FAQ

From the list below choose one of our FAQ's topics, then select an FAQ to read. If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us.

• After Landing (4)
• Business Class Applications (19)
• Eligibility and Qualifications (5)
• Family Class Applications (Sponsorship) (20)
• General (6)
• Government Fees (6)
• Landing as a Permanent Resident (6)
• Medical Examinations (6)
• Obtaining Citizenship (9)
• Security Clearance (4)
• Selection Interviews and Interview Waivers (4)
• Skilled Worker Applications (9)
• The Application Process (8)

After Landing (4)

Must I stay in Canada following landing?

Permanent residents are not obliged to remain in Canada, and are in no way restricted from departure at any time. However, the longer a permanent resident is absent from Canada after landing, the greater the risk that permanent resident status may be jeopardized. Permanent resident status will be revoked if you will be absent from Canada for more than 2 years of a 5 year period, from your landing date.

When can Canadian Citizenship be obtained?

Canadian Citizenship can generally be obtained after three years of permanent residence in Canada.

Does Permanent Residence status in Canada permit me to enter/work in the USA?

Permanent resident status in Canada does not affect US immigration requirements for eligibility to legal employment. The North American Free Trade Agreement, which applies to citizens of Canada, does facilitate US employment in certain cases.

What is the job-market like in Canada?

The Canadian labour market has been quite strong in the past few years.

Business Class Applications (19)

What is the Business Immigration Program?

The Business Immigration Program is a category of immigration under which individuals with business/managerial experience and relatively high net-worth may apply for Canadian permanent resident status. There are three sub-categories under the Business Immigration Program: Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Immigrants.

What documents must Business Immigration Program applicants submit?

In addition to government application forms, education-related and statutory documents (passports, birth certificates, etc...), Business Immigration Program must submit documents evidencing business and/or managerial experience, as well as documents evidencing net worth.

As a Business Immigration Program Applicant, am I required to live in the province which I originally indicated as my intended destination?

When you become a permanent resident, you may live, work and engage in business activities in any Canadian province or territory.

How can I qualify as an Immigrant Investor?

As an Immigrant Investor planning to reside anywhere in Canada, except Quebec, you must:

• have a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 gained through your own endeavors;
• invest CAD$400,000 for five years with Citizenship and Immigration Canada which acts as agent on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds; and
• have successfully operated, controlled or directed a business or managed a minimum of 5 employees for a period of 2 years.

As an applicant destined for Quebec, you must:

• have a net worth of at least CAD$800,000, accumulated through legitimate economic activities;
• invest CAD$400,000 for five years in a Quebec-approved investment fund; and
• have at least three years of managerial experience in a profitable commercial, industrial or agricultural business; or, at least three years of managerial experience in a government, governmental organization, or international organization.

How Can I, as an Immigrant Investor, prove that I earned my minimum net worth "by legitimate endeavours"?

Immigrant Investor applicants must demonstrate the origin and accumulation of their wealth through reliable, third-party documentary evidence: tax returns, pay stubs, deeds of purchase/sale, statements from stockbrokers, business/real estate valuations, etc. An applicant must be able to demonstrate that assets were gained through means which are considered legal, including gifts or inheritances.

As an Immigrant Investor, will I be obliged to work and/or engage in business activities in Canada?

While an Immigrant Investor is entitled to engage in work and business activities upon arrival in Canada, there is absolutely no obligation to do so.

When do I, as an Immigrant Investor, commit my investment amount?

You must commit your CAD$400,000 investment amount before final approval from Federal or Quebec Immigration officials, as the case maybe.

What are the main differences between the Federal and Quebec Immigrant Investor programs?

Applicants who apply under the new Federal Immigrant Investor Program (effective April 1, 1999) no longer have the option of choosing the investment fund into which their investment is deposited. Instead, Citizenship and Immigration Canada receives all investments on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds. After the five year lock-in period, the provincial and territorial funds repay Citizenship and Immigration Canada, for subsequent repayment to investors.

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program has several approved funds, and each offers different forms of security and rates of return. With some of the more popular investment funds, capital and interest are secured by the bonds of blue chip multi-national corporations.

Applicants with business managerial experience can qualify under either the Federal or Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. However, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program also takes into consideration managerial experience in a government, governmental organization or international organization. Thus, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program may appeal to immigrants with a broader spectrum of backgrounds.

