Immigrating to Canada

Immigrating to Canada permanently is an exciting opportunity. However, there are several things you should consider before you apply to be a permanent resident.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply. You will need to decide which immigration program will work best for you and your family.

Find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category:

· Skilled workers and professionals
For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec)

· Quebec-selected skilled workers
For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec

· Canadian Experience Class
For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada

· Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people
For people who want to start a business in Canada

· Provincial nominees
One of Canada’s provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there

· Sponsoring your family
How to sponsor a family member to join you here if you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen

Sponsoring your family

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) knows it is important to help families who come from other countries to reunite in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child (including adopted child) or other eligible relative (such as a parent or grandparent) to become a permanent resident.

CIC refers to the immigrants who are eligible to use this family sponsoring process as the Family Class.

If you become a permanent resident, you can live, study and work in Canada. For more information about being a permanent resident in Canada, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

When you arrive in Canada as a permanent resident, you must make every reasonable effort to provide for your own essential needs and those of your family.

If you sponsor a relative to come to Canada as a permanent resident, you are responsible for supporting your relative financially when he or she arrives. As a sponsor, you must make sure your spouse or relative does not need to seek financial assistance from the government.

The process to sponsor your family begins when you, as a citizen or permanent resident in Canada, apply to be a sponsor.

There are two different processes for sponsoring your family. One process is used for sponsoring your spouse, conjugal or common-law partner and/or dependent children. Another process is used to sponsor other eligible relatives.

　Learn about:

　· Family Class: Spouses, partners and dependent children (includes common-law and conjugal partners)
　· Family Class: Other eligible relatives

Sponsoring your family - Spouses and dependent children

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor her or his spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, or dependent children to come to Canada as permanent residents. See the Who can apply section below to find out if your relationship qualifies.

You can then find out if your spouse, partner or child meets the requirements for you to sponsor them.

Learn about:

　· Who can apply
　　　　 Sponsorship
　· How to apply
　· After applying
　· Arriving
　· Frequently asked questions

Spouses and dependent children - Arriving

When you arrive in Canada, you must show your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer at the point of entry to Canada. The officer will make sure your travel and immigration documents are correct.

　· The CIC officer will check that your permanent resident visa has not expired. The expiry date is shown on the visa. You cannot use the visa after the expiry date. Permanent residence visas cannot be extended, so make sure you use it within the time limit.

　· You must bring with you a valid passport or travel documents. If presenting a passport, it must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic government service or a public affairs passport.

　· You will have to answer questions like the ones you answered on your Application for Permanent Residence in Canada. The CIC officer asks these questions to verify certain information on the application.

　· You must inform the visa officer of any funds you are bringing into Canada (cash, stocks, bonds, money orders, traveller’s cheques, etc.).

If there are no problems when you arrive in Canada, the CIC officer will authorize you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. The officer will also use the address on your COPR to have your permanent resident card mailed to you. Make sure your Canadian address on the COPCOPRR is correct.

Permanent residents are given the permanent resident card as proof of their status in Canada. Your card will be mailed to your Canadian address after you arrive in Canada as a permanent resident.

Spouses and dependent children - After applying

Once you (the sponsor) are notified that your application has been received, you can check the status of your application online under the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. You can also contact the Call Centre (see Contact Us at the top of this page).

The Case Processing Centre (CPC) of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Mississauga, Ontario, will review your sponsorship application. If it is approved, then your relative’s application for permanent residence will be processed. If your relative is applying for permanent residence from outside Canada, the CPC will send the application by courier to the appropriate visa office in your relative’s home country. It will be processed there.

If you fail to meet the sponsorship requirements, the CPC will inform you. The relative(s) you want to sponsor may continue with their application, but it may not necessarily be approved. For more information on this process, read the guide in the application kit.

If you are approved as a sponsor but the application of the relative(s) you are sponsoring is refused, you will receive the reason for the refusal and information about appeal rights. You may be able to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

You cannot appeal if:

　· you withdrew or abandoned your sponsorship application
　· the applicant for permanent residence is not eligible to apply as your spouse, partner or dependent child
　· the application was refused because you provided information that was false
　· the applicant was refused because of a serious criminal offence or
　· the application was refused for security reasons, or for organized crime or human rights violations.

If you do not qualify to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child in the Family Class, your spouse may apply to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Spouses and dependent children - How to apply

How does a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children get permanent resident status?

The application process involves two steps:

　1. If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you must apply to sponsor them.
　2. Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children must then apply for permanent residence.

If you sponsor your spouse or partner, and your dependent children as a group, all of their applications for permanent residence must be filled out at the same time to be mailed together.

The applications for both sponsorship and permanent residence should be filled out and sent at the same time. There are two steps to process the application forms:

　· The sponsorship application is processed by the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario (for family members living outside Canada), or the CPC in Vegreville, Alberta (for family members living inside Canada).

　· If you are approved as a sponsor, the permanent residence application is sent to the appropriate Canadian visa office.

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec immigration sponsorship requirements. For more information, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

How to apply?

1. Obtain an application kit.

You will need an application kit for sponsorship and an application kit for permanent residence for your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child.

Depending on whether your relatives live inside or outside Canada, the application kits for sponsorship and permanent residence are different. Be sure to choose the correct application package. For instance:

　· If your spouse, partner or accompanying dependent child lives with you in Canada, use the Application for Permanent Residence in Canada—Spouse or Common-law Partner.
　· If your spouse, partner or dependent child lives abroad, use the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class.

You can download and print the forms you need from Find an application form or guide in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

You can also have the applications mailed to you:

　· If you are in Canada, contact the Call Centre (see Contact Us at the top of this page).
　· If you are outside Canada, contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your area.

2. Read the guide.

Read the guides for both the sponsorship and the permanent residence applications carefully before you complete the application forms. The fee for processing your forms is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible before you apply.

3. Complete the application forms and attach the necessary documents.

Use the instructions in the guide to help you fill out the application form. Be sure to provide the required documents. They are listed in the Document Checklist in the kit. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.

　· As the sponsor, you will sign an agreement that commits you to supporting your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for three years. If you sponsor a dependent child, you will commit to supporting the child for 10 years or until the child is 25 years old, whichever comes first.
　· Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner must promise to make every effort to become self-supporting.
　· If you sponsor your dependent children who are not accompanying your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, you will have to complete a separate application and pay the applicable fees for each of these children.
　· Have the person(s) you are sponsoring complete the application for permanent residence.

There are some extra steps to follow if the person(s) you want to sponsor lives outside Canada:

　· Have the person(s) you want to sponsor complete the medical examination requirements. Instructions are in the application kit. There is also information about medical examinations in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.
　· Assemble the final application for permanent residence, including applications, supporting documents, and proof that the medical examination has been done.

Note: Misrepresenting your situation in any way can make you inadmissible to Canada. You cannot misrepresent any relevant facts in your application. You cannot misrepresent your family members and marital status, and you must inform Citizenship and Immigration Canada of any change in circumstances. You must identify all your family members in the application. If you fail to disclose and/or have examined any of your close family members at any time between the date of the original application and the date your family member is granted permanent residence, you will be barred from sponsoring those members in the future.

4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.

The fees are:

　· $75 for the sponsorship application
　· $475 for the principal applicant
　· $150 for a dependent child of the principal applicant who is under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship
　· $550 for a dependant of the principal applicant who is 22 or older, or who is under 22 and married or in a common-law relationship and
　· $490 for the right of permanent residence fee which your spouse will be required to pay before the status is granted.

You can pay fees:

　· at most banks. If you use this method, you must get an original receipt of payment (form IMM 5401) to bring with you when you pay. This form is not available online. You must have it mailed to you. See Order a receipt of payment (IMM 5401) under Related Links at the bottom of the page.

　· online through Pay application fees in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. Once you have paid your fees online, you must print a receipt of payment form and include it with your application. Be sure to print the actual receipt, not the “payment confirmation form” page. See Payment of fees through the Internet under Related Links at the bottom of the page for more information.

If you live outside Canada, but submitted your application in Canada, online payment is recommended.

If you cannot pay online, you may pay fees with an international money order or a bank draft made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. It must be in Canadian funds.

To ensure the bank draft or money order can be cashed at a Canadian financial institution (such as a bank or Western Union) you must include some information. On the front, you must clearly write the financial institution’s

　· name and complete address (not a post office box number) and
　· account number(s).

It is very important to include this information. If you do not, your application may be delayed or returned to you.

5. Mail the application and documents.

The application kit has the address you need for mailing your application to the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario (for family members living outside Canada) or CPC in Vegreville, Alberta (for family members living inside Canada).

You can find information on how long it will take to process your application in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Spouses and dependent children - Who can apply

Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children may be eligible to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.

An application for Family Class sponsorship can be made if your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children live inside or outside Canada.

The first step is for you to apply as the sponsor. Both you, as the sponsor, and your relative must meet certain requirements.

Applicants for permanent residence must go through medical, criminal and background screening. Applicants with a criminal record may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are also not allowed to enter Canada. Applicants may have to provide a certificate from police authorities in their home country. The Sponsor’s Guide for Family Class explains medical, criminal and background checks. For more information, go to the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child

You can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. To be a sponsor, you must be 18 years of age or older.

You can apply as a sponsor if your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or accompanying dependent children live with you in Canada, even if they do not have legal status in Canada. However, all the other requirements must be met.

You can also apply as a sponsor if your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children live outside Canada, and if they meet all the requirements.

When you sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada, you must promise to support them financially. Therefore, you have to meet certain income requirements. If you have previously sponsored relatives to come to Canada and they have later turned to the government for financial assistance, you may not be allowed to sponsor another person. Sponsorship is a big commitment, so you must take this obligation seriously.

To be a sponsor:

　· You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits you to provide financial support for your relative, if necessary. This agreement also says the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support her or himself.
　· You must provide financial support for a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for three years from the date they become a permanent resident.
　· You must provide financial support for a dependent child for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.

You may not be eligible to be a sponsor if you:

　· failed to provide financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor another relative in the past
　· defaulted on a court-ordered support order, such as alimony or child support
　· received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability
　· were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence—depending on circumstances such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred and whether a pardon was issued
　· defaulted on an immigration loan—late or missed payments
　· are in prison or
　· have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.

Other factors not included in this list might also make you ineligible to sponsor a relative.

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements, after Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves you as a sponsor. For more information, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Spouse

You are a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is legally valid.

If you were married in Canada:

　· You must have a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory where the marriage took place.

If you were married outside Canada:

　· The marriage must be valid under the law of the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
　· A marriage performed in an embassy or consulate must comply with the law of the country where it took place, not the country of nationality of the embassy or consulate.

Sponsoring your same-sex partner as a spouse

You can apply to sponsor your same-sex partner as a spouse if:

　· you are a Canadian citizen and permanent resident and
　· you were married in Canada and issued a marriage certificate by a Canadian province or territory on or after the following dates:

　　　· British Columbia (on or after July 8, 2003)
　　　· Manitoba (on or after September 16, 2004)
　　　· New Brunswick (on or after July 4, 2005)
　　　· Newfoundland and Labrador (on or after December 21, 2004)
　　　· Nova Scotia (on or after September 24, 2004)
　　　· Ontario (on or after June 10, 2003)
　　　· Quebec (on or after March 19, 2004)
　　　· Saskatchewan (on or after November 5, 2004)
　　　· Yukon (on or after July 14, 2004)
　　　· all other provinces or territories (on or after July 20, 2005).

If you were married outside Canada, you may apply to sponsor your same-sex partner as a spouse as long as the marriage is legally recognized according to both the law of the place where the marriage occurred and under Canadian law. This applies to same-sex marriages performed in the following jurisdictions:

　· Belgium
　· the Netherlands
　· Norway
　· South Africa
　· Spain
　· Sweden
　· the State of California (June 16, 2008 – November 5, 2008)
　· the State of Massachusetts
　· the State of New Hampshire
　· the State of Connecticut
　· the State of Iowa
　· the State of Vermont (effective September 1, 2009)

Please note that the above list of jurisdictions is offered as a guide only, and is subject to change. It is your responsibility to provide CIC information about whether or not your same-sex-marriage was legally recognized when and where it occurred.

Common-law partner

You are a common-law partner—either of the opposite sex or same sex—if:

　· you have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year in a continuous 12-month period that was not interrupted. (You are allowed short absences for business travel or family reasons, however.)

You will need proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together. This can be in the form of:

　· joint bank accounts or credit cards
　· joint ownership of a home
　· joint residential leases
　· joint rental receipts
　· joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
　· joint management of household expenses
　· proof of joint purchases, especially for household items or
　· mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address.

Conjugal partner

This category is for partners—either of the opposite sex or same sex—in exceptional circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from qualifying as common-law partners or spouses by living together.

A conjugal relationship is more than a physical relationship. It means you depend on each other, there is some permanence to the relationship and there is the same level of commitment as a marriage or a common-law relationship.

You may apply as a conjugal partner if:

　· you have maintained a conjugal relationship with your sponsor for at least one year and you have been prevented from living together or marrying because of:

　　　· an immigration barrier
　　　· your marital status (for example, you are married to someone else and living in a country where divorce is not possible) or
　　　· your sexual orientation (for example, you are in a same-sex relationship and same-sex marriage is not permitted where you live)

　· you can provide evidence there was a reason you could not live together (for example, you were refused long-term stays in each other’s country).

You should not apply as a conjugal partner if:

　· You could have lived together but chose not to. This shows that you did not have the level of commitment required for a conjugal relationship. (For example, one of you may not have wanted to give up a job or a course of study, or your relationship was not yet at the point where you were ready to live together.)
　· You cannot provide evidence there was a reason that kept you from living together.
　· You are engaged to be married. In this case, you should either apply as a spouse once the marriage has taken place or apply as a common-law partner if you have lived together continuously for at least 12 months.

