What Is A Notary Service?

A Notary Public is a state-appointed official of integrity who serves the public as an impartial witness in a number of official fraud-deterrent activities relating to the signing of significant documents. These formal acts are known as notarizations or notarial acts. Notaries are publicly commissioned as “ministerial” officials, which means they are expected to follow written rules without using significant personal judgement, as a “judicial” official would.

Notarized Documents

Notarized documents are those that have had their validity verified by a notary public. Notarization comprises the witnessing and recording of document signings to ensure that the procedure is not fraudulent and that the documents can be trusted by the authorities that requested them.

Notary’s Duties

The role of a notary is to confirm that all signatures on a document are genuine. This is accomplished by a series of meticulous checks:

Identity verification: A notary requires identity from anyone signing a document and keeps records of the identifying documents each person gives.

Willing signers: Notaries are expected to be on the lookout for evidence of coercion. Even if you don’t agree with what’s in a document, are you signing voluntarily, or are you being forced to?

Capable of making sound decisions: A notary should ensure that signers are in a position to really understand what they are signing and have the legal capacity to sign. The notary cannot notarize a document if the person is inebriated, highly drugged, or otherwise unable to understand what is going on.

Why Notaries Are Necessary

A notarized document confirms that you are the person signing the paper. As a result, the main objective of notarizing a document is to prevent document fraud and identity theft by prohibiting someone from presenting a fake document. A notarized letter certified by a notary public also helps to protect persons’ rights who may otherwise be exploited, and a lot of court actions may be avoided if the document of a transaction is certified by a notary.

Check out the infographic below which takes a look into Notary Services and what you need to know about them.

Why Moving Abroad Is Worth It

For many people, moving and living abroad is a big aspiration, and in many cases, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Time spent living abroad is extremely gratifying and enriching for a variety of reasons, whether it’s for short-term lifestyle benefits or long-term job advancement.

Why Move, Live, and Work Abroad?

1. Personal Development

You’ll face hurdles on a daily basis when you relocate to a new country, from finding a place to live to make friends in a strange city. These new events and settings may appear intimidating at first, but they are the finest way to develop as a person!

2. International Collaboration

When you move to a different country, you will make a lot of international contacts. You’ll meet locals, fellow ex-pats from all over the world, and those who share your interests. You will widen both your business and personal network by making new acquaintances.

3. Cultural Immersion

Immersion in the local culture is the most effective way to learn. Exposure to new cultures in such depth will provide you with vital insight into all parts of life, including business.

4. Travel Possibilities

When you migrate, new and interesting travel places become available, but ‘travel’ does not have to mean taking a plane ride; it can also mean exploring your own neighbourhood. It will be a fresh adventure every day!

5. Boosting Your CV

Getting work experience in a country other than your own might demonstrate important talents to potential employers. Moving for a new job demonstrates that you are adaptive, versatile, and not afraid to take risks. You’ve proved that you can prosper in a different economy if you perform well in a new job. Working in a different country makes your CV stand out from the crowd.

6. Explore New Areas Of Interest

Living in a new nation introduces you to a variety of new hobbies and interests that you may not have previously encountered. You might realise that you have a hidden ability for water sports, tennis, skiing, hiking, or a variety of other sports that you haven’t explored at home.

It’s time to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new!

7. Lifetime Friendships

The friendships you’ll form with your fellow ex-pats and co-workers are one of the most valuable aspects of living abroad. You’ll meet folks from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. These special relationships will endure a lifetime!

Check out our infographic below which shows ‘How To Keep A Move Abroad On Track’.

If you are thinking of immigrating we offer ‘Immigration To Canada’ and ‘Immigration To US’ services.

Contact us today for more information.

Canada

Canada’s appeal as an immigration destination has been increasing over the past two decades, with a total of 284,387 people immigrating to the country Between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. (Source – Statista)

In 2020, 36,125 sponsored spouses or partners and 2,480 sponsored children became permanent residents in Canada. (Source – Statista)

What is Family Sponsorship?

