Permanent Resident Application - Canada

[amy074]

Hey everyone, I am new here, but have been reading the boards for a while. I married my Dominican husband this past August and we are preparing his application for permanent residency in Canada.

My main question is, do most people hire someone as a representative to review the forms and applications before sending them in (such as an immigration consultant)? I want to do it myself, but I am unsure of how complicated the process will become. Am I crazy to consider doing this on my own?

Also, this might be a silly question, but does elementary school count as part of the formal education or is it just secondary school and university?

Thanks a lot!! I am sure I will have many more questions to come!

-Amy

[twillis]

The forms are easily done on your own - for free . Just be very careful to read and re-read and re-read to make sure you have all they have asked for included. Make sure you use their checklist also. I used an immigration specialist - cost me 200 dollars - to check my papers before I sent them in but honestly I did all of the work and he didn't offer me any advice or clarification that I didn't know from reading on my own.

Good luck with your application and congratulations on your marriage.

[twillis]

and yes, i would include all schooling.

Also, there are many knowledgeable people who have been through the paper process so all your questions will be answered, no worries on that.

My husband grew up on a farm and only schooled until Grade 8. I included that on his application.

Hope this helps.

[sangria]

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the Group! You will find lots of very helpful and supportive members here.

The Visa forum is full of information and personal experiences. Please take some time to read through some of the visa posts as they will be very helpful and answer many questions along the way.


Here are 4 links that are helpful to get started.

Getting organized.......Info on Immigration Canada

Uncompleted timeline for Canadian PR...updated list

Questions for visa application to Canada

before you send your application



Twillis was right about the schooling. You need to include your husbands entire school history.

Good Luck with your application and feel free to ask any questions you might have....we are all here to help!

Sangria

[amy074]

Thanks!! I will be sure to check those out!

[amy074]

Hey everyone! I have another question this time regarding the criminal record checks. My husband went just today to get his police check and traveled to the address given on the Canadian Immigration website. When he arrived, they told him that was not the place to get the record check, and sent him somewhere else. The other place only required a copy of his ID. I am wondering if he has the wrong criminal record check. This is the address posted on the website:

Procuraduria General de la Republica Dominicana
Ave. Jiménez Moya esq. Juan Ventura Simón
Palacio de Justicia, Centro de los Heroes
Santo Domingo, Rep. Dom.

Is this where everyone else went and got the criminal record check done? Or were they sent somewhere else?

Thanks!

[sandra65]

Hi Amy, for criminal record, he only has to show his "cedula" Dominican ID and they will issue one certificate that states he has no criminal record. Usually employers in the DR require this as well so is pretty standard form. And yes you get this at any Palacio de Justicia in the DR, we got ours in Santiago. And to emphasize on what was written before, you don't need a lawyer or consultant. As long as you read and re-read and make sure to put everything they ask you are ok. Welcome to the group and good luck!

[santosm]

Hi Amy,

My husband and I also went to the Procuraduria General de la Republica Dominicana & were sent somewhere else but were told when we arrived that we were at the wrong place. We called the phone number provided for the office and were told to go to Avenido Maximo Gomez right across the street from the Marriott hotel. My husband needed his cedula (ID) & 2 passport size photos. If the certificate that he got is from Procuraduria General de la Republica Dominicana and is stamped & signed by them, then it is the right one.

As for completing your application, as long as you read the instructions thoroughly, you should be able to save the money & do them yourself. If you're ever unsure/unclear about anything you can always call the CIC call centre & they will be able to answer any of your questions. I found them to be very helpful.

Hope this helps & best of luck with your application.

~M

[Cantaloulou]

Searched high and low and seem to have found some contradictory info...

1) Do all dominican documents to be provided as requested need to be translated? If translated, does it suffice to have them translated by an authorized canadian translator? OR, do the documents also need to be notarized in Canada or the DR?

2) For form IMM5409E (stat. declaration of common law), at the very end it requires the document to be signed by a commissioner of oaths... Now, this document needs both my signature and that of my boyfriend's, so where and who needs to sign this document as IMM5409E stat. declaration of common law???

3) Anyone have a local canadian number to dial ICI other than the 1 888 242‑2100 appearing on the web site? I'm still in the DR researching all I will need to do before going back to Canada and am using MagicJack so my number is US which does not allow me to use the 888 number above.

4) If if stay in the DR to prepare all documents can I still mail them to ICI in Canada OR do I have to send them to Haiti???

Thanks,
I've read so many posts now, I'm more confused than ever...

Chantale

[kacy]

1). - yes they all have to be translated into either english or french but that can be done in canada - none of mine were notarized. though they need all the appropriate seals from the DR - but that's explained to the person who gets them.
not sure about all the rest of your questions - but someone here will know