Dependent children

A son or daughter is dependent when the child:

　· is under the age of 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law partner
　· is a full-time student and is substantially dependent on a parent for financial support since before the age of 22, or since becoming a spouse or common-law partner (if this happened before age 22) or
　· is financially dependent on a parent since before the age of 22 because of a disability.

Relationships that are not eligible

You cannot be sponsored as a spouse, a common-law partner or a conjugal partner if:

　· you are under 16 years of age
　· you (or your sponsor) were married to someone else at the time of your marriage
　· you have lived apart from your sponsor for at least one year and either you (or your sponsor) are the common-law or conjugal partner of another person
　· your sponsor immigrated to Canada and, at the time they applied for permanent residence, you were a family member who should have been examined to see if you met immigration requirements, but you were not examined or
　· your sponsor previously sponsored another spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, and three years have not passed since that person became a permanent resident.

Sponsoring your family - Eligible relatives

Your relative may be able to come to Canada as a permanent resident.

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your relative under the Family Class program. To find out if you qualify to sponsor a relative, see the Who can apply link below.

If you want to adopt a child from outside Canada, please see Adopt a child on the left-hand side of this page under “Canadian Residents”.

　Learn about:

　· Who can apply
　· How to apply
　· After applying
　· Arriving
　· Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions - Sponsoring your family

Spouses, partners and dependent children

1. Why should I apply under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class instead of applying to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds?

People apply to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds because they do not meet the criteria to apply in any other class. Spouses and common-law partners should apply in the Family Class. The Family Class will exempt you from some of the financial and medical requirements, and you can include other family members (who are in Canada or in another country) on your application for permanent residence. The process in the Family Class is much faster than an application on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

2. If I have overstayed my visa or visitor record or if I have been working or studying without a permit, can I apply for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class? If yes, how do I apply?

Yes. You can apply for permanent residence under a public policy that creates exceptions to the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class, if you are still in Canada. You can download the application kit, or order it by contacting the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Call Centre, toll free at 1 888 242-2100 (from within Canada only). CIC will mail the application kit to you—delivery takes about two weeks.

The application kit contains everything you will need, including the sponsorship application that your spouse or partner must fill out.

3. I entered Canada without a valid passport or travel document. Can I apply for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class?

Yes. You can apply under the public policy relating to the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class. However, you must obtain a valid passport from your home country or travel documents before Citizenship and Immigration Canada will grant you permanent residence.

4. Can I apply for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class if I am inadmissible to Canada?

Yes. You can apply under the public policy relating to the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class. However, your application for permanent residence may not be approved if there are reasons that prevent you from staying in Canada that are not related to lack of status. For example, you may not be allowed to stay in Canada if you do not meet medical or security requirements, or if you have been convicted of a criminal offence.

5. I am a temporary resident permit holder. Can I apply to become a permanent resident as a sponsored spouse or common-law partner?

If you are in Canada on a temporary resident permit, you can apply to become a permanent resident of Canada. However, if you have a temporary resident permit because you are inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than lack of status, you cannot be granted permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class.

6. I was deported from Canada and I returned without getting proper permission. Can I apply as a permanent resident under the public policy for the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class?

Your application will be refused because you do not have permission to be in Canada. You may be able to be sponsored from abroad if you return to your home country.

7. I am a failed refugee claimant. Can I stay in Canada if I marry a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada?

Being in a common-law relationship with, or married to, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident does not guarantee that you can become a permanent resident of Canada.

As a failed refugee claimant, you can apply to be a permanent resident under the public policy relating to the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class if you meet all the requirements and you are not inadmissible to Canada.

8. Does this policy mean that I don’t have to retain legal status in Canada?

If you do not have legal status, you cannot work or study in Canada. In addition, you could be subject to removal.

9. How do I find someone to represent me or help me complete my application?

You do not need a representative to help you apply to visit or immigrate to Canada. The use of a representative is a personal choice. Find out more information about using a representative.

10. Can I cancel my application once it has been approved?

If you change your mind about sponsoring a family member, you must write a letter to the appropriate Case Processing Centre before a permanent resident visa is issued. Once permanent resident visas are issued, the promise that you and, if applicable, your co-signer, made to support your family member is valid for the term of your application.

The application is an unconditional promise of support. For example, the granting of Canadian citizenship, relationship breakdown or moving to another province does not cancel the application. The application also remains in effect if your financial situation changes and you can no longer afford to provide financial support.

11. What family members may come with me to Canada when I immigrate?

The family members that can come with you to Canada when you become a permanent resident include:

　· your spouse or common-law partner
　· your dependent child or your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child and
　· a dependent child of a dependent child.

Your parents, grandparents and other family members are not eligible to come to Canada with you. However, you can apply to sponsor them to come to Canada after you immigrate here.

12. I want to sponsor my spouse. Is it faster to apply from inside or outside Canada?

It is usually faster to apply to sponsor a spouse from outside Canada. However, the requirements to immigrate to Canada are the same in both cases.

Some differences between the processes:

Inside Canada

　· average of 12 to 18 months to process routine applications
no right of appeal
　· you are advised to stay in Canada while your application is being processed (If you leave Canada and cannot re-enter, the application will be abandoned)
　· you can send an application for an open work permit with the sponsorship application (the permit will be issued as soon as you are eligible for it)

Outside Canada

　· average of 6 to 12 months to process routine applications
　· right of appeal
　· you can leave and re-enter Canada while your application is being processed as long as you meet all requirements to enter Canada
　· if you want to work in Canada while your application is being processed, you must apply for a regular work permit

13. How can I check the status of my application?

You may check your application status on this website, using the e-client Application Status service (e-CAS) of the Citizenship and Immigration website.

If you are sponsoring a member of the family class, you may also check case status through the CIC Call Centre. In Canada, call 1-888-242-2100. In some cases, you can use our Case Specific Enquiry Form. Choose International Visa Office. Choose the Canadian visa office you applied to from the list and look under “Case specific enquiries.” Please read the instructions carefully before sending an enquiry using that form.

Eligible relatives

1. What is different in the sponsorship process if I live in Quebec?

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the province of Quebec has a role in determining the eligibility of sponsors living in Quebec. The Quebec process begins after Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has reviewed your sponsorship application.

You will get a letter confirming that your application has been accepted. It will tell you what steps to take with the Government of Quebec. If you meet Quebec’s eligibility criteria, then the Quebec ministry that handles immigration (ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles) will issue an Engagement and Certificat de sélection du Québec (Agreement and Certificate of Selection) to you. A copy of each document will be sent to the visa office in your relative’s home country to be included in the process.

2. Can my relative get an up-front medical examination?

The up-front medical examination process is only available to spouses, common-law partners and dependent children. If any other members of the Family Class (for example, parents and grandparents) use the up-front medical examination process, the medical results will not be valid and the examination will have to be redone.

Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act changed the medical requirements for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children, but these changes have not, so far, been extended to other members of the Family Class.

