Advice About Visas & Immigration
I would like to immigrate to Canada...
Every year, Canada welcomes thousands of new residents
to Canada. As someone interested in building a home
for yourself in Canada, you have a number of options
when applying for permanent residence status. Read about
these programs and decide which class suits you and
your family best.
Skilled
Worker Class Immigration:
This category should be used by those wishing to immigrate
on their own merit without a sponsor. To qualify as
a skilled worker, you must have a combination of education,
job skills, experience, knowledge of English and/or
French, personal suitability and other factors which
are assessed against a selection ("point")
system. Your job skills must be readily transferable
to the Canadian labour market. Some jobs in Canada require that you have a special licence from the province/territory before you can begin work. These are called regulated occupations. Check to see if your skills and experience qualify you
to come to Canada as a skilled worker.
>> more information
Business
Class Immigration:
Canada welcomes successful business immigrants who bring
business skills and know-how that will contribute to
the nation's economic and cultural well-being, and create
job opportunities. There are three categories of business
immigrants: Entrepreneur, Investor and Self-employed
>> more information
Family
Class Immigration:
You must have a close family member living in Canada
who is able and willing to make a legally-binding promise
to sponsor you until you are established in Canada.
In most cases, a close family member means a spouse,
common-law partner, parent or grandparent. Your family
member (sponsor) in Canada should begin by contacting
the Canada Immigration Centre nearest his/her home in
Canada. Once a sponsorship is approved by the immigration
authorities in Canada, your sponsor will be informed
and application forms and instructions will be forwarded
to him/her on your behalf.
Learn how to sponsor your family member or come to Canada
as a member of the family class.
>>
more information
International
Adoption:
Adopting children from abroad can be a long process.
This is to protect children's rights. Learn about what
you need to do to bring an adoptive child to Canada
>>
more information
Provincial Nomination:
Most provinces in Canada have programs to encourage
immigrants to settle in their province and benefit their
economies. Learn about settling in one of Canada's provinces
as a provincial nominee.
>>
more information
Immigration to Quebec - The Province of Quebec
uses its own criteria to select skilled workers and
business immigrants. It works in co-operation with the
Government of Canada to process them. Different procedures
also apply to family class immigrants destined to Quebec.
Persons wishing to settle in Quebec may contact a Quebec
immigration office outside Quebec.
>>
more information
General Information
Immigrants in all classes must meet certain health and
security requirements as well as specific requirements
related to the class itself. Persons with health or
medical conditions which could be a danger to public
health or create an excessive demand on Canadian health
or social services may not be allowed admission to Canada.
Persons who have committed or who have been convicted
of serious crimes may also be prohibited admission to
Canada. Applications from persons facing criminal charges
in Canada or abroad cannot be processed until the charges
are dealt with.
More detailed information, including application forms
and instructions, can be found at Citizenship and Immigration
Canada's internet site: www.cic.gc.ca.
Processing Times
Current processing times in Berlin from date of application received:
Immigrant Category |
Family Class (partner / child) |
6 months
|
Provincial Nominee / Québec / HRSC |
12 months
|
Business Applicant |
14 months
|
Family Class (parent) |
21 months
|
Skilled Worker |
18 months
|
Please note:
- "Application received" means the date a completed "application
for permanent residence in Canada" with all fees and necessary documentation
is received at the visa section.
- These times depend on applicants providing all information required with
their initial application or in a timely manner when requested.
- If additional medical tests are required, add 3-6 months.
- If document verification is required, add at least 2-4 months. (All documents
submitted in support of an application are subject to verification with the
issuing authority.)
- If an interview is required, add 3-6 months.
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