How can I qualify as an Immigrant Entrepreneur?

To qualify as an Immigrant Entrepreneur, you must:

• have successfully managed a commercial enterprise (or a part of a commercial enterprise);
• have sufficient assets to establish or acquire a business in Canada;
• establish, invest in or acquire a business in Canada within two years of arrival; and
• actively participate in the management of the business (the business must employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident, other than yourself and your dependents).

Are there any minimum net worth requirements for Immigrant Entrepreneurs?

The minimum requirement is CAD$300,000 (approximately US$200,000), plus sufficient settlement funds. In all cases, the nature and location of your proposed business will determine the net worth required to qualify.

What are the terms and conditions of the Entrepreneur Visa?

An Immigrant Entrepreneur must, within two years of landing in Canada, establish, purchase, or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada so as to make a significant contribution to the economy. Active and on-going participation in the management of the business is required, and employment opportunities must be created or continued for one or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, other than the Immigrant Entrepreneur and the Immigrant Entrepreneur's dependents. Efforts to comply with these terms and conditions must be demonstrated to an immigration official throughout the two-year period. Entrepreneurs will be required to report their progress to immigration officials on a regular basis during this two-year period.

Must I, as an Immigrant Entrepreneur applicant, make an exploratory visit to Canada during the immigration process?

As an Immigrant Entrepreneur you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

As an Immigrant Entrepreneur, will I be permitted to change my business plan?

After landing in Canada, you may find that the local economic climate does not lend itself to the type of business plan originally proposed. In such cases, you are well-advised to modify your business plan. However, a meeting with an immigration official should be held to ensure that the new business is acceptable.

What happens if I fail to meet the terms and conditions of my Immigrant Entrepreneur visa?

Immigrant Entrepreneurs who fail to satisfy the terms and conditions of their visa may be ordered to leave Canada.

How can I qualify as a Self-Employed Immigrant?

To qualify as a Self-Employed Immigrant, you must demonstrate an intention and ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will keep you employed and make a significant contribution to the economy or the cultural or artistic life of Canada. The business must generate sufficient revenues to support you and your dependents. Farmers, artisans, sports personalities, actors, consultants, and operators of small business outlets that may be in demand in outlying communities are examples of the applicants who may qualify.

Assessment in this category is based on:

• business ability and experience (when applying under the economic contribution component of the Self-Employed Immigrant description);
• farming, athletic (at a world level) or artistic qualifications; and
• net worth (sufficient to establish/purchase the proposed business).

Must I, as a Self-Employed Immigrant, make an exploratory visit to Canada during the immigration process?

As a Self-Employed Immigrant you are encouraged to make an exploratory visit to Canada to properly assess the business/cultural/artistic environment of the area in which you intend to locate.

Are there any minimum net worth requirements for Self-Employed Immigrants?

The net worth requirement for Self-Employed Immigrants varies depending on the nature and location of the proposed venture.

Eligibility and Qualifications (5)

Who qualifies for an Immigrant Visa? Immigrant Visas are given to qualified skilled workers, business persons and to close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Who can I include in my application for an Immigrant Visa?

Your spouse and any dependent children may be included in the application. Children must be under the age of 19 years. If they are 19 and older, they must not have had an interruption of more than 12 months in their schooling. Your accompanying dependents will be subject to medical and security clearance requirements. Other family members, such as your parents, generally cannot be included in the application but you may be able to sponsor them as part of the family class after you land in Canada.

Common-law spouses and same-sex partners are not considered spouses for immigration purposes. They will be assessed independently. Where the common-law spouse or same-sex partner does not qualify as an independent immigrant, an Immigrant Visa may still be issued on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Are there any special procedures for different provinces in Canada?

Certain provinces have been given the authority to select or nominate candidates for immigration destined to their respective provinces.

Quebec has exclusive authority to select candidates who intend to reside in that province. These applicants are subject to Quebec's selection criteria, in addition to Federal medical and security clearance requirements. They must also pay an additional fee for processing by a Quebec Delegation. Applicants who qualify under the Federal selection requirements may not necessarily satisfy Quebec's selection requirements, and vice versa.

To a lesser degree certain provinces presently each have the authority to nominate immigration candidates for selection by Federal immigration authorities. Even without such nomination you may reside in those provinces by meeting Federal selection criteria.

Is it harder to qualify for immigration in provinces with distinct criteria?

