Canada Immigration -

Immigrate to Canada

Coming to Canada as an immigrant is an exciting opportunity, but also offers great challenges.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, you have a number of options when applying for permanent residence status. Read about these programs and decide which class suits you and your family best.

Every year the Canadian government approves permanent resident visas to members of the Independant Class, Family Class and Business Class.

The Independant Class consists mainly of professionals and skilled workers under the skilled worker class, and the provincial nominee class as well as business immigrants.

Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Class are assessed according to various factors that will indicate whether there is a strong likelihood that the applicant and dependents will successfully establish themselves in Canada. Ideal applicants under the skilled worker class will possess employment skills and experience compatible with occupations "open" to prospective immigrants to Canada. The selection rules generally favour applicants with government approved job offers in Canada. [More info...]

Applicants in the Provincial Nominee class, may be approved for permanent residence on the basis of their proven ability to become economically established in Canada, in accordance with immigration programs and selection criteria administered by Quebec or the provinces. [More info]

Within the Federal Family Class, current sponsorship programs typically promote the reunification in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives including a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older, an unmarried dependent child under the age of 22, a parent or grandparent, and a brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandchild who is an orphan, unmarried and under 18 years of age or any other relative where the sponsor has none of the above relatives or family members, in Canada or abroad. [More info...]

Canada also admits immigrants under the Business Immigration program which comprises three sub-categories including Investors, Entrepreneurs and the Self-Employed.

The Investor class is point based and offers permanent residence to applicants who demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada on the basis of their business or management experience and personal net worth of at least $800,000. Approval is dependant on the investor undertaking to commit an irrevocable, passive, non-interest bearing five-year investment of $400,000 in a government guaranteed investment fund. Under applicable programs, applicants can obtain financing and receive legal security on their investment. [More info...]

The Entrepreneur class is also point based and confers permanent residence on applicants who demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada based on their business experience and high personal net worth. Approval is dependant on the entrepreneur undertaking to invest and become involved in the active management of a qualifying business operated in Canada that will contribute to the economy and create employment. [More info...]

The Self Employed class is also point based and refers to applicants who have relevant experience as well as the intention and the ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada, or to create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada. [More info...]