We understand that Canadian immigration process is complicated and may often appear confusing.  In this section we have included a number of questions that clients have had in the past along with the answers in order to clarify some of the issues for you.

How long does it take for my case to be processed? 

A:  It depends on the type of application being submitted, and the processing time in the particular Embassy, High Commission, or Case Processing Centre.  Depending on your particular situation, applications for permanent residence can take as short as 8 months or as long as 58 months.  

Is there any way to expedite the immigration process?

Depending on what category you apply under, certain categories have shorter processing times than others.  We will carefully analyze your case and depending on your qualifications and needs, we will discuss with you your options and will proceed towards the route that would have the shortest processing time.

How long will my immigration visa be valid for?

A:  Your immigration visa will state how long it will be valid for.  Once issued, immigration visas cannot be extended which means you have to enter Canada before the expiry date on the visa.  If you do not use the visa within its validity, then you must apply all over again for immigration to Canada.

Are there medical requirements for immigrating to Canada?

A:  Yes.  You and your dependents, whether or not accompanying you, must undergo and pass a medical examination.  To pass the medical examination you and your dependents must not have a condition that is a danger to public health or safety or one that would likely cause an excessive demand on health or social services in Canada.

Can we go to any doctor to have immigration medical tests done?

A:  No.  CIC will only accept medical test results that are performed by one of CIC’s designated medical doctors. 

What does “excessive demand” on Canada’s health or social services mean?

A:  Excessive demand refers to the demand that might be placed on Canada’s health or social services due to an applicant’s medical condition.  For example, someone who requires ongoing hospitalization or institutional care for a psychiatric disease will cause “excessive demand” on Canada’s health or social services.  The individual’s employability and productivity could also be affected, and he/she will most likely be inadmissible to Canada.   

Is it a requirement that everyone in my family have a medical examination?

A:  Yes.  All of your dependents (who are not already permanent residents), whether they will accompany you to Canada or not, must undergo a medical examination.

Can my children who are over 22 be included in my application?   

A: All your children who are under 22 should be included in your application. If your children are over 22, they will only qualify to accompany you as dependents if they have been full-time students since before they turned 22 or they have a medical condition or disability that renders them totally dependent on you.

What happens if I get married while my application is in process?

A:  If you get married while your application is still being processed, you (or your representative) have to advise the Embassy of the change in your status.  You will have to complete and forward the necessary paperwork plus the applicable application processing fees to the Embassy.

What are your professional fees?

A:  For our dedication to always offer exceptional service to all our clients, our professional fees are reasonably priced.  There are never any hidden charges or fees.  Once you retain our professional services, you pay a deposit so that we can immediately get started on your file.  You pay us in three installments, the last one will be due when your visa is issued. You may also consult with us on an hourly basis.  Please refer to the “contact us” section for more information on that.

Who are Skilled Workers?

A:  Skilled workers are economic migrants who, based on their credentials and skills, are able to be economically established in Canada. 

How can I qualify as a skilled worker?

In order to be accepted as a skilled worker immigrant, you must have:

• at least one year, within the last ten years, of full-time paid work experience in one of the "eligible" professions as per the list of eligible professions issued by CIC, (skill type 0, or skill level A or B) according to the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC);
• settlement funds, unless you have arranged employment; and
• at the time when your application is submitted, as well as when your visa is issued, score at least 67 points in the selection criteria.

I would like to apply under the Skilled Worker category.  Do I need to take a language test?

A:  In order to get points under languages for Skilled Workers, you are required to take the IELTS (for English) or TEF (for French).  You should take both the English and French tests if you want to get points for both of those languages. Language test results are conclusive evidence of your proficiency in a language.   IELTS for English and TEF for French are currently the only Citizenship and Immigration Canada approved testing organizations.  You must take the “general training” tests for reading, writing, speaking, listening.

Do family members of Skilled Workers also need to take a language test?

A:  No.  Only the principal applicant needs to prove their proficiency in languages.  Spouses and children of skilled workers do not need to take any language tests.

I want to apply under the Skilled Worker category to immigrate to Canada.  Do I need to have a job offer first?

A: If your profession and work experience is on the list of "eligible" occupations then you do not need a job offer to apply under the skilled worker category. However, you will get extra points if you have a job offer.

If your profession and work experience is not on the list of "eligible" occupations, then you must have a permanent full-time offer of employment from an employer in Canada in order to qualify to apply for immigration under the skilled worker category. 

As a Skilled Worker immigrant, do I need to bring any funds with me to Canada?

A:  The amount of funds you must bring with you are assessed according to your family size.  You must have enough money to support yourself and your family for at least six (6) months.  Table below shows the current settlement funds required for skilled workers.  The funds must be available and transferable and unencumbered by debts or other obligations.