The purpose of distinct selection and nomination systems is to satisfy the specific immigration requirements of the particular regions of Canada. With that in mind, if the province is looking for an immigrant with certain skills and you have those skills, it might be easier for you to immigrate to that province. Otherwise, these provisions may be neutral or detrimental to your eligibility.

How do I find out if I qualify for immigration to Canada?

We recommend that you complete and submit an on-line assessment of your eligibility for immigration which we will evaluate at no charge. You may do so as a skilled worker applicant, a business applicant, or a family class applicant.

For further details on the selection requirements for each of the above categories, please consult the following pages: skilled workers, business immigrant program, or family class sponsorship.

Family Class Applications (Sponsorship) (20)

Who qualifies for immigration under the Family Class?

Applicants under the Family Class are sponsored for a Canadian Immigrant Visa by a close relative who is either a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident. The Canadian relative is known as the sponsor. To qualify under the Family Class, an applicant must be related to the Canadian sponsor in one of the following ways:

The applicant must be the sponsor's spouse; common-law or conjugal partner; parent; orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild --under 19 and unmarried; a child under 19 who is either orphaned or placed with a child welfare authority for adoption and who the sponsor intends to adopt; the sponsor's dependent child; or, if the sponsor has no relative as listed above and no relatives who are Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents, one other relative.

Who can be included in a Family Class application?

The spouse or common-law partner and dependent children of the principal Family Class applicant can be included in the application for Canadian permanent residence. All individuals included in the application will be required to pass police and security clearances and medical examinations.

Who qualifies as a "Dependent Child"?

For Canadian Immigration purposes, a "dependent child" means a child who is:

• Under 22 and unmarried on the date the application for sponsorship is submitted (and still unmarried on the date the child lands in Canada); or
• Of any age or marital status and financially dependent on his or her parents as a result of being either: continuously enrolled and in attendance as a full-time student in an educational institution since the age of 22 (or since the date of marriage, if married before 22); or unable to support him or herself due to a physical or mental disability.
• Students who interrupt their full-time studies for less than one year in total and remain financially dependent upon their parents during that time will still be considered "dependent children".

What if the dependents will not accompany the Family Class applicant to Canada?

All of the principal Family Class applicant's dependents are required to pass applicable police and security clearances, and medical examinations, whether they are accompanying the principal Family Class applicant or not.

What financial criteria must be satisfied to qualify as a sponsor?

The sponsor must be able to demonstrate the financial ability to provide for the essential needs of the Family Class applicant and dependents (sponsored family members).

The financial ability requirements may not apply where the sponsored individual is a spouse and/or one or more dependent children.

What does "Essential Needs" mean?

The sponsor and co-signing spouse (if applicable) have to provide the sponsored family members with food, clothing, shelter and other basic requirements of everyday living. This includes dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The obligation to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored relatives will only arise if the sponsored relatives are unable to provide for these means on their own.

What if the sponsor does not have the requisite financial ability?

The spouse of the sponsor may act as a co-signor if the sponsor does not have the required financial ability. In such case, the spouses' combined financial abilities will be assessed, and the co-signing spouse will be equally liable in case of default. The co-signing spouse may be a common-law spouse, provided that the common-law couple has been living together for at least one year.

If the combined financial abilities of the sponsor and the co-signing spouse still do not meet the minimum requirements, then the application for sponsorship will be refused.

The foregoing financial requirements may not apply where the individual being sponsored is a spouse and/or one or more dependent children.

What other criteria must the sponsor satisfy?

The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; at least 19 years old; physically reside in Canada (or demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored family member lands in Canada); not be in prison; not be bankrupt; and not be under a removal order if a permanent resident.

As a sponsor, what obligations are there toward the government?

The sponsor and the sponsor's co-signing spouse (if applicable) are obliged to sign an "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class" with the Government of Canada. The signed document is a promise to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored family members for a period of 10 years following landing in Canada.

The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the sponsored family members do not become dependent on Canadian public welfare assistance. The form of agreement is provided by the Canadian Government. A similar provincial form is provided for sponsors who reside in Quebec, with the notable difference that the duration of the commitment is only three years in the case of sponsored spouses.

Can the "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class" be revoked or modified?

The "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class" once made cannot be cancelled or modified by the sponsor at any time after the sponsored family members have landed in Canada.

