Criteria for Immigration to Canada
Immigrants form an integral part of Canada's social mosaic. According to the 2006 census there were more than 6 million immigrants in Canada, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the nation's total population. The Canadian government offers different programs for immigrants. The categories include people who are skilled workers and professionals, investors and entrepreneurs, those who have worked or studied in Canada, and those with family members already in Canada. Additionally, Canada's provinces and territories have special programs for immigrant workers. The criteria, various tools and tests for all these categories are provided online by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the ministry responsible implementing Canadian immigration policies.
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Skilled workers and professionals
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Foreign skilled workers and professionals seeking to immigrate to Canada should have either a job offer from a Canadian employer or have legally resided in Canada as a temporary worker or international student for at least one year. Also, skilled workers in a list of dozens of occupations provided by the government of Canada may be eligible to apply. Skilled workers must also meet minimum experience requirements in their field of work.
Six selection factors are used to determine eligibility to immigrate: education, English and/or French abilities (Canada's two official languages), work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada and personal adaptability. Applicants should also prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada. The Canadian government provides an online eligibility tool and self-assessment test to help potential applicants determine their chances of qualifying.
Canadian Experience Class
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Foreign workers who have been employed on a temporary basis and foreign students who graduated in Canada are considered in a class all their own. They are already familiar with Canadian society and can contribute to the nation's economy. After proving they know English or French and have the necessary work experience, applying to stay in Canada on a permanent basis is simple. Eligibility criteria for temporary workers states that immigration applicants should have two years of full-time employment experience (at least 37.5 paid hours per week). Graduates of Canadian postsecondary educational institutions must have one year of full-time (or equivalent) employment experience after graduation.
The Canadian Experience Class category applies to workers and students who want to immigrate to a province or territory other than Quebec; that province has its own programs and policies. -
Immigrant Investor Program
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Canada has a special program for investors seeking to immigrate to Canada. To qualify for the Immigrant Investor Program, investors are required to prove they have business experience and a minimum net worth of $800,000 that was made legally. Immigrant investors must also make a $400,000 investment that will be managed and guaranteed by the federal and provincial governments. After five years, the government will return the investment.
Entrepreneur Program
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To qualify for the Entrepreneur Program, entrepreneurs are required to have business experience and minimum net worth of $300,000 made by legally means. They are also expected to "respect the conditions for entrepreneurs" after arriving. Entrepreneurs will be graded on their education, business experience, age, English and/or French language skills and adaptability. They will be considered "adaptable" if they have made a business trip to Canada in the last five years and/or in governmental business immigration initiatives. They will also have to meet medical and security requirements.
Self-Employed Immigrants
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Self-employed persons can be eligible to immigrate to Canada if they are world-class artists (for example, if they participate in cultural activities) or athletes. Also, individuals with farm management experience are eligible to apply. Self-employed persons must also meet medical and security requirements. They will be assessed according to criteria that include experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability.
Family Class
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Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor spouses, partners and dependent children to come to Canada. The first step is for the family member in Canada to apply as a sponsor. The family members seeking to come to Canada are required to undergo medical, criminal and background checks. Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides an extensive Sponsor's Guide on its website that details the policies and procedures for the various classes of Family Class immigrants.
Provincial Powers
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Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and three territories, all of which have powers to attract immigrants according to their own social and economic needs. The criteria vary from province to province. The website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides links to the relevant provincial agencies (see last link in Resources).
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References
Resources
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