Getting yourself assessed is the first step in immigrating to Canada. There are
a number of ways to obtain a Permanent Resident visa. You should think about it
in terms of "immigration categories". Each category represents how an applicant
can obtain permanent resident status. There are three main categories for Canadian
immigration:
If you want to immigrate to Canada, you will have to qualify under at least one
of these categories.
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
The applicant applies on his or her own merit. This involves demonstrating that
he or she will be successful in financially supporting him or herself in Canada.
The applicant in this class is assessed under the "points system" and is given points
in several categories: Education, Official Language (English & French), Experience,
Arranged Employment, Age and Adaptability. The applicant must achieve at least 67
out of 100 points to be successful in becoming a Permanent Resident.
|
|
Categories |
Max. Points |
|
|
Education |
25 |
|
|
Official Languages |
24 |
|
|
Experience |
21 |
|
|
Arranged Employment |
10 |
|
|
Age |
10 |
|
|
Adaptability |
10 |
|
|
Total Points |
100 |
|
|
Points to Pass |
67 |
BUSINESS CLASS
There are three Business Immigration Categories:
Business Class – INVESTOR
Investors must have business experience. They must have either:
(1) Managed a qualifying business and controlled a percentage of equity of a qualifying
business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date
of application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application,
or
(2) They must have managed at least five full-time job equivalents per year in a
business for at least two years in the period beginning five years before the date
of application and ending on the day a determination is made on the application,
or
(3) A combination of a one-year period of experience described in subparagraph (1)
and a one-year period of experience described in subparagraph (2).
The investor class applicant must have a net worth of at least $800,000. They are
required to make an investment of $400,000, paid to the Receiver General of Canada.
The investment is subsequently allocated to participating provinces and territories
in Canada. These governments use the funds for job creation and economic development.
The full amount of the investment (without interest) is repaid to the investor after
five years. The exact date of repayment depends on when the $400,000 is received
by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. At the latest, the amount would be returned
five years and 3 months after the date of payment. The return of the investment
is fully guaranteed by participating provinces and territories.
Business Class – ENTREPRENEUR
Entrepreneurs must have business experience. They must have managed
and controlled a percentage of equity of a qualifying business for at least two
one-year periods in the period beginning five years before the date of the application
and ending on the day a determination is made on the application.
The entrepreneur class applicant must have a net worth of at least $300,000. Additionally,
they must have the intention and the ability to:
1. Control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or
greater than 33.33%;
2. Provide active and ongoing management of the qualifying Canadian business; and
3. Create at least one incremental full-time job equivalent for one or more Canadian
citizens or permanent residents other than the entrepreneur applicant and their
family members.
Entrepreneurs are required to sign a declaration stating they intend and will be
able to meet the conditions of permanent residence.
Business Class – SELF-EMPLOYED
Self-employed immigrants must have relevant experience. Points
are awarded for relevant experience within the five-year period immediately preceding
the date of the application and ending on the day a determination is made on the
application. 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.
FAMILY CLASS
A relative in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may act as
a sponsor and assist the applicant in immigrating to Canada. The relative is required
to guarantee the applicant's finances during the first few years of his or her residency
in Canada. A sponsor can be a parent, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner,
son, daughter, etc.
The sponsor may sponsor the following members of the Family Class (subject to meeting
eligibility requirements):
- Their spouse
- Their common-law/same-sex partner
- Their conjugal partner
- Their dependent children under age twenty-two
(22)
- Their dependent children age twenty-two (22) and over (if they are full-time (15
hours per week or more) students, mentally or physically disabled and dependent
on their parents) children adopted or to be adopted by them, or under their guardianship
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Other prescribed family members (i.e. last remaining family member under humanitarian
and compassionate grounds where it is warranted).
|