The Family Class Sponsorship Program allows adult citizens or permanent residents to sponsor a relative for immigration to Canada, reuniting families. Unless the person being sponsored is legally residing in Canada, such as with a work or study permit, the person being sponsored must live outside of Canada.

A sponsor must be at least 18 years old and a citizen or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada. Unless the sponsor is a Canadian citizen who is currently residing abroad and intends to return to Canada once the sponsored individual arrives, the sponsor must live in Canada.

For Family Class applications, the Canadian government mandates payment of sponsorship and application processing fees. In addition, every sponsored relative who is not a dependent child must pay a “Right of Permanent Residence Fee”; this is the sole fee that will be refunded if the application is withdrawn or denied.

How does Family Sponsorship for Canada work?

A Canadian citizen or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada, aged 18 or older, can sponsor certain family members to become Canadian permanent residents via the family sponsorship programs.

Those family members can live, study, and work in Canada with permanent residence.

Who Can I Sponsor

• Spouse
• Common-Law Partner
• Conjugal Partner
• Dependent Children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 years of age, and not married or in a common-law relationship
• Accompanying relatives of the above main applicants (for example, spouse, partner or dependent children).
• One relative, related to sponsor by blood or adoption, of any age, if the Canadian sponsor does not have a living relative who can be sponsored instead and you (the Canadian sponsor) do not have a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or a person registered in Canada.

Who Cannot Be Sponsored<

Other relatives, such as brothers and sisters over 18 and independent children over 22 cannot be sponsored except in exceptional circumstances. However, if they apply to immigrate under Express Entry they may get extra points for adaptability for having a parent in Canada.

Financial Support

To be a sponsor:

• You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement in which you agree to support your relative financially.
• From the date they become a permanent resident, you must offer financial assistance for a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for three years.
• You must assist a dependent child financially for ten years or until the child reaches the age of 25, whichever comes first.

United States (US)

In fiscal 2019, nearly 710,000 people received lawful permanent residence in the U.S. through family sponsorship.
Family sponsorship is the most popular route for people to obtain green cards, accounting for almost two-thirds of the over one million people who receive green cards each year in recent years.

How does Family sponsorship for the US work?

Individuals in the United States can sponsor their family members to immigrate to the United States through Family-Based Sponsorships. The Immigration and Nationality Act permits foreigners to immigrate to the United States if they have a family member who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

A petition by a US Citizen for a spouse may be completed by one of two methods:

Consular Processing:

If you are outside of the United States, you may apply for an immigrant visa at a US Department of State consulate abroad in order to enter the country and become a permanent resident.

Adjustment of Status:

When you are in the United States, you can use this procedure to apply for lawful permanent resident status. This implies you may be able to obtain a Green Card without having to return to your home country for visa processing.

You must obtain your visa through consular processing if you are outside of the United States.

Who Can I Sponsor

Qualifying relationships for family-based immigration fall under the following categories:

• Immediate Relatives;
• Fiances / Fiancees; and
• Family-preference categories

Immediate Relatives are defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act as:

• Spouses of US Citizens or Green Card Holders
• Minor children (unmarried and under the age of 21) of US Citizens; and
• Parents of US Citizens (where the US citizen sponsoring them must be at least 21 years old).

Fiancés / Fiancées are also not recognized under this category but may apply for their own non-immigrant visas under the K1 category.

Fiancés/Fiancées (K-1)

The K-1 visa allows a fiancé(e) of a US citizen to visit the country with the intention of marrying the US citizen and adjusting his or her status while in the country. Because it is often difficult for the fiancé(e) of a US citizen who is visiting the US to demonstrate non-immigrant intent, the K-1 allows the fiancé(e) to enter the US to marry the US Citizen (3 months after entry) and then remain in the US while his or her status is adjusted at the nearest USCIS Office.

Family Preference Categories

Preference Categories apply to family members who are not immediate relatives. The Visas are subject to annual numerical limits:
First Preference: Unmarried sons or daughters of US citizens over the age of 21.
Second Preference: Spouses of Green Card holders, unmarried children (under 21) of permanent residents.
Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of US citizens.
Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult (21 years or older) US citizens.

