them down.

There are two ways a bond is posted. The first is a cash bond in which the immigrant puts up the entire amount in cash him or herself. The second is through a bail agency that will guarantee the bond but requires a percentage of the bond as their fee.

The higher the risk of running, the larger the bond will be and thus the percentage, which is non-refundable, will be higher as well. As long as the immigrant shows up to the court on the designated day there will be no problems.

There is one note that needs attention when dealing with the INS. Just because an immigrant is arrested does not mean they will automatically be deported back to their home country. It depends largely on the degree of crime and whether or not they are in the United States legally.

Chances are pretty high that if they are here illegally, they will be deported back to their home country. Just as with American citizens, immigrants are innocent until proven guilty.

Since immigration bonds are a specialized form of bond, it takes a person familiar with the laws of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in order to write the bond. The INS can point the immigrant towards agencies and attorneys who are familiar with these laws and who can help them out if they find themselves in trouble with the law.

It does not have to be a fruitless endeavor of hunting and searching. That is why the INS is a perfect place to begin the search. They help immigrants get the help they need in order to be tried fairly.

About the Author
Visit Mike Selvon portal to learn more about the immigration bonds. Your feedback is much appreciated at our bail bond services blog where a free gift awaits you.

Citizenship and Immigration

2008-06-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

by Sally Odell

For many Americans, their U.S. citizenship issued at birth is something they don't think twice about. But for applying immigrants, citizenship is a serious goal.
Hopefully most American natural born citizens understand that citizenship is one of the most greatly desired gifts this country's government can bestow on its citizens. For those of us who have not had to go through the process of becoming a U.S Citizen apart from being naturally born here, there is only one other way to become U.S. citizens and that is by the often times-lengthy process of what is known as "naturalization".

Naturalization can often times be a complicated process so you should consult with an immigration lawyer rather than attempting this yourself. Even something as simple as travel within the country or state is something that a person needs to know the rules about and this is where an Immigration lawyer is needed so that you have someone to ask questions such as "How long does it take for USCIS to issue work permission and travel permission?" or "When should I renew my work and travel permission?"

Learning about your new country and its rights and the responsibilities that accompany citizenship is an important part of being a good citizen and at the USCIS and the Office of Citizenship they have developed a great amount of resources and a variety of educational materials that allow immigrants to learn more about U.S. history and government as they prepare for the naturalization test.

A final thought on the naturalization process; in addition to finding good counsel and being represented by an immigration lawyer, there are general requirements that the USCIS will look for by those who look to make our great country their home, to name just a few: good moral character, a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government, and favorable disposition toward the United States.

Sally Odell – Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, PA is an immigration lawyer in Miami with immigration law offices in Orlando and Miami Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.rifkinandfoxisicoff.com.

About the Author
Sally Odell - Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, PA is an immigration lawyer in Miami with immigration law offices in Orlando and Miami Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.rifkinandfoxisicoff.com.

Immigration Dept rejoices as "Lost Canadians" citizenship bill is passed

2008-05-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

by rohitmex

95% of the cases of "Lost Canadians" will be resolved, said Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley, thanks to Bill C-37.
People who are citizens when this law comes into force will not lose their citizenship as a result of these amendments.

The new law will give citizenship to:

Those who became citizens when the first citizenship act took effect on January 1, 1947 (including people born in Canada prior to 1947 and war brides) and who then lost their citizenship; Any person who was born in Canada or became a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, and who then lost citizenship; and Any person born abroad to a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, if not already a citizen, but only if they are the first generation born abroad.

An amendment to the Citizenship Act, Bill C-37 has sorted out various quirks in 19th century legislation that affected as many as 200,000 people who lost, or never had, their citizenship.

Bill C-37 has just received Royal Assent and is in its final stage of coming into law.

"Today is a very special day for Canada with the passage of this legislation," said Immigration Minister Finley on the 16th of April.

"By introducing this legislation last year, our Government took decisive action to help those people who had their citizenship questioned, and to protect the value of Canadian citizenship for the future."

Finally, the door has been opened to "Lost Canadians" to regain their citizenship, which they have either lost or never had in the first place due to little-known quirks in the Citizenship Act itself.

"We're very pleased to have been the government that was able to resolve this situation finally," Canada's Immigration Minister told CBC News.

The bill flowed out of a series of reports from CBC News in 2007 that highlighted the fact that thousands of people were at risk of losing their citizenship because of outdated provisions in existing and former citizenship laws.

Shocking findings by the news channel's investigation included that there may be more than 200,000 immigrants living in Canada who could lose their citizenship for various reasons.

