IMMIGRATION TO CANADA
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
This list shows the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) relating to Canadian immigration policies and procedures. It is of special interest to people who desire to immigrate to Canada. We advise you to consult with a lawyer/consultant if immigrating to Canada is important to your future. ECS's professional team of experts can provide you with an optimum service.
Table of Contents
- What is permanent residence?
- How long will it take to obtain a Canadian permanent residence visa?
- How can I qualify for Canadian permanent residence? What are the application categories?
- How much are the government immigration fees?
- Can I apply for immigration while in Canada on a visitor's visa?
- What are the conditions imposed on the Entrepreneur and his/her obligations after landing in Canada?
- How long does it take a landed Immigrant Entrepreneur to remove his or her terms and conditions?
- What are the regulatory stipulations imposed on an Immigrant Investor before and after landing?
- How can my relatives immigrate to Canada?
- How is the selection process different in Quebec?
- Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
- What documents do I need to send along with my application?
- Who must attend an interview?
- How can I prepare for my interview?
- What is the job market like in Canada?
- What if the intended occupation is different from past employment experience?
- Do I need an offer of employment to qualify as an independent immigrant?
- Do professional and/or tradespeople need registration and licensing to work in Canada?
- Will my status in Canada mean that I can visit and work in the United States?
- How much money do I need to settle in Canada?
- Why do I need a medical examination to come to Canada?
- Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
- Do I submit a police clearance?
- What if I committed a minor offence a number of years ago?
- Is there any advantage to having relatives in Canada?
- When can I obtain Canadian citizenship?
- What are the benefits of using the services provided by the Canada affiliate of EasyMigrate Consultancy Services?
1. What is permanent residence?
When people apply for immigration to Canada, they are in fact applying for a permanent residence visa. Permanent residence is a status that allows an immigrant to legally reside and earn a living anywhere in Canada while abiding by the country's constitutional laws. In the U.S., such status is granted with what is known informally as Green Card. All individuals who are not eligible to apply directly for citizenship must first apply for permanent residence. After meeting minimum residency requirements (i.e. 3 years), individuals can then apply for citizenship, which entitles them to a Canadian passport. Although not able to vote in elections, permanent residents enjoy many of the same privileges as Canadian citizens, including the right to education, health and social services, and protection under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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2. How long will it take to obtain a Canadian permanent residence visa?
The process usually takes between 6-18 months, depending on where your application is submitted (which Canadian immigration center) and whether or not you will be requested to attend an interview. However, the most important factor in determining how long it will take to process an application is whether or not you have submitted the sufficient documents to support your application and how well your application is prepared to prove that you meet the criteria stipulated by the immigration regulations.
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3. How can I qualify for Canadian permanent residence? What are the application categories?
There are a number of categories in which you may apply for Canadian permanent residence. Each category has various assessment requirements and conditions. The categories are explained in the Canadian Immigration Programs section of this Web site.
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4. How much are the government immigration fees?
For more information about the Canadian Government fees click here.
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5. Can I apply for immigration while in Canada on a visitor's visa?
Unless you are the spouse of a Canadian permanent resident or citizen (or for some other humanitarian reason), you must send you application to a visa office abroad. If your visitor's visa expires, then you must either leave Canada or apply for an extension.
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6. What are the conditions imposed on the Entrepreneur and his/her obligations after landing in Canada?
The Entrepreneur must meet certain terms and conditions as explained in the Canadian Business Immigration Categories section of this Web site. Periodic reports are required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in order to ensure that such stipulations are met.
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7. How long does it take a landed Immigrant Entrepreneur to remove his or her terms and conditions?
The amount of time varies with the workload of the Canadian immigration center responsible for the region in which the Immigrant Entrepreneur is doing business. An Entrepreneur who has established, purchased or made substantial investment in a business which meets all the provincial guidelines for the removal of terms and conditions does not need to wait until they have been in Canada for two years in order to apply for such conditions to be removed. The best way to accelerate the application process is to ensure all forms are complete and thorough, and those all-important details of the business are clearly explained.
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8. What are the regulatory stipulations imposed on an Immigrant Investor before and after landing?
Before the Investor's immigration visa is issued, the Investor must transfer his funds to Canada and sign an investment agreement. The duration of the investment is five years, during which the funds cannot be withdrawn. However, the Investor's permanent residence status after landing is non-conditional to the extent the invested funds will not be under his/her control.
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9. How can my relatives immigrate to Canada?
People wishing to immigrate to Canada can also apply under the Family Class category. Family Class applicants may be eligible to immigrate on the basis of the close family relationship that they have with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is an eligible sponsor. Spouses and parents -- who can bring with them their dependent children, such as the brothers and sisters of the sponsor -- are eligible to apply, and may qualify. The sponsor needs to have a certain minimum income to be eligible to sponsor. This income threshold does not apply for those who wish to sponsor a spouse. The sponsor must sign an agreement pledging to take care of all the financial needs of the person he/she is sponsoring for a period of 10 years.