Canada Launches Hong Kong Pathway that will Attract Recent Graduates and Skilled Workers with Faster Permanent Residency

On February 04 2021, Minister Mendicino announced that Hong Kong residents will be able to apply for new open work permits beginning on February 8, 2021. Valid for up to 3 years, these permits will allow Hong Kong residents to gain valuable employment experience and make significant contributions to Canada. Hong Kong residents must have graduated with a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree in the last 5 years, or hold an equivalent foreign credential. A post-secondary diploma program must be a minimum of 2 years.

Hong Kong residents currently in Canada temporarily, including visitors, students and workers, can apply online from within Canada. Those applying from abroad remain subject to current travel restrictions and may not be able to come to Canada at this time, unless they have a job offer or meet a travel exemption and comply with all public health requirements.

In addition to open work permits, the Government of Canada continues to implement 2 other pathways to permanent residence for young Hong Kong residents, which will be available later this year. The first will be for Hong Kong residents with at least 1 year of work experience in Canada and who meet the language and education criteria. The second will be for Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada; who can then apply directly for permanent residence.

Eligible spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, can also apply for a study or work permit, as appropriate.

These measures apply to Hong Kong residents who hold a Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) or British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport.

An exemption to the 12-month bar on a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) for Hong Kong residents has been implemented meaning that some individuals who were previously ineligible may now get another, updated assessment on whether they can stay in Canada.

For more information on these new pathways and to find out if you are eligible to apply, contact us by phone at: 403-261-6890 or by email: info@hansen-company.com

In view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation we would like to inform all existing clients and the general public that Hansen & Company and our affiliate FingerCheck Plus will remain operating during regular business hours:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM;
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; and
Sundays: CLOSED

Preparing for International Interviews – First Steps

1. Before starting an international job hunt, the first thing you should do is check that your passport is valid and in-date. This will save a major headache should a potential employer ask you to travel at short notice.

2. If you are applying for roles in a non-English speaking nation, then you should consider attending some language lessons to boost your proficiency. This will also help you to feel more confident during the job interview.

3. Many employers seek out candidates’ social media profiles ahead of meeting them. If your social media profiles are public, be sure to set them to private. Alternatively, you can make them “employer-friendly” by removing any inappropriate content. It is also a good idea to spend some time optimising your LinkedIn profile.

How to Prepare for A Remote Job Interview

Advances in internet and telecommunications technology means that it has never been easier to communicate across the world. As such, it is now common practice for organisations to use video chat to interview candidates. Don’t expect a remote interview to be easier than a face-to-face interview. The interviewer will expect the same level of preparation and quality as they would if you were right in front of them. You should also dress professionally as interviewers will expect you to dress appropriately for video calls.

If you have arranged a video interview, make sure that you have prepared your space adequately:

• A quiet, distraction-free location
• A strong internet connection if conducting the interview online
• A landline with a consistently strong connection
• For video calls, choose a spot with a professional, well-lit backdrop
• Your résumé, notepad and pen
• A glass of water

How to Prepare for A Job Interview in Another Country

When applying for work in other countries, you will need to be mindful of potential travel demands. Many employers will want to meet you in-person following the initial interviews. Before committing to an interview, find out if you are responsible for making your own arrangements or if the employer will take care of this for you. Ensure that you are clear on the arrangements such as airfare, hotel, and ground transportation. You should also establish what expenses the prospective employer will reimburse you for and what you will need to cover yourself. We also advise arriving a day early to leave time for any potential travel delays.

5 Common Interview Questions for Interview Candidates

1. Why do you want to work abroad?
2. Tell us about your international experience.
3. Tell us about a time when you worked with people from different cultural backgrounds.
4. What skills do you have that would help you adapt to working abroad?
5. Do you have eligibility for citizenship abroad?

Learn how to write the perfect résumé for international jobs.

Job Interview Differences Around the World

Before attending an international interview, research the local workplace etiquette, culture and expectations. Showing your cultural awareness will make a good impression on prospective employers. To help get you started, we have created a handy infographic which goes through everything you need to know about attending job interviews abroad.

