Congolese Immigration to Canada via South Africa

[charlie_sa]

Hello all,

I'm asking on behalf of a few friends of mine here in Cape Town, South Africa, where to start with the possible immigration process for them to have a decent life in Canada?

These are skilled and intelligent guys with clean records, English and French speaking, who have been displaced after the trouble in the Congo and have ended up in Cape Town. Many have had professional careers in the past (lawyers, Doctors etc) and are now parking attendants (if they are lucky).

I have done some research and am waiting for an answer from the UNHCR in Pretoria on a possible reference for refugee status, but I need to get things in order from people who know the Canadian requirements.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as replies or via PM here.

Thanks
Charlie

 

[Afimiko]

Hi Charlie,

Depending on their own aspirations, they can choose what category ( a lot of category available) to apply under with the Canadian Immigration. And the process will beggin the same way for every one : filling up the forms and sending it to the Canadian High Commission ( Embassy) serving that area of Africain for PR applications.

The good thing about the country you are located in right now ( RSA) is that the files are not transferred to Nairobi-Kenya ( a nightmare). They are fairly fast in handling all applications...and completing its in a timely fashion as well.

Now, if you are able to get the South Africain refugee status transferred to Canada; that would be the best but it's usually take time to be completed... More time that if you had applied for a PR on your own, using your own ressources...

S'il y a des questions, n'hesitez point à me demander.

Afimiko

 

[charlie_sa]

Hi Charlie,

Depending on their own aspirations, they can choose what category ( a lot of category available) to apply under with the Canadian Immigration. And the process will beggin the same way for every one : filling up the forms and sending it to the Canadian High Commission ( Embassy) serving that area of Africain for PR applications.

The good thing about the country you are located in right now ( RSA) is that the files are not transferred to Nairobi-Kenya ( a nightmare). They are fairly fast in handling all applications...and completing its in a timely fashion as well.

Now, if you are able to get the South Africain refugee status transferred to Canada; that would be the best but it's usually take time to be completed... More time that if you had applied for a PR on your own, using your own ressources...

S'il y a des questions, n'hesitez point à me demander.

Afimiko

Thanks Amifiko

After a couple of weeks of trying to contact the UNHCR in Pretoria, South Africa I have had nothing but unreplied emails and engaged phonelines. I was advised by the SA canadian embassy that the people I represent would need a reference from the UNHCR in Pretoria before any refugee application would be considered. I will keep trying until I get through.

As far as other lines of application go: these guys are working hand to mouth and cannot see any way that large sums could be paid for
normal applications (they work for 50 cent tips from drivers) if there is another route which does not involve payment please let me know.

Thanks all

Charlie

 

[charlie_sa]

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.....

 

[Ayinka]

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.....

Hi there. Most applications cost a few hundreds at leat. There's really no way around that. If they are skilled...try skilled workers program through province. But again, the whole process is very costly and immigration is putting in place new laws that are making it more difficult. Again, check CIC website to see what your options are. Do any of those people have family in Canada? if so, family sponsorship might be an option. Good luck to you all.

 

[charlie_sa]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm still waiting to get in touch with the UNHCR in South Africa; looks like they may be just as inept as most of the bureaucracy out here.

So, once my friend has a reference for refugee status, we can then start the application for Canada.

1) As far as I can see from the Canadian embassy website, the application is free.

2) Can anyone bring to light some of the current issues with this type of application? ie changes in laws etc.

Appreciated as always

 

[charlie_sa]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm still waiting to get in touch with the UNHCR in South Africa; looks like they may be just as inept as most of the bureaucracy out here.

So, once my friend has a reference for refugee status, we can then start the application for Canada.

1) As far as I can see from the Canadian embassy website, the application is free.

2) Can anyone bring to light some of the current issues with this type of application? ie changes in laws etc.

Appreciated as always

Any help greatly appreciated with the above!