Business Immigration: Good Idea Or Bad?

Canada's Business Immigration Plan is a plan started by the Canadian Government to attract experienced people with money in order to boost the Canadian economy.

Prospective immigrants must have a net worth of at least $800,000 and must make an investment of $400,000 in the Canadian economy.

There are 3 classes of Business Immigrants, each with separate eligibilty requirements.

Investors
The Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) wants to find experienced business persons and their capital to Canada. The Immigrant Investors must demonstrate business experience and a legally obtained minimum net worth of CAN $800,000, and must make an investment of $400,000 in the Canadian economy.

Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program is searching for experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate business experience and a minimum legally obtained net worth of CAN $300,000, and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.

Self-employed persons
The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either (a) relevant experience that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or (b) experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

The province of Quebec operates its own immigrant investor program. All investors in the Quebec program must both be destined to live in Quebec and selected by Quebec.
Between 1986 to 2000 most Business Immigrants were from Hong Kong, 7,678 or 39.91% of the total number of Business Immigrants.

How effective has this program been in creating jobs and in bringing investment to Canada?
According to Statistics Canada 2000 figures were; full time jobs created 1832, part time jobs created 918.

Canada has an underpopulation problem and has found itself in the same situation as Japan and many European countries. It should actively promote immigration because there is a diminished fertility rate just like in most European countries and Japan.

In Japan things are so bad that only 14% of its population is under the age of 15.

One solution, starnge though it may sound, is to end abortion.
Some observers say that if abortions in Canada halted, the population numbers would be above replacement levels within a year.

At present there are 3 categories of Immigrants to Canada:

Skilled Worker: This category is for professionals and skilled tradespeople with at least one year of continuous work experience.

This class is the most popular class and is also known as the professional class or skilled worker class and the application is assessed based on a point system. An individual should make an application under this class if he/she wishes to come to Canada based on his/her qualifications, work experience and knowledge of the English or French language.
Special provisions apply for immigration to Quebec

Business Class: This category is for managers and business owners with high net worth, and requires an investment in Canada.

This class is also known as the business immigration class. One should make an application under the entrepreneur class and self-employed class if he/she wishes to start a business in Canada. A person should make an application under the investor class if he/she DOES NOT wish to start a business in Canada.

Family Sponsorship: This category is for citizens and permanent residents of Canada who want to sponsor a close family member.

Pierre Trudeau changed Canada's immigration laws and opened wide the country's doors to Africans, Asians and West Indians as part of an attempt to fill its huge, underpopulated hinterland.

The result is that today eighteen percent of the population is now foreign-born compared with about 11 percent in the United States, with little or no debate over whether the effects of such change in culture, demographics and national identity is good or bad.

Only in the last 10 years or so have Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, with one third of the population, become multicultural polyglots, with the towers of Sikh temples and mosques becoming mainstays of the skylines and cuisines and fashion becoming concoctions of spices and patterns that are in the vanguard of globalization.

One of the advantages of this cultural diversity is that the population has become more like Europe and has become more tolerant of different views than the United States. However, gun-related crimes in the major cities are increasing at an alarming rate.

 Business Immigration, good or bad? by J Schipper

Immigration to Canada: Two Options

When you apply for Permanent Residence visa under the Skilled Worker Immigration scheme, you have two options:

In this article, I will talk about the first option:

a) Hiring an Immigration Representative:

The first option is to hire the services of an Immigration Representative / Consultant. They are also called Immigration Lawyers. Their job is to make the process easier for you, because they know exactly the documents you need to submit with your application. They normally charge legal fees and government fees. The legal fees refer to the fees they charge for their consulting services, and the government fees refer to the fees that have to be paid to the Canadian government in order to apply.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2005), authorized, paid representatives may only be:

§ Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. If you wish to verify if an Immigration Consultant is in good standing of this Institution, please visit the following website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/consultants/verify-rep.html#consultants

§ Lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian law society and students-at-law under their supervision. Please visit their following website to verify a lawyer's status in a Society: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/consultants/verify-rep.html#law-societies

§ Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Qu?bec and students-at-law under their supervision. For further information please visit the following website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/consultants/notaries

If you wish to hire an Immigration Representative to assist you with your Permanent Residence application, you need to complete the form called "Use of a Representative" [Number - IMM 5476]. Its purpose is to appoint the representative to establish communication and conduct business with Citizenship and Immigration Canada on your behalf. Please note that the forms may change from time to time, so you should verify which form you need to use at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/consultants/index.html.

