Going To Canada

1. Going To Canada Prepared November 2007 All information obtained from CIC:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp

2. Going To Canada Prepared November 2007 All information obtained from CIC:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/guide/index.asp

3. COMING TO CANADA • (A) To Immigrate…………………………… • (B) To Work……………………………….... • (C) To Study………………………………… • (D) To Visit…………………………………. • (F) Becoming A Permanent Resident……….

5. Five Ways to Immigrate to Canada • (a) Skilled Worker Class Immigration: • (b) Business Class Immigration: • (c) Family Class Immigration: • (d) Provincial Appointments: • (e) Quebec Selected Immigration:

6. (A) Skilled Worker Class Immigration The pre-requisites to come to Canada as a skilled worker are: • Education Requirements • Employment Requirements • Financial Requirements • Language Requirements

7. Education Requirements • 17 years or equivalent (Master’s Degree or Ph.D) • 15 years or equivalent (Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level, a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship) • 14 years or …(a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship • 13 years or … (a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level, a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship) • 12 years or … (one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and completed high school).

8. Employment Requirements: • At least one continuous year of full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment. • Check to ensure your job is included on the National Occupational Qualifications List online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/noc.asp • You must have had this job within the last 10 years • Check the list of Restricted Occupations to make sure your job is not on this list (At the time of printing there were no restricted occupations in Canada; however, you should check the above website to see the current list)

11. Financial Requirements:If you have not arranged employment in Canada you must show that you meet the financial requirements listed below:

12. Language Requirements:You must be proficient in either English or French • Points based on your ability to: listen, speak, read and write in either English or French. • A description of the assessment criteria online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/factor-language.asp • You will have to demonstrate your language ability by either: • (a) taking a language test by an approved organization (Information on these tests can be found at the website listed above) • (b) providing written documentation

14. The Points System: • Skilled workers are assessed based on 6 categories: Education, Official Languages, Experience, Age, Arranged Employment in Canada and Adaptability. • Applicants are awarded a certain number of points based on their abilities within each category • An applicant must achieve a minimum of 67 points overall in order to be considered. If you score 67 points or higher you may qualify for an interview with CIC as a skilled worker. • To see the specific requirements in each category and the number of points allocated for each see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-factors.asp

16. Description of Points Criteria in Each Category • 1)Education: Points awarded for a Master’s Degree (max 25), University Degree, College Diploma, Trade Certificate, High School Diploma (minimum 5). • 2) Official Languages: Points awarded could be High, Moderate & Basic for reading, writing, speaking and listening in English and/or French • 3) Experience: Points awarded for 1, 2, 3 & 4 years of work experience • 4) Age: Maximum points awarded for 21-49 years old and two points are subtracted for each year over 49 and under 21 • 5) Arranged Employment in Canada: Points awarded in you have a job offer in Canada or a temporary work permit • 6) Adaptability: Points awarded if you have family in Canada, received points under arranged employment, work and education experience in Canada

17. Skilled Worker Self Assessment • To see if you can qualify as a skilled worker, you can take a practice test on-line at any time: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp • If you are married or in a common law relationship (living in a conjugal relationship with someone for 12 months or more) you should both take the test online. • Right now you need 67 points in order to qualify (the mark can change through, so be sure to check online for the current pass mark at the site listed above.) • Once you have determined that you qualify you can submit an application

19. Applications: • Because of a backlog in skilled worker applications Canada has introduced a simplified application process. You should apply UNLESS: • (a) you are a provincial nominee –explained later in presentation • (b) you have been selected by Quebec –explained later in presentation • (c) you are eligible for points for arranged employment • (d) have temporary resident status in Canada as a worker or a student applying at the Canadian visa office in Buffalo • (d) have a legal status in the United States applying through the Canadian visa office in Buffalo

20. Simplified Application Process: Five Steps • Step One: Download and Read the General Information Guide • Form Code: [IMM ESAP7000] • Online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled-simple.asp

22. Step Two: Initial Application • fill in the following two forms at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled-simple.asp • (1) Application for Permanent Residence in Canada (IMM 0008SW) • (2) Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476) only if you are appointing a representative. You do not need one.

24. Step Three: Fees • There are two sets of fees you will have to pay in order to apply to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker: • (a) Application Fee: Must be paid by the principal applicant and any accompanying spouse, common-law partner and dependent children. • Listed in table • Submitted with your application forms to the immigration office • Non-refundable • (b) Right of Permanent Residency Fee: discussed in permanent resident section to follow. * Note: Additional fees may be necessary for medical examinations, police certificates and language testing.

25. Step Four: Submitting your application • From El Salvador should be sent to the Guatemala City Embassy to be processed • Mailing Address: The Canadian EmbassyImmigration SectionP.O. Box 400Guatemala CityGuatemala • Mission Tel.: (502) 2363-4348Immigration Tel.: (502) 2365-1250 • Website: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/guatemala

27. Step Five: Filing Supporting Documents • When the visa office is ready to assess your application, you will be requested to submit: • updated application forms; • additional fees (if you have married, or now have additional children); • all supporting documents. • Once the visa office has received all of your documents, a CIC officer will assess your application

28. Checking the Status of your Application: • Once your application is completed, you may check the status of your application online at: https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/security.do?app=ecas • 80% of cases are finalized within 67 months.

