Canada Immigration Services - Permanent Residence Status

There are many ways to immigrate to Canada. The most suitable option depends on your particular circumstances. As a precondition to immigration, an applicant must be able to meet the regulatory requirements and must not be a danger to public health or safety or cause excessive demand on health and social services in Canada.

The most common immigration category is the economic category which can be subdivided into two other immigration categories:

Skilled Workers

Business Immigrants

We generally recommend that you endeavor to qualify as a skilled worker based on the selection criteria set out in our skilled worker description. If you cannot qualify under that basic category, we can assist you in selecting another category for which you may qualify in order to immigrate to Canada.

In total there are over 25 distinct immigration categories from which you may select in order to qualify for admission to Canada as a permanent resident

Skilled Workers

Canadian Skilled worker applications are assessed based upon a series of factors which the Canadian Government utilizes in determining whether the applicant has a good likelihood of becoming economically established in Canada.

Skilled workers are expected to have the skills, education, work experience, language ability and other qualities needed to find a job in Canada. However, such attributes may not guarantee that an immigrant will obtain a job in Canada. A job offer in Canada (approved by Service Canada) will strengthen the application. To qualify under the immigration selection point system, an applicant must attain at least 67 points.

In order to meet this criteria, you must demonstrate that you have at least one year of continuous work experience in a category of Skill Type O, or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification, within the last 10 years and show enough funds to establish in Canada. The applicant must pass a Medical Exam before coming to Canada.

Education	Maximum 25
Official Languages	24
Experience	21
Arranged Employment in Canada	10
Age (21-49)	10
Adaptability	10
Maximum points	100
Required Minimun	67

Skilled workers may be required to attend a selection interview with an immigration officer. Such interviews are designed to ensure that the information and documentation in the application is accurate, and to obtain clarification of any questions on the application or supporting documentation. Interview waivers are granted at the discretion of the visa officer.

If you require legal assistance by our office in determining whether you qualify under the skilled worker category, we encourage you to complete our Personal Information Immigration Assessment Form.

Business Immigrants

The business immigration programs are designed to promote economic development and employment by attracting people with venture capital, business acumen and entrepreneurial skills. The government anticipates that these business immigration programs will develop new commercial opportunities and will improve access to growing foreign markets by 'importing' people who are familiar with those markets and their special requirements and customs.

Prospective immigrants to Canada can chose amongst a number of different business related categories all of which are distinct and have advantages and disadvantages, depending on an applicant's personal circumstances.

The three main business categories are:

Investors
Entrepreneurs
Self Employed

In all three cases, applicant's must demonstrate financial acumen and financial resources which will be of benefit Canada. Providing the necessary proof and documenting the application is key to success.

Canada is also actively encouraging the provinces to devise their own business immigration programs which will work in liaison with the federal immigration system, thus creating a substantial number of subcategories under the business immigration system and offering many more options than ever before to prospective business immigrants.

Investors

The basic investor program selection criteria requires that the applicant meet the following:

business experience (based on an objective standard)
a net worth of a minimum of $800,000 (legally obtained)
an investment of $400,000 to the Government of Canada

Net worth can include the applicant's spouses' assets as well. The legal provenance of the funds must be established. The applicant must invest into Canada, prior to obtaining their landed immigrant status. The $400,000 deposit will be return to the applicant after 5 years without interest. Rather than making a $400,000 deposit and receiving no interest, the applicant has the option of obtaining financing (in order to avoid the necessity of liquidating assets).

Business experience is assessed based on the number of jobs, annual sales, net annual income and net assets as well as the percentage of the equity owned by the prospective immigrant.

Entrepreneurs

The basic entrepreneur program selection criteria involves the following requirements:

business experience
a net worth of $300,000 (legally obtained)
to meet terms and conditions after landing

Business experience is assessed based on the number of jobs, annual sales, net annual income and net assets as well as the percentage of the equity owned by the prospective immigrant. Net worth can include the applicant's spouses' assets as well. The legal provenance of the funds must be established.

Entrepreneurs who meet the business experience and net worth requirements are subject to terms and conditions after they become permanent residents which must be meet within a period of three years after landing:

control a percentage of the equity of a qualifying (subject to specific criteria) Canadian business equal or greater than 33 1/3 percent
provide active and ongoing management in the qualifying Canadian business, and
create at least one incremental full-time job equivalent for Canadian citizens and permanent residents

The requirement for active and ongoing management of the business means that the entrepreneur is involved in the operations of the business on a continuing basis and the entrepreneur must demonstrate active management involvement. Financial investment is insufficient -the entrepreneur must also demonstrate ongoing management, which can be a challenge if the entrepreneur owns a cross national business with an active office in his/her country of nationality.

Self Employed

This category is available to applicants who have relevant experience and intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada in specific economic sectors such as the following:

self-employment in cultural activities or in athletics
participation at a world class level in cultural activities or athletics; or
farm management (experience required)

This category may also include management experience in the world of art and culture, where there is an artistic or cultural component to the job.

"Jacqueline Bart obtained my immigrant visa in three months whilst maintaining my work permit status in Canada pending landing."

Greg F. - Employee at a Large Consulting Firm