Skilled workers and professionals: Who can apply—Proof of funds

The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new skilled worker immigrants.
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. You must be able to use this money to support the costs of living for your family.
You will need to provide proof of your funds to the Canadian visa office in your home country when you submit your application for immigration.
The amount of money you need to support your family is determined by the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Number of Family Members	Funds Required (in Canadian dollars)
1	$11,115
2	$13,837
3	$17,011
4	$20,654
5	$23,425
6	$26,419
7 or more	$29,414

You do not have to show that you have these funds if you have arranged employment in Canada.

How much money should you bring?

Find out how much it costs to live where you are planning to settle in Canada.
Bring as much money as possible to make moving and finding a home in Canada easier.

Disclosure of funds

If you are carrying more than C$10,000, tell a Canadian official when you arrive in Canada. If you do not tell an official, you may be fined or put in prison. These funds could be in the form of:

• cash
• securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
• negotiable instruments in bearer form (for example, bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders).

Self-employed persons:
Definitions

In order to qualify, you must first meet the definition of a self-employed person. The following terms are defined in the regulations:

• Self-employed person
• Relevant experience
• Specified economic activities

Self-employed person means a foreign national who has relevant experience and has the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make a significant contribution to specified economic activities in Canada.
Relevant experience in respect of

1. a self-employed person, means a minimum of two years of experience, during the period beginning five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a decision is made on the application. The experience must consist of:
   1. in respect of cultural activities,
      1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in cultural activities, or
      2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world class level in cultural activities, or
      3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in (A), above, and a one-year period of experience described in (B), above,
   2. in respect of athletics,
      1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in athletics, or
      2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world class level in athletics, or
      3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in (A), above, and a one-year period of experience described in (B), above, and
   3. in respect of the purchase and management of a farm, two one-year periods of experience in the management of a farm.

Specified economic activities, in respect of

1. a self-employed person, means cultural activities, athletics or the purchase and management of a farm; and
2. a self-employed person selected by a province, has the meaning provided by the laws of the province.

Skilled workers and professionals: Who can apply

Skilled workers are people who are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to become economically established in Canada.
Federal skilled worker applications are assessed for eligibility according to the criteria set out below.
For your application to be eligible for processing, you must:

• include the results of your official language proficiency test, AND
• have a valid offer of arranged employment, OR
• have one year of continuous full-time paid work experience in at least one of the occupations listed here.

Work experience minimum requirements
If your application is eligible for processing, it will then be assessed against minimum requirements.
Your work experience must be:

• for at least one year, continuous, and paid (full-time or the equivalent in part-time), AND
• Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) list, AND
• within the last 10 years.

If you meet the above minimum requirements, your application will be processed according to the six selection factors in the skilled worker points grid , which are:

• your education
• your abilities in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages
• your work experience
• your age
• whether you have arranged employment in Canada, and
• your adaptability.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada.

Note: If you are applying under one of the 29 eligible occupations, as of June 26, 2010, a maximum of 20,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing in the following 12 months. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing each year.

These limits do not apply to applications with an offer of arranged employment.

If you are not sure if you should apply as a skilled worker, you can:

• use the eligibility tool to get an idea of whether your application would be eligible for processing, then
• try a self-assessment test to see if you might earn enough points to qualify.

There are many ways to immigrate to Canada. If you don’t meet the criteria to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you may qualify under another category.

Refugees Canada

Refugees

Refugees and people needing protection are people in or outside Canada who fear returning to their home country. In keeping with its humanitarian tradition and international obligations, Canada provides protection to thousands of people every year.
Canada offers refugee protection to people in Canada who fear persecution or whose removal from Canada would subject them to a danger of torture, a risk to their life or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
Groups and individuals can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada.

Refugees: Refugee claims in Canada

Canada offers refugee protection to people in Canada who fear persecution or whose removal from Canada would subject them to a danger of torture, a risk to their life or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
If you feel that you will be persecuted or otherwise at risk as mentioned above if you return to your home country, you may be able to seek protection in Canada as a refugee.

Refugees: Resettlement from outside Canada

Resettlement is the term used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to describe the legal process of bringing a refugee to Canada to live as a permanent resident.
CIC relies on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other referral organizations and private sponsorship groups to identify and refer refugees for resettlement in Canada.
Private sponsoring groups are groups or corporations that have signed an agreement with Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. In this agreement, they promise to provide funds and carry out certain duties to sponsor refugees who come to Canada.
CIC uses three legal processes, which are divided into refugee classes, for resettling refugees in Canada. The three refugee classes are:

• Convention Refugees Abroad Class
• Country of Asylum Class
• Source Country Class

In unusual circumstances, refugees from some countries may apply directly for resettlement to Canada through the Source Country Class.

