General Information
- Immigrants in each category must meet certain
health and security requirements as well as the specific requirements
related to the category. Applications from persons facing criminal charges
in Canada or abroad cannot be processed until the charges are dealt with.
Independent Immigrant FAQ's
-
- Are
family members included in the application?
If you are married, you or your spouse may apply as principal applicant. You
should determine which of you will score more points and apply as the
principal applicant.- The spouse and any dependent children under
the age of 19 are included on the application.
- Also you may include your dependent children
aged 19 years and over if they are financially dependent.
- _Full-time
students, studying at a college, university, or other educational
institution. They must be studying when they apply for their visas, during
the processing of their visas and when the visas are issued, and must have
been supported financially by their parents from age 19 on. They may
interrupt their studies for up to 12 months.
_Children
who are unable to support themselves financially because of a disability and
are financially supported by their parents.
-
- What
if I want to settle in the province of Quebec?
-
- The province of Quebec selects its own
immigrants in co-operation with the Government of Canada. The applications
are submitted to different immigration office.
- Can
the doctor advise me regarding my application?
-
- No. The doctor is only responsible for
conducting a medical examination in accordance with Canada’s immigration
requirements. The designated physician cannot provide any advice on the
immigration selection system.
-
- Length
of financial responsibility of the sponsor
Sponsors have financial responsibility for family class relatives
immigrating to Canada. Sponsors agree to assist family class relatives for
up to 10 years.
-
- What
happens when I arrive in Canada?
-
- When you
arrive, you must present your immigrant visa to a customs/immigration
officer. The officer will check your visa and travel document and ask you
questions similar to those on the immigration application form to verify
that you are of good character and in good health. The officer may also
request proof that you have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. If there
are no difficulties, the officer will authorize your admission to Canada as
a permanent resident. If you arrive as an entrepreneur immigrant, terms and
conditions will be imposed. This means that you will have two years to meet
the business requirements and that you must report your progress.
-
- What
documents should I take when I land in Canada?
Applicants should take a valid passport, landing documents. Proof of
settlements funds may also be requested. Applicants are advised to take
copies of any available statutory documents as birth certificates, marriage
certificates, etc., and a list of inventory they wish to take to Canada in
the future and when landing.
-
- What
settlement services are available?
-
- Canada’s
settlement services are limited. You can learn about them from Canada
Immigration Centres, Human Resources Development Centres and private
organizations.
- It is your
responsibility to find a job when you arrive. You should have enough
money to support yourself and your dependants until you get a job.
-
- After
landing in Canada, what if I need to return to my country to settle my
affairs?
-
- Following
landing in Canada, immigrants may leave and re–enter Canada if they spend
less than six months in any 12–month period outside Canada. If immigrants
are out of Canada for more than six months in any 12–month period, they
will require a Returning Resident Permit to re–enter Canada. While such
permits can be applied for either in Canada or overseas, they can only be
applied for after the individual has been landed.
When
can I obtain a Canadian citizenship?
You may apply for the Canadian citizenship after 3 years of physical
residence in Canada. Time spent outside of Canada beyond what may be
expected for vacations, etc. may not be added.
-
- Things
that may delay processing of Application
- Incomplete or unsigned application forms.
- Missing documents.
- Incorrect or missing fees.
- Insufficient postage.
- Incorrect, incomplete address or failure to
notify the visa office of a change of address unclear photocopies of
documents.
- Documents not accompanied by a certified
English or French translation.
- You are not a permanent resident in the
country in which you currently reside.
- A medical condition that may require
additional tests or consultations.
- A criminal problem.
- Family situations such as impending divorce
or custody or maintenance issues.
- Consultation is required with other offices
in Canada and abroad.
- Verification of information you give us.
- Inquiring about the status of your
application before the standard processing time has passed.
Independent Immigrant FAQ's
- Who
can apply?
- Anyone can apply for
permanent residence as independent applicant. If you are visiting Canada and
decide that you want to live in Canada, you will be required to apply for
permanent residence from abroad.
-
- What
if my spouse has criminal charges or one of my dependents has serious
disease?
