If you are interested in immigration to Canada, you can benefit from the support of our experienced lawyers who will explain the ways through which you can move to this country. We can also help you apply for any type of residence permit, in accordance with your needs, including applying for Canadian citizenship.
Canada is one of the largest countries in the world and moving here is the ideal of many foreigners, as the authorities here have eased the conditions for those seeking to immigrate. A particularity of Canada is the fact that many of its large cities do not have such a high population density which has led to the creation of various immigration programs by the government.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) |
No for stays of maximum 6 months |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) |
Yes |
|
Types of visas available |
Travel, student, work visas |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
Approx. 9 months |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 3 years |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
Permanent residence is available directly through specific programs or after 5 years provided that at least 2 years have been spent in Canada. |
| Investor Visa Availability (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | Yes, under certain programs |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | After living for at least 2 consecutive years (730 days) every 5-year period. |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes, through Provinicial Nominee Programs |
| Tax benefits for expats | Federal tax credits for certain categories of professionals |
If moving to Canada is your goal, rest easy knowing that the country offers one of the world’s smoothest and most straightforward immigration processes. The Canadian government has a strategy to accept more than 200,000 new immigrants annually from various countries. As a result, Canada is the best place for immigrants to settle down and obtain residency in Canada.
Types of visas available for immigration to Canada
At the moment, citizens from nearly 150 countries need to apply for visas when traveling or relocating to Canada for temporary or permanent stays. Because of this aspect, the Canadian immigration authorities have created various types of visas that match the needs of applicants. The following visas can be obtained if you want to migrate to Canada:
- the visitor visa which, according to its name can be requested when coming to Canada for travel purposes;
- the student visa which can be obtained based on a sponsorship or invitation letter from a Canadian accredited educational institution;
- the work visa which is one of the most requested visas in Canada thanks to the many employment opportunities available;
- the permanent residence permit which can be obtained after living in Canada for a specific period;
- the business immigrant visa under which foreign investors can settle in Canada by starting a company;
- the express entry visa which falls under the specific regulations of the program with the same name.
Most of these visas are issued for temporary stays and are issued for specific purposes which is why it is best to discuss with our immigration lawyers in Canada before applying for one.
You can also rely on us if you want to apply for Canadian citizenship.
How to apply for a visa for Canada
Canada is very different from other countries, and when we say different, we mean that in a good way because this country offers multiple choices upon filing a visa application. If we are to discuss options, the best immigration lawyer in Canada would suggest to first verify if you are eligible for the visa you want to obtain. Here are the steps you should complete in order to ensure a successful visa candidacy:
- check all visa types and then make a decision on the suitable type of visa;
- verify with a Canada immigration law firm if the chosen visa suits your interests;
- gather the documents that need to be filed with the immigration authorities;
- pay the visa fees and submit the documents with the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
You should also consider that if you plan to migrate to Canada based on an employment visa, the employer must also fulfill certain aspects of the application procedure. Our immigration lawyer in Canada can offer detailed information on how the visa application process should be completed.
You can find out more about immigration to Canada from the infographic below:
Immigrate to Canada as a worker
One of the simplest ways of immigrating to Canada is by employment, as this country has several schemes available at federal and provincial levels for those who want to obtain work visas. As a matter of fact, Canada is one of the most advanced nations in the world when it comes to immigration by employment.
Work visas in Canada are divided into two important categories: the open and the restricted employment permit, and each of them has various sub-categories. From these, the applicant can choose the option that suits him or her best. These can also lead to citizenship. Your eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship depends on a variety of circumstances. You must also be aware of the requirements and procedures for applying for citizenship. With the help of our immigration lawyer in Canada though, it will be much easier to ensure you qualify for a passport for this country.
Skilled workers can benefit the most from the employment immigration programs developed by the Canadian authorities as they can move here under one of the following:
- the Federal Skilled Worker Scheme;
- the Canada Experience Class Scheme;
- the Provincial Express Entry Categories Scheme.
All programs are based on point systems that are granted based on various aspects. Among these, the qualifications and the experience of the future employee are the most important, however, candidates can increase their chances if they immigrate with their families. Also, language knowledge and having other family members living in Canada can be used to increase the immigration score.
One of the most successful skilled worker visa schemes is developed by Quebec. Here, applicants can become permanent residents of Canada provided that they are economically stable enough to support themselves once they arrive.
Another employment-based immigration procedure is available for non-skilled persons who must first find temporary or seasonal jobs in order to apply for work permits. For this type of work visa, the applicant must have at least one job offer from a Canadian employer. The candidates must also have sufficient knowledge of the French or English languages, as well as 2 years of experience in the field they will work in.
Should you need information on how to obtain an employment permit here, you can request more information from our immigration lawyer in Canada who is specialized in such cases.
Our law firm can verify the eligibility criteria and help you with the application file for a residence permit in Canada, including for American citizens.
Even though moving to Canada from the USA may not be as simple as you might assume, thousands of Americans do so every year. Thousands of US residents who are not citizens also relocate to the north. So, if you want to immigrate to Canada from USA, you can rely on our specialists who can help you find a suitable option.
Immigration to Canada through investment
Foreign investors can also immigrate to Canada, as the government supports investments. This is why there are several programs dedicated to businesspersons committed to establishing themselves here by opening companies or making other contributions to the economy. Here are some of the business immigration programs available in Canada:
- the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program ;
- the Quebec Entrepreneur Scheme ;
- the Quebec Self-employed Scheme;
- the Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Schemes;
- the Federal Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Scheme;
- the Federal Start-Up Visa Scheme.
The important aspect to consider when deciding to immigrate and obtain a residence permit in Canada based on investment is that there is a minimum amount of money to inject in the local economy. In Quebec, for example, the amount is 2 million CAD.
One of our best immigration lawyers can explain all the requirements associated with moving here under one of the investment immigration schemes available at federal or provincial levels, including the best way of obtaining a residence permit in Canada.
How to obtain a student visa for Canada
Canada is open not only to those who want to work or invest here but also to students who have plenty of opportunities when enrolling with local universities.
For those seeking to study for less than 6 months in Canada, the student visa is not a mandatory requirement, however, if deciding to extend the stay, it will be necessary. This is why our immigration lawyer in Canada recommends applying for student permits no matter the length of the stay.
The student visa can be obtained once a Canadian university, or another recognized education facility issues the letter of acceptance. It should be noted that the requirements for applicants from various countries, biometric information, and health certificates are required. This is one of the main reasons to ask for the support of a Canada immigration law firm if you are interested in coming here to study.
Once the student visa has been obtained, it can be renewed while still in Canada and the student wants to complete further courses. Also, full-time students can work in Canada on the campus of the university they attend. Moreover, once the program terminates, they can search for employment with local companies and apply for Canadian work permits.
Our immigration lawyers can guide foreign students who want to enroll in local universities and apply for a residence permit in Canada.
Family sponsorship as a way of moving to Canada
Foreign citizens who have family members living in Canada can relocate here if the latter act as their sponsors. In this case, family members are subject to several requirements. Among these, they must be at least 18 years old and must have the status of permanent residents or citizens. They must also be able to financially support the immigrant citizen who can be a spouse, child, civil law partner, parent or grandparent, and even brother or sister. Other relatives can also immigrate to Canada if they can be sponsored by a Canadian resident.
If you are interested in obtaining more information in this form of relocation, our immigration attorney in Canada can advise you.
Special immigration programs in Canada
When it comes to immigration, Canada is one of the few countries to have several programs dedicated to each category of migrants. These target workers, investors, and people who simply want to retire here. An interesting fact is that there are around 60 programs dedicated to those who want to immigrate to Canada, therefore foreign citizens have plenty of choices.
