Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Canadian immigration?
There are a number of different Canadian immigration programs being offered for aspiring immigrants. These immigration programs have different requirements and criteria which applicants must meet.
Generally, skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in Canada must have good French or English language skills. Many Canadian immigration programs require a certain age range, work experience, educational background, good character, good health, etc.
Certain Canadian visa programs follow a points-based policy wherein points are granted for various factors such as English/French language skills, work experience, education, age, etc. Programs that follow a point-based policy require applicants to meet the minimum points score requirement.
In order to help you figure out which Canadian immigration program suits you best, seeking the assistance of a certified Canadian immigration consultant is a big help.
What are the advantages of immigrating to Canada?
Aside from being one of the most immigrant-friendly countries, Canada is one of the best nations to live in the world. The country is also renowned worldwide for having an exceptional standard of living.
Canada’s economy competes with the world’s other well-developed countries. The country also offers thousands of good-paying jobs for immigrants, has free or subsidized public healthcare and its education system is world-class. This explains why the country is favored by many who are seeking a job abroad.
Furthermore, Canada is also undoubtedly a very beautiful country. Apart from being one of the top destinations for job-seeking immigrants, the country also attracts millions of tourists. Lastly, it’s a peaceful country that embraces democracy, equality and freedom.
What are the benefits of being a permanent resident of Canada?
Permanent residents of Canada enjoy numerous advantages in terms of living and working in the country. They can work and live in Canada for as long as they want. They also become eligible to participate in educational programs, buy a house and other property, and start their own business within the country.
Additionally, permanent residents of Canada can receive public healthcare for free, acquire a driver’s license in their territory or province, open a bank account, as well as sponsor qualified family members for a Canadian visa.
Lastly, they become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in the country for at least 3 years while complying with other requirements.
What are the costs involved when immigrating to Canada?
There are non-governmental fees and governmental fees that must be paid at different stages of the Canadian immigration process.
Medical exams, the Educational Credential Assessment, French and English language assessment tests, and other prerequisites come with a non-governmental fee. There may also be costs when acquiring police certificates if required. Moreover, documents that are not written in French or English will require translation, thus the applicant may need to pay for the service.
Governmental fees include the Canadian visa application fee. Once you get approved for a Canadian permanent resident visa, you and your spouse are also required to pay for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee or RPRF. When you relocate to Canada, you will pay a small fee to receive the plastic Canadian Permanent Resident Card, which you will carry as identification while living in Canada.
Of course, you will need to pay for travel to Canada and have enough money to pay the living expenses (e.g., housing, food, transportation, etc.) for you and any accompanying family members.
Will my family and I receive healthcare benefits in Canada?
Yes. When you and your family become permanent residents of Canada, you are given the right to acquire free or subsidized public healthcare from Canada’s universal healthcare program. Healthcare assistance is among the many benefits you and your family can enjoy once you get Canadian permanent residency.
Once you and your family immigrate to Canada, you must apply for a health insurance card that is issued by the province or territory where you are living in Canada. Moreover, take note that some provinces have a certain waiting time of up to three months before you and your family can acquire free public healthcare. Thus, be sure to check with your province or territory’s health ministry and sign-up as soon as possible.
How do I find a job in Canada?
Just like with every other country these days, searching for jobs in Canada is made a lot easier and more convenient through the help of the Internet. As long as you have a computer and Internet access, you are bound to find listings of jobs in Canada that fit your skills and work experience.
Job Bank is an excellent website that is run by the Canadian government and it is free. This website is essentially a Canadian jobs directory that is catered towards job-seeking individuals. The site also allows job-seekers to search for specific occupations in particular locations or anywhere in Canada.
There are also numerous private Canadian job portal websites where you can further search for job openings in the country.
What does Express Entry mean and how does it work?
Express Entry is a Canadian immigration system that is based on a points system. It is used to pick out eligible foreign skilled workers to be given an ITA or Invitation to Apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa.
To apply for Express Entry, aspiring immigrants must be qualified for one of the Canadian immigration programs that are eligible for Express Entry to Canada. These immigration programs include the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Provincial Nominee Program.
After the applicant has filled out the required information on his/her Express Entry profile, the Canadian immigration agents will then evaluate the details to see if the applicant meets the requirements for one of the Canadian immigration programs that qualify for Express Entry.