What if the sponsor does not fulfill the terms of the "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class"?

Failure to meet any of the commitments provided for in the "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class" could result in legal action being taken against the sponsor and the co-signer.

What other agreements must the sponsor enter into?

The sponsor is obliged to enter into a sponsorship agreement with the sponsored family member(s). By signing this agreement, the sponsor agrees to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored family member(s).

What documents must the sponsor submit?

The sponsor and the sponsor's co-signing spouse (if applicable) must complete and submit an "Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class" form (IMM-1344A Form), as well as a "Financial Evaluation" form (IMM-1283 Form) where the sponsor indicates his or her financial ability to support the Family Class Immigrant (and his or her spouse and dependents).

The following additional documents are required:

• the "Undertaking to Assist a Member of the Family Class";
• the sponsorship agreement;
• the "Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union" form (only required where the sponsor's co-signer is a common-law spouse);
• documents supporting the sponsor's "Financial Evaluation" form (such as tax returns, Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada, letters from employers indicating salary and length of time employed, pay stubs, proof of other income such as rental and pension income, and proof of financial obligations such as mortgages, property/school taxes, personal loans/lines of credit, alimony payments and insurance payments.
• documents evidencing the Canadian status of the Sponsor (such as Record of Landing or Canadian Birth Certificate or Citizenship Card or Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad together with Certificate of Retention of Canadian Citizenship); and
• documents evidencing relationship to Family Class Immigrant (such as marriage certificates, adoption orders, passports indicating identity of parents/children, etc.).

If the sponsor resides in the Province of Quebec, corresponding forms provided by the Quebec Government will be required in place of most Federal forms.

What documents must the Family Class Immigrant submit?

The Family Class Immigrant, spouse and each dependent child aged 18 or over (whether accompanying the Family Class Immigrant or not) will each be required to complete and submit an "Application for Permanent Residence" form (IMM-008 Form). Applicants destined to the Province of Quebec will be required to complete an Application for a Quebec Certificate of Selection form.

The following additional documents are required:

• statutory documents (such as local police good conduct certificates, birth certificates, household register forms, valid passport and ID cards, etc.); and
• documents proving the relationship to the sponsor (such as marriage certificates, household register forms, valid passport and ID cards, etc.).

Where is the Application to Sponsor submitted?

The Canadian sponsor submits the application to Immigration Canada's Case Processing Centre located in Mississauga, Ontario.

Where is the Family Class Immigrant's application submitted?

The Family Class Immigrant's application is an Application For Canadian Permanent Residence In Canada and as a general rule it is submitted to a Canadian Visa Office located outside of Canada. If the intended destination is within the Province of Quebec, an additional application for a Quebec Selection Certificate is submitted to the Quebec Government.

Are there circumstances that may allow a Family Class Immigrant to apply from within Canada?

For humanitarian and compassionate reasons, certain Family Class Immigrants are allowed to submit their applications for permanent residence from within Canada. To qualify, an immigration official will have to be convinced that the Family Class Immigrant would suffer excessive hardship in applying for permanent residence from outside of Canada.

Family Class Immigrants applying from within Canada are required to submit additional government forms in support of their applications for permanent residence. They must also ensure that their Canadian visitor status remains intact while they wait for their Immigrant Visas to be issued.

Can a Family Class Immigrant work or study in Canada while the application is being processed?

While waiting for their Immigrant Visas, Family Class Immigrants are allowed to work or study in Canada only if they have been granted an Employment Authorization or Student Authorization. Family Class Immigrants entitled to apply for permanent residence from within Canada can apply for an open Employment Authorization after their applications have been approved in principle by immigration officials.

Must Family Class Immigrants and Sponsors attend interviews with immigration officials?

In certain cases, immigration officials will convene Family Class Immigrants and their dependents for a selection interview. The main purpose of the interview is to satisfy the immigration official as to the family relationship to the Canadian sponsor. In other cases, the Canadian sponsor may be interviewed in Canada to verify financial ability and to confirm family relationship. In some cases, however, no interviews take place.

How long will the entire sponsorship process take?

The length of the sponsorship process varies depending on the Visa Office to which the Family Class Immigrant's application is submitted. Sponsorship cases are a priority at all Visa Offices and such applications are processed ahead of skilled worker applications and applications under the Business Immigration Program.

General (6)

What is a Canadian Immigrant Visa?