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10. How is the selection process different in Quebec?
The province of Quebec maintains its own immigration policy and procedures. The independent immigrant is also assessed on a points system. Applicants proficient in French are preferred. The Quebec list of open occupations is shorter than that of the Federal system. However, Quebec allows applicants to qualify for immigration even if their professions are not in demand, provided that their potential employability/professional mobility is deemed sufficient. Points are also allocated for your spouse's attributes, the number of your children and your adaptability factors. Knowledge about Quebec, a visit to the province or the presence of a relative in Quebec will earn you extra points. It is not necessarily more difficult to immigrate to Quebec, but the process is different.
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11. Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
Your application can include your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 19 years. Under special circumstances, certain children over 19 years of age may be considered dependants. According to Canadian immigration regulations, a dependent child (whether natural or adopted) of the principal applicant or spouse/partner may be included in the application for permanent residence, if s/he:
i) Is less than 19 years of age (18 years or younger) and unmarried;
ii) Or, if the child is 19 years or older, the child is considered dependent if: s/he is enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in an academic, professional, or vocational program at a university, college or other educational institution; and
a) Has been continuously enrolled and in attendance in such a program since attaining 19 years of age or, if married before 19 years of age, the time of his/her marriage; and
b) Is determined to be wholly or substantially financially supported by her/his parents since attaining 19 years of age or, if married before 19 years of age, the time of his/her marriage;
iii) Or if the child, regardless of the age, cannot support himself due to physical or mental disability and is financially dependent on the parents. (Some disabilities of dependent children may result in refusal of the application for permanent residence for the principal applicant and all accompanying dependents).
On the other hand, when humanitarian and compassionate grounds exist, an elderly parent may be included as a dependant as well. However, parents are usually sponsored after the applicant has become a permanent resident.
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12. What documents do I need to send along with my application?
For the majority of applicants, certified copies (unless otherwise noted below) of the following documents are required in order to process their application:
-Completed and signed Immigration Application Form and the Immigrant Summary report;
-Marriage, separation, annulment, final divorce or death certificates, if applicable;
-Birth certificate for yourself, your spouse and dependent children, adoption papers for adopted dependent children; proof of continuous full-time studies of all dependent children aged 19 or over;
-If applicable, proof of custody for children under the age of 18 and proof that the children may be removed from the jurisdiction of the court; if the children will not accompany you to Canada, proof that you have fulfilled any obligation stated in custody arrangements;
-passports or travel documents for you, your spouse and dependent children. Only include copies of pages showing the passport number, date of issue and expiry, your photo, name, date and place of birth (usually first two pages). If you reside in a country different from your nationality, include a copy of your visa for the country where you currently reside;
-Proof of relationship to your close relatives in Canada, such as birth and marriage certificates;
-Completion of secondary education, apprenticeship documents, university/college degrees, diplomas, and professional training;
-Letters from previous employers specifying your job title and providing a statement of duties and/or employment contract which describe(s) your responsibilities and performance;
-Proof that you meet the licensing or certification requirements for your chosen occupation in Canada. Where applicable, you must provide evidence that you are qualified to follow your occupation in Canada;
-Any letters/contracts offering employment or information you believe may be relevant to your successful establishment in Canada, and which may help to demonstrate your adaptability, initiative, motivation or resourcefulness. This may include formal proof of arranged employment in Canada -- that is, employment validated by a Human Resources Center -- to demonstrate there is no suitably qualified and available Canadian or permanent resident to fill the position;
-Proof of sufficient funds to maintain yourself and your dependants until you are self-supporting in Canada. These funds must be readily transferable to Canada in a convertible currency;
-Police certificates or clearances for you and your dependants from countries where you have resided over six months during the last 10 years. The original documents are required;
-Bank draft to pay full immigration processing fee in Canadian dollars.
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13. Who must attend an interview?
Interviews for the principal applicant and his/her adult dependants are generally required; however, they can be occasionally waived. If the applicant either shows that they have sufficient units to pass, or insufficient units with no chance of accumulating more in an interview, they are not likely to be interviewed. The interview is used to verify the information provided in the application, to assess the applicants' command of English/French languages, and to determine the personal suitability of applicants to successfully settle in Canada.
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14. How can I prepare for my interview? What types of questions do they ask in the interview?
The interview is used to verify the information on your application, to confirm you have sufficient funds to settle in Canada, to determine personal suitability (i.e. motivation, initiative, and resourcefulness), and to counsel applicants if they are successful. Prior to your interview, spend time learning more about Canada and the Canadian labour market (i.e. become familiar with job opportunities for you, and with the qualifications and language ability they require). You are advised to bring your original documents to the interview.
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15. What is the job market like in Canada? What is the demand for my particular occupation?
Skilled applicants, especially in the areas of high technology, the sciences, finance and engineering, should be able to find gratifying and rewarding positions in Canada with relative ease. To gain a better understanding of Canada's job market, it is recommended that you look through the 'careers' section of any major Canadian newspaper, or check out any Internet sites on Canadian employment opportunities.
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16. What if the intended occupation is different from past employment experience?
The important thing to do if you are intending to pursue a different occupation is to demonstrate employment mobility. In other words, you must show that you have transferable skills from your previous occupation to meet the criteria for the one you are hoping to pursue.
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17. Do I need an offer of employment to qualify as an independent immigrant?
No, an offer of employment is not necessary to qualify as an independent immigrant. However, having an offer of employment validated by Human Resources Canada may help your application process and certainly will facilitate your settlement in Canada.
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18. Do professional and/or tradespeople need registration and licensing to work in Canada?
Many occupations in Canada require registration, licensing or membership in a professional or trade association. Applicants intending to work in these occupations will need to prove they hold sufficient credentials to meet professional or trade licensing requirements so they may follow their occupation in Canada.
As part of our service at the Canada Immigration Research Institute, we can research whether or not your occupation requires licensing, and then have your qualifications and experience assessed.
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19. Will my status in Canada mean that I can visit and work in the United States?
Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain visas to enter the U.S., and may be eligible for employment in the U.S. under the NAFTA agreement. Some permanent residents of Canada such as those who are citizens of Commonwealth countries may not need visas to travel in the United States. The rest of the permanent residents, generally speaking, must provide evidence that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S., which could be met by providing evidence of their attachment to Canada, such as a letter of employment or proof that they are full-time students in Canada.
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20. How much money do I need to settle in Canada?
You must have sufficient funds to cover your expenses for the first 6 months after your landing in Canada until you find a job or start generating an income. The cost of living in Canada varies from city to city, but the recommended funds to settle for independent immigrants is C $10,000 for an individual, and at least an extra $2,000-$3000 per dependant.
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21. Why do I need a medical examination to come to Canada?
You and your dependants, whether accompanying you or not, must pass a medical examination in accordance with the Canadian immigration regulations. An applicant is inadmissible if they present a health risk or danger to Canadians, or if they are likely to place an excessive demand on Canada's health care system and social services.
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22. Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
No. An approved doctor on Canada's list of Designated Medical Physicians must do the examination.
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23. Do I submit a police clearance?
Yes. You must submit a police clearance for you and your dependants from every country where you have resided for more than six months in the last ten years.
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24. What if I committed a minor offence a number of years ago?
What if I have drinking and driving charges? Under Canadian Immigration Law, no immigrant will be granted admission where the immigrant has been convicted outside of Canada of an offence that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence that may be punishable by way of indictment under any act of Parliament by a maximum term of imprisonment of less than ten years [see Sec. 19(2)(a.1) of Immigration Act].
However, if you have shown that you are rehabilitated, and at least five years have elapsed since the expiration of any sentence imposed for the offence, you may still be able to apply for a permanent resident visa.
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25. Is there any advantage to having relatives in Canada?
Yes, having relatives in Canada can improve your potential for meeting the minimum criteria for immigration. Your relative can be your or your spouse's brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. An established relative is seen to facilitate your adaptability into Canadian society.
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26. When can I obtain Canadian citizenship?
You may apply for Canadian citizenship once you have resided in Canada for three years. However, for every 2 days you have lived in Canada before becoming a landed immigrant, you may subtract one day from the minimum residency requirement. This is allowed to reduce your minimum period of residency by up to 1 maximum year. You will qualify only if you have maintained residency in Canada for a minimum of three out of the last four years. Any time spent away from Canada (such as on vacation or business trips), may not, generally speaking, be counted, except for a grace period of 90 days. Nevertheless, the issue of residency is controversial, with citizenship judges having different views on it. Some of them believe that maintaining strong ties to Canada is a sufficient substitute for physical presence in Canada.
Permanent residents who are away from Canada for more than 183 days per year must prove that they have not abandoned Canada as their country of residence. Once a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen, he/she can choose to live anywhere in the world and will still be considered a citizen and has the right to hold a Canadian passport.
It is worth noting that Canada recognizes multi-citizenship, which means you can become a Canadian citizen and remain a citizen of another country at the same time.
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27. What are the benefits of using the services provided by the Canada affiliate of EasyMigrate Consultancy Services?
The immigration process and Canadian bureaucracy can be confusing and frustrating. By using our services, we will facilitate the process for you and save you time and money.
We are experts on the complex procedures of immigration, and can help you with your immigration case. In choosing to use our services, you can be certain that your application will be filed at the most appropriate Canadian immigration center, and you will have your application reviewed and completed to best meet Canadian immigration requirements. We know how to maximize your points in order to qualify. We will submit your application along with all of the required forms and supporting documents, and will coordinate all communication with the Canadian immigration center on your behalf. In addition, we will be in constant communication with you, our client, and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the specifics of the process or about Canada in general.
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