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Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
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Canada's immigration history is rich and diverse. Since Confederation, nearly 15 million people from around the world have emigrated to our country. These newcomers help shape the values and ideals of Canadian citizenship. They are a vital force in building and sustaining a stronger nation. Canada welcomes them. |
Building a Stronger Canada
Since 1869, Canada's immigration programs have helped build a community of citizens respected throughout the world. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was established in 1994 to link immigration services with citizenship registration, to promote the unique ideals all Canadians share and to help build a stronger Canada.
The Department
Our Employees
Every day, CIC employees work with people from diverse cultures. They strive to serve them fairly, efficiently and with integrity. Our clients can expect impartial, unbiased and professional treatment, as well as clarity and accountability in decision making.
CITIZENSHIP
Canadians are a proud and privileged people who share common values and the ideals of Canadian citizenship. CIC promotes this awareness of Canadian citizenship and of its rights and responsibilities. It manages the application process and guides applicants through the steps to becoming Canadian citizens. CIC staff process citizenship applications, requests for proof of citizenship and searches of citizenship records.
A Community of Citizens
Each year, approximately 160,000 people become Canadian citizens (representing about 85 percent of all immigrants) and take an oath of citizenship at ceremonies across the country. The oath is a personal commitment to accept the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship.
The Citizenship Act
The Citizenship Act outlines the conditions for Canadian citizenship. They include at least three years of permanent residence in Canada, the absence of a criminal record, knowledge of Canada and of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and the ability to communicate in either English or French. Most children born in Canada and all those born abroad to a Canadian automatically receive Canadian citizenship.
IMMIGRATION
Immigration stimulates Canada's growth, prosperity and cultural diversity. It reunites families and offers protection to refugees. Immigration staff overseas and across Canada review applications and ensure that each new applicant meets various criteria for admission, including medical, criminal and security checks.
Planning Our Future
The Government of Canada, in consultation with the provinces, the territories and key stakeholders, establishes an annual range for the number of immigrants who will be admitted into Canada. In the past 10 years, Canada has welcomed, on average, 220,778 immigrants and refugees a year.
Canada benefits from the talents, experience and energy of immigrants, whether they are skilled workers, business people, refugees, relatives of Canadian citizens and residents, foreign students, temporary workers or others. All stimulate economic growth and enrich Canada's social and cultural life.
Workers Strengthen Our Economy
CIC recognizes the benefits of attracting highly skilled workers. Nearly 59 percent of Canada's immigrants are in the skilled worker and business immigrant categories. They help fill shortages in our labour market or invest in our economy and contribute to Canada's economic growth.
CIC works to attract specialized temporary workers to Canada through programs for software development professionals and spouses of highly skilled workers. In 2002, CIC officers abroad and in Canada issued over 211,570 work permits to temporary residents and more than 138,500 visas to economic immigrants and their dependants.
Bringing Families Together
Reuniting families is an important part of our work. Our immigration program allows Canadians to sponsor close family members, including spouses, dependent children, parents and grandparents.
Helping Refugees
Canada is respected internationally for its humanitarian efforts. Our history is one of helping refugees and people in need of protection and assistance.
In the three years from 2000 to 2002, we resettled more than 26,800 government-assisted refugees. In addition, many Canadians volunteer to assist victims of persecution and violence through the Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program. CIC also assists refugees who arrive in Canada unexpectedly.
When people arrive in Canada and make a refugee claim, they are referred to the Refugee Protection Division--one of three tribunals making up the Immigration and Refugee Board. This tribunal decides if claimants are refugees or people in need of protection as defined in various international conventions.
Settling Newcomers
Newcomers face tremendous challenges when moving to a foreign land. CIC's settlement programs help newcomers integrate into Canadian society. We work with provincial governments, other organizations and volunteers to help immigrants and refugees adapt to life in their new communities. Our programs help them become productive members of Canadian society.
Welcoming Visitors
Canada welcomes nearly 49 million foreign travellers each year. These visitors explore our country, visit their families and participate in business and trade. They enrich Canada's economic, social and cultural life.
Most of Canada's guests require a passport for entry; others require a Temporary Resident Visa. In 2002, CIC officers abroad issued approximately 639,500 visas.
They Learn, We Learn
Each year, more than 68,800 foreign students arrive in Canada to attend our schools, colleges and universities. During their stay, foreign students promote international understanding and build important cultural and trade relations between Canada and the rest of the world. CIC gives priority to processing their applications quickly.
Managing Access to Canada
We must ensure a balance between the desire to welcome newcomers to Canada and the obligation to protect Canadian society. We must not allow criminals, terrorists and other inadmissible people to enter or stay in Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforces this important principle by intercepting people with false travel documents, performing investigations, conducting hearings through the Immigration and Refugee Board, and detaining and removing people. Approximately 8,700 people are removed from Canada every year.
International Cooperation
Our issues are global. Our agenda is international. Whether we are talking about refugee movements, human smuggling or general migration issues, CIC works internationally to deliver programs that meet Canada's needs.
Employees
CIC's 5,000 employees are proud of their work and the services they offer in national, regional and local offices across Canada and abroad.
Working in a complex global environment, we serve diverse clients and focus on building and sustaining a stronger Canada.
Offices
Abroad
Our immigration staff work at locations around the world. Assisted by 270 Canada-based and 1,168 local employees at 90 Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates, CIC staff
Offices in Canada
Within Canada, CIC processes applications through mail-in services at the following centralized case processing centres:
For more complex cases, CIC has a network of regional and local offices that handle admissions at ports of entry, enforcement, settlement, citizenship and refugee sponsorship, as well as other operational activities.
Our staff at national headquarters are responsible for legislation, policy and program development, and management, research and corporate services.
Extending Our Partnerships
Partnerships are important in delivering our services. We work closely with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, police, research and educational institutions, the private and voluntary sectors and international organizations.
Partnerships with Provinces
Most provinces have signed immigration agreements that give them control over various immigration and settlement services.
The responsibility for immigration matters is shared by the federal and provincial governments.
Agreements between the Government of Canada and several provinces clarify how responsibilities are to be shared.
Information
For additional information on Citizenship and Immigration Canada, contact us
© Minister of
Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2003
Cat. no.: Ci51-99/2003
ISBN 0-662-67838-9
C&I-419-11-03
November 2003
Date
Published: 2001-07 Date Revised: 2003-11-01 |
Important Notices |