An Immigrant Visa is a document which allows a person to live and work anywhere in Canada, and confers upon that person permanent resident status. It comes with certain responsibilities and can be revoked if the holder is out of the country for too long, or is guilty of some criminal activity. A person who is a Canadian permanent resident may apply for Canadian Citizenship after a minimum of three years.

How is an Employment Authorization different from an Immigrant Visa?

An Employment Authorization permits an eligible visitor to reside and work in Canada for a limited period of time, and restrictions are usually placed on the type of employment which can be pursued. It will not, by itself, lead to Canadian permanent resident status. By contrast, a Canadian Immigrant Visa entitles its holder to live and work anywhere in Canada, enjoy many of the privileges of Canadian Citizenship, apply for Canadian Citizenship after 3 years and sponsor family members for Canadian permanent resident status.

Can I apply for permanent resident status and temporary status at the same time?

You can apply for permanent resident status and temporary status at the same time (dual intent). Doing so will not harm your application for permanent resident status. However, your application for temporary status may be affected because an impression will have been created that you do not intend to leave Canada upon the expiration of your temporary status. Therefore it is better to apply for temporary status before you apply for your permanent resident status.

Is my legal status in the country from which I am applying relevant?

Canadian policy has been to ignore an applicant's foreign immigration status. However, there have been some refusals on the grounds of criminal inadmissibility where the applicant admitted to having knowingly violated the immigration laws of a foreign jurisdiction.

I have heard that Canadian Immigration Regulations have changed. How will I be affected?

Immigration laws, regulations, and policies are constantly subject to change. The effect of these changes will vary considerably from one applicant to another, depending on the particular circumstances. While one candidate may benefit from these changes, another may suffer a loss of points, or even automatic inadmissibility.

Is there a benefit to using an attorney for immigration to Canada?

Statistically, your chances of succeeding are increased if you are represented by a qualified attorney. But expert representation is not demanded by the Canadian immigration authorities.

Government Fees (6)

Does the Canadian government charge a fee for submitting a permanent resident application?

Fees are payable to the Canadian government as follows:

Fees are payable to the Quebec government as follows:

When do I pay government fees?

All government processing fees must be submitted concurrently with the submission of the application for permanent residence. By contrast, the Right of Landing fee may be submitted at any time prior to the issuance of landing documents and is refundable if, for any reason, the applicant does not land in Canada.

In what currency must I pay these government fees?

Canadian visa offices will accept the payment of fees in Canadian dollars or in the equivalent local currency. It is recommended to pay fees in Canadian dollars, if it is feasible, because of currency fluctuations. Canadian visa offices set and change exchange rates from time to time and if you have not submitted the exact foreign currency your application will be returned to you causing a delay. At the very least you should consult with an expert in these matters, or seek instructions from the particular Canadian visa office as to the specific amount payable, the name of the payee and the bank upon which the payment may be drawn.

What is the Right of Landing Fee?

All adults immigrating to Canada must pay this fee and can do so any time before landing documents are issued. The Right of Landing fee is fully refundable if for any reason the applicant or accompanying dependents do not land in Canada as permanent residents.

If I am already in Canada, do I still have to pay the Right of Landing Fee?

Yes, all adult immigrants must pay the Right of Landing Fee.

Are there any other fees or costs?

The application process may include other costs such as those related to medical examinations and police clearances; translating documents into French or English; and business and real estate valuations in certain cases.

Landing as a Permanent Resident (6)

Do I become a permanent resident of Canada as soon as my landing documents are issued?

No. You will only become a permanent resident when you cross a Canadian port-of-entry with your valid passport and your valid Canadian Immigrant Visa.

How long can I wait to come to Canada after my Immigrant Visa is issued?

You must arrive in Canada before the expiry date which appears on your Immigrant Visa. Usually, it is one year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as you receive your Immigrant Visa.

Can the expiry date on my Canadian Immigrant Visa be extended?

As a general rule, the expiry date on your Canadian Immigrant Visa will not be extended. Failure to land in Canada before the expiry date may result in the necessity of re-application.

Must I land at or near the location I indicated as my intended destination on my application form?

Generally, the holder of a Canadian Immigrant Visa may land at any port of entry in Canada without difficulty.

