Client Interview

As an immigration professional, you will conduct client interviews on a regular basis. At the interview stage, you need to collect as much information as possible to give clients the best advice. It may be harder than you think to get this information from clients. It is important to learn to ask the questions that will get you the information you need.

In this assignment, you will review correspondence from a potential client, and in an "email" format, ask effective questions to extract additional information (MLO 5.3), analyze the client's eligibility for a residence program (MLO 5.4), and communicate your findings to the client using written language that is appropriate for a non-legal audience (MLO 5.2) in that format. This assignment also provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills in legal reasoning, critical analysis, and effective communication (SVOs 2, 4, and 5).

Click here to download the detailed Client Interview Rubric.

Assignment Instructions

ScenarioDetailed Instructions

Muchen's Email

A potential client sends you the following email indicating that they are interested in applying for permanent residence.

Hi there,

My brother-in-law was your previous client and told me you're the person to ask! I would like to become a permanent resident of Canada. Here are some of my details: I am 58 years old, married, and a citizen of Taiwan. I have a bachelor's degree in International Business Management. For over 10 years, I have run a successful construction business in Taiwan that manufactures pre-fabricated homes in China for export to the United States. A few years ago I decided to set up a Canadian branch office, so I incorporated a company in Brampton, ON, of which I own 90%. My wife owns the remaining 10%. A year ago, I was issued a work permit to work in my own company as the CEO. Since then I have been working full-time managing my Canadian office in Brampton, ON. My Canadian company now oversees the design and construction process of pre-fabricated homes in Canada as well as the United States. I run the entire business myself and have two Canadian employees, one is an accountant and the other one is my assistant. I pay taxes in Canada. My work permit expires in one year.

I have three adult children. I intend to keep running my Canadian business. I would like to apply for permanent residence for myself and my whole family as soon as possible, before my children get too old for me to include them. We do not have any other relatives in Canada. Unfortunately, I made some very poor business investments at the beginning of my career, and my three children are all attending very expensive universities in Canada. Therefore, I have very few personal assets and little capital left to work with. I've taken an IELTS language test already and gotten the following result:

Reading: 7 Writing: 8 Speaking: 7 Listening: 8

How can I obtain permanent residence as quickly as possible? Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need any other details from me!

Detailed Instructions

For the purpose of the assignment, the time is the present day.

Muchen has signed an initial consultation agreement with you and has paid your consultation fee. He would like to communicate by email as he travels frequently for his work.

Based only on the information provided by Muchen, answer the following questions.

You must answer each question in the format of a new email to Muchen.

1. Muchen is interested in becoming a permanent resident. Based ONLY on the information provided in his email, describe how he could be found eligible for permanent residence. Do not assume any details not already provided in Muchen's email or make suggestions based on information not already provided by Muchen. In your email to Muchen, use easy-to-understand terminology (NO reference to IRPA or IRPR) that Muchen would understand. In 400-500 words, with as much detail as possible, you must identify and explain how Muchen is potentially eligible, including the best program based on his needs, his correct NOC and any other eligibility factor that you believe applies to Muchen's situation. Remember: you may believe Muchen could be eligible for numerous programs, but you must only base your answer on information he has already given you and decide which may potentially be his best option.

2. Based on his email, you believe you may have found the best program that corresponds to Muchen's potential eligibility. As you are writing your response to Muchen, you realize that he needs to answer a few more questions before you can confirm his eligibility for permanent residence. What additional questions do you need to ask Muchen before you can fully confirm his eligibility for permanent residence? You may provide your answer using a bulleted list.

3. Muchen has responded to your email and answered your questions. You confirm Muchen's eligibility for permanent residence, and that all of his assessments and tests have been completed as per program requirements in IRPR. Create a table to show Muchen what his score would be if he created a profile. On the left, identify the specific factor, and on the right, indicate the points that he would be assigned for each factor.

4. Muchen later sends you another email, saying he has read that IRCC will finalize permanent residence applications in less than 6 months. He would like to know if he could also receive permanent resident status in less than 6 months. In one paragraph (200-300 words), provide Muchen with your opinion on whether he and his family will likely be approved for permanent residence within the next 6 months, and your reason.