What are the programs available for skilled foreign workers?
A Canadian immigration program called the Federal Skilled Worker Program or FSWP is catered to skilled foreign workers as well as their families who meet the eligibility requirements. The FSWP is one of the Canadian immigration programs that qualifies for Express Entry.
This program follows a points-based system and requires at least 67 out of 100 points. The points are given based on factors like age, English/French skills, work experience, education, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability.
In order to apply for Express Entry via the FSWP, the applicant must have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation in Canada and meet all of the criteria.
Are there programs available for foreign tradespeople?
Yes. Qualified foreign tradespeople may apply for Express Entry to Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). As Canada is constantly needing experienced tradespeople in a wide range of jobs across the country, the FSTP was established.
In order to live and work in Canada through this immigration program, a foreign tradesperson must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in the last five years in an eligible trade. Numerous trades are considered eligible for FSTP such as carpenters, butchers, bakers, mechanics, crane operators, welders, plumbers, and chefs.
Furthermore, aside from having qualified work experience, the applicants must also possess good character, French or English language skills, and must satisfy the health requirements.
What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and how does it work?
As there is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the different provinces and territories in Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program was introduced to help fill job vacancies throughout the country.
The PNP includes a two-step process that foreign skilled workers must comply with. For the first step, the foreign workers must send an application for the PNP to a selected territory or province where they want to work and live in Canada. Once the applicants have satisfied the PNP requirements and received a provincial nomination, they will then proceed to the final step which is the application for a permanent resident visa through the national Canadian immigration office. If approved for permanent residency, the foreign worker and his or her family will relocate to Canada to live and work in the province or territory that nominated them for its PNP.
How can I work and live in Quebec?
Skilled foreign workers who would like to live and work in Quebec together with their families may send an application for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program or QSWP.
The QSWP is a points-based Canadian immigration program wherein the points are granted for several factors including work experience, education or training, French or English language skills, job offer, age, connection to the province of Quebec, and more.
Just like any other points-based program, the QSWP also requires applicants to reach a minimum total points score.
The QSWP involves a two-step process. First, the foreign worker must send an application to the QSWP and if approved, the applicant will be given a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). The next and final step is the application for a permanent resident visa through the national Canadian immigration office. If approved for permanent residency, the foreign worker and his or her family will relocate to Canada to live and work in Quebec
Can you give me more information about the Education Credential Assessment (ECA)?
Skilled foreign workers who received their education or training outside Canada and are applying to immigrate to Canada through the FSWP are generally required to acquire an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) from a certified third-party evaluation agency.
The ECA is generally used to evaluate a particular education that is acquired outside Canada and determine if it is equivalent to a degree, certificate, or diploma in a Canadian secondary school or a post-secondary learning institution.
A satisfactory ECA will be required when the foreign worker completes his or her Express Entry online profile through the FSWP. Furthermore, other foreign workers who are applying for Express Entry through the FSTP or Federal Skilled Trades Program are sometimes recommended to obtain an ECA.
Who is given the Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
The Invitation to Apply (ITA) is the official invitation given by the Canadian immigration office to a foreign worker inviting him or her to apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa through the Express Entry system.
Generally, an ITA is given to foreign workers in the pool of Express Entry applicants who possess the highest scores based on the Comprehensive Ranking System. An ITA is also given to applicants who are given a nomination from a territory or province in Canada under the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program). Lastly, foreign workers who received a qualifying job offer in Canada are also given an ITA.
Once an ITA is issued, the foreign worker is then given up to 60 days to file his or her Canadian visa application to the national immigration office. A decision of whether the foreign worker’s application for Express Entry is approved or not is usually given within six months.
What are the general health requirements for Canadian immigration?
The foreign worker as well as all of his or her family members who are applying for a Canadian permanent resident visa must meet the “good health” requirement to immigrate to Canada.
Generally, the applicants must not pose any threat to the safety and health of Canadians, and they must not pose any risk of excessive need to use the country’s social and health services.
To determine whether or not the applicant passes the “good health” criteria, the Canadian immigration authorities will require a medical examination conducted by a certified physician at the end of the entire process.
What does the "good character" requirement mean?
Similar to the “good health” requirement, the foreign worker and all of his or her family members who are applying for a Canadian permanent resident visa must meet the “good character” criteria when immigrating to Canada.
