Question 1

Are you licensed to give immigration advice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gary Huang is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, licence R532639) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). You can confirm his licence on the CICC public register.

Question 2

Are you part of the Government of Canada?

Accepted Answer

No. We are a private, licensed immigration firm and are not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC.

Question 3

Do I need to be in Ontario to work with you?

Accepted Answer

No. We have offices in Toronto and Hamilton, and we also work with clients around the world by phone, email and video.

Question 4

Can you guarantee my application will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No licensed representative can guarantee an approval. Decisions are made by government officers. We focus on submitting complete, well-prepared applications.

Question 5

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Book a consultation or complete our free assessment. We'll review your situation and explain your options and next steps.

Question 6

Which Employer Job Offer streams should I review?

Accepted Answer

Ontario has offered Foreign Worker, International Student and In-Demand Skills pathways. Their employer, occupation, wage and applicant requirements differ. Confirm current availability and employer portal instructions before taking action.

Question 7

Do Masters and PhD graduates need a job offer?

Accepted Answer

Ontario graduate routes have had distinct requirements that do not generally depend on a job offer. Graduating in Ontario alone is insufficient; institution, timing, residence, language where applicable and settlement requirements must be checked.

Question 8

How does Human Capital Priorities work?

Accepted Answer

This Express Entry-aligned route requires an eligible federal profile and an Ontario notification under the current rules. Do not assume that meeting a published CRS range means Ontario will invite you.

Question 9

Does nomination guarantee permanent residence?

Accepted Answer

No. IRCC assesses the federal application separately, including admissibility. Enhanced nominations add 600 CRS points to an eligible Express Entry profile; base nominations follow another federal process.

Question 10

What are the fees?

Accepted Answer

Ontario charges differ by stream and circumstances. Federal PR, biometrics and third-party costs are separate. Check Ontario’s current instructions and the IRCC fee list before payment.

Question 11

Can I choose Ontario just for a nomination?

Accepted Answer

You must genuinely intend to settle in the province. Describe actual work, study, family or settlement plans honestly. Permanent resident mobility rights do not justify a false statement of intention during nomination.

Question 12

Can spouses of all international students work?

Accepted Answer

No. Student-family eligibility is limited to specified programs, including eligible master’s programs of at least 16 months, doctoral programs and designated professional or other eligible programs. Check the current list for the actual program.

Question 13

Can spouses of all foreign workers obtain an open permit?

Accepted Answer

No. Occupation, principal worker authorization, remaining permit duration and any qualifying PR pathway can matter. Use current IRCC worker-family criteria rather than a general skilled-worker label.

Question 14

Can I start work when I apply?

Accepted Answer

A first application does not itself create work authorization. Maintained status rules for an eligible extension are different and depend on your existing permit and how and when you apply.

Question 15

What is the usual government fee?

Accepted Answer

The usual work-permit charge is $155 plus the $100 open-work-permit-holder charge, totalling $255. Biometrics and other charges may apply. Confirm the current official fee list and any exemption.

Question 16

Does common-law mean we have dated for a year?

Accepted Answer

No. A common-law relationship generally requires at least 12 consecutive months of cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship. Provide evidence of the shared household, not only visits or messages.

Question 17

Does this permit give me permanent residence?

Accepted Answer

No. Work authorization and permanent residence are separate. The permit’s duration and conditions matter, and any later PR application has its own requirements.

Question 18

What CRS score do I need?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed pass mark. Cut-off scores change with every draw and depend on the draw type. Use our CRS calculator for an estimate, then compare it to recent draws on Canada.ca.

Question 19

Do I need a job offer?

Accepted Answer

No. Since March 25, 2025, a job offer no longer adds CRS points, though Canadian work experience still counts.

Question 20

How can I improve my score?

Accepted Answer

Common ways include retaking a language test, adding French, gaining more work experience, completing more education, or obtaining a provincial nomination.

Question 21

Why are study permits refused?

Accepted Answer

Common reasons include insufficient proof of funds, an unclear study plan, or doubts that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of their stay.

Question 22

Can I work while studying?

Accepted Answer

Many full-time students can work off campus within limits set by IRCC. Check the current rules before accepting work.

Question 23

What is the difference between LMIA and LMIA-exempt?

Accepted Answer

An LMIA shows that hiring a foreign worker won't harm the Canadian labour market. LMIA-exempt categories skip that step because of trade agreements or other public-policy reasons.

Question 24

Can my spouse work too?

Accepted Answer

In some situations spouses of skilled workers or students may qualify for an open work permit. Eligibility depends on current IRCC rules.

Question 25

Inland or outland — which is better?

Accepted Answer

Inland suits couples living together in Canada. Outland can be used whether or not the partner is in Canada and keeps appeal rights. The right choice depends on your situation.

Question 26

How long does the sponsorship undertaking last?

Accepted Answer

For a spouse or partner, the sponsor's financial undertaking lasts three years from when they become a permanent resident.

Question 27

Can I apply again after a refusal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you should address the refusal reasons first. Reapplying with the same documents often leads to the same result.

Question 28

What is a super visa?

Accepted Answer

The super visa lets parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents visit for up to five years at a time, if they meet extra requirements.

Question 29

Can I apply to more than one province?

Accepted Answer

You can express interest in several provinces, but you should only accept a nomination from a province where you truly intend to live.

Question 30

How do I find out why I was refused?

Accepted Answer

You can request your file and officer notes (GCMS notes) through an access-to-information request.

Question 31

Does Bill C-3 give me citizenship?

Accepted Answer

Bill C-3 changed citizenship by descent rules. Some people born abroad are now citizens and can apply for proof; it is not a permanent residence pathway.

Question 32

Can I apply for H&C while in Canada?

Accepted Answer

H&C applications are usually made from within Canada. Some restrictions apply, for example after a recent refugee decision.

Question 33

How is a super visa different from a visitor visa?

Accepted Answer

A regular visitor usually stays up to six months per entry. A super visa allows stays of up to five years at a time.

Question 34

Can my parents work in Canada on a super visa?

Accepted Answer

No. A super visa is a visitor visa and does not allow work in Canada.

Question 35

Can I work while my PGWP application is processing?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, if you apply before your study permit expires and meet the conditions, you may work full-time while waiting. Confirm the current rules before working.

Question 36

Can I extend my PGWP?

Accepted Answer

PGWPs generally cannot be extended. Planning your permanent residence pathway early is important.

Question 37

What if I'm not invited?

Accepted Answer

The super visa is a common alternative that allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time.

Immigration FAQs

Working with YF Immigration Canada

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Spousal Open Work Permit

Express Entry

Study Permit

Work Permit (LMIA & LMIA-Exempt)

Spousal Sponsorship

Visitor Visa (TRV)

PR Pathways (PNP)

Refusal / Reconsideration / TRP

Citizenship

Humanitarian & Compassionate / Refugee

Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship