The Citizenship Test ? The Last Hurdle To Becoming A Canadian Citizen

I recently attended a citizenship ceremony in Vancouver with a Pakistani couple who are friends of mine and were about to become Canadian citizens. I can honestly say this was one of the most solemn and moving ceremonies I have lately attended – with the official speeches, oath and anthem singing. The only bad thing was that their 20-year old son Fahim was not able to attend to ceremony because he failed the citizenship test.

The Canadian citizenship test is designed to make sure that all potential Canadian citizens speak one of the official languages – English or French and that they know enough about the country of which they wish to become citizens. The exam should be taken by all applicants aged 18 to 54 who meet the basic requirements for citizenship. The most important of these requirements is the permanent residence status, which must not be in doubt. The second requirement is that the applicant must have lived 3 years out of the past four in Canada and have no criminal history (i.e. convicted in criminal offence or currently in prison).

The citizenship test is a combination short answer and multiple choice questions. It covers many issues such as Canadian geography, history, political and economic system, cultural history and symbols, citizens’ rights and obligations. There are 20 questions that should be answered for 30 minutes. An applicant has to answer correctly 12 out of the 20 questions in order to pass the exam.

Many people like Fahim feel that they are not prepared to take the test, even though they have lived in Canada for years as permanent residents. They make take advantage of especially prepared test kits, which include study guides, practice questions and explanation of the structure of the exam. You can purchase one here: http://www.immigroup.com

The California Bar Exam Study Techniques

No bar exam is easy. The California bar exam is no exception. More so than in any other jurisdiction in North America, however, the California exam is not only a test of mental stamina, but a test of physical and emotional endurance as well. Some applicants pass on their first attempt. Others take the exam several times before their names finally appear in the Daily Journal as successful applicants. If your name is on the list this time, congratulations! But if not, or if you are about to write the exam for the first time, read on. This article is written for you. This article will set out some study techniques that will help you do your best.

Study Techniques

1. Study Answers to Previous Essay Exam Questions

By far the most important tip for preparing for the California state bar exam is to study the model answers to previous exam questions. If you are taking a bar review course like BAR/BRI for example, focus on the essay workbook. By reading an essay question from past exams, for example, outlining what you think the answer should be, and then comparing your answer to the BAR/BRI materials – you get an excellent picture of what you know, and what you still need to learn. By writing out your answer, at least in point form, before referring to the BAR/BRI answer, you clarify where your memory of the law is still hazy and needs sharpening. You can use the summary answers as review notes. Highlight key words. These highlighted notes will be invaluable study aids the night before the exam.

2. Read the Materials, Attend Lectures and Do Assignments

Your study patterns should follow a set formula. As best as you can, read the materials assigned before classes. Attend all the lectures or at least listen to the tapes of the ones you miss. Do the assignments. And write practice exams. Some of my wealthier friends signed up for extra bar preparation classes. This was a good idea and I benefited by listening to borrowed audio cassette tapes while driving to and from classes.

3. Employ Memory Devices Such as Acronyms

In preparing for the California bar exam you are confronted by an overwhelming niagra of legal materials. It is impossible to digest such an intimidating amount of knowledge without employing some memory devices to keep information as organized as possible. As often as possible, therefore, use pneumonias and acronyms to help your memory recall important concepts. For example, in real property law I used the acronym TIP to recall the four unities of title in joint possessory estates: Time, Title, Interest and Possession. (I just remembered that the T in TIP stood for the two unities of Time and Title). With a little creativity you can summarize entire courses into one or two word acronyms!

4. Use Funny or Exotic Images to Remember Concepts

Use a funny or exotic image technique to recall important concepts. For example, to remember the test for obscenity in constitutional law I imagined General Patton, pure naked, running laps around a track. This vision would help me recall that obscene material must appeal to the prurient interest, be patently offensive, and have no laps, that is no literary, 2rtistically, politically or socially redeeming feature. Making up rhymes, jingles and ridiculous exaggerated action stories with the materials helps to imbed the knowledge into the brain.

5. Check Off Correct Answers in the Answer Section of Multi State

Material when working on the multi state multiple-choice questions, make it a point to mark the correct answers to test questions in the answer section as opposed to the question section of your materials. This way later on you can review wrong answers again to brush up on weak areas without having to match up the answers to the questions.

