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As immigration lawyers in Vancouver, we often handle questions about Canada's Express Entry program. It's a complex yet essential system that was designed to facilitate the arrival of in-demand workers and tradesmen from around the world.

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, and with 28.3 percent of its population born outside of Canada, it is second only to Ontario with its 29.1 percent. Overall, the percentage is higher than the national average of 21.9 percent by some seven points.

In Canada, individuals suspected of illegal entry, unauthorized arrival, or violating immigration laws could be arrested by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Most individuals moving through the immigration process have not done anything intentionally wrong. They have not made fraudulent statements that cast themselves or their families in a more favorable, yet fictitious, light. They have not omitted certain facts that they feel could harm their chances for a smooth transition.

A lot has changed in the last year. Country borders have closed, international travel has been largely blocked and gatherings of people have been greatly restricted. All of these limitations have raised many immigration-related questions – especially for couples pursuing spousal sponsorship, when in-person weddings are not possible.

Whether the immigration process is family-based or employment-based, individuals face complex paperwork and a challenging schedule. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for errors to slip through the cracks and ultimately lead to strict penalties for fraud or misrepresentation.

The immigration process itself can be a stressful, emotional time. Not only are you worrying about filling out paperwork, preparing supporting documents and scheduling numerous interviews, you are still handling significant life events such as marriage, a new job and a physical relocation across international borders.

In the past year, nearly every aspect of daily life has been in some way impacted by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the impact is not limited to mundane occurrences, but has also influenced significant life events from job searches to attending traditional family gatherings.

Canada has taken a hard stance against drunk and drugged driving in recent years. Many provinces have passed increasingly strict laws with harsh penalties for drunk – or otherwise impaired – driving, in an attempt to curb the rise in impaired driving-related accidents and fatalities.

The decision to immigrate can be life changing. It can bring about dramatic benefits – but also some challenges. Maybe you married a Canadian citizen, or perhaps you moved to Canada for work. While you may love the new life you’ve established here, the sense of loss you feel for your loved ones in your home country is very real.