Canada is a country that is open to immigrants provided they meet certain criteria. There are several ways to immigrate to Canada. Here is a brief outline of ways that can be used to immigrate to Canada.
First, there are two key paths to immigrate to Canada. The first is by obtaining a permanent residence visa. The second one is by getting a temporary work permit. When it comes to obtaining a permanent residence visa there are six key pathways which include the following:
1. Federal Skilled Worker
To qualify for this visa, you must be employed full-time and possess a certain skill which has a need in Canada.
2. Quebec Skilled Worker
The province of Quebec has its own selection process for skilled workers. If you decide to immigrate to Quebec, in general, you need to meet the same overall requirements, but you must be proficient in French.
3. Provincial Nominee Program
There are some provinces in Canada which have a higher need for certain skilled workers. If you have a high demand skill and if you want to live in some of the Atlantic or Western provinces, you may be eligible to apply for this category. However, one must first apply for a provincial nomination certificate to the province where you would like to reside. Each province has different requirements for skilled workers.
4. Family Sponsorship Program
This program permits Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age to sponsor close family members who wish to come to Canada. However, the sponsor must sign a contract promising to support the family member for three to 10 years after arrival. The length of the sponsorship agreement depends on the nature of the relationship and the age of the family member.
The sponsor must also show that they have the financial means to support a family member immigrating to Canada during this period.
5. Business Immigrant Program
This program was created for individuals who want to invest in Canada. Applicants for this visa should have the financial resources and help create more jobs in the country. There are several categories of the business immigrant visa, but the minimal amount of money invested varies from $200,000 to $800,000.
Applicants are required to prove that this money was legally obtained.
6. Canadian Experience Class Program
This program is especially for the temporary foreign worker and an international student who later wishes to become a Canadian permanent resident. Those who obtain Canadian education or work experience can apply through this program as an immigrant.
Each of these categories has a set of criteria that one has to meet before one can immigrate to Canada. In addition, some people can come to Canada under the asylum category, but you have to prove that either your life’s in danger or you are being persecuted for your belief, religion, skin color or race.
The one thing to note is that irrespective of the type of visa you apply for, the immigration agency in Canada has a point system which takes into account your education, skill level, language proficiency, experience, age, pre-arranged employment, and adaptability. The higher the points, the greater the probability that you will get the visa. Finally, all applicants must undergo a background security check and pass the medical exam.
While all these requirements seem extensive, Canada is one of the most popular countries to immigrate to, and the country’s system is fair and equitable. There is no discrimination; whoever qualifies and makes the point system can become an immigrant. The processing time for immigration applications vary according to the type of immigration program, but in most cases, Canadian immigration is easy and fair for people all around the globe.