Permanent
Residence Overview
The
Canadian government grants permanent residence visas to members of the
Family Class and the Economic Class. The Economic Class primarily comprises
of professionals and skilled workers under the skilled worker class,
the Quebec skilled worker class and the provincial nominee class as
well as business immigrants.
Using
a point system, an applicant is assessed under the federal skilled worker
class according to various factors that will indicate whether there
is a strong likelihood that the applicant and dependents will successfully
establish in Canada. Ideal applicants under the skilled worker class
will possess employment skills and experience compatible with occupations
"open" to prospective immigrants to Canada. The selection
rules particularly favour applicants with government approved job offers
in Canada.
Under
the Quebec skilled worker class and the provincial nominee class, applicants
may become permanent residents on the basis of their proven ability
to become economically established in Canada, in accordance with immigration
programs and selection criteria administered by Quebec or the provinces.
Canada
also admits immigrants under the Business Immigration program which
comprises three sub-categories including Investors, Entrepreneurs and
the Self-Employed.
The
Investor class is point based and confers permanent residence upon applicants
who demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada
on the basis of their business or management experience and personal
net worth of at least $800,000. Approval is contingent upon the investor
undertaking to commit an irrevocable, passive, non-interest bearing
five-year investment of $400,000 in a government guaranteed investment
fund. Under applicable programs, applicants can obtain financing and
receive legal security on their investment.
The
Entrepreneur class is point based and confers permanent residence upon
applicants who demonstrate an ability to become economically established
in Canada on the basis of their business experience and high personal
net worth. Approval is contingent upon the entrepreneur undertaking
to invest and become involved in the active management of a qualifying
business operated in Canada that will contribute to the economy and
create employment.
The
Self Employed class is also point based and refers to applicants who
have relevant experience as well as the intention and the ability to
create their own employment and make a significant contribution to the
cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada, or to create their own
employment by purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.
The
Quebec government manages its own immigration programs providing for
skilled worker and business class selection rules.
Under
the federal family class, current sponsorship programs typically promote
the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with
their close relatives including a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal
partner 16 years of age or older, an unmarried dependent child under
the age of 22, a parent or grandparent, and a brother, sister, nephew,
niece, grandchild who is an orphan, unmarried and under 18 years of
age or any other relative where the sponsor has none of the above relatives
or family members, in Canada or abroad.