Immigration Canada is not a mission impossible. In fact, for most people wishing
to relocate to Canada, the process is simple and easy. First, you need to figure
out under which category you are immigrating to Canada:
Business Class Nomination - You are coming to Canada to run or invest
in a Canadian business. Canada wishes to attract experienced business people with
sizable assets, who are able to start or invest in businesses that will generate
revenues and employment opportunities for Canadian citizens. In 2002, Canada replaced
its 25-year-old Immigration Act with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
to make the criteria for Business visas and immigration to Canada more objective
and clear. There are four categories for business migration:
- Entrepreneur Immigrant Visa - focuses on individuals who intend on owning
and managing aa business within Canada.
- Investor Immigrant Visa - focuses on senior executives or wealthy individuals
who intend on investing in Canadian resources for 5 years.
- Self-Employed Immigrant Visa - focuses on athletic, cultural or agricultural
experience in addition to the ability to becoming self-employed within Canada
- Provincial Nominee Business Immigrant Visas - Can be any of the above business
types focusing within a specific province or territory and following the specific
terms and conditions outlined there.
Skilled Worker Class Immigration - you possess skills and experiences
that are in demand in Canada and you are immigrating to Canada to utilize your skills
within a Canadian business or industry. In 2002, Canada replaced its 25-year-old
Immigration Act with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, in order to make
it easier for skilled workers, those with higher education, language proficiency,
and prior stays in Canada. As a skilled worker, you are considered to be economic
migrant and are allowed into Canada as a permanent resident, once you have the profile
and credentials indicating you will be able to become established economically.
You may qualify for one of several skilled worker programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program - applications are obtained and processed through
the CIC - Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program - applications are obtained and processed through
the Quebec Immigration Service - SIQ
- Provincial Nominee Skilled Worker Program - applications are obtained and
processed through the Provincial Immigration Authority and are later reviewed
by the CIC.
Family Class Immigration - if your primary family lives in Canada, you
may qualify for family class immigration which allows immigration in order to reunite
family members. One of the main objectives of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection
Act was reuniting family members. The three major types of family visas are:
- Spousal Visa - for reuniting a married spouse (and dependent children) with
the spouse residing in Canada.
- Common-law Partner Visa - for reuniting common-law partners (and dependent
children) with the common-law partner residing in Canada.
- Conjugal Partner Visa - for reuniting lovers with a continuing relationship
where one off the partners resides outside of Canada.
International Adoption - If you live in Canada and are adopting a child
from abroad, you need to work with the Canadian authorities in order to bring that
adopted child into Canada. Contact the CIC - Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Canada, for qualification criteria, applications and assistance with the process.
Depending on the territory or province involved, you may also be directed by the
CIC to contact the local provincial immigration office for any unique criteria involved
there.
Refugee and Asylum Immigration - Under certain extreme circumstances of
hardship due to natural disaster, war, or persecution, it is possible for individuals
to immigrate to Canada. Individuals who believe they qualify should contact the
CIC - Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, for qualification criteria,
applications and assistance with the process.
Provincial Nomination - Specific provinces have incentives and invite
immigration to their areas. Contact the Immigration office within the province or
territory concerned for specific qualifications, applications, and assistance with
the process.
To make your relocation process easier, you can consult a Canada immigration lawyer
to help secure the proper forms and instruct you on the procedures you will need
to follow depending on the type of immigration for which you are applying.
Immigrating to Canada does not automatically qualify you for citizenship. That
is a related yet separate process, where the assistance of a Canadian lawyer will
again be most helpful. Also, at any time you can contact the CIC - Department of
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, for details, applications, and assistance in
determining your eligibility and processing your requests.
Depending on the duration of your intended stay in Canada, and the purpose for
your relocation, you may need to apply for a visa approving your remaining in Canada
for a pre-defined period of time. For example, you may wish to study in Canada and
apply for a student visa for the duration of your course of study. With applying
for any type of visa, a Canada immigration attorney will be able to advise and assist
you as to the proper protocols you need to follow to expedite and navigate the visa
application process.
Depending on the kind of immigration you are requesting, there are various rules
and procedures you must follow and paperwork you will be required to submit. Knowing
what you need in advance can simplify the process tremendously.
For more information, check out our Canada immigration
resource directory. |
