Skilled
Worker Immigration.
Applicants
must have at least one year of full-time work experience
in the past 10 years in any skilled occupation. In
addition, the new selection system requires a pass mark
of 67 out of 100 points on the following factors: age,
education, work experience, language ability and
adaptability.
On September 18, 2003 Citizenship
and Immigration Canada announced that the pass mark for
those applying to immigrate to Canada as skilled workers
(to all provinces except Quebec), has changed from 75 to
67. This change is effective immediately.
All new
skilled worker applicants and those currently in the
system who have not yet received a selection decision,
will be assessed with a pass mark of 67.
The
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada may amend
the pass mark from time to time. Changes to the pass
mark reflect the changes in the Canadian labour market
and in the broader economy and society. The pass mark
also reflects the changing demands on the part of
prospective immigrants to Canada.
Business
Class Immigration.
Business
immigrants are people who can invest in, or
start businesses in Canada and are expected
to support the development of a strong and
prosperous Canadian economy.
Business Immigration Program seeks to attract people experienced in business
to Canada. Business immigrants are selected based on
their ability to become economically established in
Canada. There are three classes of business
immigrants:
Investors.
The
Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced
persons and capital to Canada. Investors must
demonstrate business experience, a minimum net worth of
CDN $800,000 and make an investment of CDN
$400,000.
Entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneur
Program seeks to attract experienced persons that will
own and actively manage businesses in Canada that will
contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs
must demonstrate business experience, a minimum net
worth of CDN $300,000 and are subject to conditions upon
arrival in
Canada.
Self-employed.
Self-employed
persons must have the intention and ability to create
their own employment. They are expected to contribute to
the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada. For
example, they may create their own employment by
purchasing and managing a farm in Canada,
etc.
Family Class
Immigration.
Canadian citizens and permanent
residents living in Canada, 18 years of age or older,
may sponsor close relatives or family members who want
to become permanent residents of Canada. Sponsors must
promise to support the relative or family member and
accompanying family members for a period of three to 10
years to help them settle in Canada.
Family
members eligible for sponsorship
are:
Spouses,
common-law or conjugal partners 16 years of age or
older;
parents and
grandparents;
dependent
children, including adopted
children;
Children
under 18 years of age whom you intend to
adopt;
Brothers,
sisters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who are
orphans, under the age of 18 and not married or in a
common-law relationship; and
any other
relative if you have none of the above relatives or
family members, either in Canada or
abroad.
A son or
daughter is dependent when the
child:
is under the
age of 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law
partner;
became a
full-time student before the age of 22 and has been
substantially dependent on a parent for financial
support since that time;
became a
spouse or common-law partner before the age of 22 and
has been substantially dependent on a parent for
financial support since that time;
or
is
financially dependent on a parent since before the age
of 22 because of a disability.
If you want
to sponsor any of the above listed relatives or family
members, you may have to meet certain income
requirements. If you have previously sponsored relatives
or family members who have received social assistance,
you may not be allowed to sponsor another person.
Sponsorship is a considerable commitment so you should
take this obligation seriously. To sponsor a relative or
family member you must sign a legal contract with the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This is called
the Undertaking. You must also sign a Sponsorship
Agreement with your relative or family member that
outlines your mutual commitments to each
other.
Citizenship.
Although
you can't apply for Canadian citizenship until you have
lived in Canada for at least three years, you can be
thinking about what it means from the moment you arrive.
Canadians believe that Canada is a special place. Most
Canadians agree with the United Nations - "Canada is the
best country in the world in which to
live."
To obtain
Canadian citizenship, you will have to demonstrate a
deep commitment to this country.
You will
need to meet the physical residence requirements. You
must live in Canada for at least three years before
applying to become a citizen.
You will
need to have sufficient knowledge of either English or
French.
You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of Canada and the
responsibilities and privileges of
citizenship.
You must be
18 years of age or older to apply as an
individual.
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