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Getting to Canada - Quick Guide

• Permanent Residence
• Temporary Residence

Permanent Residence

1. Federal Skilled Worker
2. Quebec Skilled Worker
3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
4. Family Class Sponsorship
5. Business Immigration
6. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

1. Federal Skilled Worker
   This category is designed for skilled worker applicants who are likely to become economically established in Canada after arrival. There are three main characteristics an individual must possess in order to be eligible to immigrate under the skilled worker category.  

   1. A minimum level of work experience - at least one year of continuous full-time employment (or the equivalent in part-time) in the 10 year period prior to applying. This work experience must be of a skilled nature, classified as one of 29 high-demand occupations  in Canada (see list below), satisfying either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B in Canada's National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
   2. Sufficient financial resources - to support themselves and their dependents for 6 months after arrival in Canada. If you have an approved job offer, this requirement is waived.
   3. 67 points on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) points-based assessment - to measure an applicant's potential for establishing themselves in Canada. Applicants are awarded points based on six different selection factors (below). A satisfactory score on this evaluation does not however guarantee approval, as Canadian Immigration Visa Officers may use their discretion to approve or refuse an application based on a substituted evaluation.

   List of 29 high-demand occupations:
   (These instructions apply to any application submitted after June 26, 2010)
   
   

   0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
   0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
   1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
   1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
   2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
   2151 Architects
   3111 Specialist Physicians
   3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
   3113 Dentists
   3131 Pharmacists
   3142 Physiotherapists
   3152 Registered Nurses
   3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
   3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
   3233 Licensed Practical Nurses 
   4151 Psychologists
   4152 Social Workers
   6241 Chefs
   6242 Cooks
   7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
   7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
   7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
   7242 Industrial Electricians
   7251 Plumbers
   7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
   7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
   7371 Crane Operators
   7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction 
   8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

    

    

   Education (maximum 25 points)

   • Ranges from 5 points for completing high school to 25 points for completing a Master's degree or Ph.D.
   • The system also gives credit for trade certificates or apprenticeship programs.
   Language Skills (maximum 24 points)
   • Canada uses both English and French as official languages, and you may receive credit for proficiency in either one, or both.
   • Marks are awarded separately for abilities to listen, speak, read, and write each official language.
   Work Experience (maximum 21 points)
   • Full points are awarded for four or more years of experience in an occupation that falls in Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B in Canada's National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
   Age (maximum 10 points)
   • Full points are awarded to applicants between the ages of 21-49
   Arranged Employment (maximum 10 points)
   • Applicants may receive these points if they hold a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, or are applying from within Canada and hold a temporary work permit.
   Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
   • This category brings in a number of factors related to an applicant's ability to adapt to living in Canada, including previous experience working or studying in Canada, or having family in Canada.
   Altogether, the above three elements, along with medical and security clearance requirements make up the bulk of the requirements to come to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker category.
2. Quebec Skilled Worker
   According to an agreement between the Province of Quebec and the Government of Canada, the Province of Quebec has its own selection process for the skilled worker category of immigration. If you intend to live in Quebec upon arrival in Canada you will be assessed based on the Quebec Selection criteria and not the evaluation used by CIC.
   Like the federal system, Quebec uses a points-based system to assess potential immigrants; however, on slightly different criteria. To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, single applicants must score at least 60 points from the following ten selection criteria, while an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score a minimum of 68 points.
   Training (maximum 29 points):
   • Points are awarded separately for both education and job-related training.
   • Additional points are awarded for having more than one area of specialty.
   Validated Employment Offer (maximum 10 points):
   • Points are awarded for having a job offer from an employer in Quebec, with greater points awarded for a job outside of the area of Montreal.
   Work Experience (maximum 9 points):
   • Full points are awarded for four or more years of experience in an occupation that falls in Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B in Canada's National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
   Age (maximum 18 points):
   • Full points are awarded for being between the ages of 18-35.
   Language Proficiency (maximum 22 points):
   • French is the official language of the province of Quebec. The Quebec selection criteria place value on oral language abilities rather than written comprehension. Up to 16 points are available for oral interaction in French, with an additional 6 available for oral interaction in English
   Stay and Family in Quebec (maximum 9 points):
   • Having previously spent time living, working, or studying in Quebec, as well as having family in the province will help a prospective immigrant establish themselves more easily. Points are awarded for both of these areas.
   Spouse's Characteristics (maximum 18 points):
   • If an applicant is accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner, points may be awarded for the spouse's education, training, work experience, age and language.
   Children (maximum 8 points):
   • Up to the maximum, 4 points are awarded for each child less than 12 years of age, and 2 points for each child between 13 and 21.
   Financial Self-Sufficiency (1 point):
   • One point is awarded for having sufficient funds for financial self-sufficiency upon arrival. An applicant who does not satisfy this requirement the application is automatically refused.
   Adaptability (maximum 8 points):
   • This category uses an overall assessment of the applicant's ability to adapt to life in Quebec.
   Satisfying these requirements will lead to the issue of a Quebec Selection Certificate, which is recognized by CIC for immigration to Quebec. The applicant must still pass a security clearance and medical examination.
3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
   The PNP consists of partnerships between the Government of Canada and most provincial and territorial governments to select individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in that particular province or territory. Under the terms of these agreements, provinces may nominate applicants who are in occupations in high demand, or who will otherwise make important contributions to the province, for fast-track processing of Permanent Residency.
   The following provinces and territories currently participate in the Provincial Nomination Program:
   

