The process of obtaining permanent residency in Canada is complex and time consuming. It is also in a state of constant change due to different foreign policy initiatives and modifications to regulations.
Individuals can apply under one of six categories for Canadian permanent residence:

• Skilled Worker Class Immigration
• Business Class Immigration
• Provincial Nomination
• Family Class Immigration
• Quebec-Selected Immigration
• International Adoption

Skilled Worker Class Immigration

Individuals can apply to become permanent residents in Canada under the skilled worker class. Applicants are evaluated based on education level, language ability, work experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability. Each factor is individually evaluated and the overall score determines whether the applicant is a suitable candidate for permanent resident status. The combined score is from 0 to 100, with the minimum qualifying level set at 67.
This is not the only measure used to determine candidate suitability. Citizenship and Immigration Canada also takes into account an individual’s criminal history (if one exists), the Canadian labour market and other factors to determine the outcome of the application. However, this score is a good starting point to determine whether you can apply for the permanent resident status under this category.
For example: a 25 year-old female with excellent English ability, basic French knowledge, a Master’s degree with 2 years work experience in the country of origin, no prearranged employment in Canada and a spouse that has studied, lived and worked in Canada might score upwards of 80 points overall. This combined score of the six factors would make her eligible to apply for permanent residency. However, different individuals score differently and this example is in no way representative of the larger population.
Business Class Immigration

There are classes of individuals In the Business Class category that qualify for permanent residence: investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons .
Investors are required to demonstrate business experience, a legally obtained net worth of C$800,000 and to invest C$400,000 in Canadian economy. There are also additional requirements.
Entrepreneurs are also required to demonstrate business experience in owning and managing businesses or in owning a share or percentage of an enterprise. They must also have a net worth of C$300,000, be willing to manage and operate a business and create at least one full time job (not including his/hers) within three years of becoming a permanent resident.
Self-employed persons are must have the experience, intention and ability to establish a business that will, at a minimum, create an employment opportunity for themselves and that will make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics in Canada; or purchase and manage a farm.
Provincial Nomination

If you have a specific province in mind that you would like to immigrate and settle in, this process allows a province to nominate individuals that they wish to include in their selection for immigration and settlement. This process requires the individual to contact the representative immigration office within the target province and apply for nomination to that province. After this nomination has been performed, the individual has to apply to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Family Class Immigration

If you have any members of the close family that are permanent residents in Canada, they may be able to help you obtain permanent residency. Approximately 30% of all immigrants that come to Canada are sponsored by family members. Individuals living in Canada are obliged by the government to sponsor family members coming to Canada for a period of 3 to 10 years in order to help them settle in Canada.
Québec-Selected Immigration

Province of Québec has a special agreement with the Federal Government of Canada to select immigrants that best fit its immigration requirements. There is a separate evaluation process for any individual intending to settle in Québec, which includes the following categories:

• Permanent workers
• Businesspeople
• Students - permanent immigration
• Temporary workers - permanent immigration
• Families
• Sponsored refugees

International Adoption

Canadian permanent residents are permitted to adopt children from foreign countries. The process is quite long and arduous in order to protect the rights of children and it involves conducting various studies of the adoptive family and its surroundings. Adopting a child from another country involves different legal issues and entities such as the Provincial immigration office, Hague Convention that governs international adoptions, child’s country of origin legal offices and so on. Canadian families intending to adopt children have to be able to sponsor them for extended period, and be committed to raising the child and pursuing his or hers best interests.
How to obtain a permanent resident visa

In order to initiate the process of obtaining a permanent resident visa, contact the nearest consulate, high commission or an embassy of Canada. At the basic level, obtaining a permanent resident visa requires the individual to:

• Provide a medical certificate and criminal record check
• Fill in and submit a permanent resident visa application
• Pay the application fee
• Attend interviews with immigration representatives

In addition, and depending on the nature and category of your application, the following may or may not be required:

• Originals, copies and official translations of documents that support the application including educational degrees, diplomas, and certificates, personal identification documents and/or sponsor letters and relevant information
• Sufficient funds to support the applicant during the initial time in Canada
• Skills assessment test
• Proof of refugee status
• Language test(s) results
• Additional fees
• Other documentation or tests

Fees for permanent residency

Current fees relating to a permanent resident visa are as follows (as of 2005):
Family Class applicants:

• Sponsorship application ($75 per application)
• Principal applicant ($475)
• Principal applicant, if less than 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner ($75 including a dependent child of the sponsor, a child to be adopted and an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner ($550)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner ($150)

Note: Fees assessed for principal applicants and family members under the Family Class are payable, along with the sponsorship fee, when the sponsor files the sponsorship application.
Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-employed Persons Class applicants:

• Principal applicant ($1,050)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner ($550)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner ($150)

Other classes of applicants:

• Principal applicant ($550)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner ($550)
• A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner ($150)

The above fees are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change at the discretion of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.