The “good character” criteria essentially means that the immigrants should not pose any threat to the general safety of Canadians. In order to conclude that a foreign worker meets the good character requirement, he or she, as well as all of his or her family members who are 18 years and older and are applying for a Canadian permanent resident visa are required to obtain a police certificate.
The police certificate must be acquired from the applicant’s province or territory of residence where he or she has lived for an accrued total of six months or more since he or she turned 18.
How long does the entire Canadian immigration process take?
The amount of time it takes to go through the entire Canadian immigration process depends on the specific immigration program an individual applies for. Each immigration program comes with its particular procedures and requirements.
Generally, foreign workers who are eligible to apply for an immigration program under the Express Entry system could complete the entire Canadian immigration process within the span of 8 to 12 months.
Furthermore, the amount of time essentially depends on several factors that are unique to each applicant as well as the particular Canadian immigration program that he or she is applying for.
What are the advantages of getting an assessment from a Canadian immigration consultant?
Certified immigration consultants can professionally evaluate applicants’ eligibility to apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa. The immigration consultants typically evaluate foreign workers based on their background (e.g., education, work experience, English and French language skills, age, etc.) and the current regulations for Canadian immigration. There are several Canadian immigration programs and each one has different eligibility requirements and application procedures. Thus, a certified immigration consultant will take all of this into account and let you know which Canadian immigration program(s) you are most likely to qualify for.
The immigration consultants can also guide applicants through every stage of the entire Canadian immigration procedure. They can explain what you need to do and when it needs to be done, make sure your application is completed and filed correctly and includes all of the necessary documents, answer your questions as they arise during the process, etc. Thus, you get the guarantee of being on the right track with your Canadian visa application.
Is Canada an immigrant-friendly country?
Canada is undoubtedly one of the most immigrant-friendly nations across the globe. The country welcomes over 300,000 immigrants worldwide every year. In addition to that, Canada is also known for being one of the best countries to work and live in, especially for immigrants.
The country prides itself on being accommodating to various cultures. In fact, Canada has numerous large and small communities of immigrants who account for about 22% of the country’s population. Canada’s economy is also flourishing, and the majority of jobs offered to immigrants are well-paying. Furthermore, the country is one of the safest and most environmentally-conscious nations in the world.
These are only a few of the many reasons why job-seeking individuals favor relocation to Canada over other developed countries.
Will I be allowed to travel in and out of Canada?
Yes. Given that you are the holder of a Canadian permanent resident visa, you are allowed to travel in and out of Canada anytime you want. You can go for trips for either a long or short duration for vacation, business travels, and more.
You can travel in and out of Canada and keep your Canadian permanent resident status as long as you lived in the country for an accrued total of two years within a five-year period. You are also required to comply with the Canadian permanent residence requirements within this period.
What are the benefits of becoming a Canadian citizen?
Foreign workers who hold a Canadian permanent resident visa are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for at least 3 years within a five-year period whilst complying with the other relevant requirements.
Canadian citizens enjoy a wide range of additional benefits including the eligibility to apply for a Canadian passport, being able to vote in elections and having the option to run for public office.
Who is eligible for US relocation?
Over one million people from around the world relocate to the United States every year – more than any other country!
There are many US visa programs available for individuals who want to relocate to the United States to live as permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders) or as temporary legal residents of the United States. These US visa programs have different requirements and criteria which applicants must satisfy.
US Immigrant Visas and Permanent Resident Green Cards are designed for individuals who are planning to live and work in the United States long-term. There are different ways to receive a US Immigrant Visa and Green Card, such as through Employment-Based (EB) Green Card Programs, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program and Family Sponsorship. Green Card holders can receive many privileges including the option to apply for American citizenship after living in the USA for five years and meeting other criteria.
Temporary Non-Immigrant US Visas are designed for individuals who are planning to live in the USA for a limited amount of time. Examples include temporary US work visas (such as the H-1B Work Visa) and student visas (such as the F-1 Student Visa). These types of US visas are generally valid for about 1-3 years and usually have an option to be renewed for a certain amount of time if the visa holder meets the requirements.
Since there are so many different US visa programs for relocation to the United States, it can be challenging to know exactly which particular program to apply for.