6. Keep a Disciplined Daily Schedule

As far as possible try to keep balance in your daily schedule. That requires good nutrition, exercise and sleep. Studies indicate that the average person’s peak attention span is 45 minutes – make use of this fact. Take cat naps when you are tired and breaks every hour.

California Bar Exam Writing Strategies

1. Time Management

It is virtually impossible to succeed in any law examination without mastering the concept of time management. The California bar exam is no exception. It is not what you know. It is what you know in one hour. Budget your time or perish. The same holds true for the multi-state multiple choice exam. In fact, time budgeting on the multi-state multiple choice section of the exam is so important you should make a special effort to pre-mark your computer answer sheet with penciled-in times.

For example, at question number 17 mark 9:30, at question 34, 10:00, etc. This helps you stay super conscious of whether you are on time going through the multiple-choice questions.

2. IRAC Adversarial Answer Format

IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion. It is a style of writing answers to law school essay questions. When coupled with an adversarial answer format, it is an ideal way of writing the bar exam. Thus, you identify an issue and discuss it by pointing out what the plaintiff would say, and then what the defendant would counter. You then state the rule of law that applies. You then apply the rule again laying out the viewpoints of each party to the dispute. Finally, you state a conclusion indicating how the court would rule on the issue. Using this approach, where applicable can substantially increase your grades.

3. When Reading Bar Questions Write Your Ideas in the Margins

Recording your ideas the moment they come to you as you read an exam question is very important. Do so right on the exam booklet you are reading. If you don’t, more often than not, you will forget these ideas. Capture them on the spot. Waiting until you turn to writing your answer will be too late.

4. Diagram the Parties to a Dispute, Use Ladder Time Lines

If a question discusses a dispute between a plaintiff and a defendant, diagram this immediately with the symbols: P v. D. As the question refers to other parties, such as a witness for example, mark that witness’ initial beside the party the witness supports. Thus, if she supports the plaintiff, mark: W-Pv.D. Drawing lines to show a bond between two parties also helps to keep things straight. Use vertical time lines marking significant dates down the margin of a question instead of across the page. This is more conducive to the format of the bar exam and looks like a ladder going up the page when completed.

5. Use a Head Note Style on Issues Identified and Feedback Facts

Write a head note style of paragraph to summarize the applicable issues identified in the question you have read. This can be your outline for your subsequent written answer. Then, to ensure you have fed all the facts of the question back to the examiner in your answer, highlight each fact in the question that has been included in your essay answer with a yellow magic marker. A similar quick review of your scratch paper notes will identify to you any facts and any ideas you may have neglected to include in your answer.

6. State the General Rule Before Discussing Exceptions

The most amazing discovery I made in reviewing my old bar exams which I obtained from the state bar examiners and compared to the model answers they provided was that I failed to state the general rule in my hurry to discuss a given exception. Thus, for example, I failed to define hearsay before going into a discussion of the admissions exception to the hearsay rule. You have to assume you are writing the answer for someone who knows nothing about the law in order to get top grades.

7. Answer the Question Exactly the Way it is Asked

Particularly on performance exams, the key tactic to employ is to answer the question exactly the way it is asked. Just as a diagnosis in medicine is half way to a cure, following the requirements of the question on a law exam is half way to a passing answer. As amazingly simple as this may appear, sometimes you tend to get wrapped up in your answer at the expense of failing to follow the format required by the question. Don’t miss this.

8. Discuss Your Exam Answers During the Breaks

Once you leave the exam area what you have done is history. You cannot change history, whether you did well or poorly. But you can correct any misconceptions you have about issues raised in the exam by discussing the answers with your fellow students. Going into the next portion of the exam you will have a stronger grasp of the concepts you may have missed earlier, and they may arise again. If you have a sensitive ego, beware – otherwise, review with your fellow students to sharpen your understanding of the issues you faced.

Outside Influences

There is no doubt that at some stage in your preparations you will become discouraged. You will seriously doubt your ability to endure the pressure. After all, for several months your life will be out of balance as you sacrifice valuable time focusing on the bar exam instead of elsewhere. Personal problems can be exacerbated. Your family and friends may suffer. These are some of the problems associated with your goal of becoming an attorney in the state of California. Yet in the end, this is short-term pain for long term gain. If you endure, sooner or later you will succeed. Indeed, maybe the next time you look at the list of successful applicants in the Daily Journal, your name will appear. Then it will be time for you to go out into the legal world to make us all proud. Good luck.

