Permanent
1. Sponsorship: Spousal / Family Sponsorship
The Family Sponsorship program is designed for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have relatives in other countries of the world and want to help them come to Canada for permanent residence. As such, Family Sponsorship is a family reunification program, which is very important to many Canadians. In this case, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is sponsoring his/her relatives, who can be:
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Spouse, civil partner
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Parent's minor child or step-child
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Parents or grandparents
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Other relatives (brothers/sisters, nephews, grandchildren, etc.)
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Sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor a relative who is a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child (under 19 years old) to immigrate to Canada.
To sponsor a family member, you must provide proof that you can:
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Meet the basic necessities of life (food, lodging, buying clothes, etc.) for yourself and your family.
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Provide financial support for a relative.
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You also need to make sure that your spouse or relative does not need financial assistance from the Government of Canada. If the relative later asks for financial assistance from the government, you will be denied from future sponsorship.
Sponsoring a relative is a big commitment, so you should take it seriously.
In order to sponsor, you must provide an agreement in writing that you are willing to support your relative financially if necessary. Also, relatives must agree to try to support themselves.
- For a spouse or civil partner, the period of financial support is 3 years from the date of permanent resident status.
- For a minor child, the financial support period is 10 years from the date of permanent resident status/until the kid turn 25 years old.
2. Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program / Federal Skilled Trades Program / Canadian Experience Class
Immigration to Canada through the Express Entry program is the fastest way to process a candidate's application for immigration to Canada and subsequently become a permanent resident of Canada. If you have a Bachelor's, Master's, or higher degree from a young age, have at least one year of work experience, and speak English, you have a good chance of being accepted into this program.
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Express Entry applicants are screened and evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a 4-point system. The applicant and his or her spouse can score a maximum total of 1,200 points.
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Education Assessment (Skills and experience factors) - The candidate's work experience, professional skills and knowledge, as well as work experience in his or her field of study are assessed. In this assessment, a candidate can receive a maximum of 500 points.
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Evaluation of education and language skills (Spouse or common-law partner factors) - the education and knowledge of French and English of the applicant and spouse is evaluated. In this assessment, the candidate can receive a maximum of 40 points.
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Skills transferability factors - assesses the potential and applicability of a candidate's skills in Canada. Within this assessment, a candidate can receive a maximum of 100 points.
Express Entry is a new methodology for applying to existing Canadian immigration programs:
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Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - a federal program that requires a college degree.
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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a federal program that does not require a college degree.
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a program for students and foreign workers.
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) - a provincial program.
The Government of Canada is looking to increase the choice for Canadian employers and attract high-calibre international talent to the labour market. The Job Bank of Canada has been specifically designed to do this, allowing employers to select the right people at the application stage for immigration applicants.
High-performing professionals receive citizenship and permanent residency in Canada in exchange for their intellectual and physical contributions to the country's economy.
3. Provincial Nomination
How can I get extra points for successful immigration to Canada?
Your information goes into Canada's national labor force database (Job Bank). If Canadian employers are interested in you, you may be eligible for a job offer and earn up to 200 points. Which in fact significantly increases your chances of immigrating to Canada.
Another way to get extra points is through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). This is a provincial program that allows you to receive an additional 600 points. It is important to note that in order to apply for this program, you must first apply for Express Entry.
Also, if you are a holder of a working profession, which is certified in Canada, you can also apply for this certificate, which in turn will also raise your points.
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The basic principle of immigration to Canada through provincial programs is that a candidate for immigration who is interested in moving to a particular province of Canada for permanent residence, receives a nomination from that province.
Each of the provinces and territories of Canada offers its own program, putting forward advantageous conditions for attracting foreign specialists to its labour market. Accordingly, each province sets its own criteria for the selection of candidates, which allows it to choose those who are fastest to settle, adapt, work and contribute to the development of the region.
In order to apply through the EE system, you must:
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meet the province's requirements.
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meet the criteria required to register for an Express Entry profile.
4. Pilot programs: Caregiver Class
The Caregiver Program is a good opportunity for international applicants to qualify for permanent residency in Canada. The Caregiver Program was divided into three main areas on November 30, 2014 in order to make it easier and faster to process applications:
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Caring for Children - Child Care.
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Caring for People with High Medical Needs - care for seniors and those with serious illnesses and disabilities.
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Live-in caregivers Program - Skilled caregivers providing in-home care for children and elderly and disabled people.
