Immigration to Canada

Throughout the world, Canada is known as a prosperous and strong nation valued for its stability, respect for diversity and democratic institutions. With a huge landmass, a relatively small population and abundant natural resources, it has prospered to the point where a recent United Nations study lists it as the best place in the world to live. This is why Canada has recently become the destination of choice for many of the world's immigrants.The Canadian Government is committed to admit 255,000 newcomers to Canada as permanent residents for 2008. This is an increase of 10,000 projected new permanent residents admitted for 2007. The Government is planning for continuous increases in the number of new immigrants each year until 10% of Canada's population or 325,000 immigrants are admitted to Canada annually in five years time. This would represent an annual increase of 100,000 new permanent residents over current immigration levels. On a per capita basis, this level of immigration ranks among the highest in the world. Unlike the United States and other countries, there is no quota based on either nationality or occupation. Canada needs more immigrants. The 2001 census, released by Statistics Canada, showed a decline in the rate of increase in Canada's population. Immigration was declared the primary contributor to the national population increase of 4 percent, ahead of birth rates and natural increase for the first time since the Second World War.Under the new Immigration Act enacted on June 28, 2002 many occupations that could not qualify under the previous legislation are now able to qualify e.g. Doctors, Dentists, Teachers, Nurses, Lawyers, Managers, all other professional and technical occupations, skilled trades. Unmarried live-in couples are now recognized and may apply for Permanent Residence. The Canadian Government lowered the pass mark to 67 points on September 18, 2003. I strongly recommend that you proceed immediately with the assessment of your qualifications for Permanent Residence since, according to the present Immigration Act and its Regulations, the Minister of Immigration can change the pass mark at any time, without notice. Furthermore, the Government is making significant financial investments this year and following years to accelerate the processing of existing and new applications for permanent residence to Canada.

Canadian Provincial Nominee Program

In recent years the Canadian Government has entered into bilateral agreements with eight provinces and one territory allowing these governments to nominate a pre-determined number of persons annually to become permanent residents of Canada whose job skills can be matched with the skilled worker shortages in that province. The province of Ontario will be included in the program sometime in 2008. Quebec selects applicants using its own program and selection criteria. Each of these provinces has different selection criteria, passmarks and procedures. This year approximately 10,000 persons are expected to arrive in Canada through this route and a greater number is expected next year.

The major advantage of being nominated under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is that a Canadian Embassy will give an applicant priority processing of his/her application for permanent residence to Canada once it has received a Provincial Nomination. An applicant who is nominated by a province will receive his/her visa much much quicker than those persons applying in the Skilled Worker Category under the normal federal selection system. Usually such applications will be processed and visas issued within 6 to 9 months by a Canadian Embassy instead of several years.

If you wish to immigrate to one of Canada’s provinces as a provincial nominee, you must apply to that province for nomination. Provincial nominees are not assessed on the six selection factors of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. When a province has made a selection decision, the application for permanent residence is processed by a Canadian Embassy on that basis. The Embassy will only concern itself with post-selection matters such as medical examinations and security checks.

Skilled WorkersThe following is a list of basic requirements to receive a Provincial Nomination (PNP) in the Skilled Worker category in each of the 8 participating provinces and one territory.

1) Yukon a) Submit application to one of the businesses listed beside the occupation or trade on the Occupational Shortage Table. b) Certification or accreditation for the specific trade or occupation.

2) British Columbia a) A job offer from a BC employer. b) The strategic occupations component of the BC PNP requires that the employer and prospective employee submit a joint application.

3) Alberta a) Employer nominates a candidate who has the relevant education, training and experience b) Occupation must be in levels O, A or B of the NOC.

4) Saskatchewan a) An offer of permanent, full time employment in Saskatchewan in NOC levels A, B or O or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan (existing work permit sub-category).

5) Manitoba a) Employers who apply for pre-approval of job offers demonstrating they have made a genuine effort to recruit in Canada for the position and are offering a suitable wage package. b) Applicants who have a pre-approved job offer as well as the training, work experience, licensing or accreditation and language ability required. c) Job must be on Occupational Requirement List.d) Score 55 points or more on the Manitoba Selection Grid (General Stream).

6) New Brunswick a) Score at least 50 points on New Brunswick Selection Grid. b) Skill Shortage/High Demand Occupation List. c) Find a permanent, fulltime job offer from an established New Brunswick company. In most cases, the skills offered by the prospective immigrant must not be readily available in the province of New Brunswick and employers must prove that they are having difficulty finding these skills in the local job market.

7) Nova Scotia a) A permanent, full time job from a Nova Scotia employer. The employer must prove a shortage in the province of relevant workers. b) Meet the minimum criteria on the Nova Scotia Selection Grid.

8) Prince Edward Island (PEI) a) A minimum score of 50 on the PEI Selection Grid. b) Education and training consistent with the position offered – having your credentials assessed to Canadian standards for regulated occupations is strongly recommended. c) A good faith offer of employment from a local employer at prevailing market rates.

9) Newfoundland and Labrador a) Obtain at least 50 points on the Newfoundland Selection Grid. b) A job offer where the occupation falls within the Strategic Sector List.

10) Ontario a) In the first year the Pilot PNP will nominate 500 individuals. The Pilot PNP is employer-driven. This means that as a prospective nominee, you can only apply if your employer is pre-screened, the position is approved, and your employer provides you with a nominee application package from the Pilot PNP. b) To be considered, positions must be in eligible occupations in the Pilot PNP list. c) During the first year of the Pilot PNP, jobs in 20 specific occupations are eligible for consideration in the following four sectors: Health Education Manufacturing Constructiond) Employers are only eligible to apply for positions in the 20 occupations listed.

Prospective nominees are only eligible to apply if they have a bona fide job offer and are qualified in one of the 20 listed occupations. If you are nominated by a Province, you will be able to obtain a visa for permanent residence to Canada for you and your family in as little as six (6) to nine (9) months instead of several years which is the present average processing time at most Canadian Embassies under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Fast track a permanent residence application now!

Investors Program

The Canadian Government has designed the Immigrant Investor Program in order to provide experienced business people and senior managers with a vehicle that may provide a unique opportunity to immigrate to Canada. The Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1986 by the Canadian Government to attract successful business immigrants to Canada. Since its inception, the Immigrant Investor Program has attracted 18,000 immigrants and over CAN$4 billion in direct investments to Canada. By satisfying certain requirements and investing a pre-determined amount of capital, prospective immigrants and their dependents can obtain Canadian permanent residence and benefit from Canadian citizenship at a later date.There are no assessment points nor passmark required in order to qualify under this category. Furthermore, no English or French language tests are required. To be eligible for the Investor Program:1.. You must have a minimum net worth of CAN$800,000 acquired through lawful economic activities;2.. You must have a minimum of three years management experience (planning, supervision and control of financial as well as human and material resources) acquired over the course of 10 years preceding your application in a profitable and legal business (agricultural, industrial or commercial), in government or in an international organization;3.. You must undertake to invest a minimum of CAN$400,000 for five years by signing an agreement with an approved financial intermediary such as a recognized stock broker or a trust company. This amount will be invested with a government agency in a province to fund a program to assist small and medium sized businesses in that province and for job creation and economic development. No further investment is required from the investor. At the end of the 5 year term, CAN$400,000 is repaid to the investor (without interest). The return of the investment is fully guaranteed by the province participating in the program. The province controls the investment during the five year lock-in period.There is a financing option available whereby investors can deposit CAN$120,000 and financing can be arranged by a major Canadian bank to assist you in completing the balance of the CAN$400,000 investment requirement. No personal guarantees or collateral are required for the loan. Once the loan is advanced, no future payments of capital or interest are required to service the loan and you will not receive any interest or capital return at maturity. The total cost of this financing package is therefore limited to your initial deposit of CAN$120,000. 4.. You and your dependents must pass a medical and security evaluation.The participating banks in the Immigrant Investor Program are large, well-known Canadian banks with many offices and branches overseas. They are among the world's largest banking and financial service organizations. Interviews under the Investor category take place in 2-3 months and the entire application process takes approximately 12-18 months. Once approved, the investor receives an unconditional Visa for Permanent Residence for himself and his dependents. No immigration conditions are imposed upon admission to Canada with a visa under the Investor Program. The investor can work, operate a business or retire. Investors are not required to start a business in Canada. Once you land in Canada with a permanent resident visa you are permitted to leave Canada for a cumulative period of three years in any five year period without losing your status. In other words, you must reside in Canada for a cumulative period of two years in any five year period. This gives you flexibility to temporarily live, work, carry on your business interests and travel outside of Canada while still maintaining your status as a permanent resident of Canada.You can apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport after three years of residence in Canada.