Treaty Trader (e-1) and Treaty Investor (e-2) Visas

Overview of treaty trader (E-1) and treaty investor (E-2) visas

The E category visa is considered for business owners, business managers, investors and employees who required staying in US for work for a project that is occupied in trade between the United State and a foreign country that has a agreement with the US or that represents a substantial investment in the United States). . The trade involved must be an international exchange of items between the United States and a treaty country.

E-1 Visa holders are also eligible to accept employment in the United States. E-1 Visa holders are generally admitted for a period of 2 years and extensions can be easily obtained.

REQUIREMENTS for E-1 & E-2 visas:

Requirements: E-1 (Treaty Trader)

· The applicant must be a national of a treaty country.

The applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm.
Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.
The trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country, which is defined to mean that more than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the country of the applicant’s nationality.
The international trade must be “substantial” in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing volume of trade.
The trading firm for which the applicant is coming to the U. S. must have the nationality of the treaty country.
Trade means the international exchange of goods, services, and technology.
Title of the trade items must pass from one party to the other.

Requirements: E-2 (Treaty Investor)

The investor must be coming to the U.S. to develop and direct the enterprise.
If the applicant is not the principal investor, he or she must be employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity.
Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.
The investment must be substantial and must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
The percentage of investment for a low-cost business enterprise must be higher than the 50 % of investment in a high-cost enterprise.
The investment may not be secondary. It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to the investor and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United State.
The investor, either a real or corporate person, must be a national of a treaty country;
The investor must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense.
Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed
The investment must be a real operating enterprise. Speculative or idle investment does not qualify.
Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment.

H-1b Visa (temporary Work Visa) in the US

Introduction of H1-B Visa
H1-B Visa is a commonly known by temporary work visa. It is a nonimmigrant type of visa. H1-B visa is also known as an employer sponsored visa. H1-B visa allows U.S. employers to employ foreign temporary workers in specialty occupations. With the help of H1-B visa companies brings foreign born professional temporarily to the United States with lawful method. 
Features of H1-B Visa
•    Time Limit of H1-B visa
o    Initially H1-B visa is issue for up to three years and it may be extend up to more three years. So maximum 6 year is a time limit for H1-B visa
•    For Getting Green Card
o    H1-B visa give convince for its holder to be eligible for getting permanent residency in USA
•    Changing Company
o    H1-B visa can be transferable for a new employee. Visa holder can start working after getting receipt of H1 transfer case
•    Family Status
o    Visa holder’s wife and unmarried children (under the age of 21) are allowed to stay in USA under the H4 category for the same duration as the H1-B status
•    Eligible for buying property
o    H1-B holder can buy or sell real estate property or any other property in USA.
o    Visa holder can buy lottery or win a lottery
Eligibility of H1-B Visa
To be eligible for H1-B visa below are the possibility. You must be full fill bellow’s any of ONE criteria.
•    Any Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in the specific area
•    At least 12 years progressive work experience in their specific area
•    A license to practice in the chosen occupation
•    A mix of further education and work experience to total 12 years
Benefits of H1-B Visa
•    Visa Holder Dependent can stay with you as long as you maintain your H1-B status. Visa holder children also eligible for attending a school
•    Visa holder freely travel through the USA also out of the USA
Documents required for the Applying H1-B Visa
•    The Expiration date on the passport must be more than 6 months away.

•    Reference Letters from previous employers

•    Appointment letter by your Employer

•    Tax Return Papers of the company

•    A copy of the official evaluation of your degrees
•    Degree certificate
•    Appoint and Relieving letters for all the companies where you claim employment and certificates of the company giving dates and duration of your service.
•    Any additional degree certificates
•    Latest Three passport size Color photographs

Recent Changes That Benefit Students on a Student Work Permit in Canada

In Canada about two or three years ago, the legislation involving student work permits was changed so that a student who was here on a student visa was permitted to work off campus up to 20 hours a week during the school year, and off campus full time during their summer and other breaks. The most recent change to the legislation addresses what happens when those students graduate.

Previously, postgraduate work permits were issued for only one year and they had to be tied to a certain employer. In the past couple of years, the government has run some pilot projects where they have allowed two-year work permits in some provinces to certain graduates of specified institutions. Based on the success of these pilot projects, they have decided to increase the work period to three years on a postgraduate work permit and make it an open work permit, which means that the graduate can change employers without having to go through the whole process of applying again for a new work permit. Also, the work permit is not restricted necessarily to the student’s field of education, so it is quite flexible.

