| Introduction
Family (link)
Economic immigrants
General
information:
The information on this
website is updated periodically, but for full details,
including the latest updates and a self-assessment
test for economic immigrants, check the website of Citizenship
and Immigation Canada (CIC).
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada (= CIC) receives approximately 1.5 million
immigration applications a year.
The
annual number of immigrants in Canada (link):
- Year 2005: 262,241
- Year 2006: 251,643
- Year 2007:
236,754
- Year 2008: 247,243
- long-term target:
1% of Canada's population annually
Breakdown
in immigrant categories:
- 60% economic immigrants
- 29% family-class immigrants
- 11% refugees
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Categories
of immigration applicants:
1.
Family:
These applicants are sponsored
by e.g. a parent, child, spouse, or common-law partner who is a
permanent resident of Canada or who is a Canadian citizen. The sponsoring
relative must have resided in Canada for a number of years and must
be able to provide finance and accommodation for the applicant. The support may vary from 3 years (for a spouse) to a maximum of 10 years (for a minor child).
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2.
Economic immigrants:
(a)
Skilled Workers and professionals (link):
Applicants in the "skilled
worker" category must have specific occupational skills and
experience which are readily transferable to the Canadian labor
market. In order to be eligible for immigration, the applicant must
have at least 1 year of paid, full-time work
experience within the last 10 years, in a job listed on
the National
Occupation Classification List. The applicant must also bring
enough money to support himself
and his family for 6 months after arrival in Canada
(in 2007: CAD 10,168 for 1 person, CAD 12,659 for 2 persons, CAD
15,563 for 3 persons, etc.). This financial requirement does not
apply if the applicant has arranged employment in Canada before
arrival. Note that the import of amounts in excess of CAD
10,000 needs to be declared to customs when entering the
country.
Adequate language
skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in one
or both of Canada's official languages are also important.
The applicant in the "skilled worker" category must score
at least 67 points on the 6 selection criteria
below.
If required, the national Government may change
the points criterion. The Province of Quebec has its own points
requirements.
The points system does not apply for applicants using the Provincial Nominee Program. This means that direct contact is made with a Province where there is a special demand for specific skilled workers. Click here for further information.
| POINTS SYSTEM: SKILLED
WORKERS AND PROFESSIONALS
(click
here for the online
self- assessment) |
| 1. Education:
(max. 25 points) |
the applicant's score depends
on level of study & number of years in full-time education |
| 2. Language (max.
24 points) |
the maximum score is obtained if the
applicant has a high proficiency in both official languages
( reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English and French).
For high proficiency in one of these languages a maximum of
16 points may be scored. |
| 3.
Work experience
(max.
21 points) |
1
year of work experience = 15 points
2
years = 17 points
3
years = 19 points
4
years or more = 21 points
For further information, see National Occupation Classification List, and also check out what the "restricted occupations" are (i.e. occupations for which no points are awarded). |
4.
Age
(max.
10 points) |
between
the ages 21-49 = 10 points,
less
2 points for each year over 49 or under 21 |
| 5. Arranged employment (max.
10 points) |
10 points are scored if the applicant
has an offer of permanent employment which has been confirmed
by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) |
| 6. Adaptibility (max.
10 points) |
points may be scored for e.g. the applicant's
spouse's or common-law partner's education, previous education, business exploration trip
or work experience in Canada, a Canadian family relationship,
etc. |
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(b)
Business class "investors" (link) :
The applicant's minimum
net worth (earned through the applicant's own efforts) is CAD
800,000.
The minimum investment in Canada will
be at least CAD 400,000.
The applicant
must show documents to prove significant business management experience & potential.
For more information, click here.
The applicant must score at least 35 points on
the 5 selection criteria below (link).
| POINTS SYSTEM: INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS |
| 1. Education: (max. 25 points) |
the applicant's score depends on level of study & number of years in full-time education |
2. Work- / business experience
(max. 35 points) |
2 years = 20 points
3 years = 25 points
4 years = 30 points
5 years or more = 35 points |
| 3. Age (max. 10 points) |
between the ages 21-49 = 10 points,
less 2 points for each year over 49 or under 21 |
| 4. Language (max. 24 points) |
the maximum score is obtained if the applicant has a high proficiency in both official languages ( reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English and French). For high proficiency in one of these languages a maximum of 16 points may be scored |
| 5. Adaptibility (max. 6 points) |
points may be scored for e.g. the applicant's spouse's or common-law partner's education, previous education, business exploration trip or work experience in Canada, a Canadian family relationship, etc. |
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(c)
Business class "entrepreneurs" (link) :
The applicant must must have a minimum net worth
of CAD 300,000.
The applicant must also show documents
to prove significant business management experience in
a "qualifying business" in the Netherlands for at least 2 years in the 5 years before the date of application.
The applicant must score at least 35 points on the 5 selection criteria above .
For more information, click here.
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(d)
Business class "self-employed" (link) :
Applicants must have demonstrable experience in, and be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural life or athletic
life of Canada, or purchase and manage a farm in
Canada.
The applicant must also score at least 35 points on the 5 selection criteria below.
For more information, click here.
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