A potential candidate is eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada under one of the three programs listed above. Let's take a closer look at each program separately, its features and requirements for potential applicants.
Caring for Children Program
This program is designed to attract international applicants who have experience as a child care provider in Canada. A child caregiver`s main responsibility is to take care of children. Here, the employer provides housing and meals. The candidate must also live outside the province of Quebec, as this province has its own immigration programs.
Caring for People with High Medical Needs
This program is intended for the attraction of caregivers for permanent residence in Canada who are able to provide care for elderly people, people with disabilities or chronic diseases. The care may be provided in a medical facility or in the employer's home. A potential applicant can apply for permanent residency under the Caring for People with High Medical Needs category if he/she has a work experience in Canada caring for people with high medical needs or disabilities.
Live-in caregivers program
The Live-in caregivers program has been around for a number of years now. It is designed to attract foreign candidates to look after children and elderly people with disabilities. The applicant must be able to provide skilled nursing care in a private home or in a skilled nursing facility. The Live-in caregivers program is suitable both for candidates who already have similar work experience in Canada, and for those who are seeking permission to legally work as a caregiver or caregiver in Canada for the first time.
5. Canadian Business and Investor Immigration: Provincial Nominee / Start Up Visa / Self Employed
Business immigration to Canada has been on the rise in recent years. There are many options for business immigration to Canada if you are considering this country as a place to do your business. In this article, we have shared all the information about immigration to Canada through business, and how to get Canadian citizenship through investment.
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Business Immigration Options for Permanent Residency in Canada
Below are the business immigration programs used by business owners and entrepreneurs from other countries. Under each program, applicants can bring their family members, permanent residency (Permanent Residence in Canada) as well as Canadian citizenship.
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Intra Company Transfer (ICT) - this program is perfect for entrepreneurs who already have a business and want to expand their operations in Canada. The ICT program allows you to transfer your company or team members to Canada. Citizens of other countries will receive a work permit, and after 1 year of working in Canada, they can apply for permanent residency.
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Entrepreneur Work Permits - this business immigration option is suitable for high net worth individuals, experienced entrepreneurs and investors from other countries. This program gives permission to immigrate to Canada through buying a business or investing in an existing business. Entrepreneurs who have this work permit have the opportunity to move to Canada permanently after 1 year of conducting their business.
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Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) - Canadian provinces also offer foreign entrepreneurs good opportunities to invest, work and live permanently in one of the Canadian provinces. There are different programs, but the most popular among foreign businessmen are Ontario Entrepreneur Stream PNP and Alberta PNP.
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Owner-Operator LMIA Program - This program has historically been very popular with entrepreneurs and investors from other countries, it was cancelled by the Canadian government in April 2021. Now, investors and entrepreneurs use the regular method of immigration through the LMIA program. Although it is worth noting that some choose the more efficient Entrepreneur Work Permit option, which yields the same results.
6. Refugee and humanitarian
In 1951, Canada signed the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Under this convention, Canada accepts between 20,000 and 30,000 refugees each year. Refugees are divided into those assisted financially by the state and those assisted financially by private sponsors. This assistance is usually for a period of 12 months to 36 months.
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Canada accepts refugees under three subcategories:
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1. Convention refugees
This category includes refugees who are living outside their country.
Refugees in this category have good reason to believe that they would face persecution if returned to their home country on the following grounds:
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racial persecution;
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Religious persecution;
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political persecution;
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National persecution:
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persecution for membership in certain social groups.
Refugees in this category are entitled to claim state assistance and may be privately sponsored.
2. Refugees claiming asylum
This category includes refugees who reside outside their country.
Those who have been seriously affected by
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Civil war;
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Military conflicts;
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Serious violations of human rights.
Refugees in this category must be privately sponsored or must have adequate financial means to enable their family to settle in Canada.
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3. Refugees claiming this status from their country of residence
Includes those who could be a convention refugee but are still living in their own country. Also includes those who have been deprived of their liberty and those who have been deprived
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The right to freedom of speech
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The right to dissent
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The right to take part in trade unions
Only those who live in the countries listed in the chart qualify for this category. Residents of these countries can apply directly to a Canadian consular office in their country of residence for this category
7. PR Card Extension
PR card is valid for 5 years from the date of entry or receiving a decision. This card is a "Canada pass" - it is necessary for its owner to be able to return to Canada from abroad.