Our legal team can evaluate your eligibility to apply for relocation to the United States and guide you through each step of the application process.
What are the advantages of US relocation?
There are many advantages to US relocation, including:
- abundant employment opportunities (for example, very low unemployment rate and over 8 million US job openings);
- world-class education (for example, the US has the most top 100 best universities in the world);
- freedoms protected by law (for example, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process, etc.);
- protections for workers under federal, state and local laws;
- access to a wide variety of consumer goods and services (often at lower prices than in other countries);
- living in a big, beautiful country with spectacular scenery (such as Hawaii and Yosemite National Park) and vibrant cities (such as New York City and Los Angeles);
- a general high standard of living in one of the world’s most prosperous countries.
What are the benefits of being a permanent resident of the United States?
US Permanent Resident Green Card holders can receive many benefits. For example, US Green Card holders can: live and work in the United States for an unlimited time period; enroll in educational programs; sponsor eligible family members for a Green Card; travel to and from the US according to the residency rules; purchase a home; start a business; receive Social Security and other benefits if they qualify; get a driving license in the state where they live; open a US bank account; and apply for American citizenship after they live in the USA for a minimum of five years and meet other eligibility criteria.
What are the costs involved when immigrating to the United States?
There are non-governmental expenses and governmental fees related to US relocation.
Non-governmental expenses may include paying for medical exams, translations of required documents into English, police certificates, passport-style photos, travel to the USA and living expenses in the US (e.g., housing, food, transportation, etc.) for you and any accompanying family members.
Governmental fees will depend on which US visa you are applying for, but may include visa application fees, biometrics fees, and Green Card issuance fees (if relevant).
Will my family and I receive healthcare benefits in the US?
Most people living in the United States receive private healthcare insurance, often through their employer. Some companies will pay the entire health insurance premium for their employees as a fringe benefit; however, it is common for employers to pay part of the health insurance premium and for the employee to pay the other part of the health insurance premium (usually deducted from the employee’s paycheck). In some cases, individuals and families pay the entire premium for private health insurance, which can be expensive. There is a federal health insurance program called Medicare in the US which is for individuals who are at least 65 years of age or for younger people who are disabled. Medicaid is health insurance for low income individuals which is administered by the US states.
How do I find a job in the USA?
Just like with every other country these days, searching for jobs in the USA is made a lot easier and more convenient through the help of the Internet. As long as you have a computer and Internet access, you are bound to find listings of jobs in the US that fit your skills and work experience.
There are numerous private US job portal websites where you can search for job openings in the country.
It may also be helpful to create an online LinkedIn profile to help you network to find US employment.
You can always go to a company’s website and view job openings that are posted on their Careers or Employment webpage.
There are also employment agencies that can help workers find jobs in the US.
Keep in mind that you must be legally permitted to work in the USA, such as by being an American citizen or Permanent Resident Green Card holder, or having a valid US visa that authorizes employment in the United States (such as an H-1B Work Visa).
Depending on which type of US visa you are applying for, it may be necessary to get a qualifying job offer from a sponsoring employer in the United States before you can apply for an employment-based visa.
What is the difference between an Immigrant Visa and Non-Immigrant Visa?
A US Immigrant Visa and Permanent Resident Green Card are for individuals who are planning to live in the United States long-term. Green Card holders can live and work in the United States for an unlimited time period; enroll in educational programs; sponsor eligible family members for a Green Card; travel to and from the US according to the residency rules; purchase a home; start a business; receive Social Security and other benefits if they qualify; get a driving license in the state where they live; open a US bank account; and apply for American citizenship after they live in the USA for a minimum of five years and meet other eligibility criteria.
Non-Immigrant US Visas for temporary legal residents are designed for individuals who are planning to live in the USA for a limited amount of time. Examples include temporary US work visas (such as the H-1B Work Visa) and student visas (such as the F-1 Student Visa). These types of US visas are generally valid for about 1-3 years and usually have an option to be renewed for a certain amount of time if the visa holder meets the requirements.
Whether you become a permanent or temporary legal resident of the United States, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a high standard of living in one of the world’s most prosperous countries!
What are the programs available for skilled foreign workers?
There are 140,000 Employment-Based Green Cards issued yearly through five categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5) and each has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure. Employment-Based Green Card holders can live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited time period and have the option to apply for American citizenship after living in the US for at least five years and meeting other criteria.
