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Canada Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019

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This Article contains information on the Canada Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019. Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. It has the world’s largest land border with the United States. It is a sparsely populated country. The country has immigrants from many countries, which make it one of the world’s most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations.

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Yearly, many people travel to Canada for numerous reasons either for tourism, business, study, visit or immigration. Depending on the purpose of the trip to Canada, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.

So before applying for a Canada visa, it is necessary to know the Canada visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.

There are various Canadian Visa and Immigration requirement. They are stated below:

  • Canada Permanent Visa
  • Canada Visit Visa
  • Canada Study Visa
  • Canada Working Visa
  • Canada Working Holiday Visa
  • Canada Business Visa

CANADIAN PERMANENT VISA

There are different immigration programs in Canada, which offer Permanent Residency Visa to the highly skilled and talented overseas workers and professionals, i.e. Express Entry System, Quebec Skilled worker Program (QSWP), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), etc.

However, most of these programs follow a point based immigration system and hence, your selection for PR visa depends on the total points you score based on your education, age, language skills, work experience, etc. factors.

What is PR (Permanent Resident) Card?

The permanent residents of Canada are given the Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) as a proof that they are Permanent Residents of Canada (in case the card holder travel outside Canada). The card holder would require the PR Card if re-enters Canada after leaving it once.

What are the Benefits given to a Permanent Resident?
  • Can Live, study or work anywhere in Canada
  • Can apply for Canadian Citizenship
  • Can get the Health care and most of the other social benefits, which a Canadian Citizen receives.
  • Is protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The permanent residents are not allowed to:
  • Vote or run a Political Office
  • Get any job that need a high-level security clearance.
What are the different PR Visa Categories?

There are different programs or categories available, under which you can apply for the permanent residency visa, i.e.

  • Skilled immigrants,(Express entry)
    • Federal Skilled Worker
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program
    • Canadian Experience Class
    • PNP programs
  • Quebec skilled worker program
  • Investors Entrepreneurs and Self Employed
  • Family Sponsorship
  • Live in Care giver Visa
Quebec Selected Skilled Workers

Sponsorship programs

  • Family sponsorship
  • Sponsoring refugees

CANADIAN VISIT VISA

How it is to be in Canada?

Canada is among the most ideal countries to live, work, business and study, due to the following reasons:

  • Canada is an Advanced Nation with a strong economy,
  • Transparent Government policies
  • Mesmerizing locations and landscape beauty
  • Excellent Living standard of the People
  • Quality of Life
  • Has got tremendous outdoors, i.e. Hiking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Skiing, and Snowshoeing Trails across Canada.
What are the Basic Requirements to Visit Canada on Tourist Visa?

If you have already planned to visit Canada, you must know the basic requirements to apply for a Tourist Visa:

  • Have a valid passport and other travel documents
  • Be in good health
  • Have good moral character.
  • Be able to convince the immigration officer that you have your family, property, assets, etc. that would serve as incentive to come back to your home country.
  • Be able to convince the immigration officer that you will leave the country before expires your visa.
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself in Canada and the amount depends on how long you will stay in Canada and whether you will be staying with family, friends or any paid accommodation.

The Canadian Visitor Visa is the popular visa category among the aspirants of tourism or short term visit to Canada.

Find below the latest Visitor Visa fees based on the visit or entry type.
Fees $CAN
Visitor visa (including super visa) – per person        100
 Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa
Visitor visa – family (5 or more) 500
Single or multiple entry temporary resident visa
Extend your stay as a visitor – per person 100
Restore your status as a visitor 200
Visa fee not needed

Note: The visa fees given above is subject to change and revision periodically. Hence, for any clarification about the fees or to confirm the latest/updated visa fees, you may contact Visas Avenue immigration expert.

You may also require:
  • R.V. (Temporary Resident Visa) based on your citizenship
  • Medical examination
  • Letter of Invitation

CANADIAN STUDY VISA

Canada is a wonderful country to live, work and study. The transparent Government Policies, ideal work conditions and excellent education system in this part of the world, attract thousands of peoples every year to apply for Canadian Visa. The foreign students also apply for study permit in Canada every year, due to the ideal education system and policies.

Benefits of Studying in Canada:-
  • World Class education system.
  • Affordable international Education including low tuition and living cost as compared to all other first world countries in the world.
  • Multicultural society gives a homely feeling by providing ethnic food and recreational activities of one’s own country.
  • Canada is ranked one of the best places to live in by United Nations and is peaceful to live in.
  • Did you know that Canada is a bilingual country and is considered a world leader in language training
  • Innovative and Abundant Research Opportunities
  • Quality life style in Campus which includes Olympic-quality sports facilities to public concert halls and art galleries
  • Possibilities of immigration

Before you plan to study in Canada you should have been accepted or received a letter of admission or COE from the school, college or university where you want to study.

Eligibility Conditions to study Permit in Canada
  • Your candidature must be accepted by a Designated Learning Institution in Canada
  • You would require proving that you have sufficient funds for the following things:
  • To pay your tuition fee
  • Accommodation expenses for you and your family member (If anyone came with you)
  • Return transportation for you and the family member (If anyone came with you)
  • You need to be a law-adhering citizen, having no criminal record to threat the Canadian law and order.
  • You need to be in good health and willing to perform a medical examination if required.
  • You must convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada on completion of your authorize stay in the country.

Subject to your Citizenship or the location where you live, you may also need TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) to enter Canada. You may refer CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) website for further details regarding the same.

What is a Study Permit Visa?
  • A Study Permit is a printed authorization issued by the concerned officer allowing the foreign students to study in Canada.
  • It becomes invalid 90 days after your study program is completed.
  • The program is considered complete, when you receive a notification of program completion from your educational institution.
  • You need to have a letter of acceptance before you apply for a work permit
Who all do exempt from Study permit Visa?

You do not require a study permit to study in Canada in following cases:

  • In case you opted to study in short-term program or course, i.e. a course that lasts in six months or less.
  • Under the Visiting Forces Act of Canada, if you are a member of foreign armed forces, you do not require a study permit to study in Canada.
  • In case you are a family or staff member of a Foreign Representative in Canada, recognized by DFATD (Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Development Canada), you are exempted from Study Permit.
  • If you are a citizen of another country, however you have got a Registered Indian status in Canada; you would not require a permit to study in Canada.

Mandatory medical certificate and use of Visa Application Centers.

Fees for Study Permit (Including Extensions)

Canada is a top destination for students who aspire to study overseas. Find below the Canadian Study permit fees including extensions, etc.

Fees $CAN
Study permit (including extensions) – per person 150
Restore your status as a student 350
Restore your status ($200) and a get a new study permit ($150)

Note: The visa fees given above is subject to change and revision periodically. Hence, for any clarification about the fees or to confirm the latest/updated visa fees, you may contact Visas Avenue immigration expert.

Universities and colleges under SPP are:-
  • Algonquin College
  • Bow Valley College
  • Cambrian College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Camosun College
  • Centennial College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • College of New Caledonia
  • College of the Rockies
  • Columbia College
  • Conestoga College
  • Confederation College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Douglas College
  • Durham College
  • Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Fleming College
  • George Brown College
  • Georgian College of Arts & Technology
  • Grant MacEwan University
  • Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • Langara College
  • Lambton College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Marine Institute of Memorial University
  • Medicine Hat College
  • Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Niagara College
  • North Island College
  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • Northern College
  • Northern Lights
  • Parkland College
  • Red River College of Applied Arts, Science & Technology
  • Saskatchewan Institute od Applied Science and Technology (SIAST)
  • Selkirk College
  • Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Sheridan College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
  • Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Lawrence College
  • University of The Fraser Valley
  • Vancouver Island University
  • Vancouver Community College
  • Winnipeg Technical College

CANADIAN WORKING VISA

he Government of Canada wants people to enter and work legally in Canada and apply for relevant visa. Hence, it is very crucial to know about the various visa categories, in order to choose the one that first best with your eligibility and requirements. The various Canadian visa categories are as follows:-

A.   Temporary Workers Program
  • Canada LMIA Based Visa
  • Student Permit
  • Working Holiday
Canada LMIA Based Visa

The Canada LMIA Based Visa does not require point system to fall or qualify. Every year, thousands of foreign worker go to Canada to work there temporarily on LMIA based visa. To be able to work in Canada temporarily the visa applicant must hold an offer of employment or employment contract from a Canadian employer and a positive LMIA from ESDC. However in some jobs LMIAs do not require.

Note:-  Visas Avenue does not offer consultancy on / overseas jobs/work permits/international or domestic placements.

You can even live and work in Canada without the requirement of LMIA approved job offer or LMIA based visa.

How to live and work in Canada without LMIA based visa

You can apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) visa through Express Entry System to live and work in Canada permanently. Express Entry System is a point based system that has three key streams for applicants of permanent visa.

  • Federal Skilled workers
  • Trade Skilled worker
  • Live in Care Givers

Skills Immigrants: Skilled Worker immigrants are selected based on their ability to settle in Canada and contribute to the Economy here. The Skill Immigrants are being assessed based on the following:

  • Education
  • Work Experience
  • English/French Language Skills
  • Other Such Factors
This category too is further segregated into below sub-categories:
  • Federal skilled workers Program (for applicants with skilled professional work experience)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (for applicants with experience in skilled manual work)
  • Canadian Experience Class (for applicants with in-Canada skilled professional work experience)

The New Express Entry System has been launched in the month of January, 2015, to manage as to how the skilled immigrants shall apply in order to immigrate to Canada.

As per this system an applicant first fills the online profile form, including the language test scores, Educational Credential Assessment and the work experience. Filling and submitting the Express Entry Profile is absolutely free of cost.  The complete applications received under the Express Entry system shall be processed within six months or less.

Provincial nominees:

This program is for the applicants who has got the nomination from a province or state in Canada under its agreement with the Government of Canada.

Generally an applicant needs to apply directly to a province or territory to be considered under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

You would require taking a language test if you apply as a provincial nominee:

  • For a semi- or low-skilled job (NOC C or D), or
  • Under Express Entry for a:
    • Managerial job (NOC skill level O),
    • Professional job (NOC skill type A), or
    • Technical job and skilled trade (NOC skill type B).
You would require to apply in two stages.
  1. Apply to the province or territory where you want to live. Your application will be reviewed by that province, based on below two aspects:
    • Its immigration requirements and
    • Whether you really plan to live there.

The above mentioned criteria, may get change as per latest updates, hence, you are advised to check the website of that particular province, where you want immigration.

  1. Once a province nominates you, you would require to apply to CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) for Permanent residence. The CIC officer will review your application based on Canadian rules.

As per the process, you need to pass a medical exam and get a Police Verification (certificate). The checks are mandatory for all the immigrants, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.

Quebec-selected skilled workers (or investor or entrepreneur program):

The province of Quebec has an agreement with the Government of Canada for the selection of Immigrants outside Canada as per the province skill requirement.

You would need to apply in two stages.

First: Apply to the Quebec government for a certificate of selection. This will confirm that Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant. Quebec will review you using its own rules. You may also visit the Quebec immigration website to find out how to apply.

Second: After Quebec chooses you, you must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence.

As per the process, you need to pass a medical exam and get a Police Verification (certificate). The checks are mandatory for all the immigrants, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.

Since the Canadian Government does not support the Start Up ventures, hence, you must have the proof that you have the sufficient funds. The amount is specified by the Government based on your family size and is updated annually.

Caregiver Program: An applicant can apply under this particular category through three ways:

  • Caring for Children Pathway
  • Live-in Caregiver Program
  • Caring for People with High Medical Nees Pathway

You can apply for permanent residence through any of the  above mentioned options as per your eligibility.

Caring for Children Pathway

It applies to the caregivers who have provided child care in a home. The permanent Residency can be applied through this pathway.

Live-in Caregiver Program

It is for both live-in caregivers who are already working in Canada with a Live-in Caregiver Program work permit, as well as for the caregivers who are approved for their first Live-in Caregiver Program work permit based on an employer’s positive Labor Market Impact Assessment application that was submitted to Service Canada on or before November 30, 2014.

Caring for the individuals with High Medical Needs Pathway

It makes those caregivers eligible for permanent residences, which have provided care for the elderly or those with disabilities or chronic disease in a Hospital or in a home.

CANADIAN WORKING HOLIDAY VISA

The Working Holiday program is offered by the Canadian government through International Experience Canada (IEC) Visa. However, working holiday program is meant for the countries having an agreement with Canada to enhance the exchange of culture and heritage among the countries with different cultural aspects, lifestyle, and identity.  The program is specially aimed to provide the youth an exposure and experience in different countries.

You may apply for this visa if you are a citizen of one among the following countries

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • Hong Kong
  • Denmark
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Chile
  • Czech Republic
  • Greece
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Taiwan
  • Lithuania
  • Sweden
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
Eligibility Requirement for Canadian Working Holiday Visa

To apply for Canadian working visa, as an applicant you,

  • Must be a citizen of the countries (refer the list above), which have bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada.
  • Must be outside Canada when submitting an application for the visa upon the grant.
  • Must be between 18-30 or 18-35 (based on the nationality) years of age when submitting the application for visa
  • Need to submit application not more than 12 months before the visit
  • Pay the Required fees for the visa
  • Must not be accompanied by any dependent.
  • Should have a round trip air ticket or funds to purchase the same before the departure
  • Require meeting the health and character parameters.
  • Need to have enough funds (at least 2500 CAD$) to support your stay in the beginning
  • Need to have enough health insurance cover for your period of stay in Canada.

As an applicant, if you meet the criteria above, you can apply for the Working Holiday Visa in Canada.

Key Benefits of Working Holiday Visa

The key benefits of the Canadian Working Holiday Visa are as follows:

  • As a Working Holiday Visa holder, you can live in Canada for up to 1 year or 2 years based on your Nationality
  • You are also allowed to work in Canada legally.
  • This visa provides you a great opportunity to explore the culture and lifestyle of Canada.
  • You may get the valuable work experience in Canada, which helps a great deal if you plan to stay in permanently later.
Working Holiday Visa Fees

Working holiday Visa provides excellent opportunity to young individuals to get valuable work experience in Canada while being on a holiday. Find below the Canada’s working holiday visa fees.

Fees $CAN
International Experience Canada participation fee 150

Note: The visa fees given above is subject to change and revision periodically. 

CANADIAN BUSINESS VISA

Why Canada is an ideal Business & Investment Destination?

  •  Canada is a world leader of major industries like Aerospace, Automotive, Petroleum, Agriculture, Information Technology and Shipbuilding.
  • Lower business costs and corporate tax rates,
  • Ready access to markets,
  • A highly skilled and educated workforce,
  • Strong public support for R&D and stable,
  • Robust financial institutions

All these factors make Canada most profitable place to invest in the world.

Below are the business /Investment visa categories in Canada:
Self-employed Persons Program

Self employed person is a foreign national who has relevant experience, can be self employed in Canada and contribute to the economy here. The applicant will be selected based on the criteria, i.e.

  • Age
  • Education
  • Experience,
  • Language abilities, and
  • Adaptability.

Apart from above, such applicant also needs to meet the medical and security requirements.

Start-up visa Program

It applies to the individuals who have a business idea as well as someone to fund it as well.

In order to be able to receive a start-up visa, you need to:

  • Meet the language proficiency requirements
  • Prove that your Business scheme or idea is being supported by a selected Organization
  • Have a sufficient arrangement of funds
The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program

The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program has reopened. The CIC will admit the applications from May 25 to 30 December, 2015, and will process the first 60 applications completed from all perspective. Moreover, the CIC will also accept up to 60 extra applications that will be placed on a waiting list.

The program may close earlier if 60 immigrant investors are permitted for permanent residence, or once 60 applications are in processing and 60 applications are on the waiting list.

Eligibility Conditions for applying under IIVC Program

You must fulfill all of the below requirements to be eligible to apply under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program.