The new legislation gives people a chance to work here for three years after graduation, to get experience and perhaps even to get a permanent job offer. Of course, getting a job offer is going to be an important factor for a lot of people because once they have a job, the door is then open to getting permanent residence status.

The Importance of the Job Interview in Canada

As I have mentioned several times, I will not only help you with your visa application process, I will also help you arrive and settle in Canada!

One of the most important tasks that you will have to accomplish after you arrive to Canada will be attending to several job interviews so that you can get the job of your dreams in Canada! Today, I will give you some useful advice and recommendations to help you answer TOUGH questions during your job interview in Canada! Remember, Canadians are very nice, but sometimes they can be tough!

O.K. let’s get started…

After a little practice, most of us can become quite confident answering some interview questions, such as “What are your strengths?” or “Why do you want this job?” These common questions have been heard by millions of job seekers over the years and have been answered with varying degrees of success.

However, there are other questions that are more difficult to masterfully answer. These are the ones interviewers like to throw at us when everything else seems to be going smoothly in the interview. Just when we think we’ve done a great job, we hear something like “Why did you get fired from your last job?” or “How come you’ve had so much trouble finding a position since the layoff?” or “If you could be any television character, who would you be and why?” or “How does your husband/wife feel about you taking this job?’

The problem with most of these questions isn’t that we don’t know the answers; it’s that they take us by surprise for a moment and throw us off our game. We miss the catch because the ball came out of nowhere.

Now you could practice answering all of these potential questions, but there’s always a good bet that a savvy interviewer will still throw something your way that you didn’t see coming. After all, they want to see how well you handle something unexpected. So this section won’t provide you with definite clever answers for all of the possible “trick” questions in the world, but we will look at numerous examples and I’ll give you some basic guidelines and suggestions on how to handle them.

As a result, you might be a caught off-guard for a moment by an unusual question, but you’ll recover quickly and answer with a thoughtful response that should “Wow!” the interviewer. With that goal in mind, let’s begin our journey into the world of unusual and difficult interview questions.

Questions About Former Employers & Employment

Chances are you won’t escape an interview without facing some questions about your past and/or current employers. Some questions are fairly simple, such as “Tell me what you liked most about your last job.” Those questions you can answer without too much pressure and without becomingly overly worried about slipping up and saying the wrong thing.

On the other hand, you may also face more difficult questions about your work history. Here are some examples:

- Why did you leave your last job?

- Why were you fired?

- Why has there been such a large gap between your jobs?

- Why are you switching careers?

All of these questions have the potential to cause you to lose your composure during an interview and to stumble around for an answer. Thankfully, however, there are ways to answer these questions effectively.

Why did you leave your last job?

We all have different reasons for searching out a new position: we want more money, we didn’t get along with our boss, etc. In most cases, our real reason for leaving may not make the best response during an interview.

For example, if you responded, “I left because of a conflict with my supervisor” the interviewer is going to see you as a potential problem. After all, if you’ve had conflict with one supervisor, you may have a problem with authority. If you said, “I wanted to find a job that paid better and that had more opportunities for advancement,” the interviewer would wonder if you’d really be happy with the salary or the opportunities at this position or if you’d just leave there as well.

The correct answer should be positive and should be directed towards what you know about this position. In an interview for a job where you’d be dealing with customers or public relations regularly, you might answer, “Although I enjoyed my previous job, I wanted to seek out a position that would give me more chances to work with the public.”

Why were you fired?

It can be difficult to explain to a potential employer why you were fired from a previous position. Many people make the mistake of blaming the other company or the supervisor for the problem, but you have to remember the golden rule of interviewing: never say anything negative about a former employer.

Your best bet is to check in with your references from that past employer to determine exactly what there take on your firing was. You may have thought the split was amicable when they viewed it in a different light altogether. After you’ve spoken with your references, you’ll have a better idea of how to formulate a response.

In your answer, you should accept your share of the blame. No firing not even one that was unfair or biased is completely one-sided. Blaming others will only tell the interviewer that you haven’t learned a lesson and that you’re likely to make the same mistakes again.