Skilled foreign workers can also apply for thousands of temporary US work visas, which allow them to live and work in the USA for a limited period of time. Most temporary US work visas are initially valid for up to 1-3 years and usually have an option to be renewed for a certain amount of time if the skilled foreign worker meets the criteria. Examples of temporary US work visas include the E-1, E-2, H-1B, L-1 and O-1 work visas. Each temporary US work visa has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
What are Employment-Based Green Cards?
US Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Permanent Resident Green Cards allow skilled immigrants and their family members to live, study and work in the United States for an unlimited period of time and provide a pathway to American citizenship.
There are 140,000 Employment-Based Green Cards issued yearly through five categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5) and each has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
The EB-1 Immigrant Visa is designed for skilled immigrants with extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, business, education or the sciences; top researchers and professors; and particular multinational executives or managers.
The EB-2 Immigrant Visa is created for skilled immigrants who are members of a profession who hold an advanced degree or individuals who can demonstrate exceptional ability in the arts, business or the sciences.
The EB-3 Immigrant Visa is reserved for professionals with at least a Bachelor’s Degree; skilled foreign workers with a minimum of two years of post-secondary training or experience; and certain unskilled workers with less than two years of post-secondary experience or training.
The EB-4 Immigrant Visa is designed for “special immigrants” such as certain foreign broadcasters or religious workers who plan to live and work in the USA long-term.
The EB-5 Immigrant Visa is created for immigrant investors who make the required investment in a US commercial enterprise and who will preserve or create a minimum of 10 full-time permanent jobs for eligible workers in the United States.
What is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program?
The US Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-Program) seeks to further diversify the population of the United States by offering a Diversity Immigrant Visa and Permanent Resident Green Card to individuals born in countries with historically low levels of immigration to the USA who also satisfy the education or work experience requirement.
Up to 55,000 US Diversity Visas and Green Cards are granted each year to DV-Program selectees and their eligible family members who complete the consular process successfully.
One of the DV-Program requirements is for the main applicant to be born in a country whose natives are eligible to participate as listed by the US State Department prior to the annual registration period.
Another DV-Program requirement is for the main applicant to have completed a minimum of 12 years of formal primary and secondary education or two years of full-time work experience during the previous five years in an eligible occupation listed by the US Department of Labor as Special Vocational Preparation (SVP) level 7.0 or above (which requires at least two years of experience or training to perform).
Applications for the Diversity Visa Program are accepted during the annual registration period usually held each October.
Participants of the DV-Program who are selected for further processing and also pass the consular interview will be issued a US Diversity Immigrant Visa and Permanent Resident Green Card.
US Green Card holders can live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited time period and receive many privileges, including the option to apply for American citizenship after living in the US for five years and meeting other requirements.
Can you tell me about some of the non-immigrant temporary US work visas?
There are several non-immigrant temporary US work visas available to thousands of skilled foreign workers annually that permit them to live and work in the USA for a specific amount of time.
Temporary non-immigrant US work visas are generally issued for about 1-3 years, depending on the particular visa type and other factors, plus there is usually an option to renew the work visa for an additional period of time if the foreign worker meets the requirements.
Some temporary non-immigrant US work visas (such as the H-1B and L-1 work visas) have “dual intent” which means there is an option available to apply for “adjustment of status” to Permanent Resident Green Card holder after living in the USA for a certain number of years and meeting other criteria.
Accompanying family members of the temporary non-immigrant US work visa holder can normally apply for the relevant visa for family members.
Some examples of non-immigrant temporary US work visas include the E-1, E-2, H-1B, L-1 and O-1 work visas.
Each non-immigrant temporary US work visa has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
What is the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa?
The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa is for citizens of countries that have a treaty of navigation and commerce or other qualifying international agreement with the United States who will conduct trade between the US and their country. The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa can be valid for up to two years and has an option to be renewed in increments of up to two years each time for as long as the individual continues to meet the requirements.
What is the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa?
The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is for citizens of countries that have a treaty of navigation and commerce or other qualifying international agreement with the United States who make a substantial investment in a genuine US enterprise. The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa can be valid for up to two years and has an option to be renewed in increments of up to two years each time for as long as the individual continues to meet the requirements.
