I was able to successfully obtain permanent residence with Visa JP Canada, which had fast responses and experienced professionals. It was the right decision to trust Visa JP Canada!

Reasons for Considering Permanent Residency

There were several reasons why I started considering permanent residence in Canada. The company I previously worked for went bankrupt due to COVID-19, and I was forced to leave the country because I had a closed work permit (employer-specific work permit). Additionally, I found that working in Canada suited me, my child was born in Canada, and I wanted to raise them here. Also, there are various benefits that can only be obtained with permanent residence.

Because of these reasons, I realized that permanent residence was essential for long-term living, so I decided to pursue it.

Why I Chose Visa JP Canada

I had previously asked a well-known local immigration lawyer to apply for a work permit. However, they were very busy and only replied once a month. I had submitted the required documents for the work permit several months in advance, and despite checking multiple times, the application was only submitted the day before my visa expired. As a result, when I returned to Canada from Japan, I had to apply for the work permit at the airport.

This lawyer only applied for my work permit close to its expiration every year, so I became concerned about how many years it would take to apply for permanent residence through the same lawyer. I felt that working with Visa JP Canada, which has Japanese consultants and understands the nuances better, would be a more efficient process. That’s why I decided to ask for their help.

Most Challenging Part

The most difficult part of the process of obtaining permanent residence was when I needed to log in to the “PR Portal” (a site for permanent residence holders) to confirm my address and upload my photo. I couldn’t get the password reset for four months.

I called the client support centre service at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and even asked local parliamentarians for help. There was no response, and when I did get a reply, it was the wrong information. It was very frustrating.

The process from the approval of my permanent residence to receiving the approval letter was very quick (just two months). However, it took four months for the password reset notification to arrive in January, and only after that could I proceed with the process.

Why I Was Glad to Request Representation

I’m glad I asked Ms. Sakurai from Visa JP Canada to handle my application for several reasons: her extensive experience and fast responses. It’s natural to have questions during the application process, and I was very satisfied with how quickly and carefully my inquiries were addressed. Additionally, his suggestions were excellent.

Originally, I thought BCPNP was the only path for obtaining permanent residence due to my low English skills. But after expressing my desire to get my permanent residence quickly, he informed me that I could switch from BCPNP to Express Entry.

Although it took four months to get the password reset, everything else went smoothly, and I’m very happy that I was able to obtain my permanent residence in just one and a half years from my first consultation. Thank you so much!

Final Thoughts

For those over 30, the working holiday visa is no longer an option, and without permanent residence, life becomes very challenging. For example, if you lose your job due to company circumstances, it’s difficult to find a new one. Additionally, with the high cost of living in Vancouver, it’s hard to pursue side jobs. If you have young children, you also won’t receive daycare subsidies without permanent residence.

However, once you obtain permanent residence, you gain much more freedom and opportunities. It may take time, but please stay hopeful and aim for permanent residence!