A good answer might be the following: “I was fired because there was a miscommunication from the beginning about my job responsibilities. The employer needed someone who had access to a vehicle during the day, and I did not. I should have stated from the beginning that, while my transportation was reliable, I would not be able to run errands outside of the office.” In the response, the individual briefly explains the situation and accepts responsibility for her share of the miscommunication. She doesn’t speak negatively about the past employer.

Don’t forget to be honest. Making up a story to explain why you were fired won’t get you the job.

Why has there been such a large gap between your jobs?

Interviewers look over your resume for carefully. What they want to see is a continuous, or nearly continuous, stream of employment. When there are stretches of time between jobs ranging from six months to a year or more, they may be concerned about your ability to maintain a position long-term or about personal issues which may require you to leave the workplace for lengthy periods of time.

If the interviewer asks about these gaps, then your best strategy is to be honest. For example, you might say “I took some time off to stay home with our new baby, but now that he’s settled in pre-school I feel comfortable accepting the responsibilities of a full-time position” or “After I was displaced from my Acme where I’d worked for eight years, it took me awhile to regain my confidence. It happened quite suddenly, and I admit I wasn’t prepared to make a change. It took me awhile to feel comfortable getting back out in the job market.”

Again, take responsibility for the gap between positions but also try to ease the concerns that are behind the interview’s question or that may be raised as a result of your answer.

Why are you switching careers?

For some of us, when we want a change, we want a major change. Switching employers may not be enough; we may have to try an entirely different field. The desire to re-invent ourselves may be easy enough for us to understand but interviewers may question the switch. What they don’t want is a new employee who quickly regrets making the change or who realizes the new career isn’t all they thought it would be.

Your answer to this question should reflect a sincere interest in the new field, as well as your knowledge of what it entails. Basically, make sure you have done your homework so the interviewer knows this isn’t just some fly-by-night decision; it’s something you’ve put a lot of thought into.

Here’s a sample answer: “After I spent ten years in advertising, I wanted a change that would give me more opportunities to work with customers directly. That’s the main reason I considered sales. I did some research into the field and discovered that the best salespeople have strong interpersonal skills, a genuine desire to help others, and an ability to recognize the needs and wants of customers. These are all traits I’ve developed through my experience in advertising so I thought this would be a great fit for me.”

See you in Canada!

With the Aid of Employment Agencies

As every nation suffers an economic turndown, everyone struggles to make a living. Many crave for jobs here and abroad. So, to hear of job opportunity offers in Canada is a sign of relief. Canada offers jobs to an immigrant and the country’s natives. Fresh graduates and those who want to try their luck in the international business of Canada are welcome to apply. These nternational jobs in Canada serve as light in the darkness that people are currently facing.

Finding a job these days is not easy, especially if you are not a degree holder. You must exert extra efforts and display exceptional abilities to meet an employer’s high expectations. Applying overseas would require a huge amount of money plus a series of tests you have to pass to be approved.

Good thing there are employment agencies which offer efficient and time-bounded job processing for those who want to work abroad. These employment agencies will help you acquire your dream job quicker. They can process your papers within a few days unlike other companies.

Employment agencies as we all know play a vital role in helping people find jobs. They serve as a mediator between job seekers and employers; the latter gets a job while the former would be grateful of the skilled workers given them. Agencies also offer seminars and orientation for the benefit of job seekers, so they will be informed about the nature of the job they want, and how to save themselves from abusive employers.

Unlike walk-in applicants, those who go to employment agencies have to pay a placement fee in exchange for the hassle free and quick service they get. This placement fee is used to pay clerical and hourly workers, first-line supervisors without degrees, and professional workers. Headhunters look for individuals suitable for certain positions,

Employment agencies, especially those sponsored by state governments, have enough personnel to process thousands of applications, unlike companies that only rely on their human resource departments. Unemployed workers are strongly encouraged to visit these employment agencies so they can fill up numerous job vacancies.

Employment agencies should be considered supplemental sources for job search, not a mere option. Finding work through employment agencies is often a numbers game — hundreds of other applicants may have received the same job leads, so be prepared for screenings and interviews. Job seekers are required to have the necessary knowledge and skills so they can easily get the job. It is also vital for you to possess good character and communication skills. Have a positive attitude and everything will go just fine.

Process to Apply for L-1 Intra Corporate Transferee Visa

Overview of L1 visa

The L1 visa is a nonimmigrant and famous work visa in the us and Canada because it is easily apply and once it is obtained, the L1 visa is suitable for employees of U.S and Canadian companies who are being transferred by their current employer to enter into the U.S. to handle organization or a major function or division of an organization.