  • You must have a personal net worth of CDN $10 million or more, acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities.
  • You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
  • You must be agree and able to make an at-risk investment (non-guaranteed) of CDN $2 million in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Fund.
  • You must prove your proficiency in English or French
  • You should have completed Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate of at least one year or a foreign equivalent, as validated by an original Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a CIC-designated organization.
Business Category Visa Fees

Business category visa is an important pathway to get permanent residency in Canada. The business immigration to Canada can be divided in two three major programs, i.e.

  • Quebec business immigration
  • Self-employed people
  • Start-up visa

Find below the Business visa fee applicable to all three categories mentioned above:

Fees $CAN
Your application 1,540
Processing fee ($1050) and right of permanent residence fee ($490)
Your application (without right of permanent residence fee) 1,050
Include your spouse or partner 1,040
Processing fee ($550) and right of permanent residence fee ($490)
Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee) 550
Include a dependent child 150(per child)

Note: The visa fees given above is subject to change and revision periodically. 

Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) Also Nominate Business Immigrants

Apart from the above programs, a few provinces also have got their own Business Immigration Programs to attract and retain the individuals with Business Experience, i.e. Quebec Business Immigration. The business immigration programs of the PNP programs are designed as per the needs and requirement of a particular province and hence, many of such programs might suit your candidature as well. So, PNP programs are also a good option to apply.

Quebec Business Immigration Program

This particular program is part of the Canadian Immigration program only. The Quebec Business program facilitates the people who have got the business and management experience or belong to the class of Investor, Self Employed or Entrepreneur, etc.

The Selection Procedure

The individuals interested in applying for the Quebeck Business Immigration Program, have to prove their capability and intention to settle in the province of Quebec and contribute to the Canadian economy in an effective and significant manner. Below are the stepwise process for selection:

  • Interested candidates will apply for the concerned immigration program
  • If the province of Quebec approves the application, the applicant will get the Certificat de sélection du Québec from the Government of Quebec.
  • An applicant needs to go through and pass the health and security examinations
  • On completion of all the formalities an applicant will receive the PR visa under the relevant category.
Three Main Categories of Quebec Business Immigration Program

All three Immigration Programs of Business category, have their own selection criteria and conditions. Below are the three main categories of the Quebec Business Immigration Program:

1.      Self-employed Worker Program

In order to get qualified in this program, you must:

  • Come with an intention to create your own job by working in a profession or trade of your own.
  • Have a net legal asset of minimum C$100,000
  • Have at least two years of experience in the profession or trade you are willing to practice in the province of Quebec.
2.     Investor Program

To qualify in this program you must:

  • Have legally obtained assets of minimum C$1,600,000 (alone or accompanying Spouse)
  • Have the experience in management in the legal farming, industrial business or in a legal professional business.
  • Show the intention to settle in the province of Quebec and must sign an agreement to invest C$800,000
3.     Entrepreneur Program
To be eligible for this particular program you must:
  • Have legal net assets of minimum C$300,000
  • Have minimum 2 years of experience in running a legal business in the last five years from your date of submitting the application.
  • The business such handled, must be full-time including the responsibilities and duties, i.e. planning, management and control of material, financial and human resources.
The other Eligibility Conditions in General

The assessment and review of your application will also be based on the following factors:

  • The type and duration of your respective professional training
  • The age of both applicant and spouse, wherever applicable
  • Your language efficiency
  • Personal qualities and knowledge about the province of Quebec

The New Rules Regarding Receipt & Processing of Applications
As per the Immigration guidelines of the Government of Quebec:

  • The new rules regarding the receipt and processing of applications for a Certificat de sélection du Québec are effective from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
  • These rules pertain to applications submitted by candidates for economic immigration (permanent workers, investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers).

Now, after analyzing the Economy, Government Policies, track record and banking system of Canada, we can say that Business Investment in Canada shall surely be a wise step for you and hence, you must try one of the above programs to exploit the ideal business and work conditions in Canada.

Please consult the Canadian Embassy in your country for the updated Canadian Visa requirements!

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