All types of immigration to Canada: professional, student, investment, business, marriage, family reunification, humanitarian. Pros and cons of immigration
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The short answer is yes. Firstly, Canada is in a desperate need of workers — this includes highly qualified specialists who can easily move to the country having proved their qualifications and less-skilled workers who are desired in sparsely populated provinces under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Secondly, Canada has a soft family immigration policy. Permanent residence can be obtained if one of the close relatives is a resident or citizen of Canada. This can be not only children and spouses, but also parents, grandparents and some other relatives in exceptional cases. Even more surprisingly, you can marry a resident/citizen of Canada if you enter the country with a simple tourist visa.
To immigrate to Canada, you must select the appropriate method of immigration, which involves obtaining the status of a permanent resident after entering the country. After determining the method, you need to collect the required documents and apply for a visa, study permit or another document depending on the method of immigration, by creating an account on GCKey, or by contacting one of the visa centers in Canada[16]. Citizenship can be obtained after 3 years of permanent residence in Canada.
| Immigration | Exam* | Cost | Consideration | Condition |
| Student | 8+ | 108 USD | 2-12 weeks | Study at a university or a language course |
| Professional | 4-7 + | 1,158 USD | 12 months | High qualification, in some cases — an offer from an employer |
| Atlantic | 4+ | 746 USD | From 6 months | An offer from an employer in one of the Atlantic provinces |
| Business | 5+ | 1,104 USD | 12-24 months | Starting a business and individual entrepreneurship |
| Investors | Investments from 143,385 USD in the province of | |||
| Marriage | No | 746 USD | 12 months | Spouses and partners of citizens or residents of Canada |
| Reunion with family | No | 394-746 USD | 12-24 months | Blood relationship |
| Humanitarian | No | Free | Individual | Refugees or people seeking protection |
* On CLB scale for English and French. Results of IELTS, SELPIP, TCF, TEF exams are accepted.
Application documents for a visa are extremely important. This stage is crucial as it is decided whether the candidate will be given permission to enter the country. While for each method of immigration and the individual situation of candidates, the set of documents is always unique, there are several general requirements for application documents.
People who travel to Canada for a period of more than six months must undergo a medical examination. This is because Canada is not used to providing immigrants with healthcare upon entry. More details on the official website.
Documents must be translated from other languages into English/French unless stated otherwise.
The following must be attached to the translation of the document:
Read more about the requirements for translation and certification of documents on the official website.
You can immigrate to Canada as a student if you get accepted to a university or vocational school and get a visitor visa and study permit, and after graduation, get a job and stay in the country. The advantage of this method is that it allows for soft integration into Canadian society. In addition, Canada supports the immigration of foreign graduates and provides them with the opportunity to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada can work part-time on campus and/or off-campus for 20 hours a week[17]. A detailed description of the conditions can be found in the study permit that a student receives before entering the country. Work permits can also be obtained separately. The additional income will definitely make life easier, however, it will not fully cover living expenses and tuition. Therefore, a student must plan his life and study budget way in advance.
Main article: Education in Canada.
Canada does not have a unified education system, so entry requirements vary from one region to another. It is necessary to begin the preparation of documents at least a year before the planned admission.
Applying for a visa is a procedure of deciding whether the person is worthy to enter the state and the visa itself is a permit to enter the country. The process of applying for a study permit to Canada differs from the procedure adopted in most countries. There are no special student visas in Canada. Instead of applying for a visa directly, the candidate, after receiving an invitation from the university, needs to apply for a study permit. It allows you to study in Canada at certain educational institutions for more than 6 months, but it is not a visa. A visitor visa is issued automatically after a study permit has been approved: you can enter Canada and get a study permit at the border. If a student leaves Canada, he will not be able to return to the country under a study permit. To do this, you need a visa, which gives the right to re-entry.
The documents for a study permit must be submitted immediately after receiving an invitation from the university. Review of the application takes about 2 weeks, but in reality it usually takes even more time due to the submission of biometric data and the transfer of student’s data from the visa center to the Canadian representative office. The permit is issued for a period of more than 90 days and can be extended. The cost is 108 USD. You can apply online or at the visa application center.
After graduating from a Canadian university a student can participate in the post-graduation work permit program (PGWPP), but only if this university is designated to participate in the program. Training should be full-time and take no less than 8 months. Thanks to the professional experience that graduates receive in this program, they can immigrate to the country as professionals on an ongoing basis. Graduates from several provinces can participate in the Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP).
Canada’s growing economy needs highly qualified professionals who will benefit the Canadian economy with their skills. To obtain permanent residency status through professional immigration, you need to show full compliance with the requirements of one of the three federal immigration programs by filling out the Express Entry form. The federal program of professional immigration to Canada involves both independent immigration and immigration with an offer of employment.
