Canada Immigration (FAQ)
Our immigration consultants are highly qualified to and able to resolve your queries regarding Canada immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and Acquisition of Canada Permanent Residence under the Economic Class. Following is a compilation of frequently asked Questions:
What does Canadian Permanent resident status confer?
In accordance with the provinces of Canada’s constitutional law, a person who is the holder of the Canadian permanent resident visa along with his/her accompanying dependents are permitted to permanently reside anywhere in Canada and earn a livelihood. Apart from it, individuals with permanent residence visa are also eligible for various provincially administered universal health care services. They may also attend various provincial educational institutes administered by the public school system with exemption from tuition.
Who qualifies for Permanent residence under the Economic class?
Qualified Applicants who are able to demonstrate their ability to become economically established in Canada are conferred permanent resident status under the federal skilled worker class. Applicants are also assessed for 6 main and several sub listed factors of assessment for 100 points.
Applicants who can prove their ability to become economically established in Canada may be granted permanent residence status under Quebec skilled worker class and the provincial nominee class. Whereas, applicant with business or management experience and high net worth are conferred permanent residence status under the Investor class immigration.
The Entrepreneur class is a point based system and confers permanent resident status under the Quebec Entrepreneur class or a number of Provincial Nomination Programs to applicants who demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada on the basis of their business experience and personal net worth. Approval is contingent upon the entrepreneur undertaking to invest in and become an active in the management of a qualifying business operated in Canada with will create more employment opportunities and contribute to economy.
Applicants who have the ability to create their own employment and make a remarkable contribution to cultural, artistic or athletic life in Canada, or can earn their livelihood by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada may get permanent resident under Self- Employed class.
How long does it take to obtain a permanent resident visa under the federal skilled worker class?
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism on November 28, 2008 provided the assurance that it will take 6-12 months for the applications under Federal Skilled Worker Application to receive a decision. Whereas the applications under the old regime were depend upon the time of year, immigration program and the office in charge and other factors. Application for permanent residence under the economic class can vary between 12 months to 40 months.
Who is included in the application for permanent residence?
The application for permanent residence generally include the main applicant, his or her spouse or common law- partner or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older and any children who are under 19 years. Even children over 19 years of age may also in prescribed circumstances, be included as accompanying family member.
Where are applications submitted?
Applications for Skilled worker Class are initially filed inside Canada through the centralized intake office – case processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Whereas after the approval of the application further processing on the application will be done with an appropriate immigration office outside of Canada that serves the country where the applicant is legally residing.
What are the application processing fees to process an application for Permanent residence?
Currently, application fees for skilled worker program is $550 CAD for each applicants a well as each family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years or older, and it must be filed with the application. While a fee of $150 CAD shells apply to each family member under 22 years of age. Further a fee of $490 CAD is levied for right to permanent residence prior to visa issuance for each person who is at least 22 years of age, and it should be submitted upon request by the visa office. Processing fees for permanent residence application is non-refundable.
Must the applicant travel to Canada as part of the immigration process?
The applicant need not visit Canada as part of the immigration process. Applicants applying under the investor or Entrepreneur class are encouraged to undertake exploratory visits to Canada and participate in information sessions sponsored by the provinces.
Who must attend the selection interview?
The applicant and spouse will generally be required to travel to the processing immigration office and attend a selection interview. In some cases accompanying dependent children over the 22 years of age attend the immigration selection Interview.
What about the interview process?
Main purpose behind the conduction of the interview is to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in the submitted documents. Therefore candidates are advised to bring to the interview all the original documentations. Under business class applicants are interviewed to ensure conformance with the statutory definitions and to review the general parameters of the business proposals in Canada.
What about the interview waivers?
This is highly discretionary aspect of the regulations and is largely a function of the immigration office in question. Certain factor such as immigration office in question, the habitual residence of the applicant and the documentation of the applicant’s qualification may justify the waiving of a section proves.
What documents are submitted along with the applications?
Applications for federal skilled worker must contain in the prescribed format the name, date of birth and address, nationality and immigration status of the applicant and his family. Four-digit codes from the National Occupational Classification that corresponds to each of the occupation must be mentioned in the application.
Is full time employment experience a necessary requirement under the Skilled Worker Class?
During first stage of evaluation process applicant must have at least one year of applicable full time experience in one of the 50 listed occupations. Candidate must have an approved offer of employment, and be living legally in Canada for a minimum one year. Candidate must enrol in a Canadian PhD program and have completed at least two years of the degree program within 12 months preceding the application. During the second stage, candidate must have one year of experience within the past 10 years in one of the occupation listed in either 0 or skilled level A or B of the national occupation.
What if the intended occupation requires registration or licencing?
As condition of employment process there are a number of occupations in Canada that require registration as a condition of employment and this process varies from province to province. While, the employment requirements including occupational licensing is not a requirement that must be met as a condition of immigration approval.
Are assets or personal net worth are determining factor in section process.
Yes, under the skilled worker class an applicant must provide evidence of sufficient funds for the family to travel and to settle abroad as a measure against the current annual Low income cut-off published by statistic. A sum of approximately $22000 would satisfy the requirement.
Does it help to have a relative in Canada?
Additional 5 points are given to the principal applicants for adaptability if they or their accompanying spouse or common law, have a close relative in Canada such as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, spouse, sister, brother, uncle aunt, niece and nephew who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and is physically residing in Canada.