3. How do I find someone to represent me or help me complete my application?

You do not need a representative to help you apply to immigrate to Canada. The use of a representative is a personal choice. Find more about using a representative. There are also organizations that can help you fill out the application forms. For more information, see After You Arrive on the left-hand side of this page.

4. Can I cancel my application once it has been approved?

If you change your mind about sponsoring your parents, grandparents, adopted children or other relatives, you must write a letter to the Case Processing Centre of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Mississauga, Ontario, before the permanent resident visas are issued. Once permanent resident visas are issued, however, the promise that you and, if applicable, your co-signer made to support your family is valid for the term in the application.

The application is an unconditional promise of support. For example, if your relative is granted Canadian citizenship, if your relationship breaks down or if your relative moves to another province, the application will not be cancelled. Even if your financial situation changes and you can no longer afford to support a relative, the application remains in effect. You must support the relative financially for the full term of the agreement.

5. What if I can’t afford to sponsor my relative? Can they come to Canada as a refugee instead?

Your relative is only eligible under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program if they are in a situation where they may be subject to persecution in their home country. For more information, see The Refugee System on the left-hand side of this page.

Priority processing for family members in Iraq

1. What does it mean to give priority processing?

Priority processing means that applications currently waiting to be processed, at either the Case Processing Centre or at the visa office, will be pulled from the wait list and processed right away.

New applications to sponsor a family member directly affected by the situation in Iraq will not be put on the wait list but will also be processed right away.

2. Who is eligible for the priority processing?

Close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been directly affected by the situation in Iraq and who live in Iraq or the surrounding region are eligible for priority processing.

3. Are family members of protected persons included in the priority processing?

Yes. Protected persons in Canada who have applied for permanent residence and who have included a dependant living in Iraq or the surrounding region in their application will also be given priority processing.

4. What countries are considered part of the “surrounding region”?

The surrounding region includes Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Iran. Applications for permanent residence from Iraqi nationals who live in any of these five countries will also be given priority processing from the visa office in Damascus.

5. Who is considered part of the Family Class?

Family Class includes a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child, parent and grandparent.

6. How long will it take for my application to be processed?

If you have applied or plan to apply for sponsorship in Canada to the Case Processing Centre, you can expect to have your application processed in about one week, as long as it is complete and the application fee has been paid.

If your application is being processed at the visa office in Damascus, processing times will vary depending on your circumstances. The visa office has already begun priority processing on eligible applications and will start to process new applications right away. To keep from delaying the process, applicants and sponsors should respond quickly to any request from the visa office.

Applicants and sponsors can check the progress of their applications online by using the E-Client Application Status service.

7. If I am applying to come to Canada temporarily, e.g., to visit, study or work, will priority processing apply?

No. Priority processing only applies to Family Class applications for permanent residence.

8. If my application was previously refused but I am affected by the situation in Iraq, will my case be re-examined?

We do not reopen a closed file. If your application was previously refused, you can reapply and it will be reassessed.

9. Will security or medical requirements be waived for the priority processing?

No. As usual, all applicants must meet security and medical requirements.

10. I have already applied as a refugee and am waiting to see if I will be accepted. If I have family in Canada, can I also apply under the Family Class to receive priority processing?

Yes. In fact, you are encouraged to apply for Family Class processing if you have a close family member living in Canada who can sponsor you.

Eligible relatives - Arriving

When you arrive in Canada, you must show your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa to a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer at the point of entry to Canada. The officer will make sure your travel and immigration documents are correct.

　· The CIC officer will check that your permanent resident visa has not expired. The expiry date is shown on the visa. You cannot use the visa after it expires. A permanent residence visa cannot be extended, so make sure you use it within the time limit.

　· You must bring a valid passport from your home country with you. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.

　· You will have to answer questions like the ones you answered on your Application for Permanent Residence in Canada. The CIC officer asks these questions to verify information on the application.

　· You must inform the CIC officer of any funds you are bringing into Canada (cash, stocks, bonds, money orders, traveller’s cheques, etc.)

If there are no problems when you arrive in Canada, the CIC officer will authorize you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. The officer will also use the address on your COPR to have your permanent resident card mailed to you. Make sure your Canadian address on the COPR is correct.

Permanent residents are given the permanent resident card as proof of their status in Canada. Your card will be mailed to your Canadian address after you arrive in Canada as a permanent resident.

Eligible relatives - After applying

Once you (the sponsor) have been notified that your application has been received, you can check on the status of your application online through the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page. You can also check through the Call Centre (see Contact Us at the top of this page).

The Case Processing Centre (CPC) of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Mississauga, Ontario, will review your application as a sponsor. If you appear eligible to be a sponsor, the CPC will send you the application by courier. You will receive a blank permanent resident application for your overseas relatives to complete and submit to the visa office in their home country. The application will be processed there.

If you fail to meet the sponsorship requirements, the CPC will tell you. You may have stated on your application to sponsor that you want to continue with your application even if you are not found eligible to sponsor. In this case, the CPC will forward your application to the visa office, but it will not necessarily be approved. Your application kit explains this process in detail.

If you are approved as a sponsor and the person(s) you are sponsoring has her or his application refused, you will be notified and given the reason for the refusal and information about appeal rights. You may be able to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

You cannot appeal if:

　· you withdrew or abandoned your sponsorship application
　· the applicant is not an eligible relative
　· the application was refused because you provided false information
　· the applicant was refused because of a serious criminal offence or
　· the applicant was refused on security grounds, or for organized crime or human rights violations.

If the permanent residence application is successful, your relatives will be asked to provide their passports to the Canadian visa office where they applied in order to receive a permanent resident visa.

Your relatives will then be given a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The COPR will have identification information as well as the relative’s photograph and signature. The relatives must bring the COPR to the point of entry with her or his visa when entering Canada.

Eligible relatives - How to apply

The application process involves two steps:

　1. You, as a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, must apply to be a sponsor and then be approved.

　2. The eligible relative(s) must apply and be approved for permanent residence. Application forms for your relatives to fill out will be sent to you in Canada after the Case Processing Centre of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Mississauga, Ontario, reviews your sponsoring application. You should ensure that the correct number of application forms are mailed overseas to the relatives you want to sponsor for permanent residence.

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec immigration sponsorship requirements. For more information see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

How to apply for sponsorship

　1. Obtain an application package .
　2. Read the guide.
　3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.
　4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.
　5. Mail the application form and documents.


1. Obtain an application package.

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

2. Read the guide.

Read the guide carefully before you complete the application form. The fee for processing your form is not refundable, so make sure you are eligible to sponsor a relative before you apply.

3. Complete the application form and attach the necessary documents.

Use the instructions in the guide to help you fill out the application form. Be sure to provide the necessary documents—these are listed in the Document Checklist in the kit. If information or documents are missing, your application may be delayed.

　· As the sponsor, you must sign an agreement that commits you to supporting the relative for a certain time period. You will have to provide proof of minimum income.
　· Your eligible relative must promise to make every effort to become self-supporting.
　· If your relative has dependent children, they must be included on your sponsorship application and, later, on the application of your relative to come here as a permanent resident.

