Income Tax Statements and Inadmissibility

Meurrens LawInadmissibility, Work Permits

On December 8, 2010, the Federal Court released its decision in Masych v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2010 FC 1253 (“Masych“)  The case involved an individual whose work permit application was denied because she did not produce income tax statements from 2002-2006 after an immigration officer (the “Officer”) requested that she do so.  The reason that the Officer wanted copies of her tax statements was not to confirm her employment history for determining whether or not she was qualified for the job that she was applying for, but rather to determine whether or not she was inadmissible for having ever committed tax evasion. The applicant had never been convicted of a criminal offense.  No evidence was ever presented that she had been charged with a criminal offense.  Finally, it is important to note that the applicant lived in the United Kingdom from 2002-2006, a country with a legal system similar to Canada’s. The applicant did not produce the income tax statements as requested, and her application was rejected on the grounds that the Officer was unable to determine whether or not she was inadmissible to Canada for having committed an offense abroad that would constitute an indictable offense in Canada (tax … Read More

Appealing Customs Seizures

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

In addition to immigration law, Larlee Rosenberg also represents individuals who have had goods seized by customs. Our practice includes both administrative appeals, as well as federal court actions

Can Refugees be Extradited?

Meurrens LawRefugees

As the legal community continues to debate whether Bill C-49 is constitutional, the Supreme Court of Canada has indirectly touched upon the issue in Németh v. Canada, a decision about whether a refugee can be extradited to his/her country of origin to face charges. The answer is yes.

A Caution on Switiching from $400,000 to $800,000

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

The Canadian Immigrant Investor Program re-opened on December 1, 2010. The requirements for the program have increased. Applicants will now have to prove a personal net worth of CAD 1.6-million (an increase from the previous $800,000) and make a passive $800,000 (an increase from the previous $400,000) investment with the Government of Canada.

Certainty of Intention and Immigration Trusts

Meurrens LawTax and Trusts

The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal decisions in Antle v. Canada suggest that such professionals should make sure that their clients understand the nature of what a trust is before establishing an immigration trust.

Immigrant Investors and the $120,000 Myth

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

The “common scenario” under the old immigrant investor program was that investors would pay financial intermediaries $120,000 to finance their loans to the Canadian government. At least 90% of immigrant investors paid this amount. However, those immigrant investors that paid $120,000 to the financial institution paid too much.

Visa Requirement Removed for Taiwan

Meurrens LawTemporary Resident Visas

Effective November 22, 2010, holders of ordinary Taiwan passports that contain a personal identification number and are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan will no longer require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada.