Independent (skilled worker) Immigration
This method is for persons who have skills, training and experience to meet Canadian labor market needs. Independent immigrants are assessed on a set of specific criteria, for which points are awarded. The main criteria are related to the applicant’s occupation. The applicant must have skills, qualifications and experience in an occupation on the General Occupation list, unless the person has a job offer approved by a Human Resources Development Center (HRDC) in Canada. Other criteria include age, education, knowledge of English and/or French and personal suitability. A minimum of 67 points is required to qualify.
Applying as a Business Immigrant
Canada welcomes business immigrants who have the ability and resources invest or establish businesses in Canada. During 1998, business immigrants invested more than $437 million in Canada. Business immigrants, who represent nearly 8% of total immigrants, include investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed immigrants. Selection criteria vary for each category.
Investors
In the immigrant invest program, applicants make their $400,000 investment to the receiver general for Canada at national headquarter in Ottawa (NHQ). And after the five-year holding period remit the NHQ returns the investor’s $400,000 without interest.
Entrepreneurs
To qualify as an entrepreneur, you must have business experience. This means that you must have managed and controlled a percent of equity of a qualifying business. Entrepreneurs must have a legally obtained net worth of at least CDN $300,000.
When you immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur, you must have the intention and the ability to control a percentage of equity of a qualifying Canadian business. You must provide active and ongoing management of the qualifying Canadian business. Your business must create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must meet these requirements within three years of becoming a permanent resident.
Before your immigrant visa is issued, you are required to sign a statement that you intend and will be able to meet the conditions of permanent residence.
Self-employed
As a self-employed person, you must have relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics or farm management. You must also have the intention and ability to establish a business that will, at a minimum, create employment for yourself. You must make a significant contribution to cultural activities or athletics or purchase and manage a farm in Canada .
No immigration conditions are imposed on this class. You must have enough money to support yourself and your family members after you arrive in Canada .
Business immigrants are encouraged to visit Canada to explore opportunity and gather first-hand knowledge about business Canada.
Business Immigrants (after the new immigration act starting in 28 June 2002):
A number of changes have been made to the Business Immigrant category. An applicant’s net worth is “legally obtained”, and immigration officers will be provided with the ability to examine the propriety of the accumulation of net worth.
A requirement for “experience” has been incorporated into the definition of self-employed. Changes to the Investor category will allow applicants to qualify with business or management experience. They will qualify with management experience if they have managed five more employees (down from 50).
Family Class Immigration
Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada, 19 years of age or older, may sponsor close family members who wish to immigrate to Canada.
Family members eligible for sponsorship are:
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Spouses |
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Dependent children, including adopted children |
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Children under 18 whom the sponsor intends to adopt |
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Parents and grandparents |
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Brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who are orphans unmarried and under age 18 any other relative if the sponsor has none of the above family members either in Canada or abroad. |
A dependent son or daughter is either:
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Under age of 22 and unmarried |
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A full-time student since the age of 22 and financially supported by the parents, or financially supported by the parents because of a disability. |
