Join our global immigration experts as they discuss how to immigrate to Canada, the United States, and nations worldwide. We also cover current travel and immigration news that affects your life.
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52 recent
February 24, 2025Episode 615 min
Deportation Concerns: Illegal Entry vs Overstay
Does the US distinguish between those who enter the country illegally vs. those who enter legally but overstay their visa? What if you are married to a US citizen, can you adjust your status while in the US and not have to leave the country? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has the answers.0:00: Illegal entry vs. Overstay2:45: Entered the country illegally but want to remain in the US, or come back to the US3:45: Process for getting back to the United States8:08: Virtual weddings?9:19: Overstayed your visa10:57: What if you're married to a US citizen?11:23: The 180 day rule12:25 Unlawful presence14:38 Contact MichaelWatch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
February 24, 2025Episode 59 min
Does Divorce Affect My Green Card?
Does a divorce mean you might lose your marriage-based green card? Can border patrol question you about it and seize your green card? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has the answers.0:00 Marriage-based green card- Must be a bona fide marriage- Can’t be for immigration purposes0:51 I-130 petition- conditional green card and 10-year green card2:02 What happens if you get divorced?- Can you lose your conditional green card?- What happens if they want to take your card?03:40 Vindictive spouse- Accusation of sham marriage- penalties for marriage fraud5:57 CBP takes tries to take your green card- Only a judge can take your permanent resident status away unless you give it up voluntarily- Do not sign anything at the border that gives up your green cardWatch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
November 25, 2024Episode 428 min
Top 5 Reasons Canadian Investors Should Look at the US EB-5 Visa
Vince Lalonde and Michael O'Rourke from Pace Law Immigration outline the highlights of the EB-5 visa for Canadian investors who want to live in the United States.What is the EB-5 Visa?Who is it for?What does it cost?Life in the US:lower taxescheaper housinglifestyle optionsInvestment:flexibleplentiful optionssafer (EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act)possible returns on investmentGreen Card Advantages:better than a tourist/work visano restriction on employmenteventual access to Medicareno restrictions on ownership of propertyGreen Card Advantages:no required return to Canadano requirement to maintain a Canadian company (in the case of L-1)no ticking clock on visa expiryno arbitrary refusals upon renewalFaster path to green card than employment or marriage-based routes, especially for Canadians.Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
November 25, 20249 min
Does Divorce Affect My Green Card?
Does a divorce mean you might lose your marriage-based green card? Can border patrol question you about it and seize your green card? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke has answers here.0:00: Marriage-based green card- Must be a bona fide marriage- Can’t be for immigration purposes0:51: I-130 petition- conditional green card and 10-year green card2:02: What happens if you get divorced?- Can you lose your conditional green card?- What happens if they want to take your card?03:40: Vindictive spouse- Accusation of sham marriage- penalties for marriage fraud5:57: CBP takes tries to take your green card- Only a judge can take your permanent resident status away unless you give it up voluntarily- Do not sign anything at the border that gives up your green cardhttps://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
July 4, 20248 min
Rules for Bringing Your Dog to the USA
Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke breaks down the rules for bringing a dog to the USA.00:49 As of August 1, 2024, all dogs entering the United States must:- appear healthy upon arrival- be at least six months of age- be microchipped (ISO-compatible)- be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt02:00 Why Now?The rabies virus variant carried by dogs (dog rabies) was eliminated in the United States in 2007 and CDC wants to prevent the re-introduction of dog rabies into the United States.02:23 Who does it apply to?- includes puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning- applies whether you are a US citizen, legal US resident, or foreign national- if you don’t follow CDC’s rules, your dog won’t be allowed to enter the United States- if denied entry, your dog will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense03:49 Geography Matters- if you are from a country that has a high risk of dog rabies, you will need different documentation to get your dog into the country and may need to quarantine your dog- if you are from a low risk country, you still need documentation, but the rules are less strict04:30 How do I know what I need?- use DogBot- answer the applicable questions- bring the proper documents to the border with you- make sure you are entering at the airport, sea port or border crossing that is indicated on the CDC Dog Import receipt08:42 Contact Michael O'Rourkehttps://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
July 2, 20249 min
Danger: Losing Your Green Card at the Border
Michael O'Rourke talks about how to avoid having your green card taken away at the US border.00:00 Green Card vs. Conditional Green Card. What's the difference?01:49 Never give up your Green Card or sign anything if a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer wants to take your green card away. No matter how friendly or helpful they seem to be, don't do it without consulting a lawyer first.04:33 Only a judge can take your green card away unless you willingly give it to CBP, even if you claim that you didn't know what you were doing when you gave it up.5:05 If you separate or divorce when you have a conditional green card, it doesn't automatically mean that you lose your permanent resident status no matter what a CBP officer says at the border.08:02 What should you say at the border?09:34 Contact Michael with any questions at morourke@pacelawfirm.com. https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
January 2, 2024Episode 123 min
How Do I Bring My Spouse To The USA?
