Explore Your Options to Live, Work, or Settle in Canada
Whether you’re expanding your business, joining your Canadian partner, or exploring new adventures abroad, Doherty Fultz Immigration can help you find the best immigration path to Canada.
Canadian Citizenship Through Family Heritage
Could You Already Be Canadian?
Canada is on the verge of a major change in citizenship law, and for many people with Canadian ancestry this could mean an unprecedented opportunity to obtain Canadian citizenship not just through a parent or grandparent, but potentially through a great-grandparent or even earlier generations.
If your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was born in Canada, you might already have a claim to Canadian citizenship even if you’ve never lived in Canada.
Interim Measures and the Invitation to Apply
Until the legislation is officially enacted, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is using interim measures to address urgent cases. We are now seeing applicants being invited to apply for Canadian citizenship via a discretionary grant of citizenship in certain circumstances.
At Doherty Fultz Immigration, we are advising clients with ancestral ties to Canada, including those with great-grandparents or other earlier Canadian ancestors, to begin the process now.
No Canadian immigration firm has more experience with Canadian citizenship through descent. Our founder, BNI Member Cassandra Fultz, has successfully represented thousands of applications in this niche area of Canadian citizenship law throughout her 16-year career.
Submitting an application to claim Canadian citizenship during this interim period, especially with well-supported urgency or compassionate reasons, puts you in a stronger position. IRCC is actively processing these cases and issuing invitations to apply for Canadian citizenship, even before the formal changes to the law are finalized.
Sponsor Your Spouse or Partner for Permanent Residence in Canada
Bring Your Loved One to Canada
If you’re married to or in a committed relationship with a Canadian, you may be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner for permanent residence in Canada.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are both able to sponsor family members living abroad for PR in Canada.
There are two processes that can be used to sponsor a family member: inland (In-Canada Class) Sponsorship and overseas (Family Class) Sponsorship.
The inland process is to apply for permanent residence for family members who are already physically present in Canada, such as a visitor or someone on a work permit. The inland process can also be used to sponsor someone who is in Canada without status (illegally).
The overseas process is used to obtain permanent residence for family members who are not physically present in Canada.
We handle everything from eligibility assessment to application preparation, ensuring your case is seamless from start to finish.
Get Permanent Residence in Canada
Build Your Life in Canada
Canada offers multiple ways to obtain Permanent Residency (PR), through work, study, or humanitarian pathways. We’ll help you explore all of your options, including Express Entry, which is the Government of Canada’s online application system for permanent residency under the following four economic immigration categories:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (through an Express Entry-aligned stream)
You may already be eligible to apply for PR in Canada through your work experience, education, and English or French language ability.
You can also work in Canada to access additional options for PR.
Enter Canada with a Criminal Record
Overcome Barriers to Travel and Visa Issuance
A DUI or other criminal record doesn’t have to stop you from visiting or moving to Canada.
Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen can be refused entry, but there are several common reasons why they do not let someone into Canada.
The most common reason someone is refused is because they have a criminal history such as convictions, or even arrests. This is called criminal inadmissibility.
The most common cause of criminal inadmissibility is being convicted of DUI / OWI / DWI.
How To Enter Canada With A DUI
When someone has been charged with a DUI, they are considered inadmissible to Canada even if they have not been convicted (unless they have been acquitted).
What’s worse, DUI laws changed in Canada in December 2018. Now, DUI is considered “serious criminality”. Under the previous law, the DUI conviction could eventually fall off your record and you could be deemed rehabilitated and enter Canada.
Now, this is not possible. If you have received a DUI after December 18, 2018, then you will always need to make an application in advance of entering Canada.
Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
Entering Canada with a DUI or other criminal conviction can be done if you apply for a TRP, which is advance permission to enter Canada despite your criminal inadmissibility.
TRP applications can be made for people who have a valid reason to enter Canada, such as:
- Business Trips
- Visiting family members in Canada
- Working in Canada
- Studying in Canada
- Tourism
There are other reasons that someone may apply for a Canadian TRP, but generally tourism is not likely to lead to an approval of the application.
Enter Canada Quickly – TRP at the Port of Entry
If you know that you cannot enter Canada due to a criminal conviction, but you have just found out that you have to take an unexpected trip then you do have options.