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PR status and PR card
To maintain permanent resident status, the holder must stay in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) out of five years. The legal status of a permanent resident of Canada is not related to the validity of PR card. In the same way that an expired passport does not deprive its holder of citizenship, an expired PR card does not deprive its holder of the status of a permanent resident of Canada.
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Loss of PR status
When does an immigrant lose his PR status? This occurs when Canada initiates and completes the alienation process.
If an immigrant is outside of Canada, and at some point the requirement for a two-year stay in Canada ceases to be met, nothing happens to his PR status. He can continue to live in another country for as long as he wants, and during this time he will be considered a permanent resident of Canada. However, any attempt to enter Canada will most likely result in an officer at the border initiating a PR status expropriation procedure. Also, a person can lose PR status in case of committing crimes.
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How to “restore” PR status?
The term “restore status”, although incorrect for the reasons described above, is nevertheless often used in a situation where the holder of PR status has not met the requirements for a two-year stay in Canada and he needs to enter Canada while maintaining permanent resident status or he/she just needs to extend his PR Card because he hasn't decided/hasn't been prepared/didn't have time etc. to apply for Citizenship.
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In that case we provide legal support on all issues related to immigration to Canada and PR Card Extension.
8. Inadmissibility
Immigration law requires every potential immigrant, regardless of the category chosen, to be screened for health, criminal records and certain other factors listed below. Inadmissibility is a legal term that means an individual cannot enter or remain in Canada.
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Here are some examples of when an immigrant or applicant might be considered inadmissible. Under current immigration law, an applicant can be denied a visa if immigration authorities have information that this person (or in some cases family members):
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Has been criminally prosecuted;
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Has been involved with organized crime;
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poses a threat to national security;
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has serious health problems;
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does not have funds to settle in Canada;
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misrepresented facts on the application;
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and for committing certain other acts.
Similarly, an immigrant who is already a permanent resident of Canada could have their status revoked and they could be deported if they, for example, committed a criminal offence or breached an immigration regulation; for example, did not fulfill their legal obligation to stay in Canada for the required five-year period (citizens were not affected by these rules).
However, the immigration laws stipulate that in some of the above cases, the applicant/immigrant can obtain a positive decision by filing a special application or by appeal. Interestingly, the Immigration Officer's Manual states that an immigration officer is not required to advise or counsel applicants on the existence of these provisions.
Since it is practically impossible to briefly describe all of the existing statutory mechanisms and provide for all of the situations in which they can be applied, we recommend that you consult us if you have questions about inadmissibility.
9. Criminal Rehabilitation
Canadian immigration law says that a person who is not a Canadian citizen may be denied entry to Canada or face deportation from Canada if he or she has committed a crime (in or outside of Canada) which is classified as a serious violation of the law under the Canadian Criminal Code. This provision applies to both permanent residents and visitors to Canada, foreign students, temporary workers, refugees and others.
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In order to remove the inadmissibility, the person has to go through a rehabilitation procedure (if the crime was committed outside of Canada) or a pardon procedure (if the crime was committed within Canada).
Having a criminal record in a candidate's personal history can affect their Canadian residency process. At best, the immigration process will slow down due to background checks. In more serious cases, not only the applicant, but also his family members, could face non-admission or deportation from the country. Moreover, if the criminal history of the applicant was somehow hidden in the process of obtaining permanent status, at any time, even after many years of living in Canada, this person could lose their status (including citizenship) if it turns out that there was some concealment of information during the immigration process.
So, what are the types of crimes that will prevent you from being admitted to Canada, whether it's a tourist, student, work visa, or permanent residence permit in Canada?
First of all, these are those crimes for which the penalty is defined in the Canadian Criminal Code of 10 years or more (even if in the country where the offense was committed, the penalty for this crime is less than 10 years). And, of course, organized crimes, terrorist groups, money laundering, and other illegal activities.
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Canadian criminal law defines three types of offences:
1. Indictable offenses - serious criminal offenses that carry a long sentence.
2. Summary offences - less serious offences with sentences of less than two years.
3. Hybrid offenses - mixed offenses that can be prosecuted both summarily and on indictment.
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Current trends are such that mixed-type offenses are considered serious criminal offenses by immigration authorities, even if they were considered summary or misdemeanor offenses by law in the country of origin. That is, the general trend is toward stricter law, so the process of rehabilitation becomes more difficult.
Interested in one of these immigration programmes? Get in touch!