Refugees: Sponsoring refugees

Each year, millions of people around the world are forced to flee their homelands to escape persecution, war or severe human rights abuses. Often these people are never able to return home.
Groups and individuals can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada.
Sponsors are responsible for providing financial settlement assistance (except for Joint Assistance Sponsorship cases) for refugees once they arrive in Canada. Sponsors must also provide emotional and significant settlement assistance for the duration of the sponsorship period.
Most sponsorships last for one year, but some refugees may be eligible to receive assistance from their sponsors for a longer period of time.

Sponsors in Quebec

Quebec has its own process for sponsoring refugees. Sponsors who live in the province of Quebec should contact the Quebec ministry that handles immigration. You can find a link to its website in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

World Refugee Day

Every year on June 20, World Refugee Day gives us the chance to focus the world’s attention on the millions of refugees in need of protection.
Ours is a shared history of accommodating differences in culture, language, and religion—and an abiding belief in values like human dignity and freedom of conscience.
Since 1776 when more than 40,000 people loyal to the Crown, called “Loyalists,” fled the oppression of the American Revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec, Canada has provided protection to those in need. Canada also provided protection to thousands of slaves who escaped from the United States and followed “the North Star,” and settled in Canada via the Underground Railroad, a Christian anti-slavery network.
Since World War II, Canadians have provided refuge to over 1 million refugees with private sponsors accounting for the resettlement of over 200,000 people.
In helping refugees begin a new life, Canadians are helping to ensure we maintain our international obligations and, at the same time, build stronger communities and fulfil the promise of Canada – the most welcoming nation in the world.

Provincial nominees

Persons who immigrate to Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program have the skills, education and work experience needed to make an immediate economic contribution to the province or territory that nominates them. They are ready to establish themselves successfully as permanent residents in Canada.
To apply under the Provincial Nominee Program, applicants must be nominated by a Canadian province or territory.
Consult this section to find all the information and required forms to apply as a provincial nominee. Because the criteria for provincial nomination are determined by the individual provinces and territories, they can change without notice. For this reason, consult this site and the corresponding provincial site regularly before submitting your application.
Before you apply, make sure you are familiar with the current application procedures. After you apply, make sure you return to this web page to find out about the steps that follow.

Self-employed persons immigrants

Self-employed persons

The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:

• relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada or
• experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.

Self-employed persons:
Who can apply

To be eligible as a self-employed person, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have relevant experience
• Meet the selection criteria for self-employed persons and
• Meet medical, security and other requirements

Relevant experience

Relevant experience is defined as:

• participation at a world-class level in cultural activities or athletics
• farm management experience or
• self-employment in cultural activities or athletics. Please consult the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for a list of activities that qualify. You will also find a link to definitions of terms that apply to self-employed persons.

Selection criteria

You will be assessed on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability. You can find out more about the selection criteria in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Medical, security and other requirements

You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks. You can find more information on both of these topics in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can find more information under Proof of funds in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
You must also meet any other requirements of Canadian and provincial or territorial immigration regulations.

Quebec

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec operates its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration. You will find more information in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Self-employed persons:
How to apply

There are two application processes for self-employed persons who want to apply to become permanent residents:

• the simplified application process and
• the regular application process.

Most applicants must use the simplified process. However, you must use the regular process if:

• you have been selected by Quebec
• you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
• you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If none of the situations described above applies to you, you must use the simplified application process.
Choose the application process that applies to you:

• regular application process
• simplified application process

Quebec has its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration. Check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page

Self-employed persons: Who can apply—Selection criteria

In order to qualify, you must first meet the definition of a self-employed person. You can find the definition in the Related Links on the bottom of this page.
You will then be assessed against five selection criteria and a point system. You must obtain a minimum of 35 points if you want to immigrate to Canada as a self-employed person.
Learn more about each factor by clicking on it.

Selection Criteria	Maximum Points	Your Score
Education	25
Experience	35
Age	10
Ability in English and/or French	24
Adaptability	6
TOTAL	100

Your Score
The maximum possible score is 100. The pass mark is currently 35 points. However, the pass mark may change, so make sure you visit this site regularly if you are considering immigrating to Canada as a self-employed person.
Selection is based on the documents that you provide and an assessment of your score under each of the selection criteria. You must also meet the definition of a self-employed person.
An interview may be required. During the interview, a visa officer will ask you to explain any information that is unclear or inconsistent, or any shortcomings or gaps in the documents that you provide. If there is a difference between your assessment of your qualifications, and the visa officer’s assessment, the officer’s assessment will prevail.

