Immigration INTO Canada

GENERAL:

Section 6 of the Immigration Act identifies three classes of immigrants: - the Family class - Convention refugees - Independent immigrants- which includes all immigrants who apply on their own initiative.

1. Family class - Canadian citizens and permanent residents, aged 19 and over , and are living in Canada, have the right to sponsor the applications of certain close relatives who wish to immigrate to Canada. These sponsored relatives may include certain dependants their application. All persons being sponsored, together with their dependants, must meet the requirements of the Immigration Act and Regulations.

   Relatives eligible for sponsorship in the family class include the sponsor's: - wife/husband - fiance(e) - dependent son or dependent daughter (see below) - parents, grandparents - brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, who are orphans, unmarried and under 19 - children under 19 the sponsor plans to adopt - any other relative, if the sponsor does not have any of the above or any family in Canada.

   Dependent son or dependent daughter

   There are three ways sons or daughters can be "dependent" on their parents: Under age 19 and unmarried - must be unmarried when they apply for a visa and still unmarried when the visa is issued.

   Full time students

   - must be studying at a college, university, or other educational institution; and - must be studying or training when they apply for their visa and when the visa is issued; and - must have been supported financially by their parents from age 19 or from the date of their marriage.

   Children with a disability

   - must be supported mainly by their parents; and
   - be unable to support themselves because of the disability.

   Unlike the class of independent and other immigrants, family class applicants are not assessed under the point system, but they must meet the basic standards of good health and character. As well, before an immigrant visa can be issued to applicants in the family class, the sponsoring relative in Canada is required to sign an undertaking of support. In this statement, the sponsor promises to provide for the housing, care and maintenance of the applicant and accompanying dependants up to ten years.

2. Refugees - Groups of at least five Canadian citizens or permanent residents 19 years of age or older, or local organizations which are legally incorporated may sponsor Convention refugees, members of a designated class and their families . Undertaking a sponsorship agreement means agreeing to provide settlement assistance for the refugee(s) for a period of one year. Both sponsors and refugees must meet the requirements of the Immigration Act and Regulations. The definition of a refugee in the Act is based on the definition in the United Nations Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

3. Independent immigrants - The third class of immigrants includes: Assisted relatives , skilled workers , entrepreneurs , investors , and self- employed persons , applying on their own initiative. The retired persons category was cancelled in August 1991. Immigrants in the independent class are assessed against the factors in the selection criteria. In Quebec, there is an agreement which provides for Canada and Quebec to divide responsibility for selection . The Government of Quebec has exclusive responsibility for the selection of independent immigrants to that province.

   Assisted relatives - Assisted relatives are those independent immigrants who have a relative in Canada able and willing to help them become established here. Selection points are awarded in recognition of this potential assistance. Relatives eligible to apply under this category include the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who do not qualify in the family class, and aunt and uncles of a Canadian resident. These relatives and their dependants must meet the requirements of the Immigration Act and Regulations.

   Entrepreneurs - to immigrate as an entrepreneur, a person must be able to demonstrate to immigration officials that he or she intends and has the ability to establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business in Canada that will make a significant contribution to the economy. The business must create or continue at least one job in Canada for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident other than the entrepreneur and dependants. The applicant must also intend and have the ability to provide active and ongoing participation in the management of the business.

   Investors - to be eligible as an investor, a person must have a proven track record in business and have accumulated a personal net worth of $500,000 or more. Investors have the option of subscribing in any one of three investment levels: - Tier I, those provinces with less than 10% of landed business immigrants, require a minimum investment of $250,000 for a minimum holding period of 5 years; - Tier II, those provinces with 10% or greater of landed business immigrants, require an investor to have a net worth of $500,000 and make a minimum investment of $350,000 for a minimum holding period of 5 years; and - Tier III , all provinces require a net worth of $700,000 and an investment of $500,000 for a minimum holding period of 5 years. All investments must be in an accepted project that is of significant economic benefit to the province in which it is located. The project may not involve residential real estate and must contribute to the creation or continuation of employment opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

   Self-employed - a self-employed person is an immigrant who intends and has the ability to establish or purchase a business in Canada that will create employment opportunity for that person, and will make a significant contribution to the economy, or the cultural or artistic life of Canada.

   These three categories ,(entrepreneurs, self-employed persons and investors) make up Canada's Business Immigration Program.

   SELECTION CRITERIA

   Specific selection criteria are used to determinate whether independent immigrants are likely to become successfully established in Canada. The criteria's composition and weighting are designed to meet Canada's demographic and labour market needs. Emphasis is placed on the applicant's intended occupation, practical training, work experience, education, ability to communicate in French or English, and personal suitability. Employment-related factors account for about half of the total possible units of assessment (points) that can be awarded.

   Not every independent applicant is assessed against all of the selection criteria. Applicants are rated only according to those factors which actually affect their ability to become successfully established in Canada. For example , entrepreneurs and investors who create jobs for Canadians are not assessed on occupation factors. Since intended occupation is not a relevant factor in selecting a self-employed applicant , it is not assessed for this category either. However, more emphasis is placed on ability and experience by making it possible to gain bonus units for being self-employed.

   Assisted relatives are assessed against the same factors as are other independent immigrants. They receive bonus units of assessment if they have relatives in Canada.

   In order to be admitted to Canada as permanent residents, immigrants must receive a minimum number of units . Immigrants must also have an intended occupation that is in demand or can easily be absorbed by the labour market. In most cases, applicants will also require at least one year of work experience in their intended occupation. Occupations which are in short supply in specific provinces are referred as "designated". Additional points, as well as priority processing, are awarded to the applicant whose occupation is designated.

   WHAT CAN 3-DNET DO FOR YOU ?

   Our team of systems analysts and experts, former immigration and visa officers, lawyers and consultants work in co-operation with immigration officials to process applications for permanent residency in Canada . We believe 3-DNET should be your FIRST choice when it comes to immigrating. As you have come to know us we have our reputation to maintain. When it comes to important matters such as immigration we can therefore be fully trusted. We have the network and necessary contacts !

   STEPS TO FOLLOW:

   1. Please complete and submit the following questionnaire

   2. Read carefully through a typical response from our legal council re an "accepted" immigration candidate. This information provides you with a first understanding about the steps we shall follow in immigration procedures.
      WELCOME TO CANADA !

      

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      Phone/Fax: 1-613-761-8625
      International website:http://www.3dnet.org/
      
      
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