4. Pay the fee and get the necessary receipt.

Depending on who you are sponsoring, the fees are:

　· $75 for the sponsorship application
　· $475 for the principal applicant
　· $150 for a dependent child of the principal applicant, under age 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship
　· $550 for a dependant of the principal applicant who is 22 or older, or who is under 22 and married or in a common-law relationship and
　· $490 for the right of permanent residence fee, which is required before the status is granted. (Note: If you do not include the $490 fee when you submit your sponsorship application, you will be asked to provide it just before your relative’s visa is issued. This fee is the only fee that you do not need to include when you send in your sponsorship application.)

You can pay fees:

　· at most banks. If you use this method, you must get an original receipt of payment (form IMM 5401) to bring with you when you pay. This form is not available online. You must have it mailed to you. See Order a receipt of payment (IMM 5401) under Related Links at the bottom of the page.

　· online through Pay my application fees in the I Need To… section on the right-hand of this page. Once you have paid your fees online, you must print a receipt of payment form and include it with your application. Be sure to print the actual receipt, not the “payment confirmation form” page. See Payment of fees on the Internet under Related Links at the bottom of the page for more information.

If you live outside Canada, but submitted your application in Canada, online payment is recommended.

If you cannot pay online, you may pay fees with an international money order or a bank draft made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. It must be in Canadian funds.

To ensure the bank draft or money order can be cashed at a Canadian financial institution (such as a bank or Western Union) you must include some information. On the front, you must clearly write the financial institution’s

　· name and complete address (not a post office box number) and
　· account number(s).

It is very important to include this information. If you do not, your application may be delayed or returned to you.

5. Mail the application form and documents.

The mailing address will be in the sponsorship application form.

You can find information on how long it will take to process your application in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

How to apply for permanent residence

After CIC receives your application, you will be notified of the results of the assessment of your sponsorship application. You will also be sent the permanent residence application kit to send to your relative(s) overseas.

You must send the kit to the relatives you are sponsoring and tell them to complete the permanent residence application forms. They must send these forms, with all the required documents, to the Canadian visa office responsible for processing their application in their home country. For information about overseas visa offices, go to the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Your relative(s) must complete the medical examination requirements. Instructions are in the application kit. You can take this step once all necessary documents have been gathered to support the applications. For information about the medical examinations, go to the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Information on forms

If you apply to sponsor or to be a permanent resident in Canada, you must not misrepresent your situation in any way because it can make you inadmissible to Canada. You cannot misrepresent any relevant facts in your application. You cannot misrepresent your family members and marital status, and you must inform CIC of any change in circumstances. You must disclose all your family members in the application. If you fail to disclose and/or have examined any of your close family members at any time between the date of the original application and the date your family member is granted permanent residence, then you will be barred from sponsoring those members in the future.

Eligible relatives - Who can apply

Certain relatives may be eligible to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.

There must be a sponsor for any relative immigrating to Canada within the Family Class. Both the person sponsoring a relative and the person wishing to immigrate to Canada must meet certain requirements.

Applicants for permanent residence must go through medical, criminal and background checks. An applicant with a criminal record may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are also not allowed to enter Canada. An applicant may have to provide a certificate from police authorities in the home country. Medical, criminal and background checks are explained in the application kit. For more information, go to the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Sponsoring an eligible relative

You can sponsor certain relatives if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and if you are 18 years of age or older.

You may not be eligible to sponsor a relative if you:

　· failed to provide the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor another relative in the past
　· defaulted on a court-ordered support order, such as alimony or child support
　· received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability
　· were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence—depending on circumstances, such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred and whether a pardon was issued
　· defaulted on an immigration loan—late or missed payments
are in prison or
　· have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.

Other factors not mentioned in this list might also make you ineligible to sponsor a relative.

When you sponsor a relative to become a permanent resident of Canada, you must promise to support that person and their dependants financially. Therefore, you have to meet certain income requirements. If you have previously sponsored relatives who later turned to the Canadian government for financial assistance, you may not be allowed to sponsor another person. Sponsorship is a big commitment, so you must take this obligation seriously.

To be a sponsor:

　· You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits you to provide financial support for your relative if necessary. This agreement also states that the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support themselves. Dependent children under age 22 do not have to sign this agreement. Quebec residents must sign an “undertaking” with the province of Quebec—a contract binding the sponsorship.

　· You must promise to provide financial support for the relative and any other eligible relatives accompanying them for a period of three to ten years, depending on their age and relationship to you. This time period begins on the date they become a permanent resident.

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements after Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves you as a sponsor. For more information, see the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

If you are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and plans to return to Canada when your relatives immigrate, you may sponsor your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or your dependent children who have no dependent children. For more information, see Spouses, partners and dependent children in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

To sponsor any other eligible relatives (for example, parents and grandparents), you must be living in Canada.

Who can be sponsored

You can sponsor:

　· parents
　· grandparents
　· brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
　· another relative of any age or relationship but only under specific conditions (see Note below)
　· accompanying relatives of the above (for example, spouse, partner and dependent children).

Note: you can sponsor one relative regardless of age or relationship only if you do not have a living spouse or common-law partner, conjugal partner, a son or daughter, parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece who could be sponsored as a member of the family class, and you do not have any relative who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident or registered as an Indian under the Indian Act.

Who cannot be sponsored

Other relatives, such as brothers and sisters over 18, or adult independent children cannot be sponsored. However, if they apply to immigrate under the Skilled Worker Class, they may get extra points for adaptability for having a relative in Canada.

Provincial nominees

Persons who immigrate to Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program have the skills, education and work experience needed to make an immediate economic contribution to the province or territory that nominates them. They are ready to establish themselves successfully as permanent residents in Canada.

To apply under the Provincial Nominee Program, applicants must be nominated by a Canadian province or territory.

Consult this section to find all the information and required forms to apply as a provincial nominee. Because the criteria for provincial nomination are determined by the individual provinces and territories, they can change without notice. For this reason, consult this site and the corresponding provincial site regularly before submitting your application.

Before you apply, make sure you are familiar with the current application procedures. After you apply, make sure you return to this web page to find out about the steps that follow.

Working in Canada Tool

If you need help finding out what your occupation is called in Canada and what jobs are open across the country, you can use the Working in Canada Tool. It will give you a detailed labour market report that includes information on wages and job opportunities for your occupation and city where you would like to work.

This tool can help you prepare to work in Canada before you travel and after you arrive. You can find it in the “Learn About” section at the bottom of this page.

　Learn about:

　· Who can apply
　· How to apply
　· After applying
　· Arriving

Provincial nominees - Arriving

When you arrive in Canada, you will be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA is responsible for border and point of entry activities in Canada. You can find more information about the CBSA in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

The officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

You must present the following documents upon your arrival:

　· Your valid passport and/or travel documents. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.

　· Your valid permanent resident visa, and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The officer will make sure that you are entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your permanent resident visa. Please note that this document cannot be extended. Make sure to use it before it expires.

　· Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada. You can find more information under Proof of funds in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

The officer will ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the requirements to immigrate to Canada. The questions will be similar to the ones you answered on your Application for Permanent Residence in Canada. The officer will confirm that you still meet the requirements for admission to Canada. This should only take a few minutes.

You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information, or if you do not satisfy the officer that you meet the requirements for entry into Canada.

If there are no problems at the point of entry, the officer will authorize you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. The officer will also confirm your Canadian mailing address. Your permanent resident card will be mailed to you at this address.

Disclosure of funds

If you arrive in Canada with more than C$10,000, you must disclose this information to the CBSA officer. If you do not disclose this information, you could be fined or put in prison. These funds could be in the form of:

　· cash
　· securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
　· negotiable instruments in bearer form, such as bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders.

What you can bring into Canada

You can find customs and border information on the website of the CBSA.

Provincial nominees - After applying

Your application will be processed at the visa office where you applied. The process may vary depending on the visa office. However, some processing steps are common to all offices.

The application assessment process

After you submit your application, a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer will verify that you have submitted all the required documentation with your application. The officer will make sure you have:

　· completed your application form correctly and signed it
　· paid your processing fee and
　· included all the required supporting documentation.

If your application is not complete, the visa office will return it to you without processing it.

You do not have to include your certificate of provincial nomination with your application. The province that nominated you will send this directly to the visa office.

The visa office where you applied will send you a letter when it receives your application and verifies that it has been completed properly. The letter will tell you what you need to do and what happens next.

Processing time

The length of time it takes to process applications varies depending on where you applied. You can check application processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

You may be able to avoid unnecessary delays by:

　· making sure all the necessary information is included with your application
　· notifying the visa office of any changes to personal information on your application, such as your address, phone and fax numbers or a change in the makeup of your family
　· avoiding repeated inquiries to the visa office
　· ensuring that the photocopies and documents you provide are clear and legible
　· providing certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages and
　· applying from a country where you are a citizen or permanent resident.

Your application will be delayed if the visa office has to take extra steps to assess your case. Your application will take longer if:

　· there are criminal or security problems related to your application
　· your family situation is not clear because of a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved or
　· the visa office that processes your application has to consult with other CIC offices in Canada or abroad.

You can check the status of your application online after the visa office has started to process your application. Select the Check my application status button in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Medical examinations

You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada. Your dependants must also pass a medical examination even if they are not coming to Canada with you.

Applications for permanent residence will not be accepted if an applicant’s health:

　· is a danger to public health or safety, or
　· would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.

Instructions on how to take the medical examination will normally be sent to you after you submit your application to the visa office. More information on medical examinations is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Criminal and security checks

If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are not allowed to come to Canada either.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age and older who come to Canada with you must provide police certificates to the visa office. You must submit the police certificates with your application.

You can find more information about criminal and security checks in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

The decision on your application

After a province nominates you for immigration, a CIC officer will make a final decision on your application based on the current requirements for immigration to Canada. The decision will be based on several factors, including the results of your medical examination and the criminal and security checks. The officer will also assess the proof of funds that you have provided, to ensure that you will be able to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.

The visa office will contact you if it needs more documentation or if you are required to attend an interview.

If your application is approved, you will be asked to submit your passport to the Canadian visa office where you applied in order to receive your permanent resident visa.

Change of address

If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you submit your application, you must notify the visa office where you submitted your application.

Confirmation of permanent residence

If your application is approved, the visa office will issue a permanent resident visa to you. Your permanent resident visa includes your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your entry visa. Your COPR will include identification information as well as your photograph. Please check the information on your COPR to make sure it is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact your visa office.

You must have your COPR and your visa with you when you arrive in Canada.

Provincial nominees - How to apply

Making an application to immigrate to Canada is straightforward. Follow the steps described below.

There are eight steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee.

1. Obtain a certificate of provincial nomination.

If you want to come to Canada as a provincial nominee, you must first be nominated by a province or territory. Each province or territory has its own nomination procedures. To learn more, select Eligibility for provincial nomination in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Once you have been successfully nominated by a province, you will receive a certificate of provincial nomination. Please note that a copy of this certificate will be sent directly to the visa office by the province or territory. For this reason, it is not required for you to submit a copy of your certificate with your application.

2. Obtain and print the application package.

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print the application package.

3. Complete your application.

　· Fill out and sign the forms. Most forms can be completed on your computer. Print the forms after you complete them, because you cannot save them on your computer.
　· If you do not want to complete the forms on your computer, you can complete them by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
　· Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
　· You must complete all the forms:

　　　· Application for Permanent Residence in Canada
　　　· Schedule 1: Background/Declaration
　　　· Schedule 4: Economic Classes: Provincial Nominees
　　　· Additional Family Information
　　　· Use of a Representative. You must complete this form if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. Find out more about using immigration representatives.

4. Determine where you must submit your application.

You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You must submit your application to the visa office that serves your country of nationality or the country where you have been legally admitted for at least one year.

You can find a list of countries and corresponding visa offices in the I Need To… section of this page. Select your country of residence or citizenship and you will be directed to the visa office responsible for your application. You must check the website of the visa office where you will submit your application, since application procedures may vary slightly from one visa office to another.

5. Obtain the instructions for the visa office where you will submit your application.

You can find the visa office instructions you need in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. Print the forms and instructions required for that specific visa office. The instructions include information on medical examinations and the criminal and security checks that you and your dependants will have to undergo. More information on both of these topics is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

6. Calculate your fees.

You will have to pay the following fees:

　· The processing fee for you and your dependants must be paid when you apply. It is not refundable, even if your application is not approved.

　· Wait until your application is processed to pay the Right of Permanent Residence fee for you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application, if your application is not approved, or if you do not use your visa.

You will also have to pay fees to third parties for:

　· your medical examination
　· a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check, and
　· language testing, as required.

Information on how to pay your processing fee and your Right of Permanent Residence fee is included in the instructions for the visa office where you submit your application.

More information on fees is available in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

7. Check your application.

Make sure your application is completed correctly, and that you include all the necessary supporting documentation. Use the checklist that is included in the guide (Appendix A) to make sure you have not forgotten anything.

The visa office cannot process your application if supporting documentation or processing fees are missing, or if your forms are not completed and signed. This will delay your application.

8. Submit your application.

Mail your application and your fees to the appropriate Canadian visa office.

Provincial nominees - Who can apply

Most provinces in Canada have an agreement with the Government of Canada that allows them to nominate immigrants who wish to settle in that province. If you choose to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee, you must first apply to the province where you wish to settle and complete its provincial nomination process. The province will consider your application based on its immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there.

Here is a list of the provinces and territories currently participating in this program. Since the criteria vary among the provinces, you should visit their websites for more information.

　· Alberta
　· Manitoba
　· Newfoundland and Labrador
　· Ontario
　· Saskatchewan
　· British Columbia
　· New Brunswick
　· Nova Scotia
　· Prince Edward Island
　· Yukon
　· Northwest Territories

After you have been nominated by a province or territory, you have to make a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. A CIC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration regulations.

