Skilled Worker Class Immigration
Canada values the skills and experiences that foreign professionals and workers bring with them. To assess whether you are eligible and if you will successfully economically establish yourself, Canada uses a point system where points are accumulated for the following factors:
- Education - up to 25 points awarded for your educational credentials and the number of years you spent in full-time study.
- Language Skills - up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high abilities in English and French.
- Work Experience - up to 21 points for the number of years you spent in full-time employment.
- Age - up to 10 points based on your age at the time of your application.
- Arranged Employment - up to 10 points if you have arranged a job before applying for permanent residence.
- Adaptability - up to 10 points if you can show that you or your dependants will adapt easily to living in Canada.
You must accumulate 67 points in order to qualify for a visa. If you have less than 67 points, a visa officer can still grant you a visa if your case is presented in a persuasive manner.
Business Class Immigration
Business immigrants are expected to invest in, or start a business in Canada and to contribute to the Canadian economy. There are three classes of business immigrants you may apply for: investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed. Each of these categories is discussed below.
Investor
You and your family may qualify to come to Canada as business immigrants by making an investment of CDN $400,000 for five years. As this amount will be invested in a certificate with fixed terms, you are guaranteed to be reimbursed the full amount (without interest) after five years. Regulatory requirements also include:
- minimum net worth of CDN $800,000
- at least 3 years of experience in management (planning, management of human, material, and financial resources) and ownership of a qualifying business
Entrepreneur
You and your family may qualify to come to Canada by acquiring at least 33 per cent of the equity of a qualifying Canadian business and providing active and ongoing management of that business, which must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian or permanent resident. Regulatory requirements also include:
- minimum net worth of CDN $300,000
- experience in management (planning, control, and management of human, material, and financial resources) and control of a percent of equity of a qualifying business
Self-Employed
As a self-employed person you must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada using the skills of your profession. You must make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
You must have a minimum net worth of CDN $100,000. Also, you must have at least two years of experience in the field of employment you wish to carry out in Canada.
Family Class Immigration
Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada, 18 years of age or older, may sponsor close relatives or family members who want to become permanent residents of Canada. Relatives or family members from abroad can be sponsored if they are:
- spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older;
- parents and grandparents;
- dependent children, including adopted children;
- children under 18 years of age whom you intend to adopt;
- children under guardianship;
- brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who are orphans; under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship; or
- you may also sponsor one relative of any age if you do not have an aunt, uncle or family member from the list above who you could sponsor or who is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
A son or daughter is dependent when the child:
- is under the age of 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law partner;
- is a full time student and is substantially dependent on a parent for financial support since before the age of 22, or since becoming a spouse or common-law partner (if this happened before age 22); or
- is financially dependent on a parent since before the age of 22 because of a disability.
A sponsor has to sign an agreement with the government to provide for the essential needs of the immigrant for a period between 3 and 10 years depending on family kinship. For that, the sponsor must demonstrate that for the last 12 months he has had sufficient funds and will continue having them during the duration of the binding agreement. For spouse and dependant children, no revenue has to be demonstrated.
Study in Canada
More than 130,000 students come to study in Canada every year. In addition to this number are many more that come to Canada to learn English or French. Canadian universities enjoy a world-renowned reputation and low college costs. Foreign students bring a rich culture to the classroom, which makes for a unique educational experience.
You need a study permit only for programs lasting more than 6 months. To obtain a study permit, you must provide an original letter of acceptance from the educational institution where you will study, including details of the courses you will be taking and specifying the length of the program. Citizens of some countries will also need a Temporary Resident Visa in order to study in Canada.
The study permit also allows you to work on campus.
Visit Canada
Every year more than 35 million people visit Canada. Canada welcomes these visitors as tourists, students or temporary workers. To visit Canada, you will need a valid passport and travel documents. If you are from one of the following countries, you will need a temporary resident visa. See the country list in the right side of the page.
Turning a temporary visit into a permanent stay
If you are currently in Canada and wish to extend or change the conditions of your stay or have encountered difficulties, contact us at least three weeks before your visa expires.
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