Read the infographic to learn how to succeed at international job interviews.

1. Japan

The Japanese marketplace has a reputation for being conservative, old-fashioned, and risk-averse. However, this mindset is beginning to change, and this has contributed to the rapid growth of a start-up ecosystem. In 2018, the Japanese government launched the ambitious J-Startup programme which aims to produce 20 unicorns or listed companies by 2023. According to the Japanese Ministry of the Economy, there are currently 10,000 start-ups in the country. Japan stands out for its sizeable expat community, its highly educated and technically advanced workforce, and strong reputation as leaders in the fields of automotive production and electronics. Some examples of Japanese start-up success stories include Mercari, Hachitama, and SmartNews.

2. Germany

“It is used to be: German business students building German companies for the German market with German investors. Now it is folks from all over the world, building global companies and backed by some of the best investors from around the world.” – Ciaran O’Leary, Earlybird VC

Germany is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the largest European economy. The country offers start-ups a favourable financing environment as well as a transparent business culture and a highly educated workforce. English is widely spoken throughout, and this makes it easier to build a multinational company and attract diverse talent. Some examples of German start-up success stories include SoundCloud, Clue, and Trivago.

3. United States

“The American Dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don’t necessarily need to have an Ivy League education or to have millions of dollars start-up money. It can be done with an idea, hard work and determination.” – Bill Rancic, Entrepreneur

The US has a long history and a well-developed culture of entrepreneurship. In addition to Silicon Valley, there are plenty of start-up hubs throughout the country including San Francisco, Austin, New York, San Diego and Atlanta. There has been a positive uptick in the amount of funding being granted to businesses and this has contributed to recent growth in entrepreneurialism. As a result, many people are choosing to immigrate into the US with the intention of starting a business. Some of the best examples of American start-up success stories include Google, Uber, and Facebook.

4. Switzerland

Ranked as the most innovative country in the world in the 2017 Global Innovation Index, Switzerland boasts a long history of investing in research and development. The country benefits from a central location within Europe and this makes trade and recruitment easier for start-ups. In recent years, the city of Zug has become a hub for cryptocurrency and blockchain-based start-ups such as Ethereum and Dfinity, earning it the nickname ‘Crypto Valley.’ According to Business Insider, there are now over 400 companies with a presence in Zug who are members of the Crypto Valley Association.

5. United Kingdom

Did you know that seven out of Europe’s ten VC funds are based in the UK (Source: TechNation)? The UK is home to 37% of Europe’s total unicorn companies. There is a wealth of talent to choose from, with 2.1 million people working in the British digital tech economy. Despite shaky Brexit negotiations and an uncertain future, the UK start-up ecosystem has not stopped producing innovative companies such as Revolut, TransferWise and Perkbox. Start-ups in the UK benefit from the largest English-speaking population in the EU, easy access to European markets, and a highly-educated and technically-qualified workforce.

6. Canada

Canada offers entrepreneurs a robust support system with its ever-increasing group of start-up organizations, events and initiatives. The country has six top innovation regions – Toronto-Waterloo, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Quebec City and Edmonton. Canada has excelled in a number of specific sub-sectors including:

• Fintech
• Life science and health
• Artificial intelligence
• Big data and analytics
• Advanced manufacturing and robotics
• Gaming
• Blockchain
• Cybersecurity

Canadian start-ups also benefit from a strong talent pool, favourable foreign exchange rate, easy access to the US market, and R&D tax credits. Some top Canadian start-ups include Hootsuite, Shopify, and Kik.

If you would like to learn more about business law in Canada, get in touch with our Corporate Lawyers today.

7. Sweden

In 2015, the Wharton School of Business dubbed Sweden a “unicorn factory”. A Creandum study noted that between 2000 and 2014, Sweden produced 263 exits valued at $23.7 billion. Sweden boasts vibrant start-up hubs in Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg. The Swedish talent pool is well-educated, multilingual, and has a high level of technological literacy. While taxes in Sweden are expensive, they do mean that there is a strong social welfare safety net which allows entrepreneurs to take bigger risks. The country’s small domestic market forces start-ups to think internationally from the start. Some inspiring start-up success stories from Sweden include Spotify, Klarna, and Mojang (the creator of Minecraft).

