Canada’s immigration routes include work visas, the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP), temporary visas and family visas.
Skilled-worker visas are issued to applicants who have complied with one of the route’s three requirements, which demand an offer of arranged employment for the applicant; that the applicant is an international student, a temporary worker or a foreigner who has been residing in Canada for one year or that the applicant should have at least one year experience in an occupation. Apart from complying with these requirements, the applicant should also score a minimum of 67 on a test, which contains factors such as education, language ability, work experience, age, adaptability and financial means.
In terms of PNP, each of the country’s provinces that have signed up for the programme chooses immigrants who will benefit it in some way. Temporary visas in Canada can be obtained from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Website and includes work permits, business visas and study permits. Study permits are needed if an applicant intends studying in Canada for more than six months. Although work permits can easily be obtained, the employer must receive a positive Labour Market Opinion first.
For business visas, there are three categories in which an applicant must score at least 35 in a test. In addition, a business visa applicant must meet several other criteria, including at least two years in the management of a qualifying business for investor category; proof that his business will be able to contribute to the country’s economy in the entrepreneur programme and the need to have been self-employed in cultural activities or athletics or have farm management experience for self-employed people.
For permanent residency, sponsoring relatives through a Canadian family visa is usually the fastest route.