What is the H-1B Work Visa?
The H-1B Work Visa is for skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations that usually require at least a Bachelor’s Degree and specialized knowledge.
The H-1B Work Visa is valid for up to three years and has an option to be renewed for up to three additional years (a total of six years) if the skilled foreign worker qualifies.
Furthermore, the H-1B Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA for six years with an H-1B Work Visa can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
Up to 60,000 H-1B Work Visas are issued each year to skilled foreign workers, plus an additional 20,000 H-1B Work Visas are made available annually to eligible international students who graduate from qualifying US post-secondary educational programs.
What is the L-1 Work Visa?
The L-1 Work Visa is for qualifying managers and executives, or employees with specialized knowledge, who are employed by a foreign company and will transfer to the United States in order to work in a managerial or executive position or to provide services utilizing specialized knowledge at a branch of the same foreign company.
The L-1 Work Visa is valid for up to 1-3 years and has an option to be renewed for up to two years at a time. The maximum stay including renewals is seven years total for the L-1A Work Visa (managers and executives) and five years total for the L-1B Work Visa (employees with specialized knowledge).
The L-1 Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA with an L-1 Work Visa for the maximum number of years allowed can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
What is the O-1 Work Visa?
The O-1 Work Visa is for people who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, business, education or the sciences, or extraordinary achievement in the television or film industry that has received national or international recognition.
The O-1 Work Visa is valid for up to three years and has an option to be renewed if the person qualifies.
The O-1 Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA for a certain number of years with an O-1 Work Visa can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
Can you tell me about US Student Visas?
The United States has the largest international student population in the world, with 1.1 million foreign students living in the USA.
The US is a popular destination for students from around the globe, because of its world-class education programs and the high quality of life that is available.
Over 400,000 F-1 Student Visas are issued every year to international students who have been accepted to enroll full-time in qualifying academic educational programs (including language training programs) at accredited universities, colleges, conservatories, seminaries, secondary schools, primary schools or other approved academic institution in the United States.
The F-1 Student Visa is usually valid for the duration of status (i.e., contingent upon maintaining status as a full-time international student enrolled at an approved academic program in the US).
There is also an M-1 Student Visa that is issued to international students who have been accepted to enroll full-time in a qualifying vocational or technical training program or other approved non-academic program (excluding language training programs).
The M-1 Student Visa is usually valid for the duration of status (i.e., contingent upon maintaining status as a full-time international student enrolled at an approved vocational, technical or other qualifying non-academic program in the US).
Accompanying family members of the student visa holder can normally apply for the relevant visa for family members of international students.
Will my family be able to relocate to the US with me?
Eligible family members of a US permanent resident or a legal temporary resident can usually apply for the relevant visa for family members in order to relocate to the United States with them.
When someone applies for a US Immigrant Visa and Green Card for permanent residency in the United States, they will normally include their eligible family members in the application and once approved, the family will immigrate to the USA together.
Similarly, when a person applies for a Non-Immigrant US Visa for temporary legal residency (for example, a temporary work visa or a student visa), the eligible family members can also apply for the relevant US visa for family members so they can relocate to the United States with the main applicant.
Eligible family members include a legally-married spouse (opposite sex or same sex) who is at least 18 years of age and unmarried children who are under 21 years of age.
Please note that certain eligible family members of American citizens and US Permanent Resident Green Card holders may be able to immigrate to the United States through Family Sponsorship.
What are the advantages of receiving a US relocation eligibility evaluation from your legal team?
The experienced You Can Relocate legal team can evaluate your eligibility to apply for relocation to the United States, informing you about which specific US visa programs you are in the best position to apply for. This can save you time, effort and frustration that could occur if you try to figure out for yourself which of the many US visa programs (each of which has unique requirements and application procedures) are right for you.
What are the benefits of becoming an American citizen?
US Permanent Resident Green Card holders receive many privileges, including the option to apply for American citizenship after living in the USA at least five years and meeting other requirements. In addition to the many privileges that Green Card holders can access, an American citizen can receive a US passport and travel outside of the United States for long periods of time; children born to naturalized American citizens also receive US citizenship; American citizens can vote in elections and can run for local, state or federal government positions (except President of the United States). Furthermore, American citizens can apply for certain jobs that require US citizenship.