8. South Korea

Since the 1960s, South Korea has seen steady growth and it is now the world’s seventh largest exporter and the 11th largest economy overall. South Korea’s start-up ecosystem is booming, with the total number of start-ups growing from just 2,000 in 1999 to 30,000 in 2015 (Source: The Vanguard). Start-up investments are also rising steadily. In 2017 2.38 trillion was invested in start-ups, growing to 3.42 trillion in 2018. In 2019, the government announced its ambition to bring this figure to 5 trillion by 2022. In 2018, the government launched a regulation “sandbox” that would allow start-ups to apply for a 2-year waiver from the rules to test their products in the market. Examples of successful start-ups from South Korea include Coupang, Bluehole and L&P Cosmetic.

9. China

In the previous ten years, the East Asian country has experienced a lively and dynamic startup sector. China promotes a favourable business climate for fostering and growing companies. In fact, the country is now ranked second in the world for venture capital (VC). In 2017, more than 100 Chinese firms and 34 unicorns were listed on stock exchanges throughout the world, according to research. The number of Chinese startups increased to over 270 the following year. The year 2021 has suddenly become even more significant!

10. Singapore

This small island state was dubbed a “start-up paradise” by Entrepreneur magazine in 2018. With its highly convenient location, Singapore offers a gateway to the nearly 600 million people living in the Southeast Asian region. The government offers positive support to start-ups through innovative policies and significant subsidies. Singapore has a well-developed start-up community with over 100 incubators and accelerators, as well as more than 150 venture capital investors. Some of the most successful start-ups from Singapore include Grab, Garena, and Lazada.

Read the infographic below to discover the 10 most start-up friendly countries in the world.

Click here to learn more about our business and corporate law services.

The Rise of International Freelancing

A laptop and an internet connection are all that’s required for many jobs these days, as such many people have the flexibility and freedom to finance their travels through online freelancing. In fact, the international freelance economy is booming and there are plenty of opportunities to be found no matter where you are in the world.

10 Freelance Jobs You Can Do Abroad

There are some professions which are ideally suited to freelancing. Typically, these roles can be done online from anywhere in the world. Some examples include:

1. Online Tutoring
2. SEO Content Writing & Blogging
3. Digital Marketing
4. Journalism
5. Graphic Design
6. Software & Web Development
7. Photography
8. Sound & Video Editing
9. Interpretation/Translation
10. 3D Modelling & CAD Design

Where to Find International Freelance Jobs

Online marketplaces are the most commonly used way to find international freelance jobs. These are websites that enable employers to connect with freelancers who are looking for work. Some examples of popular freelance marketplaces include Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. You will be competing with other freelancers, so you may need to charge low rates until you build up a solid portfolio. Reviews help to build credibility, so always ask your clients to leave a rating once you have completed a project.

When leveraged strategically, social media can be a great way to attract new business. Firstly, you will need to ensure that all your social media bios have up-to-date information about your services and include a link to your portfolio. To build awareness of your services and to position yourself as an authority in your field, engage in relevant online groups and forums.

Once you become more established, client referrals can be another excellent way of finding new work. In order to generate referrals, you will need to build a strong relationship with your clients. You can increase the likelihood of getting a referral by:

• Sending a thank you card for any referral someone has sent you
• Promoting your clients on your own social media
• Following-up & keeping in touch with clients

