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Economic Immigrants are assessed based upon the following CRITERIA:

Applicants will no longer require to have their intended occupation in Canada listed with the General Occupations List. Applicants may apply with any intended occupation in Canada, but will have to insert the relevant national occupational classification (NOC) code corresponding to their intended occupation in Canada.

Furthermore, the pass mark for Federal Skilled Worker Applicants who have not yet received a decision is lowered from 75 points to 67 points.

Proof of your occupation, experience and education background is vital to the success of the application. Case processing times take about 4 weeks. There are three factors that help your case:

1. Work experience in occupations where there is significant labour shortages. 2. Arranged Employment. 3. You are legally in Canada.

*Please Note: The government has developed the "Internationally Trained Workers Initiative". This is to facilitate the integration of internationally trained Canadians and immigrants into Canada's labour force. This will be used in conjunction with the"Foreign Credential Program (FCR), which is designed to speed the recognition processes for internationally trained professionals.

Our office offers everyone our Permanent Residence Questionnaire which will allow us to provide a FREE ASSESSMENT of your qualifications under the new legislation. Once completed and returned to our offices, we will advise you whether we believe you may succeed in obtaining Permanent Resident status under the Skilled Worker category.

Don't forget to ask us about one of Canada's many Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). If you don't qualify in the federal program, we can help you figure out if you qualify for one of the PNPs.

A. Our lawfirm works in conjunction with some of Canada's most reputable and respected financial institutions and advisors with respect to their Immigrant Investors Program. Their knowledge and expertise is all shared with you.

Business applicants are not assessed on the same "points" system as independent applicants. They are assessed based on their ability to demonstrate that they will become successful in their Canadian venture. The applicant must have background and experience in the intended business and actively manage the business established in Canada.

The applicant is required to "establish, purchase or make a substantial investment or commercial venture in Canada that will significantly contribute to the economy and whereby employment opportunities will be created or continued in Canada for one or more Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents other than the applicant and his/her dependents.

Under the new legislation, Business Applicants will now have to demonstrate that they have a net worth of at least $300,000.00.

If you have significant business experience, but no existing business plan, you may still be entitled to conditional permanent resident status. This permits you to enter Canada and familiarize yourself with the Canadian market. An undertaking with Citizenship & Immigration Canada, (CIC), must be executed and conditions will remain with you for two years before an application may be submitted to have them removed.

Examples of conditions for such Business Applicants may include the duty to report periodically to CIC on the progress made in setting up and/or investing in a Canadian business.

It is a good idea for all prospective Business Applicants to travel to Canada first to explore the Canadian market, local environment and prospective business options.

B. Investors applying to live in Canada face an ever-changing set of rules. Since 1999, to qualify for the Immigrant Investor Program, you must be at least 18 years of age, and have a minimum net worth of CDN$800,000.00 accumulated through the operation, control or management of a profitable business, either industrial or commercial.

You also must be prepared and able to invest CDN$400,000.00 in a five-year, zero-interest, government-guaranteed term note - which is a safe investment vehicle.

To get started, we assist all clients with a reference to the most reputable, qualified and secure Canadian Investment Firm and their specific Immigrant Investor Program. All applicants will need to enter into an Investment Agreement, which will be submitted along with the application. The investment is made in the Province of your choice, but you are not required to reside in that Province once in Canada.

As always, all applicants must submit medical and security clearance certificates prior to approval for Permanent Residence.

As of September 17, 2008, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has created a class for immigration into Canada. Foreign students and workers in Canada may now apply for Permanent Residence.

You must meet these minimum requirements:

• Plan to live outside the Province of Quebec
• Temporary foreign worker with a minimum of 2 years of full-time Work experience in Canada, or,
• A foreign graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with minimum one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
• Have gained your experience in Canada with proper work or study authorization
• Apply while working in Canada - or - within one year of leaving your job in Canada

Skilled work experience is assessed according to the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).

• Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or
• Skill Level A (professional cccupation) or
• Skill Level B (technical occupations and skilled trades)

If you apply as a temporary foreign worker in Canada, you willl be assessed based on two requirements: 1. work experience; 2. your ability in English or French

Graduates of post-secondary education in Canada with Canadian work experience will be assess by the following: 1. work experience; 2. ability in English or French; 3. your education

In an effort to modernize our immigration system, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has offered this new class that recognizes the talents and skills of our foreign workers and students currently in Canada. As a specialist in Immigration and Refugee Law, Robert Blanshay and his team is ready to familiarize you with new immigration policy changes that can effect your chances of becoming a permanent resident. Our job is to help you navigate this new class category with ease and efficiency.

Canada is committed to assisting Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents reunite with their close family members. Members of the Family-Class eligible for sponsorship are:

• Spouse (Common Law Partner & Conjugal Partner)
• Son & Daughter (Under 22 years)
• Father or Mother
• Grandfather or Grandmother
• Siblings, Nephew, Niece, Grandson,
• Granddaughter who are orphaned & under 19 years
• Any child under 22 years who the applicant intends to adopt.

In the majority of cases, a Family-Class sponsorship is a 2-step process. Firstly, the Applicant or "Sponsor" must submit a Financial Undertaking to assist their relative once in Canada. Certain financial requirements must be met by the Sponsor depending on the size of their family unit. Proof of the family-class relationship must obviously be provided.

*Note: Where you intend to sponsor a spouse you may not be required to meet certain financial requirements.

Once you, the sponsor, have been approved, your sponsorship application and undertaking is then forwarded to the Canadian Diplomatic Mission abroad where your relative resides. Your relative must then complete the required medical and security clearances prior to approval and possibly attend an interview with a Canadian Visa Officer. If approved, your relative will receive an application for permanent residence to complete and return to the Canadian Diplomatic Mission.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will now be more flexible in issuing multiple-entry visitor visas to parents and grandparents of those sponsoring them to Canada while their sponsorship applications are in process. Regular security and health screening will still apply.

We are committed to representing the needs of all those genuinely seeking asylum in Canada. For over a decade we have appeared before Canada's Immigration & Refugee Board (IRB), representing thousands of refugee claimants from every corner of the world. We have successfully appeared before the:

The Balanced Refugee Reform Act includes some of the following elements:

1. No earlier within 15 days of a claim being referred to the IRB, asylum seekers will be interviewed by a public servant; During this interview, information will be gathered and a hearing will be scheduled. For certain claimaints from designated countries, hearings will be held within 60 days.
2. A Refugee Appeals Division will allow failed claimaints to appeal a negative decision based on incorrect facts, law or both. Claimaints will be able to introduce new evidence. Should the appeal fail, claimaints can still take their case to the Federal Courts.
3. Claimaints from a designated country of origin will have their appeals expedited and will still be able to have an IRB hearing. This measure is added to prevent false claims and expedite processing times.
4. Manifestly unfounded claims is to prevent fradulant claims.
5. Timely removal of failed asylum claimants. In such a case, a claimant will be removed from Canada within 12 months after a decision rendered by the IRB.
6. Limits on pre-removal risk assessments and other post-claim processes.
7. Changes to humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) provisions.

We provide all refugee claimants with an interpreter/translator in the language of their choice. Every need of the refugee claimant is addressed including, but not limited to: filling out forms, assistance with Legal Aid, Social Assistance, Housing, Medical Services and Work Visas.

Appeals to the Federal Court of Canada, Pre-Removal Risk Assessments, (PRRA) and Humanitarian & Compassionate appeals receive successful legal representation as well.

For those faced with a situation of immigration Detention, either in the United States or Canada, we can help.