How can you sponsor your foreign spouse to get a green card and US citizenship? Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke gives an overview of the spousal sponsorship rules and how long the process takes.Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
July 10, 2023Episode 59 min
Canada Announces Immigration Stream For Health Workers
Canada has announced a new immigration stream for health care workers which can lead to permanent residency in Canada. Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke provides the highlights:- part of the Express Entry program- by July 5, 2023, 2,000 health-care workers will have received invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada- more invitations in the coming months- includes foreign doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists and morehttps://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
July 10, 2023Episode 412 min
4 Ways Canada Hopes To Lure International Tech Talent
The government of Canada has announced new measures to attract high tech workers. Immigration lawyer Andy Semotiuk provides the highlights.1. Streamline Canadian Work Permits For H-1B Visa HoldersStarting from July 16, 2023, U.S.-based H-1B workers and their immediate family members will be able to apply for open Canadian work permits of up to three years, enabling them to explore employment opportunities with almost any Canadian employer.2. Innovation Stream Under The International Mobility Program- Canada plans to launch the Innovation Stream by the end of 2023- will exempt highly skilled workers from the labor market impact assessment (LMIA) process (similar to PERM labor certifications in the US)- streamlines the hiring process for high-growth employers3. Promote Canada As A Destination For Digital Nomads- digital nomads currently need only visitor status to relocate to Canada for up to six months while they perform their job remotely for a foreign company- additional policies to attract digital nomads to Canada are being considered, including paths to temporary and permanent residency4. Strengthen Existing Programs For High-Skilled Tech WorkersGlobal Talent Stream: two-week standard for processing labour market impact assessments for employers, two-week standard for work permit applicationsStart-Up Visa: allow applicants to apply for an open work permit of up to three years, rather than a one-year work permit that limits them to work solely for their own start-up.https://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
July 10, 2023Episode 313 min
Working Holiday: Guidelines for Australians who want to work and travel in Canada
Immigration lawyer Michael O'Rourke explains how Australians between the ages of 18 and 35 can work and travel in Canada through the International Experience Canada program.3 different kinds of work and travel experiences are available:- Working holiday- Young professionals- Int’l Co-Op (Intern)Working Holiday:- earning some money so you can travel- don’t have a job offer- want to work for more than one employer in Canada- want to work in more than one locationRequirements:- be an Australian citizen- be between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive)- have a valid Australian passport for the duration of your stay in Canada- your work permit in Canada can’t be valid longer than your passport- have a minimum of C$2,500 to help cover your expenses in Canada- have health insurance for the duration of your stay- not be inadmissible to Canada- not be accompanied by dependants- pay the feesFine Print:- valid for up to 24 months- you may participate in the Working Holiday category only oncemay be possible to participate in IEC one more time through the International Co-op (Internship) category- if you participated in IEC one or more times before 2015, you might be eligible for a final participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choiceYoung Professionals Category- must have a signed letter of offer or a signed contract of employment (up to 24 months) before applying- employment offer must be in your field of expertise (through schooling or work experience) and contribute to your professional development- no self-employmentInternational Co-Op Category:- enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Australia- must be registered students for the duration of the internship- work placement or internship in Canada to fulfil part of their academic curriculum (up to 12 months)- have a signed letter of offer, or a signed contract for a work placement, or an internship in Canada that meets the requirements of your academic curriculum in Australiahttps://pacelawfirm.com/immigration/Watch a video of this podcast on our YouTube channel.Contact our team.
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