THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION

Skilled Worker or Professional - Permanent Resident

Canada uses a point system to determine if you will be able to establish yourself economically once you arrive. You require at least 67 points in order to obtain a Visa. Points are awarded for the following factors:

• Education - up to 25 points, the higher your education, the more points you get.
• Language Skills - up to 24 points, the better you are with English and/or French, the more points you get.
• Work Experience - up to 21 points, the more impressive your work experience, the more points you get.
• Age - up to 10 points if you are under the age factor.
• Arranged Employment - up to 10 points if you have already arranged employment.
• Adaptability - up to 10 points under the adaptability factor.
• If you are planning on living in Quebec, there are further factors to consider.
• If you do not meet the 67 point requirement, Visa officers can exercise discretion and grant you a visa if your case complies with the discretionary rules and if you present your case in a persuasive manner.

Business Immigration - Permanent Resident
Canada seeks to promote economic growth and opportunity by attracting individuals who can contribute financially to our economy. You may qualify as a business class immigrant in three ways: as an investor, as an entrepreneur, or if you are self-employed. Each of these categories are discussed below.

Investor category
You and your immediate family may obtain Permanent Resident Visas by investing CAD $400,000 (approx US $303,300) for five years. You are guaranteed to be reimbursed the full amount (without interest) after five years. You may live anywhere in Canada (although Quebec has slightly different rules). Additional requirements include:

• Minimum net worth of CAD $800,000 (approx US $606,600)
• Experience in management and ownership of a qualifying business (or management of 5 employees in a business)
• Medical examination and security check

Entrepreneur category
You and your immediate family may obtain Permanent Resident Visas by acquiring at least a one-third share in equity in a qualifying Canadian business that you must manage. Your business must create at least one new job for a Canadian or permanent resident. You may live anywhere in Canada (though Quebec has slightly different rules). Additional requirements include:

• Minimum net worth of CAD $300,000 (approx US $227,500)
• Experience in management and ownership of a qualifying business
• Medical examination and security check

Self-Employed category
The self-employed immigration category requires that you have an intention and ability to create your own employment in Canada, and you must make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic, or athletic life in Canada, or purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
You must have been self-employed in cultural activities (such as acting, music, writing, art and so forth) or in athletics, or have competed at the world level in athletics.
If you are interested in farming, you must have prior farm management experience.
In all cases, you must be able to support yourself and any of your dependents. You must have sufficient net worth, experience and/or artistic qualifications.

Family class category
If you have a relative who is either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, he or she may sponsor you for a permanent resident visa. The applicant must be known to, and related to the sponsor in the following ways:

• spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older;
• parent and grandparent;
• 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.

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 must demonstrate financial ability
to provide for the essential needs of the immigrant and any dependents. A sponsor will have 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 their age and relationship to the sponsor). Legal action can be taken against the sponsor if he or she fails to meet his or her obligations to support the immigrant.
A sponsor must be at least 19 years of age, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Canadian Provincial Immigration Programs
In order to address highly-skilled labour needs in different provinces, there are special provincial programs designed to bring foreign individuals with specific skills into the province quickly, often within a few months (versus two years or more through the normal immigration process).
Depending on the province in which you wish to reside, you may or may not need a job offer from an employer in advance. You may qualify if you have advanced skills and training in information technology, the aerospace sector, skilled trades, and other areas, or if you have considerable experience and net worth operating your own business.

Currently, the following provinces offer special ‘fast-track’ programs for skilled immigrants:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• Yukon
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Saskatchewan

For more information on the Immigration Process of the Canadian Provinces, please contact us.

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