Please need Information

[somlupe]

Hello all!

Need your kind help. I am an Indian citizen living and working in Bolivia (South America). I am under the process of surrendering my Indian passport and acquering a Bolivian one. Although I will have my PIO card. I will become a Bolivian because my wife is a Bolivian citizen and it is very difficult to travel in South America with Indian passport and my job demands a lot of travel. In a couple of years we would like to move to Canada. Now I have some questions regarding that:

1) If I change my citizenship, will that effect my immigration to Canada?

2) I speak English and basic French too, will I have to take a test to prove my ability in the languages, if, so, how?

3) If I can have a presetteled job in Canada, I can get extra point. Unfortunately neither myself nor my wife has any contact in Canada. Is it possible to get a job offer before I arrive to Canada? Just for your information I work with a financial system called SAP, I am a junior analyst of SAP in finance and adminsitration in a telecommunication company in Bolivia.

You can mail me personally if you like: somlupe@yahoo.com

Thank you very much in advance for your kind information.

Regards,

Somnath.

[Kayalami]

1. Not an issue - you will need to declare all citizenships currently and previously held as it forms a basis of security/ background checks.

2. You need to demonstrate the ability to speak, write and read at least one of Canada's official languages - English or French. Speaking both gets you more points. For English the only objective test is the IELTS and for French the TEF (type this is google for places that offer such). You can present written documentation explaining why you believe you do not need to do an English test e.g. you studied in English etc. Can I suggest you do the tests - the visa regulations manual pertaining to test exemption is 20 or more pages long...you don't want a visa officer using this and applying his/her subjectivity on your application. I believe there is no similar 'exemption' explanation for French.

3. Your chances of getting a job offer prior to obtaining a skilled visa and landing in Canada are next to nil unless you have special skillset that is in short supply in the local job market - IMHO your profile does not meet this. You are further disadvantaged by a lack of Canadian work and educational experience.

This last point has been one of extreme frustration for many immigrants - it is primarily due to the federal immigration scheme not being in sync with the realities of the job market i.e the federal government sets a target of say 250,000 immigrants per year....of this say only 5,000 are needed in the software sector but over 125,000 will have such a background.

[snaha]

Thank you very much for answering all my questions, I really appreciate it.

I have a little doubt about one thing – since my present job profile does not match with IMHO and neither do I have Canadian work and educational experience – does that mean that I will be disqualified to immigrate to Canada?

However, I am a 3 years university graduate in the field of commerce with 15 years of total education, over 4 years of work experience, I am 30 years old and I have sufficient fund for 3 persons (family) as mentioned by the Canadian immigration authority. My wife is also a university graduate and she speaks English and she also has over 5 years of work experience.

Once again I would appreciate your kind response. Thank a lot.

Regards,

Somnath.

[Kayalami]

You misunderstand me. You may qualify for an immigrant visa subject to you meeting the required points, demonstrating appropriate financial evidence and both you and your spouse passing security/ background checks and medical tests.

However obtaining/ holding an immigrant visa in itself is no guarantee of success in the canadian job market - such depends on your skillset vis a vis its demand in the labour market as well as other factors such as your presentation (personality), linguistic ability, contacts etc just like any other job market in any country. Regretably the Canadian labor market is notorious for often demanding Canadian experience and qualifications resulting in many frustrated immigrants who are unable to pursue their careers.

[snaha]

Once again..THANK YOU very much for your answer. Now I have another question. If I apply for a Canadian immigration visa and is granted, will my wife be given work permit or vice versa? Thanks.