This form can also be used to cancel the appointment of the Immigration Representative that you had chosen before.

You can find more information about Immigration Representatives / Consultants at the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants? website: http://www.csic-scci.ca/index.html .

This Institution (CSIC) was created in 2003, and its main objective is to regulate the activities of Immigration Consultants (its members), who provide immigration services and advice for a certain fee.

Immigration Consultants can be members only if they have demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide immigration advice and represent potential immigrants to Canada. They also have to present and pass a Knowledge and Ethics Test to obtain the membership. The Society has also created a code of conduct called "Rules of Professional Conduct" in order to establish the expected standard of professional conduct and competence for its members. These rules also provide guidance to this profession in order to protect the general public from unprofessional, improper or incompetent service from the members of the Society.

Therefore, you should verify if your Immigration Representative is a member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. You can find a list of its members at http://www.csic-scci.ca/indexE.html

Alex Berez is author of "Step-by-Step Immigration to Canada". http://www.StepbyStepImmigrationCanada.com

Canadian Immigration Visa Documentation

Probably the most time consuming - on your part - aspects of the Canadian immigration process is going to be gathering up all of the documentation that you need to submit along with you permanent resident application. This documentation will be used to determine your actual Pass-Mark score. Remember, you now only need a score of 67, not 75, to pass.

Below is a list of some documentation you may be asked to send:

? Birth certificates for you and all members of your family who will be moving with you

? Proof of your language abilities (there are various ways to prove this)

? Proof of employment and work experience

? Proof of education, such as college transcripts, for you and your partner

? Proof of arranged employment in Canada (if applicable)

? Proof of family relationships in Canada (if applicable)

? Marriage certificate for you and your spouse (if he or she is moving with you)

You need to make sure that the documentation you gather fits the requirements established by the Canada's department of immigration. Otherwise, your application will either be refused or delayed significantly.

Completing the Application

In addition to all of the documentation, you will also need to complete an application. It's important to read through the instructions very carefully and complete each section of the application correctly. If you make a mistake, your application may be delayed or refused and may have to start the entire process all over again, including paying the required fees again.

You must submit your application with all of the required documentation listed above, as well as some additional elements which we'll discuss in my next article.

Alex Berez is author of "Step-by-Step Immigration to Canada". http://www.StepbyStepImmigrationCanada.com

Immigration to Canada - Pass Mark Areas

In this article, I will explain the different areas of the Canadian Immigration Skilled Worker Pass Mark.

Education One of the goals of the Canadian immigration system is to attract skilled workers to their country. Skilled workers usually have more than a high school diploma, so the Pass-Mark system rewards higher point totals for advanced studies. However, you don't need a master's degree or above to get a high score in this area. In fact, you'll also get points if you've earned a bachelor's degree, completed an apprenticeship, or attended a trade/vocational school.

Language Canada, unlike the United States, has an official language. In fact, it has two: English and French. For this reason, the country looks for immigrants who know at least one of those languages. Additionally, a permanent resident who can easily communicate has a better chance of being successful than one who does not. Language ability is measured according to your proficiency in four separate areas: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Your abilities in each of those four are ranked as high proficiency, moderate proficiency, basic proficiency, or no proficiency. You'll also receive additional points if you know BOTH English and French to some degree.

Work Experience Again, Canada wants people who are ready to enter the Canadian job market and who have skills that will be useful to employers. This requires experience. Points are awarded based on how much experience you have in your specific field. To receive the maximum number of points, you need more than four years of experience.

Age/Arranged Employment/Adaptability These three areas don't provide many additional points, but they can be important if you are lacking in one area. All three are used to determine how likely you are to fit in once you move to Canada. Age is a factor because individuals who are younger than 17 or older than 53 may have trouble finding employment and fitting into Canadian life. Individuals who are between the ages of 21 and 49 generally receive the highest number of points available. Although you do receive extra points if you already have a job lined up in Canada when you apply, it is not a necessity. As long as you have the education, language ability, and work experience, you shouldn't worry about finding a job in advance.

Finally, adaptability covers several issues, including the education of your spouse or partner who will be moving to Canada with you and the family connections you already have in the country. These extra points can make a big difference if your score is hovering just under 67.

In the next section of the report, we'll look at the documents you need in support of these six areas and why it is so important to prepare them correctly when you are applying.

Alex Berez is author of "Step by Step Immigration to Canada". http://www.StepByStepImmigrationCanada.com

Why Does The Republican Party Want To Bury Illegal Immigration?