   • Alberta
   • British Columbia
   • Manitoba
   • New Brunswick
   • Newfoundland and Labrador
   • Nova Scotia
   • Ontario
   • Prince Edward Island
   • Saskatchewan
   • Yukon
   Provincial nominees are not assessed on the six selection criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Each province or territory has its own set of criteria. Most require that the applicant have a job offer from an employer in the province/territory.
   After receiving the Provincial Nomination Certificate, nominees then receive priority processing for their permanent residency applications.
4. Family Class Sponsorship
   Through Family Class Sponsorship Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of 18 years of age and older can sponsor close family members for immigration to Canada. The Sponsor signs a contract stating that they will support the sponsored family member for a period of three to ten years after their arrival. The length of the agreement depends on the age of the family member being sponsored, and the nature of the relationship. To apply for Family Class immigration, the sponsored relative must also sign a contract promising to make every effort to be self-sufficient.
   To be eligible, the Sponsor must demonstrate financial ability to be able to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored relative, if necessary. As a general rule, the sponsor must be residing in Canada. An exception is made for Canadian citizens, who wish to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or child, if the Sponsor can demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored relative lands in Canada.
   Under Family Class Immigration, you can sponsor your:
   

   • Spouses or common-law partners
   • Parents or grandparents
   • Dependent children (must be under 22 years of age unless substantially dependent for financial support because they are a full-time student, or because of disability)
   • Children under 18 years whom you plan to adopt
   • Orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews who are under 18 years and unmarried
   • A relative of any age (only if you do not have any of the family members listed above)
   The Province of Quebec, according to its agreement with the Canada on immigration, has a role in determining the eligibility of sponsorship applicants for residents of Quebec. This role however takes effect only after CIC has completed its initial assessment of the sponsorship application.
5. Business Immigration
   The Business Immigration Program is designed for individuals who can to contribute to Canada's economic development through financial investment and managerial skills. Individuals with business experience and relatively high net worth may apply under one of three categories of the Business Immigration Program.
   1. Immigrant Investor Program: Immigrant Investor applicants must have managerial experience and make an investment of CAD$400,000, which the government of Canada will return to them at the end of five years, with no interest. Applicants under this program must have a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 and demonstrate that this wealth was legally obtained. Applicants destined to province of Quebec may qualify under a similar Investor Program administered by that province.
   2. Entrepreneur Program: Applicants under this category of the Business Immigrant Program must commit to both managing and owning at least one third of a Canadian business. They must have a minimum net worth of CAD$300,000. Applicants destined to the province of Quebec may qualify under a similar Entrepreneur Program administered by that province.
   3. Self-Employed Persons Program: This program is for individuals with relevant experience and skills in business, culture, athletics or farming who are able willing to support themselves and their dependents through self-employed income. To apply under this program an individual may need to demonstrate experience, net worth and/or artistic qualifications depending on the criteria under which they are applying. Applicants destined to province of Quebec may qualify under a Self-Employed Program administered by that province.
    
6. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
   The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) caters to immigration applicants who have Canadian education and/or Canadian work experience. There are separate requirements for the two types of applicants:
   1. International Graduates with Canadian Work Experience
      Minimum requirements:
      • Recently completed a program of study of at least two academic years at a Canadian post-secondary educational institution.
      • One year of skilled, professional or technical work experience within 24 months of the application date.
      • Language skill level required for their occupation.
   2. Temporary Foreign Workers
      Minimum requirements:
      • Minimum two years of skilled, professional or technical work experience within 36 months of the application date.
      • Language skill level required for their occupation.
   Individuals eligible for the Canadian Experience Class may apply within one year of leaving Canada.
   Eligibility is based on a pass or fail model. If the minimum requirements are met, the applicant will be eligible.

Temporary Residence

1. Temporary Work Permit:
   To work in Canada on a temporary basis, you'll need to obtain a Canadian job offer and then apply for a temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
   
   In many cases work permits require that the employer obtain Labour Market Opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada which confirms that the employment will not adversely affect Canadian workers. However, there are a number of exemptions to this rule. In most cases it is possible to extend a work permit from within Canada, but some work permits have a maximum duration.
   
   Spouses and common-law partners of individuals who hold a Canadian work permits may accompany the work permit holder to Canada. In many cases spouses are eligible to apply for an open work permit, which allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada.
   
   Citizens of countries involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) may be eligible for a 3 year temporary work permit.
2. Study Permit:
   Most international students will require a Study Permit to attend a academic classes in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will normally issue a Study Permit if an applicant has received an acceptance letter from a qualified Canadian educational institution, and possesses sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living costs. Typically, Study Permits are valid for the duration of the intended course of studies.
   
   Applicants who wish to study in Montreal or another city in the Province of Quebec will also require approval from immigration authorities of the Government of Quebec.
3. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV):
   The Canadian Government requires that visitors (except those from visa-exempt countries) obtain a TRV for travel in Canada up to six months in duration. The TRV demonstrates that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. Temporary Resident Visas may be for single entry or multiple entries.
   
   At the Port of Entry, all visitors must demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is of a temporary nature. Visitors to Canada must also be able to prove their ability to support themselves during their intended temporary stay in Canada.