These reasons include:

Canadian-born children who have lost their citizenship because their fathers became US citizens at a later stage; The law from 1947 to 1977 required people living outside of Canada on their 24th birthday to sign a form to keep their citizenship; Immigrants born in a hospital south of the border were not considered citizens unless they later registered as Canadians; and Some immigrants were stripped of their citizenship because they or their ancestors were considered illegitimate.

In May of 2005, Parliament passed a law speeding up Canadian citizenship for those in the first category, a category which has affected more than 100,000 people.

Under the law of the time, children of fathers who decided to take out citizenship in another country automatically lost their Canadian citizenship as well, even if they weren't living with them at the time.

This new law will come into effect no later than a year following Royal Assent.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada said exceptions to the law allowing lost Canadians to register are those born in Canada to a foreign diplomat, those who've renounced their citizenship with Canadian authorities, and those whose citizenship was revoked by the government because it was obtained by fraud.

If you are interested in Canadian immigration, you can find more information on Migration Expert's website.

In order to find out which Canadian visa you qualify for, just do our free visa eligibility assessment, which is available online and will deliver instant results!

Read more about Canadian Immigration

About the Author
Rochelle works for Migration Expert Canada, a global leader in online immigration services. For more information on Visas to Canada and Living In Canada, visit www.MigrationExpert.com/canada/ today.

English course added in aid of immigration in Canada's Bathurst

2008-05-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

by rohitmex

In order to help newcomers, an English course for immigrants is being offered in Bathurst with the bill going to Immigration Canada, meaning that newcomers won't have to pay for the course.
This applies to all newcomers to Bathurst, a city in New Brunswick, who have obtained permanent resident status in Canada.

The course will be offered on the Youghall campus at The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC).

This brand new English program that supports immigration to Canada has been introduced by the NBCC last week on the 16th of April at a news conference held at the school as it celebrated 20 years of language training.

The news conference was held in order to remind the public of current services and to introduce this new service for northern New Brunswick.

Said coordinator of the NBCC language training centre, Nicole Poirier: "These services have been offered for a while in the southern part of the province and we started this program to really help newcomers who have the permanent resident status to adapt to our region".

Thanks to the latest service via Immigration Canada, newcomers are excited about the prospect of improving their English language skills for free.

"We are learning for free since last October," said Heeyoun Shin, an immigrant that has left Korea four years ago. "This is good."

Poirier said language training has been available at NBCC Bathurst for more than 20 years and over the years, even more services have been added.

"We've had two programs that have been offered here for the last 20 years. We offer English and French intensive programs that start in September and go until the month of April. If somebody has the goal of becoming bilingual, that's the way to go."

She said that the college eventually added night classes and on-site training for some local businesses as well, as they're aware of the fact that not everyone can always do a full-time program.

In addition to that, NBCC also offers customised courses for people that may not fit in with the programs that they offer in the evenings.

If you are interested in Canadian immigration, you can find more information and advice by registered migration consultants on Migration Expert's website.

If you would like to know which Canadian visa you qualify for, you can do our free online visa eligibility assessment, which will deliver instant results!

Read more about Immigration to Canada

About the Author
Rochelle works for Migration Expert Canada, a global leader in online immigration services. For more information on Visas to Canada and Living In Canada, visit www.MigrationExpert.com/canada/ today.

A Simple Primer For Immigration To The United States

2008-04-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

by Daniel Millions

In the last several years, the United State's immigration policies have become topics of much debate. Regardless of your personal opinion on the matter, there are certain truths that we must consider. U.S. Immigration policies and regulation have become more stringent for those who are seeking to visit, work or immigrate in the United States. Below, you will find some important yet basic tips for understanding and hence limiting immigration pitfalls.

There are two ways by which an individual may legally enter the United States; a non immigrant visa, which is for the purpose of a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa which is used to enter the United States permanently.

A visa is a permission given by the U.S. Government for a person to enter the United States. Visas are granted to those who are visiting the U.S. on the grounds of the purpose of the visit. The length of stay permitted will be dependent on the purpose of the beneficiary's activities in the U.S. Visas will also restrict the beneficiary's actions while visiting the United States, such as prohibiting employment or education.

There are several ways to obtain an immigrant visa, these include but are not limited to: family petitions, employment based visas, and the visa diversity lottery program. There are few exceptions such as those granted refugee status and the beneficiaries of a derivative asylee status. For those who qualify and have the financial means to do so an investment opportunity in the United States may lead to temporary or legal permanent residency.

Under the non immigrant visa track, the applicant receives a visa for a certain amount of time. If the visa is based for work or school it will be given for the amount of time needed to complete such objective. The visa has an expiration date that can be extended if circumstances change. The provision of a visa does not guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter the United States at a given time. Certain visas based on employment and education may require an annual renewal and do not extend till the completion of the objective.

