Thursday, 20 February 2014

News Release — Protecting and Promoting Canada’s Interests and Values: the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act

Proposed changes to allow fast track citizenship for permanent residents who have served Canada in uniform while dual nationals who commit serious crimes against Canada will be stripped of their Canadian Citizenship.



News Release — Protecting and Promoting Canada’s Interests and Values: the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act

Monday, 10 February 2014

VISITING CANADA - What you need to know from an immigration perspective

Canada welcomes millions of visitors every year.  Citizens of some countries require visas to visit Canada. To obtain a visa to visit Canada, you will you will need to submit an application for a temporary resident visa to a visa office overseas or to a visa application center that serves either your country of residence or your country of citizenship. 

Starting February 6, 2014 all applicants for visas will be issued multiple entry visas to enable them visit Canada multiple times during the validity period of their visas. In addition to obtaining a visa to visit Canada, a person must not be inadmissible to Canada.  What could make you inadmissible to Canada? You may be inadmissible:

  • ·         on medical grounds if you have a serious health problem
  • ·         for lying in an application or interview
  • ·         if you have financial problems that are serous. 
  • ·         for offenses ranging from disorderly conduct, to organized crime and acts of terrorism
  • ·         if a family member is inadmissible


Sometimes people do not realize that they are inadmissible. The mere fact that you have not yet been convicted of an offense outside of Canada, does not mean you are not inadmissible.  So long as you have committed an act outside Canada that is an offence in the place where it was committed and that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence under an Act of Parliament; you will be inadmissible to Canada. 

Inadmissibility can be overcome permanently or even temporarily, if you have compelling reasons for visiting Canada.  An immigration lawyer can review your situation and discuss the best options applicable to you. 

The Huffington Post has some interesting facts about Canada. Contact us today as you plan your visit to Canada.