You will have to pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks. You can find more information on both of these topics in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can find more information on the funds you will need in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Provincial nominees are not assessed on the six selection factors of the Federal Skilled Workers Program.

Investors, entrepreneurs and self‑employed persons

The Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada who will support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy.

Business immigrants are expected to make a C$400,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada.

Canada has three classes of business immigrants:

　· investors
　· entrepreneurs and
　· self-employed persons.

Each application can be made for only one class and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. The criteria you must meet to qualify are different for each class.

Find out if you can immigrate as one of the following:

　· Investors
　· Entrepreneurs
　· Self-employed

　Learn about:

　· Business Immigration Program
　· Simplified application process

Simplified application process

1. Why has Citizenship and Immigration Canada introduced the simplified application process for Federal Economic Class applications?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is committed to client-focused service delivery. CIC recognized that changes in procedure could simplify the initial application requirements for Federal Economic Class applicants waiting to have their applications assessed.

2. When did the simplified application process come into effect?

The simplified application process came into effect on September 1, 2006.

3. What does the simplified application process involve?

Simplified kits and forms have been developed to guide applicants through the application process. Applicants are required to complete and submit a three-page form along with the processing fees, which secures them a place in the processing line.

All supporting documents will be requested at a later date, usually about four months before the visa office is ready to assess the application. A letter of receipt provides advice to the applicant on labour-market preparation. The letter also encourages applicants to take advantage of the waiting period. For example, some applicants could use this time to start courses to improve their language skills.

4. What does the supporting documentation to be provided later include?

Supporting documentation would include education documents or other certificates attesting to the educational level, employment letters confirming work experience, language test results, police certificates, birth and marriage certificates, and bank statements confirming the applicant’s funds.

5. Is the simplified application process being used at all visa offices?

Since September 1, 2006, the simplified application process is in use at all visa offices except Buffalo, U.S.A. For applicants who submit their applications in Buffalo for processing by Buffalo and the other U.S. offices, the regular application process continues to apply. Applicants must submit their supporting documents at the same time as the application form.

6. Why is the simplified application process not being used by Buffalo and other U.S. offices?

Buffalo and its partner missions in the U.S. use a streamlined system where all files are created and pre-processed in Buffalo. It requires you to submit all relevant documents and information with your application. This makes processing faster for most clients who already live in Canada or the U.S. The SAP does not work well with this system.

7. Can a foreigner living in the United States who has legal status submit a simplified application?

No. Since Buffalo continues to use the regular application process, American citizens and other residents of the United States must submit a full application to our visa office in Buffalo, which will then forward it to the visa office closest to the applicant’s residence.

If you submit a simplified application to Buffalo, it will be returned to you with a letter requesting you submit a regular application. Any fees sent with the simplified application will also be returned.

8. If I am using the simplified application process, do I have to notify the visa office if I change jobs?

No. You only have to notify the visa office if you have a new address (postal or email) or hire a new immigration representative. You should also contact the visa office if you decide to withdraw your application. You do not have to notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada of any other changes until the visa office contacts you (about four months before the office is ready to assess your application).

9. I have already submitted my application. Do I have to start over?

No. Applications that were submitted before September 1, 2006, will be processed as usual. Regular applications received after September 1, 2006, are accepted, but the supporting documents will be returned to the applicant until the visa office requests them.

10. Why do you return the supporting documents?

The simplified process is intended to help applicants by eliminating the burden of continuously having to submit documents while waiting for their application to be processed. It also allows Citizenship and Immigration Canada to avoid duplication of work and save storage space. In addition, given application processing times, most documents would have to be updated if the applicant’s situation changes (for example, marital status, job, education and financial situation).

11. I have been nominated under a province’s immigration program. Do I submit a simplified application?

No. Individuals applying under a provincial nomination program do not submit a simplified application because these applications are processed on a priority basis.

12. Will my processing fees be refunded if I decide to withdraw my application?

Yes. If you contact the visa office before they contact you (that is, before the assessment of your application begins), your fees will be refunded.

13. Will this initiative reduce processing times?

No. However, the simplified application process will reduce the amount of information you need to submit when you apply. It also secures you a place in the processing line, and you won’t have to submit supporting documents more than once.

14. I have just taken a language proficiency test at a designated organization, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF). Can I submit the results now?

If you apply under the simplified application process, the visa office will not accept any supporting documents. If you submit documents with your application, they will be returned to you.

Submit your language test results with your other supporting documents. The visa office will contact you to request these documents about four months before your application is processed. If you take the language test within one year of submitting your simplified application, the results remain valid and will be accepted as supporting documentation by the visa office.

Business Immigration Program

1. Why does Canada have a business immigration program?

Canada’s Business Immigration Program seeks to attract experienced business people to Canada to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy. The program includes three classes: the Immigrant Investor Class, the Self-Employed Persons Class and the Entrepreneur Class.

Business immigrants are expected to contribute to the Canadian economy by owning and managing businesses in Canada or by making an investment in the Canadian economy.

2. How does Canada benefit from business immigrants?

The Business Immigration Program allows experienced business people to immigrate to Canada and apply their capital, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of markets and technology within the Canadian economy.

3. What are the principal differences between investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons?

Investors must make a C$400,000 investment but are not subject to monitoring or other regulatory requirements once they arrive in Canada.

Entrepreneurs must invest and participate in the management of a business in Canada that creates at least one additional job for someone other than a member of their immediate family. They must report regularly on their progress.

Self-employed persons are selected based on their intention and ability to create a job for themselves in cultural or athletic activities, or to purchase and manage a farm in Canada. They are not subject to monitoring or other regulatory requirements once they arrive in Canada.

You can find links to all three programs in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

4. What type of documents do I have to submit to support my application?

In addition to the usual documents required to support any application for immigration to Canada, you must provide documents that demonstrate your past business experience, such as:

　· financial statements
　· corporate and personal income tax returns
　· tax assessments
　· bank statements
　· business licences
　· minute books
　· letters of reference and
　· promotional material.

5. Where can I get application forms?

Application forms are available under the Find an application form or guide button in the Quick Links section on the right-hand side of this page. They are also available at all Canadian visa offices.

6. Where do I apply?

You must submit your application to the correct visa office. You can submit it to:

　· the office that is responsible for the country where you have been living as a permanent resident or a citizen for at least a year or
　· a Canadian visa office in the country where you have citizenship.

7. How long will it take for my application to be processed?

The length of time it takes to process your application is different in each visa office. You can check processing times in the Quick Links section on the right-hand side of this page.

Investors

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest C$400,000 into Canada’s economy. Investors must:

　· show that they have business experience
　· have a minimum net worth of C$800,000 that was obtained legally and
　· make a C$400,000 investment.

Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs and help their economies grow.

CIC will return your C$400,000 investment, without interest, about five years and two months after payment.