Citizenship:

1. Be a permanent resident of Canada. If you're not yet a permanent resident of Canada, please see Immigration to Canada.
2. Live in Canada for three of the four years before applying for Canadian citizenship, and be able to communicate in either English or French.
3. Learn about Canada. You must be able to pass a test on the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and know about Canada's political system, history and geography.
4. Download the appropriate citizen application form from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada site.
5. Fill in the citizenship application form, following the instructions on the form carefully. Read the guide that goes with the application form thoroughly before you complete the form, as the application fees are not refundable.
6. Pay the application fees and get the appropriate receipt. The amount of the fees will be listed on the application form. Attach the fee receipt to your citizenship application form.
7. Have two citizenship photos taken to meet the photo specifications outlined in the citizenship application. Sign the bottom of the photographs. Place the two photos in a small envelope.
8. Sign and date the citizenship application form.
9. Attach the required documents to the application form. Documents include a copy of your immigration landing record, copies of two pieces of identification, and the two citizenship photos.
10. Mail the application form to the address given in the application.
11. Once your application for Canadian citizenship is received you will receive a copy of the free study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship in the mail. Begin studying the book as soon as you receive it.
12. You will receive a Notice to Appear for a Citizenship Test. Appear on the date and time at the address in the Notice, and take the written citizenship test or interview as requested.
13. If you meet all the requirements, you will receive a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship. Appear on the date and time at the address in the Notice, and take the Oath of Citizenship.

Tips:

1. Be sure you are eligible the day before you sign your application. There is no refund of the processing fee.
2. While you only need to include photocopies of your documents with the application form, you will need to bring the originals with you when you go to your test or interview.
3. Complete a separate application form for each child. A child can only become a Canadian citizen if his or her parent is one.
4. To apply for Canadian citizenship from outside Canada, consult your local Canadian embassy or consulate.
5. In general, the processing time is about a year from the time your application is received until the time you attend your citizenship ceremony.

 

Ummmm....Why???

As much as I like Canada, and have been to a number of Provinces, I would never move there, let alone immigrate. It is a socialist country that forbids it's citizens to own firearms for home/self defense. On top of that, they still have QE on their money, at least the last time I was up there they did.

I do not mean to offend any of my northern neighbors but I could never abide by the laws of Canada. Great people but the politics is worse than this country.

 

I do like the fact that here in CA you can kill anyone who breaks into your home. Thats always comforting LOL

Cause I maybe small but if anyones breakin into my home, they are not getting out alive.

 

Castle Law????

 

We dont have the same issues as the states... we dont need guns 24/7. And our government is trying to get rid of that law. But its a minority government. Although the liberals keep fing up, so come next election, it will probably be a majority and the gun bill will be undone.
As for the queen, we still technically are British ruled. But we have separated from them. I was told by an mpp that it would cost millions, if not billions, to actually separate 100% from the britts. But I dont know for sure.
One thing I love about here is free health care, and we arnt sue happy. And getting 3' or more snow for 4 months of the year.

Oh, and you can kill an intruder... They just need to attack you first and you need to have visible wounds proving it, or it on tape.
My dad just went threw court for this. Someone broke into his house 2 years ago and stabbed him 15 time. He fought the intruder into his pool until the guy stopped kicking. :Pulled him out just as he was about to drowned. Cops said my dad should of drowned him. Ten one less criminal out there.

 

^^^ Everything he said... Home invasions usually happen when people are away in this country, and people have a tendency to either knock on the door or try calling the phone first. If someone answers they either "got the wrong address" or phone number and move along.

Unlocked front doors are NOT uncommon when people are home. My friend's brother's Sister-in-law never sued her Great Aunt Wendy for letting her ride her motorcycle without a helmet... as from what I hear this is the case for MANY in the US. Law suits usually happen for a good reason up here.

Also, FREE HEALTH CARE... yes the wait times are long but I don't have to re-mortgage my home everytime I need a cancer treatment (not that I own a home or have cancer... but you get my point.) You are allowed to have firearms in your home, just not .50 cal snipers and M16's.

Some of us like mustard on our burgers too... that pissed me off when I went south... you ask for mustard and they bring you a bottle of Dijon... "WTF IS THIS!?"

/rant

Both countries have pros/cons and everyone's intitled to their opinion... that's mine lol. I just think guns are a ridiculous reasons for not wanting to move.

 

This made work a little easier....

 

Very true!!!

Oh...and NEVER move to Quebexico... The french are annoying. But cheap beer.

 

Lol.... the french people....

 

Is Bre contemplating moving to OTTAWA??!?!

My shotgun and 2 rifles sitting in my room are enough house defense for me.

We also have better chips and pop. Went to Florida, go into a McDonalds and all I can get is Coke, Sprite or Pepsi. WTF I WANT ROOTBEER!

Went to a supermarket, couldn't find Dill Pickle, Hoops or Sweet Chili Heat chips. Instead found flavours like Lemon-Lime, Pepper, ect. Ahwahhh!

Now those are reasons to want to move!!

Plus smarties and rockets are less confusing.