Frequently Asked Canada Immigration Qualifications Questions (FAQ)

Qualifications

2.1  Who qualifies for a Permanent Resident Visa?  

Permanent Resident visas are issued to the three classes of applicants: 

• Skilled Worker Class: A person with specific occupational skills and experience may qualify as an Skilled Worker immigrant. These skills must be readily transferable to the Canadian labour market;

• Business Class: successful business people who have abilities and resources to invest or establish businesses in Canada; and 

• Family Class: members of the families of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

2.2  Who is included in an application for a Permanent Resident Visa?  

Applications for permanent residence will include the principal applicant and all of his/her dependants. This means the applicant must include his/her spouse and all dependent children. The applicant and all dependants must be determined to be admissible, even if they have no intention of accompanying the principal applicant, in order for visas to be issued to the principal applicant or any dependants. Generally, parents are not included as accompanying dependants of the principal applicant. Parents can be sponsored after the applicant becomes a Canadian permanent resident. In exceptional cases, an elderly parent can be included as an accompanying dependant pursuant to the "Last Surviving Member" policy.
     
The Canadian immigration law define spouse as someone of the opposite sex to whom an individual is joined in marriage. Therefore, common law spouses and same sex partners are not considered spouses for immigration purposes and will be processed as Independent Class immigrants.  Where the common law spouse or same sex partner does not qualify as an Independent immigrant, a Permanent Resident visa may still be issued on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, due hardship which would often result from separating of a bona fide same sex or common law couple

2.3   Must I list in my application the children from previous relationship which do not live with me?     

Yes. You should list these children on your application form even if they will not be accompanying you. You must also use the Additional Family Information form (IMM 5406) to provide details of all your sons and daughters, including adopted children and stepchildren. Where custody arrangements have been made, you should provide copies of the custody documents.     

2.4   What about my dependents who will not accompany me to Canada? 

All of your dependents, whether they will accompany you to Canada or not, must be included in Part A Personal Details of your Immigrant Application Form (IMM 0008). In addition, each dependent 18 or over must complete his/her own application form. All of your dependents, whether they will accompany you to Canada or not, must pass medical examinations and background checks.       

2.5  What is a Provincial Nominee Program? 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has entered into bilateral agreements with interesting provinces to permit the admission of a limited number of provincial nominees.  The program recognizes that provincial governments are best positioned to identify their unique economic needs that can be effectively addressed by immigration. of provincial authorities in the selection of immigrants destined to their province. To date agreements have been signed with Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

The province of Quebec cooperates with the Government of Canada to select its own immigrants. The applicants are subject to Quebec's selection criteria, in addition to Federal medical and security clearance requirements.  They must also pay an additional fee for processing by a Quebec Delegation.  Applicants who qualify under the Federal selection criteria may not necessarily satisfy Quebec's selection requirements, and vice versa.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada retains the authority to make the final decision on an independent application using existing selection and admissibility criteria, including security, criminal, and medical factors for candidates who hold Provincial Nominee Certificates.        

2.6   Is it easier to meet the Provincial Nominee Program selection criteria?

Generally province recruits immigrants who have specialized professional skills and high likelihood to settle successfully in the province. If you possess those skills the province is looking for, it may be for your advantage to apply under PNP, since a total required number of points a provincial nominee has to achieve to be accepted is lower than under Federal Selection criteria. However, there are no guarantees. Obtaining minimum pass mark score, or any other score, does not automatically qualify an applicant to be a Provincial Nominee. There are a number of other factors to be considered by a Province before exercising its prerogative in nominating any candidate as a Provincial Nominee.                 

2.7   Does it help to have a relative in Canada? 

Yes. Having a close relative living in Canada increases your point score under the selection system. The relative must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen aged 19 or over, and he/she must be a "close relative" (the brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the principal applicant). You must provide documents proving the relationship. 

2.8   Do I need a passport or travel document?

You and your dependents must have valid passports or travel documents. If any of the documents are to expire soon, you should renew them. Diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports cannot be used to immigrate to Canada. You must have a valid regular or private passport when you arrive. The validity of your visa may be affected by the validity of your passport. 

2.9   How is my application assessed?

Applicants (with exception of Family Class) are assessed according to the "selection system". In order to help you assess your chances of qualifying, you should fill out our Canada Immigration Assessment Form, providing us with the personal information necessary. Points are calculated bases on the following:

• age;

• education;

• arranged employment;

• work experience;

• language ability;

• adaptability.

2.10  Will I be subject to background and other checks?

All adults will require a background check. Any related costs are the responsibility of the applicants. Background checks include criminal, security and medical checks.  

2.11   Do I qualify for immigration to Canada?

For a free assessment of your case, please complete  the  linked  assessment  form  on  line  or   save and e mail back as an attachment. You may do so as a Skilled Worker Class  applicant, a Business Class applicant, or a Family Class applicant.