Life without Smile Dedicated to my father Muhammad Ismail. "You do not have to remember my name. Just "smile" and there you go". This is what he used to say when people found it difficult to pronounce or remember his name "Ismail". It is prounced exactly as "Smile". Indeed, he was a source of smile for many. But on 10th January 2012, he took away the smile from my face when he suddenly passed away in Karachi. I was in Toronto at that time when the news reached me and, needless to say, I was shattered and devastated. My mentor, the wise man, as I used to call him, was no more. A part of me was no more. I got introdcued to the pain of loosing the father and it was enormous. I am glad I was able to share some great time with him, even when I moved to Canada, thanks to the nature of my work, being an immigration consultant, whereby I travel to Pakistan frequently, at least 4 times a year. During my trips, I stayed at his home often and more c...

It is a common question these days asked by the aspirants who wish to make Canada their home: "My occupation is not in included in the list of "in-demand occupations" (also termed as the "priority occupation list"). What are my options if I was to immigrate to Canada?" For a highly qualified individual, it is sometimes difficult to realize that their application is not eligible for processing. Some of them are not very happy to learn that they do not qualify to immigrate to Canada. It is understandably difficult for them to realize that they are no eligible just because they do not meet one of the mandatory requirement  introduced by the Canadian government in recent times. That is to have at least one year of full time, paid and continous work experience in one of the occupations listed in the "priority occupation" list. As per the current requirements for Federal Skilled Worker Class of Canada's Immigration Program, one must have at ...

With only 29 occupations allowed for processing and restriction of just 500 applications from all over the world every year, it is extremely difficult these days to get into the processing queue of the so-called Fast Track of Canada's Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, if you do manage to squeeze in, you can consider yourself to be very lucky. While the competition is tough considering the limited quota, time could not be better than now to apply to come to Canada as a skilled worker in terms of processing speed. Should you make it to the processing queue you can expect to be issued the permanent residence visa within 12 months assuming you meet the rest of the requirements. This in comparison to the cases filed earlier is super fast. With processing time ranging from 7 years to 3 years for previously files cases, the priority being accorded to the new applications can truly be termed as "Fast Track". Amir Ismail - Toronto | Canada www.amirismail.com

The Federal Skilled Worker of Canada's Immigration Program has become quite restrictive in the recent past. Only 29 occupations are considered eligible for processing with a quota limitation of only 500 application from all around the world in a calender year. The good news is those who find their occupation listed in the 29 occupations demand list are being processed on fast track basis within 12 months. Biologists and Related Scientists are listed in the demand list. In order to qualify, one must meet the definition of a Biologist and must have performed duties as described under the National Occupation Classification (NOC). According to the NOC, Biologists perform some or all of the following duties: Plan and conduct studies of the environment, and of the population, distribution, structure and functional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals Conduct ecological and environmental impact studies and prepare reports Study, identify and classify plant and animal s...