An application for Canadian TRP can be made at customs in the airports in Canada by American citizens only. This is not a possibility for citizens of other countries as Americans are the only nationality not required to have an eTA to fly to Canada.
If you are entering Canada through the land border via the United States, then you may make an application for TRP at the Canadian border only if you are an American citizen OR a citizen of a visa-exempt country.
If you are considering making an application for TRP at the Canadian border, it is in your best interest to speak with a professional – you do not want to travel all the way to the Canadian port of entry with an application which was never going to be approved because it lacked vital information.
TRP for Other Crimes
People who have had convictions for any crime can apply for a TRP. The circumstances which led to the conviction and what has happened since that time are what the officer will evaluate to determine if the application is approved.
Canadian TRP applications are highly discretionary – not all applications for the same conviction are going to receive the same decision. Because of this, you want to make the best possible arguments for your case.
If you have ever been arrested or convicted of any crime, contact us to find out how this will effect your entry to Canada.
Our team specializes in Criminal Rehabilitation and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) to help you travel for business or pleasure without hassle.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
Who Can Apply?
H&C applications are for individuals with compelling reasons to stay in Canada, such as:
- Strong establishment in Canada (employment, education, family ties);
- Facing exceptional hardships if they are forced to return to their home country;
- Best interests of any children involved;
- Significant time spent in Canada as a temporary resident.
Key Factors for Approval on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
Key factors considered in H&C applications include:
- Establishment in Canada: Evidence of integration into Canadian society such as employment, volunteer work, and community involvement;
- Adverse Conditions in the Home Country: Significant hardships such as a lack of medical care for a health condition;
- Family Ties: Impact on family relationships if required to leave Canada;
- Best Interests of the Child: Whether children would face hardship if the applicant is removed from Canada
This list is not comprehensive – there are dozens of factors taken into consideration by IRCC on humanitarian and compassionate cases. Each case is unique and is evaluated on its own merits by immigration officers.
Who is not Eligible to apply for PR on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds
You may not submit an H&C application if:
- You have a pending refugee claim.
- You had a failed refugee claim within the past 12 months, with certain exceptions.
- You are inadmissible to Canada for certain reasons like serious criminality or national security.
If you feel you are inadmissible or have concerns about previous applications please click below to book for a consultation:
Working Holiday Visas
Work and Travel in Canada – The Adventure of a Lifetime
Australians and New Zealanders between 18–35 years old can apply for Working Holiday Visas, allowing up to two years of open work authorization in Canada.
The International experience Canada offers three separate programs in which to pledge come to Canada, however all three programs are not available to every country. You will need to check to see which programs are available to you based on your nationality.
The three programs are:
Working holiday program
This allows individuals to apply for an open work permit. “open” that you can work for any employer you wish anywhere in Canada, excluding the province of Québec. This program is perfect if you wish to travel and work in Canada, or to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
The duration of the open work permit will be based on the agreement with your country of nationality in Canada.
For example: a citizen of Ireland is eligible to apply for a two year open work permit, whereas a citizen of Italy can apply for 6 months only.
Young professionals program
This program allows individuals to gain professional experience in the occupation. This program requires a job offer from a Canadian employer, however this job offer is LMIA exempt, which means that the employer is not required to obtain a Labour market impact assessment in order to provide this job offer. Duration of this program is dependent on the agreement between the country of nationality in Canada.
International coop program
This program allow students who have a job offer from a Canadian employer, to complete their internship in Canada as part of their educational program from the country of nationality. The duration of the work permit is for 6 months for all countries.
We’ll help you understand your eligibility, set up your application, and prepare for your arrival.
Additional Services You May Need
Other Immigration Solutions We Offer
We assist with:
- Visa Refusals & Appeals: get a professional review of your case
- Maintaining PR Status: avoid losing your residency
- Study & Work Permits – guidance for international opportunities
About Doherty Fultz Immigration
Trusted Immigration Professionals: Celebrating 10 Years in Business
We’re a fully licensed, online immigration firm helping clients worldwide achieve their Canadian immigration goals.
As proud BNI members and trusted Immigration experts for Over 10 Years, we understand business, community, and integrity.
Whether you’re exploring a new life or expanding your international footprint, we’ll help you get there.