Under the immigrant visa track, the beneficiary will be granted a visa to enter the United States and that will allow them to stay until they are able to complete the process for Lawful Permanent Residence. While most immigrant visas go to family members, there are a significant amount of immigrant visas that are allowed to those entering through employment and investment visas.

Once an individual has been a legal permanent residence for over five years, they may apply to naturalize and become a United States Citizen. This process has many requirements which include a showing of good moral character.

United States immigration policies and regulations are often lengthy and complicated, the application process is expensive and errors are often irreparable. For this reason it is best to seek the advice and assistance of an attorney prior to applying for immigration benefits.

About the Author
Find an immigration lawyer or naturalization attorney.

Support And Education To Immigrants Is Supplied By The US Citizenship And Immigration Services

2008-04-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

by Mike Selvon

Early in the year of 2003, the various services and benefit functions that were part of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, or the INS, were placed under the direction of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was then renamed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is also now referred to as USCIS.

The USCIS is now responsible for administering all of the functions of immigration and naturalization adjudication. As well, it is responsible for establishing the policies and priorities related to immigration services.

One of the many various functions of the newly formed US Citizenship and Immigration Services, includes providing information to those who are interested in immigrating to the United States and becoming US citizens, as well as providing resources to immigrants.

The USCIS oversees and manages all of the many functions that are related to immigration, including: processing of visa petitions by immigrants; making rulings on naturalization petitions; adjudicating applications for asylum and for refugees; arbitrating procedures and rulings that are performed at the various service centers; handling all other adjudication requirements as required by the circumstances.

The department of US Citizenship and Immigration Services is comprised of approximately fifteen thousand employees. Some are employees of the United States federal government and some are independent contractors.

Roughly speaking, this large staff works out of 250 field offices and headquarters located around the globe. They serve the needs of people from all parts of the world who are interested in emigrating from their native countries to the United States.

Part of the responsibilities of the USCIS include providing resources for potential immigrants and for the various organizations that support and serve them. In the instance of immigrants, the USCIS primarily focuses their efforts on two key periods of time in an immigrant's journey.

The time when an immigrant first becomes a permanent resident and the point at which he or she is ready to formally begin the naturalization process, which will lead them toward integration into the US culture and society.

For the newly arrived immigrant, there is a vast amount of information and resources available at the official website of the department of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which can be located at USCIS. On this site, there is a comprehensive guide that can be downloaded. It provides practical immigration information designed to help new immigrants easily transition into the everyday lifestyle of the US.

This helpful guide is entitled "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants," and it is available in eleven different languages. The guide also covers some basic US civics information which introduces the new immigrants to the United States system of government. This is information that they will need to learn to function well in their new country.

For those already in the process of naturalization, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website also offers an array of educational materials in a section titled "Civics and Citizenship Study Materials." These learning resources have been provided to assist immigrants in preparing for the US citizenship test, while also encouraging additional civic education.

About the Author
Everyone wants a US Citizenship, and Mike Selvon's portal will expand your knowledge on the US citizenship and immigration services. Visit us and leave a comment at our immigration to us blog where a free gift awaits you.

US immigration and visa System

2008-04-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

by munish

Immigration refers to the movement of people from one country to other. While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels, modern immigration implies long-term, legal, permanent residence in that country. Short-term visitors and tourists are considered non-immigrants. Immigration across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country is termed illegal immigration.

Under this definition, an illegal immigrant is a foreigner who either illegally crossed an international political border, be it by land, water, or air, or a foreigner who legally entered a country but nevertheless overstays his/her visa in order to live and/or work therein. Among all the countries, immigrating to the United States of America is consistently one of the most popular choices for overseas nationals wishing to make a new start, further their career, or join family members overseas. With huge cultural diversity and geographical variety, applying for immigration to the USA can provide a wealth of opportunities for potential US immigrants.

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit.

Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and non-immigrant. Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the US. Non-immigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis such as for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

Approximately 28.4 million foreign-born people live in the United States, representing 10.4 percent of the U.S. population. International visitors and immigrants add greatly to USAâ€™s cultural, education and economic life, according to American Demographics, adding about $10 billion a year to America's economic output. More important is the contribution immigrants and their children make just by being there to provide workers and leaders for the future.

If today's immigration totals hold steady, it will account for about two-thirds of U.S. population growth over the next 50 years. Gerald Cipolla & Associates specialize in immigration attorney us , and H1B visa services. For more detail visit http://www.immigrationvisaus.com/

About the Author
Immigration refers to the movement of people from one country to other. While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels, modern immigration implies long-term, legal, permanent residence in that country. Short-term visitors and tourists are considered non-immigrants. Immigration across national borders in a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country is termed illegal immigration. Under th