Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Immigration Law Firm Blog

Video Post: Calgary Immigration Lawyer Discusses Top 5 Tips for Winning Your Sponsorship Appeal

Raj Sharma, Calgary Immigration Lawyer and former immigration hearings officer provides tips for winning your spousal or immigration appeal. After an overseas visa officer refuses your spousal sponsorship you have 30 days to file a notice of appeal with the Immigration Appeal Division. The IAD is an administrative tribunal with its own procedure and rules. Its imperative that your retain an experienced immigration lawyer. It's strongly suggested that you attend someone else's immigration appeal. When you attend someone else's appeal hearing you will get a chance to see what questions are asked and what the Board Member finds relevant. Explain any issues that the visa officer's interview. Preparation is key - there is no real appeal of a refused appeal. Get a good immigration lawyer and remember - Know your relationship history! Read more →

Weapons smuggler facing deportation

Kyle Gibbons who has lived in this country since he was a toddler is facing deportation for his criminal convictions involving importing stun guns, brass knuckles and butterfly knives into this country. Needless to say, no-one would condone or countenance this behavior. That being said it is a principle of our legal system that the punishment for a crime be proportionate to the offense. I do not feel that it is proportionate to deport someone who had served their time and who is for all intents and purposes a product of this society. I have met many individuals charged with and convicted of crimes both serious and not so. Most of these individuals, due to the nature of my practice then face removal from this country. Prior to Jason Kenney's immigration reforms most of these individuals could appeal their removal orders to the Immigration Appeal Division. The IAD could consider a wide range of factors including the nature of the offense, any remorse or rehabilitation, hardship to that individual or his family upon removal, and the best interests of any children affected by the decision. Many of the clients I represented before the IAD were granted a second chance to... Read more →

Video Post: Calgary Immigration Lawyer Discusses The New Refugee System

Bjorn Harsanyi, Calgary Immigration Lawyer discusses the new refugee system. The refugee process in Canada has dramatically changed. This video applies to those that have already applied or are thinking of applying. Time frames have dramatically shortened. Upon making an application, your hearing will be scheduled. You bear the onus to establish your refugee claim. Do not underestimate the importance of providing corroborating your claim. Its tougher than ever to succeed. Do not assume that you can do this yourself. Seek out a good, experienced immigration lawyer. Read more →

Our Cases - Immigration Appeal - Sponsorship - Immigration Appeal Division

A sponsorship of a wife was refused because the application contained altered photographs. The appellant filed an appeal with the Immigration Appeal Division. The IAD allowed the appeal after an assessment of all the circumstances of the case. While the misrepresentation was serious, other factors were ultimately determinative. Read more →

Spousal Sponsorship Immigration Appeal

Last week I attended as counsel for our clients spousal sponsorship appeal. The sponsor had gone back to Ethiopia to visit his family, and after a chance encounter and whirlwind courtship, married his wife within week or so of meeting. The sponsorship was refused by the visa officer who appeared primarily concerned with the haste in the relationship. Also at issue was the wife's responses at the interview. The officer was concerned with her apparent lack of knowledge of her husbands day to day life in Canada. At the appeal both the sponsor and his wife testified. In terms of the factors that supported the genuine nature of the relationship, the applicant had no pull factor to Canada, had no negative immigration history. Our client had returned to visit his wife, and had supported her financially. In terms of the negative factors there was some discrepancy in the origin and development of the relationship. The couple had different date as to their first meeting in person and this disparity was unresolved despite probing questions in direct and cross examination. At the end of the hearing the Immigration Appeal Division reserved its judgment. Read more →

Video Post: Calgary Immigration Lawyer Discusses Criminal Inadmissibility

Bjorn Harsanyi, Calgary Immigration Lawyer, discusses the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act; consequences of criminal convictions on foreign nationals and permanent residents of Canada. These significant changes will have significant impact on students, foreign workers and permanent residents of Canada. It's imperative that foreign nationals that are facing criminal charges consult immediately with a good and experienced immigration lawyer. Regardless of how long you've been in Canada, this video applies to you. If you are convicted and sentenced to more than 6 months, your appeal rights are extinguished. Deportation becomes nearly automatic. The bar has been lowered for the removal of even long term permanent residents from Canada. Read more →

Our Cases - Immigration Appeal - Genuine Marriage - Immigration Appeal Division

A sponsorship was refused by the Manila office. The sponsor appealed the refusal to the IAD which found the marriage to be genuine and not for immigration purposes and allowed the appeal. Read more →

Calgary Immigration Lawyer Raj Sharma and his Personal Story

Raj Sharma - A Personal Story My father immigrated to Canada more than 40 years ago. The son of a farmer, he had limited options growing up in India. Hard work and education enabled him to rise above his circumstances. He sought a better life for himself and his family. He chose Canada. Coming to Canada provided him with amazing opportunities ... As the son of an immigrant, as an immigration lawyer, it is my privilege to assist my clients in achieving their dreams of a better life in Canada. Stewart Sharma Harsanyi, Immigration Lawyers that put People First. Read more →

Our Cases - Immigration Appeal - Criminality - Immigration Appeal Division: RJM v. Canada (PSEP)

A permanent resident was facing removal based on a conviction for sexual interference with a minor. The removal order was appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division which ordered a lengthy stay with conditions. Read more →