10 Time Management Tips for Travelling Freelancers

1. Communication: Before taking on a client, be upfront about what they can expect from you and set clear boundaries around your working hours.
2. Stop Saying Yes When You Want to Say No: Know when you are at capacity and learn how to politely but firmly say no.
3. Establish a Routine: Treat your work like any other job and establish set working hours. Define a clear work-life balance and try not to think about work during your time off.
4. Automate Processes: Sign up to a good project management system that can automate as many menial tasks as possible.
5. Get Professional Help: If you have a lot on your plate, consider hiring a virtual Personal Assistant (PA) to take care of time-consuming admin.
6. Download a Time Tracking App: Use an app to monitor how much time you spend on work so you can ensure you don’t go over agreed-upon hours.
7. Travel Slowly: Book long stays to give yourself plenty of time to work and enjoy the destination without sacrificing your sanity.
8. Take Breaks: Self-care is important for good mental health. Avoid burnout by scheduling in lots of little breaks from work throughout the day.
9. Find A Productive Working Space: Whether you decide to work from your accommodation or in a co-working space, make sure that the environment is quiet and has reliable access to the internet.
10. Plan Ahead: Meticulously plan out your work and travel ahead of time to prevent last-minute scrambling.

Learn more about working freelance in another country, by checking out the below infographic guide.

Whether you’re looking for work at home or abroad, it’s common knowledge that when it comes to writing CVs, a cookie-cutter approach simply won’t work. No matter where they are based, today’s employers expect individualized résumés that highlight the candidate’s work ethic and meticulousness.

According to The Ladders, recruiters only spend 6.25 seconds examining each candidate’s CV. First impressions never get a second chance, so it’s important to ensure that every little detail is correct. This is especially the case when writing a CV that is intended for international use.

Writing an International CV

If you are firing off CVs to jobs around the world, you may find that what is considered a high-quality CV in your home country may not enjoy the same level of success when sent abroad. One reason for this may be that your CV does not adhere to the cultural norms and conventions of your chosen country.

What Can You Do to Boost Your CV’s Chances of Success?

Before applying for any job abroad, you should bone up on the job market and workplace culture in that country. Investing time and effort into doing your homework should improve your CV, impress employers and boost your odds of making it to the interview stage. If you are finding it difficult to get information online, then you could get in touch with a of a career advisor from that country.

What CV Elements Stay the Same the World Over?

Whether you’re applying for a job in Dubai or Dublin, you will always need to include the following information in your CV:

1. Your name and contact details
2. Your qualifications and skills
3. Your work history

Should You Call It a Resumé or CV?

In general, the term CV” is preferred in Europe and Latin America, whereas “resumé” is mostly used in North America and Asia. However, the two terms tend to be used interchangeably in the UK and Australia. If you are applying for jobs in the US, then it’s important to be aware that a “Curriculum Vitae” is a longer document (up to 20 pages) that is typically written by researchers, educators, or academics.

Average CV Length

As a rule, employers across the world prefer CVs that are shorter in length. A two-page CV is usually the max that an employer would accept. However, in some countries such as Saudi Arabia, Germany and Greece it is acceptable for highly-experienced candidates to submit longer documents of up to five pages.

Should You Include A Photo?

Convention as to whether or not you should include a photo of yourself on your CV differs a lot around the world, so it’s important to find out this information before ever setting pen to paper.

When to Use A Photo

Employers in many nations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America expect candidate photos. If you are submitting a photograph to an employer, invest in professional photography. Remember, you can use this on your LinkedIn profile as well.

When NOT to Use A Photo

There are a number of countries (the UK, Australia and Ireland to name a few) that have anti-discrimination regulations in place which prohibit the inclusion of photos with CVs. This means that any CV that includes a candidate photo will be immediately tossed.

via GIPHY

Personal Information

The US, UK and Australia have strict anti-discrimination and privacy laws for employers. As such, candidates are discouraged from sharing personal information such as their age, marriage status and parental status. Employers are also discouraged from asking about these details during job interviews. However, this is not the case in many countries around the world. For example, in the Middle East it is considered standard practice to include your gender, nationality, date of birth, marital and parental status on your CV.

Getting the Language Right

If applying for a job in a country that speaks a different language, prepare two copies of the CV – one in English and one in the language of the employer. Ask a native speaker to review the document for errors. If you are applying for a position in an English-speaking country, you’re not off the hook! Find out if the recipient uses British English or American English and then amend your application accordingly.

Learn more in our infographic guide, “How to Write A Resume That Crosses Borders”, below.

If you are in the process of firing off international job applications and would like to learn more about how to write an international CV, then be sure to scroll down to our infographic guide below.