This is not the case, however, in the Province of Quebec, due to its exclusive right to select immigrants. If, in your application for permanent residence, you declared an intended destination in Canada outside Quebec, then landing in Quebec may be problematic. Likewise, you may be asked to land in Quebec if your intended destination in Canada had been indicated as Quebec.

What should I arrive with when I land in Canada?

You must have your valid passport and your valid Canadian Immigrant Visa. It will be helpful to have an inventory of all belongings that you intend to bring in after landing. It's also a good idea to have evidence of your settlement funds.

When must my accompanying dependents land?

Accompanying dependents cannot land before the principal applicant has landed. The accompanying dependents should land with the principal applicant or after the principal applicant, but in either case prior to the expiry date indicated on their Canadian Immigrant Visas.

Medical Examinations (6)

Will I have to take a medical exam?

All prospective immigrants to Canada are required to undergo medical examinations. These examinations are intended to detect any conditions which may affect the health of the Canadian public, or which may result in excessive demands being placed upon the Canadian health care system.

The medical examination includes a standard physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and X-Rays.

Will my application be rejected if I have a certain disease or disorder?

Each medical case is analyzed individually, taking into account your full medical history. If the disease or disorder poses health risks to Canadians or places excessive demands on the Canadian health care system, it may result in medical inadmissibility .

If I am pregnant, will I still have to undergo the medical examination?

For the safety of the fetus, X-rays are not taken of pregnant applicants until after delivery of the baby. After the birth, the mother and infant will undergo medical examinations.

Can my dependents undergo the medical examination in another country?

The examination is given around the world by designated medical practitioners. Regardless of the visa office to which the application was submitted, the services of any such practitioner may be used.

Will my non-accompanying dependents be required to complete medical examinations?

Non-accompanying dependents are required to undergo medical examinations, as are accompanying dependents. If a non-accompanying dependent is unwilling to undergo a medical examination, it may be possible to have the individual exempted. However, such non-accompanying dependents will not be eligible for subsequent sponsorship as members of the Family Class.

Recently I completed medical examinations for my Canadian visitor visa/student authorization/employment authorization. Must I complete additional medical exams for my permanent resident application?

If medical examinations were taken less than one year before you applied for permanent residence and you were positively assessed as M1 or M2, additional medical examinations may not be required.

Obtaining Citizenship (9)

Once I obtain Canadian Permanent Resident status, how soon do I become eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship?

You are allowed to apply for Canadian Citizenship after you have been physically resident in Canada for three years (1095 days) out of the four years immediately preceding your application. Where exceptional circumstances exist, however, you may be allowed to apply even if you have not been physically resident in Canada for the required 1095 days.

Do I have to apply for Canadian Citizenship as soon as I am eligible?

No. There is no obligation to apply for Canadian Citizenship at any time.

What are some of the advantages of obtaining Canadian Citizenship?

Unlike permanent residents, Canadian citizens are allowed to be absent from Canada for extended periods of time without any risk of losing their status. Except in rare cases, Canadian citizens cannot be deported from Canada.

Canadian citizens also receive Canadian passports and are entitled to vote in federal elections.

Will time spent in Canada prior to becoming a permanent resident be counted towards my Citizenship application?

Time spent legally in Canada prior to becoming a permanent resident may be counted towards the calculation of the 1095 days required to qualify for Canadian Citizenship. Within the four years prior to applying for Canadian Citizenship, each day spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (i.e. as a visitor) is counted as half a day, up to a maximum total credit of one year. Each day spent in Canada as a permanent resident is counted as one whole day.

Will time spent absent from Canada be counted towards my Citizenship application?

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, time spent outside of Canada (other than for short vacations) will not be counted towards the calculation of the 1095 days required to qualify for Canadian Citizenship.

Will Canadian Citizenship make me eligible to work in the USA, Mexico, or Chile?

Under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement, qualified Canadian citizens can benefit from facilitated admission into the USA, Mexico and Chile for business and work-related purposes.

As a Canadian citizen, am I required to obtain a Returning Resident Permit for absences from Canada?

No. Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain Returning Resident Permits for any absence from Canada. Canadian Citizenship cannot be lost as a result of a long or permanent absence from Canada.

Can I have dual Citizenship?

Since 1977, Canada has permitted its citizens to hold dual or multi Citizenship. As a result, Canadian citizens will not lose their Canadian Citizenship if they retain their former nationality or become citizens of another country.