8 most sought-after professions in the Canadian labor market:
| Program | Qualification (NOC) | Education | Experience | CLB* | Offer of employment |
| Canadian Experience | 0, A, B | Not Required | From 1 year in Canada | 5–7 | No |
| Federal Skilled Worker | 0, A, B | Not required | From 1 year | 7 | No |
| Federal Skilled Trades | B | Secondary / higher | From 2 years | 4 and 5 | Yes |
*CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) — a language standard that helps to establish equivalencies between French and English language test results (IELTS, TEF).
Programs operate in all regions except Quebec.
Before applying, the candidate has to make sure that his specialization fits the rules of the program. In Canada, there is an official division of professions into groups (National Occupational Classification) depending on the complexity of work and the level of education of a person.
Classification of immigrant professions:
Professional immigration through the Provincial Nominee Program is possible if the candidate meets the criteria of one of the federal programs and has a nomination from one of the Canadian provinces. To get support, the candidate needs to decide in which province or territory he wants to live and work, and then apply there for a nomination in Express Entry stream (to apply, select a province or territory in the list and apply following the instructions). You can create an account in Express Entry in advance. When making the decision, it is taken into account whether the province needs immigrants, as well as the plausibility of the candidate’s plans to live there. After receiving approval you can apply for permanent residence. The paperwork processing takes from 15 to 19 months. The total cost of fees will be from 1,158 USD (fees for the consideration of the application, permanent residence and the delivery of biometric data).
Express Entry is a system that was created by the Canadian government in 2015 in order to search for the most suitable candidates for immigration. Creating a profile in the system is the first step of the process. The potential immigrant’s profile is assessed using a test, after which it is assigned a score in the overall ranking. A high position in the ranking, as well as registration in the system, does not guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence. The profile must be at the top among all applications so that the candidate receives an invitation to apply for permanent residence. When filling out the form, you need to use the data from the documents; you do not need to upload the documents themselves. However, the indication of false information will lead to disqualification and a ban on entry for 5 years.
Learn more about creating an account on Express Entry.
You can evaluate your approximate chances on your own using a special assistant.
An up-to-date description of documents can be found on the official website.
If education was not received in Canada, you must validate it. Validation of the diploma is necessary for the Skilled Worker Class program or for obtaining extra points for the criterion "education" in Express Entry. As a rule, confirmation of only the latest education received is required. An up-to-date list of organizations that conduct the assessment is published on the official website of the Government.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot is an agreement between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces:
The essence of this agreement is to accept qualified immigrants to fill job positions for which there are not enough local candidates. For immigration, you must first get a job offer. Consideration of the application takes from 6 months, the cost is 746 USD. An employer can accept a candidate in one of the categories.
| Category | Education | Experience | Documents |
| Secondary education certificate of Canada or its equivalent | At least 1 year on a managerial or professional/technical position | Checklist and forms | |
| Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program | Secondary education certificate of Canada or its equivalent | At least 1 year on a position requiring secondary education or a minimum of a year of vocational training | Checklist and forms |
| Atlantic International Graduate Program | Stay in Atlantic province for at least 16 months In the last 2 years before graduation | A degree or diploma/certificate from one of the Atlantic province’s institutions. | Checklist and forms |
General requirements include an offer from the employer, a certificate of passing the international exam in English / French (result CLB4+, no older than 2 years) and proof of funds (min. 2,271 USD/person[19]).
Learn more about the Atlantic immigration process.
Canada is an attractive place for entrepreneurship and ranks 7th in the list of the best countries for doing business[20]. The Canadian government is interested in immigrating foreign entrepreneurs and investors who bring money to the country. An entrepreneur should have a good knowledge of the local market, the conditions for doing business, speak English or French and have a business plan. Provinces can offer their own conditions for business immigration, which could differ from federal ones.
| Program | Cost | Consideration |
| Start-up visa | 1,104 USD + | 12-16 months |
| Self-employed person | 1,104 USD | 24 months |
The program is designed for young entrepreneurs with a project that creates new jobs, is innovative and can be useful to the Canadian economy. Up to 5 company founders and their families can get a visa. Key business requirements:
When applying, you need to refer to the current list of documents and recommendations for collecting them and filling out an application. Sample list of documents:
The program is designed for individual business professionals in the fields of cultural activities and athletics who are committed to contributing to Canada’s athletic and cultural life. The main requirements for the candidate:
When applying, you need to refer to the current list of documents and recommendations for collecting them and filling out an application. Sample list of documents:
There are no federal investment programs, but investors can invest in provinces through regional programs. When meeting the minimum requirements, a businessman-investor receives the permanent residence and the right to conduct business in Canada. The main condition is that the business project must meet the needs of the region.
| Program name | Capital | Amount of investment | Specifics of a business project | Work experience | Experience |
| Yukon Business Nominee Program | 358,462 USD | 215,077 USD |
| 5 years | 3 years |
| Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program | 358,462 USD | 143,385 USD | No | - | 3 years |
More details about investment programs and business immigration to other Canadian provinces.
