Immigration to Canada

People from many different backgrounds leave their country and move to Canada every year. The application to immigrate is generally made through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate outside the country. The application process involves the completion of many official forms and may involve face-to-face interviews, a medical examination, and a background check. Applicants must pay a number of fees to have their application processed.

People applying to enter Canada are placed into categories based on their qualifications and purpose for immigrating. Those categories include:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Individuals who have the education, training and work experience to become economically established in Canada. (Quebec has its own skilled worker immigration program.) Requirements include:
  • at least one year of continuous work experience in one of 24 eligible occupations;
  • a qualifying offer of arranged employment (a Labour Market Opinion is required); or
  • eligibility to apply through the PhD stream.
  • Applicants must also meet the minimum language threshold and, if submitting a foreign educational credential, obtain an educational credential assessment from a CIC- approved organization.

Note: The revised program started accepting applications on May 4, 2013. This program has a yearly overall cap and a per eligible occupation cap set for the number of applications accepted for processing. The cap may be different for those applying with a valid offer of arranged employment or through the PhD stream.

• Canadian Experience Class: People who have recently worked in Canada or have graduated from an educational institution and worked here and want to stay.
• Provincial Nominee: Applicants with the skills, education and work experience to make an immediate economic contribution to the province. They must be nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
• Sponsorship or Family Class: The spouse, common-law partner, dependent child or other relative of a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.

Note: As of November 5, 2011, no new applications to sponsor parents or grandparents will be accepted for 24 months. As of December 1, 2011, a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is available for parents and grandparents to visit Canada for a period of up to two years.

• Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed People: Individuals who will support the development of a strong Canadian economy.

Note: As of July 1, 2012, investor and entrepreneur stream applications are on hold until further notice while the programs are under review.

• Refugees: People fleeing their homeland and seeking protection in Canada.

Depending on the category, each applicant is assessed according to a specific set of criteria. Skilled workers, for example, are assessed on a point system that assigns value to a person's occupation, education, experience, age, and language ability in Canada's official languages of English and French.

The Come to Canada tool can be used to find out if you meet the minimum requirements to apply in any class, while the Self-Assessment Test will help you determine if you meet the criteria to apply as a skilled worker. (See For More Information links below).

You will need a number of important documents when you enter the country:

• Canadian immigrant visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member
• Valid passport or travel document
• A list of personal or household items that you are bringing with you
• A list of items that will be arriving at a later date
• Proof of immunizations for each family member

It's important to disclose personal financial information to Canadian immigration officials. If you are carrying funds worth more than $10,000 Canadian, you must make this information public or face a possible severe penalty.

You may also be asked for birth and marriage certificates, school records, educational qualifications, professional credentials, letters of reference, a driver's licence, car registration and other documents.

The status of your immigration application can be checked online or by calling a call centre, embassy, high commission or consulate. Information on the length of time it takes to process applications is also available.

Note: Information about the application process is available at no charge from Citizenship and Immigration Canada representatives. Hiring an immigration lawyer or immigration representative outside the government does not mean your application will be processed faster or given special attention.