- If one of your dependents
has a serious disease, psychiatric disorder, or your spouse has criminal
charges, you application may be rejected.
-
- What
if my dependent will not accompany me to Canada?
- You and your dependents,
whether or not they will emigrate with you to Canada, must pass the medical
examination and provide a police certificates. If any applicant has criminal
charges, the application cannot be processed until the charges are dealt
with.
-
- What
are the selection criteria?
- Everyone is assessed based
on the same standards. The standards show how well a person can settle
successfully in Canada. Except for refugees and family class immigrants,
everyone is
- accessed on a point system.
Points are awarded for:
- _Age
_Education
_Education/ Training Factor (ETF)
_Occupation
_Arranged employment/designated occupation
_Work experience
_Language ability
_Demographic factor (this number is
set by federal government)
_Personal suitability
_Relatives in Canada
-
-
- MINIMUM
SELECTION POINTS REQUIRED PER CATEGORY
- (Each category is defined
below)
Investor -- 25
Entrepreneur -- 25
Self-employed -- 70
Skilled Worker -- 70
Assisted Relative -- 65
For more information click on Selection
Criteria.
-
- Is
my occupation important in the selection system?
Yes, it is the KEY factor! Your application for an immigrant visa will be
assessed mainly on your qualifications, skills and experience in the
occupation you intend to follow in Canada. You must have at least one year
of experience in your occupation after you completed your training.
- What
if my occupation is not on the General Occupation List?
- Independent immigrants must
choose their occupation from the General Occupation List.
- Zero points under
occupation factor means an automatic refusal of the application, unless the
applicant has arranged employment in Canada with a job offer validated by a
Human Resource Canada Centre.
-
 -
-
- What
are the requirements for each occupation?
- The standards for each occupation from
the General Occupations List may be different in Canada than in your
country. For example, the main duties performed, employment or education
requirements. It is very important that you fulfill the Canadian standards.
When processing your file, we make sure that the applicant's occupation will
satisfy the Canadian occupation requirements.
-
- Do
I need to have one year full-time employment if applying as independent
immigrant?
-
- If you do not have a minimum of one year (6
months for Quebec) of experience in a designated occupation, you must obtain
an offer of employment in that occupation in Canada.
-
- Is
a Canadian employment offer a requirement?
-
- No, it is not. However offer of employment in
Canada may be beneficial in many cases.
- Are
there financial requirements for Independent Immigrants?
Applicants must have sufficient funds to settle in Canada and to look after
themselves and their dependents until they become self-supporting.- You are required to show proof of your funds
by providing a bank letter. An independent applicant, upon entering Canada,
is required to have at least CAD $10,000.00 plus CAD $2,000.00 for each
dependant (spouse or child).
- Can
I transfer my application to a different country after I apply?
Yes, the application can be transferred to a different immigration office.
If you transfer the file to a different country, there is a fee of CAD$100.-
- Does
it help to have a relative in Canada?
- Having a close relative in Canada will
increase your point score under the selection system. The relative must be a
permanent resident or Canadian citizen 19 years of age or older. You will
get 5 points bonus for: brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt,
uncle, niece or nephew.
Inadmissible
Classes
Section 19 of the Immigration Act prohibits the admission of people who pose
a threat to public health, safety, order or national security. Also inadmissible
are those who fail to meet other requirements, such as not having required
visas, authorizations, visible means of support and valid travel documents.
Exclusions on health grounds are based solely on danger to public health or
safety, or excessive demands on health or social services in Canada.
Inadmissibility on criminal grounds is determined according to the sentence
that could be given for the equivalent offences under Canadian law; the
possibility of admission following rehabilitation is also considered.
The Immigration Act also protects the Canadian public by providing for
the removal from Canada of persons identified as inadmissible, such as
participants in organized crime, and would-be terrorists, hijackers and war
criminals.
-
- Individuals with a serious disease and
developmental delay or congenital disorders who require special education or
training to lead an independent life may be inadmissible. Other conditions
which could place a significant financial burden on Canada’s health or
social services would also render an applicant medically inadmissible.
|
