Immigration Programs
There are 6 main categories of immigration: economic class (skilled workers), family class, provincial nominees, business/investor class, refugees, and temporary residents (temporary workers, student visa holders and visitors).
These categories are further subdivided into different programs.
Typically, temporary residents are processed the quickest, followed by provincial nominees, and then skilled workers and family class.
Applications for Permanent Residence
Federal Skilled Worker Class (Federal)
You can apply for permanent residency under the Federal Skilled worker class. This program is based on a point system and you will be assessed on six selection factors, including your education, your abilities in English/French, your experience, your age, whether you have arranged employment in Canada, and your adaptability. Click here for more details
Family Class (Federal)
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor her or his spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, dependent children, parent, or grandparent. In certain exceptional cases, other relatives are eligible for sponsorship.
The sponsor must promise to provide financial support for the relative and any other eligible relatives accompanying them for a period of three to ten years, depending on their age and relationship to the sponsor.
Business Class (Federal)
Canada has three classes of business immigrants: investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons. You must choose to apply under only one of these classes, even if you meet the requirements for more than one class. Click here for more details
Investors
Investors must have business experience and are required to make an investment of $400,000 CDN (paid to the Receiver General of Canada) and must have a net worth of at least $800,000 CDN. The full amount of the investment (without interest) is repaid to the investors after five years. No immigration conditions are imposed upon admission to Canada. Click here for more details
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs must have business experience and a net worth of at least $300,000 CDN. Additionally, they must have the intention and the ability to:
- Control a Canadian business (equal to or greater than 33 1/3% of the shares);
- Provide active and ongoing management of the Canadian business; and
- Create at least one incremental full-time job equivalent for one or more Canadian citizens/permanent residents;
within 3 years of becoming a permanent resident. Click here for more details
Self Employment (Artists, Athletes, Farmers)
Self-employed persons must have relevant experience, which includes self-employment in cultural activities or athletics participation at the world-class level, or farm management experience. Points are awarded for relevant experience within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application. No immigration conditions are imposed on this class. Self-employed immigrants must have the experience, intention and ability to:
- establish a business that will, at a minimum, create an employment opportunity for themselves and that will make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics in Canada; or
- purchase and manage a farm in Canada. Click here for more details
You must first meet the definition of the one business immigrant class you are applying under to be eligible for selection. If you successfully meet the definition, you are then assessed against five selection factors: age, education, official languages, work/business experience and adaptability (connection to Canada). The pass mark for the three classes of business immigrants is 35 out of 100.
Temporary Resident Programs
Work permits
A foreign worker must obtain a work permit before working in Canada. In most cases, their prospective employer must first obtain a positive Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from Service Canada. This is their approval to hire a foreign worker, and requires them to demonstrate that they have made sufficient recruitment attempts in Canada, and are paying the prevailing wage.
Once the foreign worker has worked in Canada for 6-24 months, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residency under a Provincial Nominee (where available) or the Federal Canadian Experience Class program.
Caregiver Program
Canadians or permanent residents may hire foreign live in caregivers to care for their minor or disabled children, or elderly parents. The Canadian employer must apply to Service Canada for a Labour Market Opinion and demonstrate that they are paying the prevailing wage, that they will comply with the provincial rules regarding hours and conditions of employment, and have a separate room for the caregiver among other requirements such as sufficient advertising in Canada.
The caregiver is eligible to apply for permanent residency after working as a caregiver for at least 2 years.
Study Permits
To obtain a study permit, an applicant must first have a letter confirming that they have been accepted by a Canadian educational institution. International students must also demonstrate sufficient financial supports.
International students are eligible for a 3 year open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer in advance. International students may stay in Canada for up to 3 years while searching for employment.
As well, the new Canadian experience class will allow international students with at least 2 years of Canadian post-secondary education and 1 year of skilled work experience to apply for permanent residency. Many Provincial Nominee programs also allow international students to apply for permanent residency.
Visitor Visas
Nationals of many countries require a temporary resident (visitor) visa to visit Canada. The requirements for a temporary resident visa include but are not limited to satisfying an officer that you will leave Canada and have enough money to maintain yourself and family members while in Canada.
Temporary workers under a work permit and student visa holders are also assessed in relation to the above criteria.
Other Immigration Applications
Our experienced team can also assist you with any other Canadian immigration needs, such as humanitarian & compassionate, criminal rehabilitation, inadmissibility and other applications.