30. (B) Business Class Immigration • Information online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/index.asp • Three Classes of Business Class Immigrants: • (i) Investors: • must demonstrate business experience • minimum net worth of CAN $800,000 • make an investment of CAN $400,000 –will be returned after approx. 5 years and 2 months without interest • (ii) Entrepreneurs: • must demonstrate business experience • minimum net worth of CAN $300,000 • Respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada • (iii) Self-Employed Persons: must have either: • (a) relevant experience that will enable them to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada • (b) experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada

32. (i) Investors • Minimum 2 years business management experience (for types of experience that see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/apply-experience.asp) • Net worth of at least $800,000 CAD • Must indicate in writing to an officer that they intend to make or have made an investment of $400,000 CAD. For information on making an investment see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/apply-networth.asp • Must score minimum of 35 points in the six categories mentioned earlier (education, experience, age, proficiency in English or French and adaptability) to see how points are allocated for investors see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/selection.asp • Investor information available online at:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/index.asp • And http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/definitions.asp#investor • Information on how to apply as an investor available online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/investors/apply-how.asp

35. (ii) Entrepreneurs • Minimum 2 years managing and controlling a percentage of a qualifying business within the period beginning five years before the date of your application (for types of businesses that qualify see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/entrepreneurs/definitions.asp) • Net worth of at least $300,000 CAD • Must score minimum of 35 points in the six categories mentioned earlier (education, experience, age, proficiency in English or French and adaptability) to see how points are allocated for investors see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/entrepreneurs/selection.asp) • Entrepreneur information available online at:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/entrepreneurs/index.asp • Checklist for entrepreneurs available online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/entrepreneurs/apply-how-simple.asp

36. (iii) Self Employed • Self-employed in cultural activities or athletics OR • Have participated at a world-class level in cultural activities or athleticsOR • Had farm management experience • Details for the above categories can be found online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/self-employed/apply-who.asp • Checklist and information on self employed immigrant available online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/self-employed/apply-how-simple.asp

37. Applications • Applications are made to the Guatemala City Embassy –see slide at the end of immigration section for mailing and contact information • Most applications are processed within 67 months • The same simplified application process discussed in the Skilled Worker Class applies to all three categories of the Business Class, download the applicable forms online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/business-simple.asp • Once your application has been received, you may be contacted by CIC for an interview or additional supporting documentation

38. Fees • There are two sets of fees you will have to pay in order to apply to immigrate to Canada in the Business Class (Investor, Entrepreneur, Self-Employed Person) : • (a) Application Fee: Must be paid by the principal applicant and any accompanying spouse, common-law partner and dependent children. • Listed in table • Submitted with your application forms to the immigration office • Non-refundable • (b) Right of Permanent Residency Fee: discussed in permanent resident section to follow.

39. (C) Family Class Sponsors must be: • Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada • 18 years of age or older • Must promise to support their relative or family member and their accompanying family members for a period of 3 or 10 years. The following classifications of relatives may be sponsored: • Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age/older • Parents or grandparents • Dependent children, including adopted children (children younger of 22 or older but full time student until 25) • Children under 18 years of age whom you intend to adopt • Nieces or grandchildren who are orphans; under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship • Relatives of any age if you do not have an aunt, uncle or family member from the list above who you could sponsor or who is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident • Both you and your sponsor need to sign a sponsorship agreement. Your sponsor must promise to support you and your family members financially for 3 or 10 years so that you will not need to apply for social assistance

40. Application Process There are three parts to a Sponsorship Application: Part A: The Sponsorship Application (to be filled out by the family member who is sponsoring you) Part B: The Application for Permanent Residence (to be filled out by the person being sponsored) Part C: The Region Specific Forms (to be filled out by the person being sponsored) • All forms can be found online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp • Have your Sponsor send the completed forms to: Case Processing Centre – MississaugaP.O. Box 3000, Station AMississauga, Ontario L5A 4N6 • A Guide to Sponsorship and information on the sponsorship program can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-how.asp#step3

41. Fees • There are two sets of fees you will have to pay in order to apply to immigrate to Canada in the Family Class: • (a) Application Fee: Must be paid by the principal applicant and any accompanying spouse, common-law partner and dependent children. • Listed in table • Submitted with your application forms to the case processing centre • Non-refundable • (b) Right of Permanent Residency Fee: discussed in permanent resident section to follow.

42. (D) Provincial Appointments • Canadian provinces which have an agreement with the Government of Canada fore more direct role in selecting immigrants who wish to settle in that province: • You must first apply to the province where you wish to settle. The province will consider your application based on their immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there. • Links to Provincial websites and the provincial nomination at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp • After you have been nominated by a province, you have to make a separate application for permanent residence.