President Bush has referred to Jim Gilchrist as a "Vigilante." Many American citizens have an opposite view, calling him a Patriot. The vast majority of Republican voters want the problem of a tidal wave of illegal aliens pouring across our borders solved, not swept under the rug! Their reasons for concern range from potential terrorist threats, and fears of the importation of vicious gang violence, as well as the adverse economic impact on wages and employment opportunities of illegal immigration.

Gilchrist is the widely known founder of the Minuteman Project, which has mobilized the participation of thousands of volunteers who have taken up stations along the U.S. border in an attempt to reduce the numbers of illegal migrants crossing the border. Although the Minutemen's direct impact in reducing illegal immigration could be viewed as negligible, there can be no argument as to whether their "watch and report" mission has raised this troubling issue to the forefront of political debate.

Most citizens of California are acutely aware of the rise in violent crime implicated in gang related activities. The state has experienced a dramatic increase in gang violence and "syndicated "crime due to illegal immigration, which has risen to epidemic proportions. The LA Times reported that more than 50,000 illegal aliens with serious criminal records were deported in the last twelve years alone, including untold numbers of gang members.

"One thing is clear, illegal immigration is directly feeding significant increases in felony-level crime and gang-related violence," Gilchrist said. "While the economic consequences of our broken borders have been severe, the alarming rise of crime and violence resulting from the uncontrolled growth of these gangs directly threatens our neighborhoods, our schools, and every aspect of security necessary to our society's well-being," said Gilchrist.

The MS-13 gang, which is comprised principally of Central Americans, nearly all of whom are illegals, has grown to 50,000 members and is increasing. MS-13, with its signature machete executions, is involved in appalling street violence, racketeering, and many other crimes from coast to coast.

What troubles Gilchrist the most is the blind eye cast by Republican leadership towards these crucial issues of illegal "invasion" by foreign nationals, and the security threat it poses to American territorial integrity. Critics inside and outside of the party attribute this lack of political will, code word for "courage," to concerns by some politicians who fear the loss of an emerging "Hispanic voting block" come election time.

Gilchrist, who is a candidate in the upcoming December 6 special election tofill the vacancy in California's 48th Congressional District, blasted the National Republican Senate Campaign for circulating a "Senate Leadership Survey" that omits any questions which refer to illegal immigration or border security.

"How can any survey, which purports to address the major political issues facing America, be taken seriously if it does not include a single question on the issues of illegal immigration or border security?" asked Gilchrist.

The answer may lie in these eye opening statistics. The number of Hispanics now residing in the United States has risen past 40 million, out-numbering African Americans as a potential voting block. Political insiders on both sides of the political spectrum believe that the future of national elections may very well rest in the hands of Hispanic voters. Consider that the winner of Florida, Texas, and California presidential contests could virtually lock up every future election.

Gilchrist believes that 90 percent of illegal immigrants are coming to the U.S. to exploit an economic situation vastly more advantageous than that left behind in their native countries. Clearly, he says, their reasons for coming here are related directly to what is happening socially, economically and politically in their nations of origin. In one interview, Gilchrist targeted Mexico by name stating that, "There is something seriously wrong in a country where half its population is trying to escape." Gilchrist believes it is imperative that strong actions be taken by the governments of countries south of the border to improve the living standards of their own populations. America, says Gilchrist, cannot continue as the economic safety valve for every oligarchy and petty tyranny on earth. We need to stay economically strong, while sustaining America's national unity upon the principles of western civilization.

The 48th Congressional District, located in Orange County, California, is thought of as one of the bastions of the Republican Party. Gilchrist, who is running as an Independent, has shaken the confidence of his Republican opponent, by building strong support among many Grand Old Party members who feel that the party is missing the boat on the issue of immigration.

Is Gilchrist going to be a surprise winner in the 48th District, much like former Governor Jesse Ventura was in 1998? In one of the more unforeseen upsets in American political history, Reform Party candidate Jesse "The Body" Ventura, once a pro wrestler known for his spoiler tactics in the ring, shocked the pundits and his two rivals -- Democrat Hubert Humphrey III and Republican Norm Coleman -- to win Minnesota's governorship. It may be the right time again in U. S. history for an upset by an Independent challenger, this time to create a mandate for stiffening the U.S. border. Only time will tell -- on December 6th to be exact.

Bruce Prokopets, Executive Editor of Press Direct International

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