Immigration to Another CountryCanada
Canada, one of the largest and most beautiful countries in the world, it is the ideal place to live and work because of its quality of living, education, income levels, health care system and a relatively safe and clean environment. Canada has a highly developed economy and is the largest trading partner of the United States. Its unending coasts, vast forests, mountain ranges, lakes and expanses of prairies, have bestowed upon Canada an abundance of natural resources which is a major factor contributing to its prosperity.
The Canadian government welcomes immigrants from all parts of the world on a fair basis and without any discrimination whatsoever. Canada also allows its citizen to have a dual nationality thereby letting a person hold a Canadian passport as well as one issued by his country of origin. An underlying thread of multiculturism gives the Canadian society a unique flavor of its own.
All Canadian citizens have the right to universal health care, social services and free primary and secondary school education A 1997 survey of people in 20 countries found that the majority placed Canada on top of a list of the ten countries where they would like to live. Most consider Canada a generous, peaceful and compassionate nation, while they see Canadians as honest, friendly and polite.
Canadian Immigration
Economic prosperity, ethnic diversity, affordable housing, world-class transportation and Communication at reasonable costs, high educational and health care standards, added to economic stability and democratic elected regime, makes Canada the perfect country to set up a business, to settle a family and to plan a future. Canada has a long tradition of welcoming immigrants. (It has received over 200 000 immigrants per year).
Following are the various types of visas for immigration to Canada:
Business Immigration
The stated goal of Canada's Business Immigration Program is to promote economic development and employment by attracting people with venture capital, business acumen and entrepreneurial skills. The Program also seeks to develop new commercial opportunities and to improve access to growing foreign markets by importing people who are familiar with those markets and their special requirements and customs.
Foreign individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for Canadian permanent resident status under one of the following three sub-categories:
Investors
The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced persons and capital to Canada. Investors must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $800,000 and make an investment of CDN $400,000.
Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced persons that will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that will contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $300,000 and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.
Self-employed persons
Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to create their own employment. They are expected to contribute to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. They may create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.
Skilled Worker / Professionals
Skilled Worker / Professional applicants (other than those destined for Montreal or another city in the Province of Quebec) are assessed based upon a series of factors which, in theory, are designed to indicate the likelihood of succeeding in settling in Canada. Each factor is allotted a maximum number of points, and applicants must attain at least 67 points in order to qualify for a Canadian Immigrant Visa.
The selection criteria may be summarized as follows:
Education: Applicants are awarded up to 25 points under the Education Factor.
Education and Training: Applicants are awarded up to 18 points under the Education and Training Factor.
Experience: Applicants are awarded up to 8 points under the Experience Factor.
Occupation: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points under the Occupation Factor.
Arranged Employment / Designated Occupations: Applicants are awarded ten points under the Arranged Employment / Designated Occupations Factor if they have a validated job offer.
Demographic Factor: Applicants are awarded 8 points under the Demographic Factor.
Age: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points under the Age Factor.
Language Skills: Applicants are awarded up to 24 points under the Language Factor.
Family Bonus: Applicants are awarded 5 "bonus" points if they have an uncle, aunt, brother, sister, nephew or niece who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Personal Suitability: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points under the Personal Suitability Factor.
Family Immigration
Family Class Immigrants are sponsored for a Canadian Immigrant Visa by a close relative who is either a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident. The Canadian relative is known as the Sponsor. To qualify as a Family Class Immigrant, an applicant must be the Canadian Sponsor's: spouse; or fiancé; or parent or grandparent; or dependent child ; or orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild -- under 19 and unmarried.
Also included are children under 19 who are either orphaned or placed with a child welfare authority for adoption and who the Sponsor intends to adopt. If the Sponsor has no relative as listed above and no relatives who are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents, he or she may sponsor one other relative.
The Sponsor must be able to demonstrate the financial ability to provide for the essential needs of the Family Class Immigrant and dependents. The financial ability requirements are eased when sponsoring a spouse and/or an unmarried child(ren) under 19 years old.
The Sponsor must enter into an agreement with the Government of Canada (or the Government of Quebec, if that is where the Sponsor resides) whereby he or she agrees to provide for the essential needs of the Family Class Immigrant and dependents for a prescribed period of time. Failure to meet any of the commitments provided for in this agreement could result in legal action being taken against the Sponsor.
The Sponsor must be: a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; at least 19 years old; physically residing in Canada (or able to demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored family member lands in Canada); not in prison; not bankrupt; and not under a removal (deportation) order if a permanent resident.
Visit the Canadian Immigration web site for more information.
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