Among the most sought immigration programs available in Canada, we mention the following:
- the Federal Skilled Work Program which grants most of the chances to successful immigration at a national level;
- the Business Immigration Program which is made of several schemes and through which foreign entrepreneurs can start their own businesses in Canada;
- The Provincial Nominee Programs are available for those interested in moving to specific Canadian provinces or territories.
The importance of these programs resides in the fact that they are a path to permanent residence in Canada.
If you want to migrate to Canada and cannot decide between two or more programs, our immigration lawyers can take you through the schemes you are interested in and help you decide.
The point score system for immigration to Canada
Most immigration programs in Canada rely on the point score under which applicants are assessed based on the points they make based on several criteria. This ensures a fair assessment of each applicant thus increasing the chances of a successful application to a larger number of applicants.
The main aspects considered when it comes to the point score system are:
- language level for which a maximum of 28 points can be obtained;
- work experience for which a maximum of 15 points can be awarded;
- education which is subject to a maximum score of 25 points;
- age is also an important criterion which can bring a maximum of 12 points;
- another 10 points can be obtained when immigrating with the spouse.
The maximum number of points that can be obtained is 100, while the minimum is 67.
If you have any questions related to the point score system, our lawyers in Canada can provide you with the necessary details.
How to choose an immigration program in Canada
As mentioned above, there are around 60 immigration schemes available for foreign citizens interested in moving to Canada which can make the decision quite hard. Also, it should be noted that some programs are created for limited periods of time which is why it is best to first check if a scheme is still available before applying for it.
Apart from these, the reason for which you want to immigrate is very important and our immigration lawyer in Canada can offer assistance in choosing a specific program that increases your chances of a successful relocation.
Foreign citizens can migrate to Canada for work and business purposes, however, family reunification is also possible for those who have other family members living here. In this case, the relatives living here must act as sponsors for foreign citizens.
There are various aspects to consider when deciding to immigrate to Canada, nevertheless, this is one of the most welcoming countries in the world when it comes to all nationalities. Canada also offers one of the most advanced immigration procedures in the world.
Services provided by our immigration lawyer in Canada
Our Canada-based immigration law firm can help foreign citizens of countries all over the world to move here temporarily or permanently. For this purpose, you will need to give us detailed information about you and the type of visa you are interested in. Based on that, we can help you select the right visa and start the application procedure. We will then provide you with the list of documents you need to prepare, and we will also inform you about the fees to consider. We will also review the documents and organize them as required.
Our immigration lawyer in Canada will treat each case individually so that all efforts go into your case and your request is treated with utmost importance.
Not only do we handle immigration procedures, but we also have a Canada immigration attorney who can handle visa rejection applications, asylum-seekers, and refugees who want to relocate here.
Immigration statistics in Canada
Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world when it comes to its population, as there are many foreign citizens living here. At the level of 2019:
- there were 313,580 foreigners living in Canada;
- the number of women who moved here last year was 160,014;
- the number of male immigrants was 153,566;
- skilled workers represent the largest number of immigrants admitted to Canada last year – 77,860.
We have also created a video on our services, as you can see below:
FAQ on immigration to Canada
- Are there any particular requirements to immigrate to Canada?
Yes, depending on the type of visa applied for and the immigration reason or program, there are specific requisites to meet.
- What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada? How about the fastest?
The easiest and fastest way to immigrate to Canada is the Express Entry Visa under which one can work and bring family members to Canada.
- How long does the immigration procedure take?
The immigration procedure takes between a few months and one year, depending on your country of residence.
- How can permanent residency be obtained in Canada?
The minimum period of holding a residence permit in Canada is 5 years, out of which you will need to live here at least 2 in order to be considered for permanent residency.
- What is the easiest province to immigrate to?
Each province has its own immigration schemes among which you can choose, however, most of them are in Quebec.
Canada is one of the greatest countries to move to and if you are in the process or are planning to apply for a visa, our immigration lawyer is at your disposal for guidance. We can help you obtain the type of visa you need in a fast manner. Contact us if you are interested in immigration to Canada.