Entrepreneurs Immigrants canada

Entrepreneurs

The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$300,000 that was obtained legally and
• respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada.

Entrepreneurs: Who can apply

To be eligible under the Entrepreneur Program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least two years of business experience.
• Have a net worth of at least C$300,000 that was obtained legally.
• Meet the selection criteria for the Entrepreneur Program.
• Meet medical, security and other requirements.

Business experience

You must have managed a qualifying business and have had control of a percentage of equity of the qualifying business for at least two years in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.
Your business must not be operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income, such as interest, dividends or capital gains.
To find a definition of a “qualifying business” and other terms that apply to the Entrepreneur Program,

Net worth requirements

You must be able to satisfy a visa officer that the fair market value of all your assets and the assets of your spouse or common-law partner were obtained legally. Your assets must exceed the fair market value of all your liabilities and the liabilities of your spouse or common-law partner by at least C$300,000.
You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to confirm both your income sources and your net worth.

Selection criteria

You will be assessed based on selection criteria that include your experience, education, age, language abilities and adaptability. Find out more about the selection criteria.

Medical, security and other requirements

You and your family members must pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks.

Quebec

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec operates its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration.

Entrepreneurs: How to apply

There are two application processes for entrepreneurs who want to apply to become permanent residents:

• the simplified application process and
• the regular application process.

Most applicants must use the simplified process. However, you must use the regular process if:

• you have been selected by Quebec or
• you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
• you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If none of the situations described above applies to you, you must use the simplified application process.
Choose the application process that applies to you:

• Simplified application process
• Regular application process

Quebec has its own business immigration program. If you want to settle in the province of Quebec, contact the nearest Quebec immigration office, or visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration.

Entrepreneurs: How to apply—
Simplified application process

Most entrepreneurs can apply to immigrate to Canada using the simplified application process. Under this process, you submit only a basic application form and the fees.
There is a waiting list to come to Canada as a business immigrant. This means it may be several years before your application is processed. The simplified application process guarantees your place in the lineup. Your application will be processed based on the regulations in effect on the date you submit your application, even if they change after you apply.
When the visa office is ready to assess your application, you will be asked to send the required supporting documentation. The visa office will send you information about the medical examination and the criminal and security checks that you and your dependants have to undergo. You must also include valid language test results if you wish to have your official language proficiency considered in the assessment of your application for permanent residence.

You cannot use the simplified application if:

• you have been selected by Quebec and intend to settle there or
• you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
• you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If you do not qualify for the simplified application process, you must use the regular application process. See the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.
Quebec has its own business immigration program. For information on immigrating to Quebec, check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
There are seven steps in applying to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur.

1. Obtain and print the application kit.
2. Complete your application.
3. Determine where you must submit your application.
4. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you will submit your application.
5. Calculate your fees.
6. Check your application.
7. Submit your application.

1. Obtain and print the application kit.

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

2. Complete your application.

• Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
• If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
• Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
• You must complete all of the forms:
  • Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (Form IMM 4000ESAP)
  • Use of a Representative (Form IMM 5476). You must complete this form if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice.

3. Determine where you must submit your application.

You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been legally admitted for at least one year.
You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application.
You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.

4. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.

You can find the visa office instructions you need under the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Print the instructions required for the visa office where you submit your application.

5. Calculate your fees.

You will have to pay the following fees:

• The processing fee for you and your dependants who will accompany you to Canada. This fee must be submitted when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.
• Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved or if you do not use your visa.

You will also have to pay fees to third parties for:

• your medical examination
• a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check, and
• language testing, as required.

Information on how to pay your processing fee and your Right of Permanent Residence Fee is included in the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.
More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

6. Check your application.

Make sure your application is completed correctly. The visa office cannot process forms that are not completed correctly. Sending incomplete forms will delay your application.

7. Submit your application.

Mail your application and your fees to the appropriate Canadian visa office.
Since you are using the simplified application process, you do not have to include any supporting documents when you submit your application

Entrepreneurs: How to apply—
Regular application process

Most entrepreneurs can apply to immigrate to Canada using the simplified application process. However, some entrepreneurs must use the regular application process.
You must use the regular application process if:

• you have been selected by Quebec and/or intend to settle there or
• you have been lawfully admitted to Canada for a period of at least one year and your application for permanent residence will be submitted to the Canadian visa office in Buffalo or
• you have been lawfully admitted into the United States for a period of at least one year and you are submitting your application to the Canadian visa office in Buffalo.

