Permanent Residence

EXPRESS ENTRY

Express Entry is the new system introduced in January 2015 to help Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) select permanent residents based on their skills and experience. There are 3 federal programs within Express Entry.

. Federal Skilled Worker
· Federal Skilled Trades
· Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

After the candidate is drawn from the Express Entry pool based on his work experience, language abilities, and other personal information, he will receive ITA (Invitation to Apply. Complete applications along with supporting documents will be processed in 6 months or less.

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows each province to select or nominate immigrants who will contribute to the particular labour and economic needs of that particular province. Each province is allowed to establish its own selection criteria and procedures to choose immigrants according to their ability to integrate and successfully settle in that province. Similar to the Skilled Worker Immigration Program, applicants are selected on the basis of a point system designed to target individuals who will fill the labour and economic needs of that province. This program is for candidates who: · have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory

· want to live in that province, and
· want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements.

FAMILY SPONSORSHIP

A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident can sponsor their spouse, conjugal, or common-law partner, dependent child (including adopted child), or other eligible relatives to become permanent residents under the Family Class. Applicants under family sponsorship do not have to meet the point system or discretionary selection criteria used in the other application categories. There are two different processes for sponsoring your family under the family class:

· Spousal/common-law partner sponsorship is used to sponsor your spouse, conjugal, or common-law partner, and/or dependent children.

· Other eligible relatives.

SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS

A self-employed person is a foreign national who has relevant experience and has the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution in Canada to one of the following:

· Cultural activities
· Technical occupation in sports, art and culture

Athletes, photographers, Librarians, translators, musicians, performing artists, journalists, technical directors, referees and internal designers, etc. are some of the occupations that are considered in this category.

START-UP VISA (BUSINESS CLASS IMMIGRATION)

Business Immigration to Canada remains a viable option for those individuals who do not otherwise qualify for the Independent/Skilled Worker Class. It is attractive because Canada has a robust economy, is resource-rich, and has a strong and skilled labour force. Of course, an additional advantage to conducting business in Canada is the relative proximity of the United States, which is Canada’s largest trading partner and has a large population of consumers of Canadian goods and services.

Start-up visa is for for entrepreneurs who want to start a business that is innovative, that can create jobs for Canadians, and can be internationally competitive. To apply for a start-up visa, entrepreneurs have to first secure a minimum investment from a Canadian venture capital fund or a Canadian angel investor. Successful applicants and their families and core team will be immediately eligible to apply for work visas and permanent residency.