Immigrating to Canada permanently is an exciting opportunity. However, there are several things one should consider before he/she apply to be a permanent resident.

As per announcement made by the Canadian Government on 28th Nov.,08 , the Government intends to allow permanent immigration between 240,000- 265,000 new people under various categories for which fast track Programme has been announced and the application shall be cleared between 6-12 months.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply. You will need to decide    which immigration program will work best for you and your family.

• SKILLED WORKER visas are issued to applicants who are thought to have the skills to establish themselves economically in Canada. In order to qualify through this route you must fulfill one of these three requirements:

1.       You have an offer of arranged employment in an occupation classed as Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B on the National Occupations List; or

2. You are an international student, a temporary foreign worker, or a foreign national who has been living in Canada for one year; or

3. You have at least one year of experience in an occupation included on the high demand list.

In addition, providing you satisfy these criteria, you will then need to score 67 on a points test, which takes into account factors such as education, English/French language ability, work experience, age, adaptability and financial means. 
There are also a number of minimum requirements that must be satisfied in order for the application to be processed.

·         PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (PNP): Each of Canada's provinces that have signed up to the PNP looks to select migrants who will benefit it in some way. The PNP application is not assessed against the same six criteria as a Skilled Worker visa.

• QUEBEC-SELECTED SKILLED WORKERS: For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec .Quebec is able to establish its own immigration requirements and select immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec. As per the federal immigration system, the three main classes of immigration available are: skilled worker, business immigrant or family member of a Canadian citizen currently living in Quebec.

• BUSINESS VISAS: There are three categories in this class. In each one you must score at least 35 points, in addition to meeting the following criteria:

·         INVESTOR CATEGORY: To qualify, you must have spent at least two years in the management of a qualifying business and have controlled a percentage of equity in this business. You will also need to have a net worth of at least CDN$800,000 and be prepared to make an investment of CDN$400,000 into your business.

·         ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM: You must be able to prove that your business will be able to contribute to the economy and create at least one full-time position for a Canadian citizen. In addition, you will need a minimum net worth of CDN$300,000 and be able to demonstrate the same business experience as for the investor route.

·         SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS: You will need to have been: Self-employed in cultural activities or athletics; participated at world-class level in cultural activities or athletics; or have farm management experience. Additionally, you must prove you can support yourself.

·         FAMILY VISAS:  If you have a relative who is already a Canadian citizen, and is willing to sponsor your application to emigrate to Canada, then you are in with a chance of sealing a permanent move, providing your relationship to the sponsor is that of spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older; parent or grandparent; dependent child, including adopted child; child under 18 years of age whom the sponsor intends to adopt; brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is an orphan, under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship; and any other relative .

We also provide guidance for Assured Employment Offer, and also for live-in Caregivers. Applications under various categories are being processed be our experts in Canada who are members of CSIC.