If none of the three situations described above applies to you, you must use the simplified application process. See the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.
Quebec has its own business immigration program. For information on immigrating to Quebec, check the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
There are six steps in applying to immigrate to Canada as an entrepreneur.

1. Obtain and print the application kit.
2. Complete your application.
3. Determine where you must submit your application.
4. Calculate your fees.
5. Check your application.
6. Submit your application.

1. Obtain and print the application kit.

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

2. Complete your application.

• Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
• If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
• Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
• You must complete all the forms:
  • Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (Form IMM 0008 Generic)
  • Schedule 1: Background/Declaration (Form IMM 0008 Schedule 1)
  • Schedule 6: Business Immigrants Investors and Entrepreneurs(IMM 0008- Schedule 6)
  • Schedule 6A: Business Immigrants-Self-Employed Persons (IMM 0008-Schedule6A)
  • Additional Family Information (Form IMM 5406)
  • Use of a Representative (Form IMM 5476). You must complete this form only if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. .
  • Language test results that are valid at the time of application.

3. Determine where you must submit your application.

You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been lawfully admitted for at least one year.
You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application. You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.

4. Calculate your fees.

You will have to pay the following fees:

• The processing fee for you and your dependants. This fee must be paid when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.
• Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved or if you do not use your visa.

You will also have to pay fees to third parties for:

• your medical examination
• a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check and
• language testing.

Information on how to pay your processing fee and your Right of Permanent Residence Fee is included in the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.
More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

5. Check your application.

Make sure your application is completed correctly, and that you include all the necessary supporting documentation. Use the checklist included in the Guide (Appendix A) to make sure you have not forgotten anything.
The visa office cannot process your application if supporting documentation or processing fees are missing, or if your forms are not completed and signed. This will delay your application.

6. Submit your application.

Mail your application and your fees to the appropriate Canadian visa office.

Investors Immigrants canada

Investors

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks experienced business people to invest C$800,000 into Canada’s economy and become permanent residents. Investors must:

• show that they have business experience
• have a minimum net worth of C$1,600,000 that was obtained legally and
• make a C$800,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.
CIC will return your C$800,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment

Investors: Who can apply

To be eligible under the Immigrant Investor Program, you must:

• have at least two years of business experience.
• have a net worth of at least C$1,600,000 that was legally obtained, and be willing and able to make an investment of C$800,000.
• you must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada.
  Find out more
• obtain a minimum of 35 points in the selection grid.
• meet medical and security requirements. You and your family members must pass a medical exam and security and criminal checks.
• meet any other requirements of Canadian or Quebec immigration regulations.

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec operates its own immigrant investor program. All investors in the program must be selected by Quebec and must plan to settle in Quebec. Visit the website of the Quebec ministry that handles immigration for more information about investing and living in Quebec

Investors, entrepreneurs and self‑employed persons

The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy.
Business immigrants are expected to make a C$800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada, and must meet certain experience and/or net worth criteria.
The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class. Find out if you can immigrate in one of these classes:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self-employed

Each application can be made for only one class and the class cannot be changed once the application is submitted. The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class.

A Visit to Canada: Who is eligible?

A Visit to Canada: Who is eligible? 

If you are thinking to have a visit to Canada, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Have a legal travel document, for example a passport
- Be in excellent health
- Assure an immigration officer that you have ties, for example a job, property, home and family, which will bring you back to your country of origin.
- Assure an immigration officer that you will depart after a visit to Canada.
- Have sufficient money for your stay. The amount of money you need may differ with the situation of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will live in a hotel or with friends or relatives.

Visiting Canada: Who is eligible

To visit Canada, you must:

• have a valid travel document, such as a passport;
• be in good health;
• satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin;
• satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit; and
• have enough money for your stay. The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives. For more information, ask the Canadian visa office in your country or region.

You may also need:

• a Temporary Resident Visa, depending on your citizenship
• a medical examination; and
• a letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

Travel documents

Transport companies, such as airlines, must ensure you have proper, valid travel documents when you enter Canada. If you do not have the proper documents, you may be delayed or denied boarding.

On March 11, 2010, CIC amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to clarify the factors used to determine which travel documents can be used to apply for a visa, and to travel to or enter Canada.
Under these Regulations, the following travel documents are considered unreliable and are not acceptable for entry into Canada:

• any passport claiming to have been issued by Somalia;
• non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic;
• temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa; and
• provisional passports issued by Venezuela.

This list is subject to change. Check it regularly for up-to-date information.