Canada does not automatically grant citizenship after marrying a citizen of Canada. A newly-married spouse must be a permanent resident of Canada through the Family Sponsorship program. You can obtain citizenship after 3 years. Children born in a mixed marriage are entitled to citizenship if one of the parents is a citizen of the country. It is not necessary to be born in Canada.
If the immigration office doubts the authenticity of the relationship of the spouses, then the couple can be called for an interview. You can confirm the relationship with the help of material evidence:
Canada has one of the most convenient Family Sponsorship programs. Every year, new amendments appear in the legislation to facilitate the relocation of relatives to Canada: the review periods are shortened, and the procedure itself becomes less confusing. Relatives who have entered the country under such a program receive a permanent residence and the right to enjoy all social benefits. However, if they lose their jobs and cannot support themselves, the state will not pay them unemployment allowance. All responsibility rests with the sponsor.
| Family Relationship | Requirements |
| Spouses |
|
| Couples in a common-law union |
|
| Children (own and adopted) |
|
| Parents and grandparents |
|
| Other relatives |
|
| Category | Cost |
| Relative from 22 years old | 746 USD |
| Dependants | 108 USD |
| Relative under 22 years old (not child) | 459 USD |
| Spouse/partner of a relative | 746 USD Family |
More information and an Infographic about the process of family immigration
When applying, you need to refer to the current list of documents and follow the recommendations for collecting them and filling out the application. Sample list of documents:
When applying, you need to refer to the current list of documents and follow the recommendations for collecting them and filling out the application. Sample list of documents:
The Family Sponsorship program is designed primarily for the reunion of spouses and parents with children, and such applications are a priority. It is more difficult for parents and grandparents to immigrate under this program, as their applications are processed more slowly (about 2 years). In addition, there is a quota — from 17,000 to 20,000 applications per year. Candidates are selected randomly, so there is no guarantee that even the best application will be approved. There is a workaround — parents and grandparents can get Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. A visa is issued for 10 years and allows you to continuously stay in Canada for up to two years. The processing time is about 80 days. The cost is 72 USD.
Today, Canada is an economically prosperous and multicultural state and it has a high degree of freedom that defends human rights. Canada positions itself as a country that has provided protection to internally displaced persons throughout its history and is ready to provide it today to refugees from literally all regions of the world[21]. People who have left their homeland for fear of persecution can receive protection in Canada. However, this is the most difficult way to obtain Canadian citizenship. The immigration service carefully examines each case: for the provision of false information or false documents, a punishment will follow, which will depend on the severity of the violation of immigration law. In case of serious violations, a ban on entry into the country awaits a failed refugee. A candidate who is denied refugee status must leave Canada within a month.
There are two ways to apply for asylum. Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program allows you to ask for protection from outside Canada. This cannot be done by an individual: the referral may be provided by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or a number of accredited private organizations. You can also apply for asylum through the In-Canada Asylum Program after arriving in Canada on your own. Candidates who received Canada’s protection have the right to take advantage of state support: free language courses, assistance in finding work and housing, etc. Refugees can receive a monthly allowance for a year under the Resettlement Assistance Program.
When applying, you need to refer to the current list of documents and follow the recommendations for collecting them and filling out the application. Sample list of documents:
Applying for refugee status is possible after illegally crossing the border. By land, Canada only borders the United States, which is considered a safe country. Therefore, refugees who have arrived at official border posts illegally will be denied entry. In other cases, when illegally crossing the border, the candidate will be arrested, his documents will be checked, an asylum application will be made and sent to a temporary shelter where the potential refugee will be at the time of the hearing.
You can also ask for protection after lawful entry into the country with any type of visa — at the airport, seaport or land border post. In this case, the applicant is given 15 days to bring all the necessary documents to the Immigration Center. You can also contact the Immigration Center directly. To do this, you need to have on hand a whole set of documents.
More about applying for refugee status.
The province of Quebec is the second most populous province in Canada[22] in which almost a quarter of the population are immigrants[23]. It enjoys broad political and legal autonomy[24]. For this reason, the procedure for immigration to Quebec may have significant differences. Candidates for immigration to Quebec need to read the relevant information on the websites of the Government of Canada and the province of Quebec:
Canadian passport gives immigrants rights that are not accessible to permanent residents — the right to visa-free visits to 184 countries, stay outside Canada without time restrictions, a simplified procedure for hiring and the right to vote. The examination of the application costs 452 USD. Obtaining a Canadian passport will take about 12 months.
The set of documents depends on a person applying for citizenship — the main applicant, his child or other categories. Before submitting documents, you need to check the list of documents and requirements for them on the official website. Key documents for an applicant over 18 years of age:
Read more about the process of obtaining citizenship and filling out documents.
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