If you intend to become a Canadian citizen, you are advised to verify whether the country of your current nationality permits dual citizenship.

As a Canadian citizen, must I pay Canadian income tax on my worldwide income?

Not in all cases. As a general rule you are only required to pay Canadian income tax on worldwide income if you reside in Canada. It is always best to consult with a specialist in Canadian taxation for specific advice regarding any and all Canadian taxation matters.

Security Clearance (4)

What is a police clearance?

All adult applicants for immigration to Canada must submit a police clearance, a document which certifies that you have no criminal record. A clearance must come from each country you have lived in for 6 months or more since the age of 18 years. If police in a particular country refuse to issue a clearance, it would be helpful if they provided a written statement confirming that they refused to issue the clearance.

When must I submit the police clearance?

Some Visa Offices may require that these documents be submitted at the same time as the application forms, applicable fees, and supporting documents. Other Visa Offices may allow these documents to be submitted later on in the process. For accurate information, you should seek expert advice or get instructions from the Visa Office where you will submit your application.

Can I omit a police clearance from one or more countries?

If a police clearance is not forthcoming from a particular country, a written statement from the police officials of the country confirming their refusal to issue the clearance may be required. An immigration official may even waive this requirement altogether if a clear obstacle can be demonstrated.

What is a background clearance?

A background clearance detects applicants who "are, or have been, involved in espionage, subversion, or terrorism." It is separate from and in addition to a police clearance. The background clearance is conducted by the Canadian government without the participation of the applicant.

Selection Interviews and Interview Waivers (8)

What is a police clearance?

All adult applicants for immigration to Canada must submit a police clearance, a document which certifies that you have no criminal record. A clearance must come from each country you have lived in for 6 months or more since the age of 18 years. If police in a particular country refuse to issue a clearance, it would be helpful if they provided a written statement confirming that they refused to issue the clearance.

When must I submit the police clearance?

Some Visa Offices may require that these documents be submitted at the same time as the application forms, applicable fees, and supporting documents. Other Visa Offices may allow these documents to be submitted later on in the process. For accurate information, you should seek expert advice or get instructions from the Visa Office where you will submit your application.

Can I omit a police clearance from one or more countries?

If a police clearance is not forthcoming from a particular country, a written statement from the police officials of the country confirming their refusal to issue the clearance may be required. An immigration official may even waive this requirement altogether if a clear obstacle can be demonstrated.

What is a background clearance?

A background clearance detects applicants who "are, or have been, involved in espionage, subversion, or terrorism." It is separate from and in addition to a police clearance. The background clearance is conducted by the Canadian government without the participation of the applicant.

Will I be interviewed by an immigration officer?

Skilled Worker applicants for permanent resident status may be required to attend a selection interview with an immigration officer. Such interviews are held to ensure the information in the application is accurate, to verify documentation, to test language ability, and to help applicants relocate to Canada.

Visa offices may grant certain Skilled Worker and Family Class candidates an interview waiver, depending on the qualifications of the applicant, the quality of the supporting documentation, and the overall credibility of the applicant. The likelihood of an interview waiver varies from one visa office to another.

Almost all applicants under the Business Immigration Program will be required to attend a selection interview.

What is a security interview?

In a small percentage of applications, an interview is held to evaluate security issues such as espionage, subversion or terrorism. These interviews are usually held after a selection interview, and may also be held in cases where a selection interview is waived.

When is the selection interview held?

Depending on how many applications are before yours at the visa office and which visa office has your file, it might take as little as four months to get an interview, or it might take as long as 30 months. Usually, though, the selection interview takes place about two-thirds of the way into the application process.

Is there anything I can do to obtain an interview waiver?

Applications which are complete in every detail increase the chances of an interview waiver. However, interview waivers are granted at the discretion of the immigration officials. It is not possible to apply specifically for a waiver. Even if an interview is waived, you may still be called to an interview, generally for quality assurance purposes.

Skilled Worker Applications (9)

What supporting documents must I submit?

Supporting documentation generally encompasses evidence of employment, education, assets, civil status, and an absence of criminal convictions.

Each visa office has its own specific requirements for supporting documentation. It is advisable to seek expert guidance or get instructions from the particular visa office which will process your application.

Am I required to have a certain amount of assets?

Skilled Worker applicants will generally be required to prove that they have settlement funds sufficient for themselves and any accompanying dependents. They are expected to be able to support the landed family (the principal applicant and all accompanying dependents) until employment is obtained.