Visas and exemptions

You may or may not need a temporary resident visa to visit Canada, depending on your citizenship. However, even if you are exempt, there is important information you need to know before you plan your trip.
If you need a visa, see   How to Apply for a Visa.
If you do not need a visa, see Visa Exempt – Important Information for Travellers.
If you are not sure, see Do You Need a Visa?

Inadmissibility

Some people are inadmissible—they are not allowed to come to Canada. Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime.
You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility.

Criminal inadmissibility

If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offence, you may not be allowed to enter Canada.
Criminal offences include both minor and serious offences, such as theft, assault, manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For a complete list of criminal offences in Canada, consult the Canadian Criminal Code.
If you were convicted of a crime when you were under the age of 18, you can probably still enter Canada.

Where to submit my application of Federal Skilled Worker

Where to submit my application of Federal Skilled Worker 

All applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Class of Canadian Immigration ought to put forward their primary application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Canada as of April 1, 2009. Dispatch your Immigration application and immigration fee to the central Intake Office for Federal Skilled Worker Applications in Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada.

Steps:
1. Place the finished forms, supporting documents required by the CIO and fee payment in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope.
2. Send your completed application on address given below (Choose one)

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Federal Skilled Worker
Centralized Intake Office
PO BOX 7500
Sydney, NS
B1P 0A9
Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Federal Skilled Worker
Centralized Intake Office
196 George Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 1J3
Canada

3. Confirm that you use the document checklist (IMM 5612) and use it as the first page of your application.
4. Your application must be signed and dated previous to be mailed. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.

You must put forward your federal skilled worker application to the Centralized Intake Office and not to the visa office responsible for your country of nationality or residence, as was the procedure in the past.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

 Quebec Skilled Worker Program 

Modifications in the Quebec Skilled Worker Program will let the province to greet additional immigrants.The fresh selection system for Quebec Skilled Workers will make it easier for a number of applicants to meet the criteria.

The most important change is the lessening of the overall selection pass mark from 59 to 55 for a single candidate and from 68 to 63 for a couple.
The breakdown of points granted for education has been revised to be acquainted with more types of diplomas than under the earlier system. Undergraduate diplomas attesting to one or two years of university education and more vocational and technical diplomas are now regarded.

Additionally, the “Areas of Training” standard, which awards extra points to applicants with certain educational or training backgrounds, has been changed to mirror the present needs of Quebec’s economy and labor market. Candidates with certain educational backgrounds will not only take advantage from more points, but will also meet the criteria for priority processing.
The age points awarded for an applicant’s has also been adjusted, so that it declines less quickly after the age of 35 than under the preceding system.

The more encouraging weighting of the education and age criteria could make it easier for some applicants, who did not meet the criteria under the previous system, to become entitled to immigrate to Canada in the Quebec Skilled Worker category.

Winning applicants get a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), and be required to submit their application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (a Canadian visa office) for medical and security checks and the issuance of a Canadian immigration visa.

This new system is in effect as of October 14 2009. Applications that were acknowledged by Quebec immigration offices before that date will be evaluated under either system is more favorable to the candidate, while those received on or after October 14 will be evaluated under the new system.

Application Process for Federal Skilled Worker Canada

Application Process for Federal Skilled Worker Canada 

If you are one of those who are planning for a better life - then Canada is the best place for you. Canada is one of those countries which believe its immigrants an advantage to its development and improvement. Now it’s very easier to immigrate to Canada. All that is required of you is that your occupation is stated in the New Occupations Lists for Canada Skilled Worker Applications.

The eligibility criteria are not difficult for the Federal Skilled Migrant program. A variety of factors for example age, language skills, education and work experience are looked into.

Once you meet the criteria of FSW Canada, following will be your application process

You would have fill up and file an application form at the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Nova Scotia, Canada. It would take approximately 2 to 3 months to receive an authorization from the CIO. It has to be remembered that this evaluation is the most significant for any Federal Skilled application. It is essential that your profession has been identified appropriately otherwise your application would be rejected.

After approval from CIO, the process is carried out at your nearby visa post that is your country of residence. Here, you have to put forward all the required compulsory documents. These documents must be submitted with in 120 days from the dated communication received from the CIO.

The entire process time for Canadian Immigration is around 6 to 12 months. In the period in-between, you can get done with the medical and the police clearances from your country.

You may be asked to be there at an interview, which once more depends on your application and as assessed by the visa officials.

You also have the choice of checking your application status online. In no time, you would be given your Permanent Residence status of Canada which is the fastest as compared to other countries. Being one of the richest countries, Canada offers good standards of living and a better life.

So, consider and make your mind up that Canada Immigration is on priority.