Lead Stories

Hi Mrs Ffolkes-Abrahams,

Q: I am interested in relocating to Canada. I have completed a Bachelor of Science in marketing and have gained five years experience. What are my chances of obtaining a green card?

A: In Canada you do not get a green card, your application is for Permanent Resident Status. If you are interested in relocating to Canada you may apply under a number of headings.

You could be sponsored by your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child or parent or grandparent if they are permanent residents of Canada. This is the quickest way for you to qualify. However, if you do not have a relative that fits the above criteria (family-class sponsorship), then you may make an application as a skilled worker or other professional.

In order to meet the eligibility requirements for a professional, you must have either a job offer or at least one year's experience within the last ten years in one or more of a list of professions. I see that your experience is in marketing. You have not specified anything more than that, so it is difficult to know where you would fit. You must meet the requirements of 69 points on the point system. Marketing is not one of the jobs on the list, your work experience must indicate one of the jobs on the list in order for you to qualify.

If you have had experience in related fields such as a financial manager or as an accountant or as a computer and information systems manager, you could possibly fit one of the categories that are now in demand. These services are among those that are required at the moment. If you already have an offer of employment, the job offer must be approved by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). In addition you would fit the criteria if you had been living in Canada legally as a skilled worker for at least one year.

Your work experience must be Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the National Occupational Classification list (NOC).

If your application qualifies under the above criteria your application will be processed using six selection factors under the skilled worker points grid. Those six selection factors are as follows:

• your level of education;
• your ability to speak, read and write in English and/or French, Canada's two official languages;
• your work experience (must be gained in the last 10 years in your field of endeavour);
• your age;
• whether you have arranged employment in Canada that has been approved by HRSDC; and
• your ability to adapt to Canada.

You must also show that you have enough money support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. All of the above factor into your chances of success. Good luck with your application.

Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams is a barrister/solicitor of bars in Jamaica and Ontario, Canada. She is president of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation and former counsel at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Email: info4immigration@gmail.com or editor@gleanerjm.com.