　Learn about:

　· Who can apply
　· How to apply
　· After applying
　· Arriving
　· Frequently asked questions

Investors - Frequently asked questions

1. What are the requirements for qualifying as an investor?

To qualify as an investor, you must have two years of business experience and a net worth of at least C$800,000 that was obtained legally. You must also obtain a minimum of 35 points in a selection grid designed to determine whether you will be able to become economically established in Canada. Before a visa is issued, you must make an investment of C$400,000 to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

You can find more information on the Immigrant Investor Program, including definitions of the various terms that apply to the Program, in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

2. What is the procedure for becoming an investor?

You must meet all the eligibility requirements, pass medical, criminal and security checks, and make an investment of C$400,000. You can find more information under How to apply in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

3. What are the business experience requirements?

You must have been a part or full owner of a business for two years or more, or have managed the equivalent of five full-time workers in a business for a minimum of two full years. You will find full details in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

4. Does the business experience have to be recent?

The business experience must be in the period that begins five years before you submit your application and ends when a decision is made on your application.

5. What is meant by “business”?

You can find definitions of all the terms that apply to the Immigrant Investor Program in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

6. How do I satisfy Citizenship and Immigration Canada that my net worth was obtained legally?

You must be able to prove that no portion of your net worth was obtained through criminal activity. You will be asked to explain any discrepancies between your net income over the years and your present net worth. The visa officer who assesses your net worth may ask you for documents to back up both your income sources and your net worth.

7. Who is responsible for the investment operations of the program?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) administers all aspects of the program, including the investment that successful applicants must make. CIC acts as an agent for the participating provinces and territories.

8. What documents do I receive after I make my investment?

You will receive a zero interest promissory note that is not transferable. You cannot sell the promissory note, but you can use it as collateral for a loan. At the maturity date, you must return the promissory note to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for repayment of your C$400,000 investment.

9. Why do you recommend that I make my investment through a Citizenship and Immigration Canada-approved facilitator?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has set up administrative procedures with a number of facilitators to assist in the payment and redemption of your C$400,000 investment. These services are available to you at no cost. Facilitators also offer a variety of financing options if you want to finance your investment or use your promissory note as collateral for a loan in the future. You can find more information about facilitators in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

10. Where do most immigrant investors come from?

Investors come from all over the world. Currently, the majority of investors are from China, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong, but there are also substantial numbers of investors applying from the Middle East and elsewhere. You can find more information on where business immigrants come from in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s annual report, Facts and Figures. You will find a link to the report in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

Investors - Arriving

When you arrive in Canada, you will be greeted by an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA is responsible for border and point of entry activities in Canada. You can find more information about the CBSA in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

The officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

You must present the following documents upon your arrival:

　· Your valid passport and/or travel documents. Your passport must be a regular, private passport. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.

　· Your valid permanent resident visa, and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). The officer will make sure you are entering Canada before or on the expiry date shown on your permanent resident visa. Please note that this document cannot be extended, therefore you should make sure to use it before it expires.

　· Proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada. You can find more information under Proof of funds in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

The officer will ask you a few questions to make sure you still meet the requirements to immigrate to Canada. They will be similar to the ones you answered on your Application for Permanent Residence in Canada. The officer will confirm that you still meet the requirements for admission to Canada. This should only take a few minutes.

You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information, or if you do not satisfy the officer that you meet the requirements for entry into Canada.

If there are no problems at the point of entry, the officer will authorize you to enter Canada as a permanent resident. The officer will also confirm your Canadian mailing address. Your permanent resident card will be mailed to you at this address.

Disclosure of funds

If you arrive in Canada with more than C$10,000, you must disclose this information to the CBSA officer. If you do not disclose this information, you could be fined or put in prison. These funds could be in the form of:

　· cash
　· securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
　· negotiable instruments in bearer form, such as bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders.

What you can bring into Canada

You can find customs and border information on the website of the CBSA.

Investors - After applying

Your application will be processed at the visa office where you applied.

The process may vary depending on the visa office. However, some processing steps are common to all offices.

The application assessment process

After you submit your application, a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer will verify that you have submitted all the required documentation with your application. The officer will make sure you have:

　· completed your application form correctly and signed it
　· paid your processing fee and
　· included the required supporting documentation if you used the regular application process.

If you applied using the Simplified Application Process, the visa office will contact you and ask you to provide the required documentation about four months before your application is processed.

If your application is not complete, the visa office will return it to you without processing it.

The visa office where you applied will send you a letter when it receives your completed application. The letter will tell you what you need to do and what happens next.

Processing time

The length of time it takes to process applications varies depending on where you applied. You can check application processing times in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

You may be able to avoid unnecessary delays by:

　· making sure all the necessary information is included with your application
　· notifying the visa office of any changes to personal information on your application, such as your address, phone and fax numbers or a change in the makeup of your family
　· avoiding repeated inquiries to the visa office
　· ensuring that the photocopies and documents you provide are clear and legible
　· providing certified English or French translations of original documents that you submit in other languages and
　· applying from a country where you are a citizen or permanent resident.

Your application will be delayed if the visa office has to take extra steps to assess your case. Your application will take longer if:

　· there are criminal or security problems related to your application
　· your family situation is not clear because of a situation, such as a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved or
　· the visa office that processes your application has to consult with other CIC offices in Canada or abroad.

You can check the status of your application online after the visa office has started to process your application. Select the Check my application status button in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Medical examinations

You must pass a medical examination before coming to Canada. Your dependants must also pass a medical examination even if they are not coming to Canada with you.

Applications for permanent residence will not be accepted if an applicant’s health:

　· is a danger to public health or safety, or
　· would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.

Instructions on how to take the medical examination will normally be sent to you after you submit your application to the visa office. Additional information on medical examinations is available under the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

Criminal and security checks

If you have a criminal record you may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are not allowed to come to Canada either.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age and older who come to Canada with you must provide police certificates to the visa office.

If you apply using the regular application process, you must submit the police certificates with your application. If you apply using the simplified application process, the visa office will contact you and ask you to provide the required documentation at a later date.

You can find more information about criminal and security checks in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of this page.

The decision on your application

The CIC officer will make a decision on your application based on several factors, including:

　· the results of your medical examination
　· the results of your criminal and security checks
　· whether you meet the definition of an investor and
　· the points you accumulate under each of the five selection factors.

The visa office will contact you if it needs more documentation or if you are required to attend an interview.

If your application is approved, you will be asked to submit your passport to the Canadian visa office where you applied in order to receive your permanent resident visa.

Change of address

If you move or change your address, telephone number or any other contact information after you submit your application, you must contact the visa office where you submitted your application.

Confirmation of permanent residence

If your application is approved, the visa office will issue a permanent resident visa to you. Your permanent resident visa includes your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your entry visa. Your COPR will include identification information as well as your photograph. Please check the information on your COPR to make sure it is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport. If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact your visa office.

You must have your COPR and your visa with you when you arrive in Canada.

Making your investment

If your application is approved, you must make an investment of C$400,000 within a specified time before a permanent resident visa will be issued. In most cases, you must make the investment within 30 days. The visa office will send you a letter with additional instructions. Your permanent resident visa will not be issued until you make your investment.

You can find more information about how to make your investment in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.