Will my application benefit if I have a close relative in Canada?

Skilled Worker applicants will be awarded bonus points if the close relative is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and over the age of 19 years. The applicant is then referred to as an "assisted relative". To qualify as a close relative, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be the applicant's uncle, aunt, brother, sister, parent, nephew or niece.

Is work experience a requirement?

Work experience is a critical requirement for a Skilled Worker immigrant. Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one year's work experience in an occupation appearing on the General Occupations List.

Applicants destined to the Province of Quebec need only demonstrate several months of relevant work experience.

Applicants with arranged employment in Canada are exempt from the work experience requirement.

Must the experience have been accumulated on a full-time basis? Must it have been accumulated continuously?

Part-time work experience is acceptable. It is assessed in proportion to a standard full-time working week. For example, a two-year part-time position requiring approximately 20 hours of work each week, will be counted as one year of full-time experience.

Non-consecutive work experience in positions involving the same duties may also be counted, if the total work experience meets the minimum experience requirements.

How is experience in a previous or current occupation evaluated when that occupation differs from the applicant's education?

Under the present selection criteria, such experience is fully counted towards the assessment of the applicant's work experience.

Is credit given for experience gained during post-secondary studies?

Yes, as long as the experience gained at that time is consistent with the definition of an occupation appearing on the General Occupations List, it can be counted in the assessment of work experience.

Must I have a Canadian offer of employment to qualify as a Skilled Worker?

You are not required to obtain an offer of an employment to qualify as a Skilled Worker.

Can I apply if I do not yet have the required minimum work experience?

Applicants without one year of work experience in an "open" occupation (6 months for applicants destined to Quebec or Manitoba) are required to demonstrate arranged employment.

The Application Process (8)

Where do I submit my application for a Canadian Immigrant Visa?

You submit your application for a Canadian Immigrant Visa to a Canadian visa office. Every geographic region in the world has a Canadian visa office to which your application forms and supporting documents, along with all applicable fees, can be submitted. Each visa office specializes in the examination of documents from its region.

Even if there is no Canadian visa office located in your country of residence, nonetheless your area is the responsibility of a particular Canadian visa office. For example, the Canadian visa office in London, England, is not only responsible for applications from the United Kingdom, but is also responsible for applications from other countries such as Finland and Saudi Arabia.

Applicants under the Business Immigration Program must submit their applications to one of nine designated Visa Offices, which specialize in the evaluation of these files.

If your destination is the Province of Quebec, you must submit an application for a Canadian Immigrant Visa and an application for a Quebec Certificate of Selection to a Quebec Delegation in your region. This procedure is required because Quebec has exclusive jurisdiction to select immigrants who intend to reside in that Province.

Can I apply to a Canadian visa office which is not responsible for the area in which I reside?

As of May 1 2003, applicants are required to submit applications to the visa office responsible for the jurisdiction of their permanent residence, or the region to which they had been legally admitted for a period of at least 1 year.

What documents should be submitted in support of my application for permanent residence?

Supporting documents usually include evidence of employment, education, assets, civil status, and an absence of criminal convictions. Each visa office has specific requirements regarding the submission of supporting documentation. It is advisable to seek expert guidance or instructions from your visa office regarding the submission of supporting documentation.

When must I submit the supporting documentation?

Each visa office has specific timing requirements, but usually, supporting documents are submitted at the same time as your completed application forms and processing fees. Some Visa Offices insist that the entire file be submitted at once, and may even return incomplete files without acknowledging receipt.

In what language must my supporting documentation be submitted?

All supporting documentation in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation, as translated by a certified translator.

Can I transfer my application to a different visa office after it has been submitted?

Immigration officials are required to transfer applications only in those cases in which doing so would enhance Program integrity. Visa offices can refuse to transfer a case otherwise.

How long does the immigration process take?

The average processing time of all world-wide visa offices is approximately 12-18 months for applications where a selection interview is required. Depending on the circumstances of the case, and the office at which the application is submitted, processing time may be as short as 6 months or as long as 42 months.

What is a lock in date?

A lock-in date is the date on which a visa office receives a completed application form, with full payment of the processing fees. The Canadian Courts have deemed the lock-in date to be the date on which factors such as age must be assessed. Thus, no points will be lost if the applicant's age changes during the processing of the application.