Question:
I am currently in the process of
applying for Canadian permanent
residence under the skilled worker
category. I am able to obtain 73-75
points in the assessment quiz on
the CIC home page. My first question
is related to hiring an immigration
lawyer/consultant to help with the
application process. Given that
I meet the 67 point requirement
without exercising any loopholes/gray
areas, does it make sense to retain
immigration services? I'd like to
clarify that I am considering these
services to save time (I am very
busy at my current job) and hopefully
alleviate some of the drudgery involved
in the immigration process. Second
question: After emigrating to Canada
(I am currently on an H1-B visa
in California, USA), I intend to
start my own business. This may
not occur immediately after landing
in Canada and the business may or
may not be related to the competency
area under which I apply for permanent
residence. Is this allowed for individuals
emigrating under the skilled workers
category?
Answer:
Points you score won't guarantee
approval - you may have 90+ points
and still be refused if in processing
officer's opinion your chances for
economical establishment in Canada
are not good. Immigration practitioner
won't get you more points anyway,
but may assure that your case is
fully and conclusively documented
and presented and most importantly
that there are no errors or omissions
leading to requests for additional
info and/or to interview usually
resulting in long delays.
People most
of the time fail not because they
don't have points (as those without
points usually don't apply) - they
fail due to mistakes made in the
preparation, not proving conclusively
their case and not demonstrating
their abilities to succeed in Canada.
Once you land as PR you can do what
you want - immigrants in Skilled
Workers class receive their PR visas
without conditions and they may
work, study, run business or do
nothing.