43. Provincial Nominees • There are eight steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee, listed at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/apply-how.asp • You will have to pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks. • You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. • Provincial nominees are not assessed on the six selection factors of the Federal Skilled Workers Program • Most applications are processed within 12 months

44. Provincial Nominees – Employer Driven (1) ONTARIO • To help employers and multinational investors succeed, the government of Ontario has established the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program (Pilot PNP). This program allows employers to: • Apply for the approval of permanent, full-time positions to be filled by newcomers; and • Recruit individuals, who are newcomers to Ontario, to fill those positions. • The Pilot PNP is employer-driven. This means that as a prospective nominee, you can only apply if your employer is pre-screened, the position is approved, and your employer provides you with a nominee application package from the Pilot PNP. • The Pilot PNP has two Categories: an Employer Category (450 positions) and a Multinational Investor Category (50 positions). • Companies applying to the Pilot PNP must: • Have been in continuous corporate existence, and active operation, for a minimum of three years • Have a minimum of $1,000,000 in gross revenue for the previous fiscal year • Have a minimum of five permanent full-time employees • Have a business premises in Ontario where the prospective nominee will work.

45. Provincial Nominees – Employer Driven ONTARIO CONT. • Job criteria: • Jobs being considered for approval within the Pilot PNP must: • Be directly related to, and necessary for, the company’s core operations • Be permanent, full-time positions • Be among the eligible occupations included in the Pilot PNP Occupations List listed on this website • Meet current wage levels for the profession or skilled occupation, or entry level wages for the occupation, where the job is to be filled by an international student (you can learn more about wage levels at the Service Canada website) • Not affect the settlement of any labour dispute or affect the employment of a person involved in such a dispute, or adversely affect employment or training opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Ontario • Address one or more of the objectives of the Pilot PNP • Be offered to individuals who meet the criteria for the offered employment. • For more information please visit: http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/PNPabout.asp

46. Provincial Nominees – Employer Driven (2) ALBERTA • Requires applications be in the following streams and sub-categories: • Skilled worker category • International graduate category • Semi-skilled worker category • Food and beverage processing industry • Hotel and lodging industry  • Food and beverage servers and room attendants • Front desk agent/clerk • Manufacturing industry • Trucking industry  • Self-employed farmer stream. • For more information see: http://www.alberta-canada.com/immigration/immigrate/pnp.html (3) YUKON Skilled Worker Program • The employer must be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in Yukon that has been registered and operational for a minimum of one year. • The employer must demonstrate the critical need for the nominee by proving the job vacancy has existed and they have tried to advertise locally and nationally to fill the position.

47. Provincial Nominees – Employer Driven YUKON CONT. • The offer of employment must: • Be for a permanent full-time position. • Be in a trade or skill that falls into the National Occupation Classification • Must not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements. • Must meet the minimum requirements of territorial labour standards and must provide a comparable industry rate of pay. • The nominee must: • Have the required certification or accreditation for the specific trade or occupation. • Be licensed or accepted by the Territorial body governing for the occupation or trade, if applicable. • Be able to conduct basic communications in either English or French, depending on the official language of the work place. • Not be a refugee claimant. The Business Program • Includes: Entrepreneur and self-employed • For more information please visit: http://www.economicdevelopment.gov.yk.ca/general/ynp.html

48. Provincial Nominees – Employee Driven (1) MANITOBA • Applicants to the MPNP must be able to clearly demonstrate they are employable in Manitoba and have a strong potential to settle successfully and permanently in this province. If you are a skilled worker and are interested in living and working in Manitoba, you have the best chance of being nominated if: • you have sufficient training and work experience in your occupation • you have sufficient language ability to begin working soon after arrival • you have settlement supports in Manitoba to assist you upon your arrival • For more information please visit: http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/pnp/index.html

49. Provincial Nominees – Employee Driven (2) NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR • Seeks to recruit immigrants who have specialized occupational or entrepreneurial skills. • Nominees must settle in Newfoundland and Labrador and have sufficient ability to communicate in either English or French. • For more information please visit: http://www.nlpnp.ca/ (3) SASKATCHEWAN • PNP seeks to recruit eligible immigrants in the following categories: • Skilled worker; Family members; Entrepreneurs; Farm owners/operators; Health professions; Students; and, Long-Haul Truck Drivers • For more information please visit: http://www.immigration.gov.sk.ca/immigration/sinp/

50. Provincial Nominees – Employee Driven (4) BRITISH COLUMBIA • Offers accelerated immigration for: • (1) qualified skilled workers including: • Skilled workers; designated health professionals; international graduates • (2) experienced entrepreneurs • For more information please visit: http://www.ecdev.gov.bc.ca/ProgramsAndServices/PNP/index.htm (5) NEW BRUNSWICK • To be considered under the Provincial Nominee Program, an applicant must have a guaranteed job offer in his/her intended occupation or a business plan approved by a New Brunswick official as deemed to be of economic benefit to the province. • For more information please visit: http://www.gnb.ca/immigration/index-e.asp