Documents required for L-1 Visa Application

Fill up visa application Form DS-156

Current passport size photograph, 50mm X 50mm of each applicant showing full face without head covering against a light background

A passport, valid for travel to the U.S. for at least six months longer than your intended visit

Employee copy of Form I-797 Approval Notice

Copy of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant visa. This petition is filed with the USCIS by your employer

Eligibility for L-1 Visa

Any Employer who has worked for company since at least last one year as Manager or Executive in the preceding three years may qualify as L1 Executive.

Benefits of the L1 Visa

Your spouse can apply for a work permit by filing Form I-765 and engage in employment

The spouse and children under 21 are allowed to accompany the L-1 visa holder during the period of the transferee status. The Spouse may receive work authorization.

Your dependents can live with you in the U.S.

In limited circumstances, it may be possible to convert the L-1 visa for executives and managers to lawful permanent residence status.

L-1 visas are granted initially for 1 to three years with extensions available in three-year increments, with a total stay not to exceed seven years.

You may legitimately come to the U.S. as an L1 intra-company transferee and at the same time, lawfully seek to become a permanent resident

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service usually decide petitions in 30-60 days.

The intra-company transferee is allowed to work for the U.S. subsidiary or affiliate company.

You can freely travel in and out of the U.S. while on a valid L1 visa

Limitations of the L1 Visa

L-1 visa holders may remain only as long as the U.S. Company qualifies as the same company or subsidiary or affiliate status with the foreign company.

There must be continual existence of the foreign company during the transferee’s stay in the U.S.

L-1 visas may not be extended beyond a total of seven years.

The spouse and children are allowed to reside in the U.S. The Spouse may receive work authorization. There is currently no work authorization provision for children (just spouses).

New employees may not be transferred prior to serving one year abroad as an executive, manager, or specialized skill employee of the foreign parent company.

Getting a Job Offer From a Company in Canada

If you receive a job offer from a Canadian company, your visa application process will be much easier!

I strongly recommend obtaining a job offer from a Canadian company before submitting your visa application. If you can get this document, it will not only help you settle easier in Canada , but it will also increase your Pass Mark assessment.

Let me explain the way a job offer will help you increase your Pass Mark assessment:

You will receive 10 points if:
– You have a permanent job offer in Canada . However, please note that this offer has to be confirmed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

If you are already in Canada (with a temporary work permit), and you decide to apply from within the country, you will also receive points in the following situations:

You will receive 10 points if:
– Your temporary work permit was issued after receiving a confirmation of a job offer from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada ; – Your temporary work permit was exempted from the requirement of a issued after receipt of a confirmation of your job offer from HRSDC (due to an international agreement).

Also if it represents a relevant benefit to Canada or its competitiveness (i.e. intra-company or post-graduate work respectively).

I recommend visiting the following website for further information about the specific requirements for these situations: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/qual-5-4.html

It is very important that you understand this process, in case you are interested in using a Canadian job offer in your application.

First of all, what is The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSD)?

This Department has a very specific objective: to ensure that all the Canadians have the right elements and tools to succeed in the Canadian workplace.

To achieve this objective, one of the main duties of this Department is to make sure that all the foreign workers support the Canadian economic growth. Foreign workers are very important for the Canadian economy!

For this reason, this Department is responsible of ensuring that the right Skilled Workers are hired by the Canadian companies.

Let me explain what the Canadian companies have to do to make a permanent job offer to a Skilled Worker (I hope that is your case, you will earn 10 points!).

Basically the companies have to options:

1.They can submit an application for an HRSDC labour market opinion (normally called LMO). This is one of the requirements that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) takes into consideration when they evaluate your visa application.
2.The companies can also submit an application for an HRSDC arranged employment opinion (normally called (AEO).
A positive AEO will also be extremely important when your visa is processed. However, the AEO does not allow the person to work in Canada before the Permanent Residence visa is accepted and issued.

If you have already contacted a Canadian company, and they are interested in giving you a job offer, I suggest letting then know that the following two websites will be very useful.
– To apply for the LMO : http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/lmd/fw/poWorkPerm.shtml – To apply for the AEO: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/lmd/fw/poArrEmp.shtml

See you in Canada !