Quebec/Canada Inquiries

[zygurn]

Good day,

I have been considering applying for a Permanent Resident Visa via Skilled Worker for quite a while already. I am single and have no kids and am only applying for myself. I'm a Civil Engineer graduated in Mexico 2003. I'm a Honduran resident, was born in Honduras and such and also am 28 years old. I have been reading the CIC website and the Quebec Immigration websites for information and I am well aware of the requirements. I do speak/write/read/understand English fairly accurately since I have dealt with English speaking people since probably I was born (couple of sisters lived in the US) and I'm also fluent in French, I do get comprehended in French, understand it when spoken (not as accurately as English though), can write everyday French well enough but not as well if you ask me to do an essay or such and can read every day French well enough. My intention is to settle in Montreal, Quebec. Now my problem isn't English or French debate, my inquiries go as follows:

- Since I'm a Honduran Resident and from what I've read in both websites, I understand I must apply for the CQS first and then the Federal Skilled Worker at the Canadian Consulate. Now when I've checked both websites: For CSQ I must apply through the Mexican Consulate and once I obtain it, I must apply for the Federal Skilled Worker PR in the Guatemalan Consulate. Is this understanding correct?

- Since my degree is expedited by Mexican authorities. Must I submit a Background Check from Mexico also? I'm under the impression Mexican citizens do not need one however, I'm not a Mexican citizen and I lived in Mexico for 4 years and I read somewhere in the website I must submit a Police Record from every country I lived in only if I lived there for more than 6 months.

- Must all documents be translated to English/French and legalized by a Legal Department or capable authority before submission? Which are considered as Capable Authorities?

- When they mention Proof of Funds, are there any specific characteristics regarding the types of accounts where your liquid assets are stored in? In a couple of days, I will have the required proof of funds to apply directly for a PR, however, these are in a normal bank account. Somewhere in the internet, I read (via Google) it would save me a lot of trouble to have this money in a Long Term Interest Account instead of your regular savings account because this can guarantee to the consulate you will have the money since you will incur in bank penalties if you use the money in that account. Is this statement accurate at all?

I have a few more inquiries however, I feel these are most important at this point since I have not applied still but will do so in a couple of months and I think most will probably be answered as I'm applying instead. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Regards.

Edit: I took the online tests for both Canada and Quebec and passed them.

[thaiguy]

1.  Quebec's immigration system is separate from the Federal Skilled Worker program.  You do only one - not both.
2.  Police certificates are not available from Mexico.  Immigration will let you know what you need to obtain.
3.  All documents not in English or French must be translated and certified.  You can find any number of "certified translators" by doing a web search.  Many of them allow you to fax or mail your documents, enclose a check, and then receive everything back within a few days.
4.  Your funds needs to be liquid.  However, I did show that I had a certificate of deposit (long-term deposit) when I applied, and that satisfied them.  Your funds should be just in savings when you land, though.

Good luck.

[zygurn]

Thanks for the reply. So now I don't have this clear. I apply for Quebec in Mexico and only there? They will handle my immigration to Canada all the way after they gave me the CQS?

Edit: I just read by browsing on this forum that TOEFL isn't valid as proof of English proficiency. However, IELTS isn't given anywhere near where I live. The closest centers are in Costa Rica and Mexico. Are there any other ways to prove your English proficiency?

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. So now I don't have this clear. I apply for Quebec in Mexico and only there? They will handle my immigration to Canada all the way after they gave me the CQS?

Edit: I just read by browsing on this forum that TOEFL isn't valid as proof of English proficiency. However, IELTS isn't given anywhere near where I live. The closest centers are in Costa Rica and Mexico. Are there any other ways to prove your English proficiency?

1.  First of all you apply to MICC for the selection certificate.  See: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/quebec/apply-how.asp#step1
2.  Contact the British Consul in Guatemala for dates of IELTS exams see: http://www.britishcouncil.org/mexico-ielts-dates-guatemala.htm

PMM

[zygurn]

Thank you PMM for your reply. I was amazed how fast that reply came because I had just recently edited my previous post and I came back to further add something when I saw your reply. I definitely found your second link very useful since I did not find that information in the IELTS website. I will definitely contact the British Council in Guatemala to get the next tests questions. However, I have another question, which is why I was going to edit my previous post. French is only certified via TEF? or is DALF/DELF accepted also? I'm going to keep looking for test centers around me for TEF but seeing that this is the first time I've heard of such a test (while I've known about DELF for almost 10 years since I first studied French) I doubt I'll find it unless it's some obscure hidden webpage like the one you provided for the IELTS.