You must provide documented evidence that you will have access to your money once you arrive in Canada.  You do not have to provide proof of these funds if you have arranged employment in Canada.  Please note that these figures do not apply to applicants whose destination is the Province of Quebec.

What are the government processing fees for Skilled Workers and when will they have to be paid?

A:  All government processing fees must be paid when the application for permanent residence is submitted.  The processing fees are not refundable and must be paid for the principal applicant and any accompanying spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children.  The processing fees in Canadian dollars are as follows:

Applicants whose destination is the province of Quebec must pay additional processing fees to the Quebec government.

Once your application is approved for permanent residence, you must pay the “Right of Permanent Residence Fee” (RPRF) which is $490.  The RPRF is payable by the principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner and each accompanying dependent aged 22 or over.  The RPRF must be paid before the immigration visa is issued.  Quebec applicants must also pay this fee.

Can you find me arranged employment?

A: We cannot find you arranged employment.  However, if you find an employer, we can assist you and your employer with your application for permanent residency of Canada.

We do however offer settlement services for our clients and as part of the settlement service we offer is providing you with job links and employment resources. 

I am a skilled worker and would like to apply for immigration under the Provincial Nominee Program for any province that I might be qualified for.  Do I need to first have a job offer?

A:  Yes.  Skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada through a province need to first have a full-time offer of employment from an employer in that province before they can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program.

I want to come to Canada to work for one year.  Do I need to have a job offer before I can apply for a work permit?

A:  Yes.   You need to have a full-time job offer from an employer in Canada before you can apply for a work permit so that you can come for a temporary period and work in Canada.  Also, depending on the nature of the work, the job offer may need to first be validated by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Are there any conditions imposed on skilled worker immigrants upon admission to Canada?

A:  There are no conditions attached for skilled workers upon admission to Canada.

Who are business immigrants?

A:  Business immigrants are experienced business people with venture capital, business acumen and entrepreneurial skills who are willing and able to invest, or start businesses in Canada in order to promote economic development and employment in Canada.

There are 3 classes of applicants under the Business Immigration Program:

Do I need a university degree in order to apply under the business immigration program as an investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed immigrant?

A:  No.  The selection criteria for business applicants differ from that of skilled workers.  Business applicants do not need to have a university degree or even a high school diploma in order to apply under the investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed category.

Are business immigrants (investors, entrepreneurs, self-employed) required to take any language tests?

A:  In order to get points under languages, business applicants (investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed) are now required to take language tests.  However, if no points are claimed under "languages" then business applicants are not required to take any language tests.

How can I qualify under the Investor program?

A:  In order to qualify for the investor program for anywhere in Canada, other than Quebec, you must:

• have at least 2 years of business experience either as owner of a business or as manager in a business;
• have a legally obtained net worth of at least CDN $1,600,000.  This includes both business and personal assets and liabilities of yourself and your spouse; and
• invest CDN $800,000 for five years with Citizenship and Immigration Canada which acts on behalf of provincial and territorial investment funds.

How can I qualify under the Quebec Investor program?

A:  In order to qualify for the Quebec investor program, you must:

• have at least 2 years of management experience;
• have a net worth of at least CDN $1,600,000 accumulated through legal economic activities; and
• invest CDN $800,000 for five years in a Quebec approved investment fund.

How can I, as an immigrant investor, prove that I have gained my minimum net worth through legal activities?

A:  As an immigrant investor, you must be able to demonstrate the origin and accumulation of your wealth through third party documentary evidence such as deeds of purchase/sale, business/real estate assessment, tax returns, pay stubs, business balance sheets, financial statements, etc.

As an immigrant investor, when will I have to deposit my CDN $800,000?

A:  You must deposit your CDN $800,000 when your file is approved by CIC but before your permanent resident visa is issued.  CIC will not issue your visa until they have received your investment.

As an immigrant investor, I do not wish to bring all CDN $800,000 to Canada.  Can you arrange for me to finance the investment? 

A:  Yes.  We can arrange financing for you with major Canadian banks in which case you will only deposit roughly CDN $180,000 and finance the balance of CDN $800,000 investment requirement.  Once the loan is advanced, no monthly payments are required to service the loan and you will not receive any interest or capital return at maturity.  The total cost of this financing package is therefore limited to your initial CDN $180,000 deposit.

What are the main differences between the federal and Quebec investor programs?

A:  In terms of the investment, in case of the federal investor program, CIC will take the investment money and distribute it among different provinces and territories that participate in the program.  After the five year period, the provinces and territories will return the investment money to CIC who will in turn repay the money back to the investor.     

With the Quebec investor program the investment money has to be deposited into a Quebec approved trust company authorized by the Quebec government to participate in the Quebec investor program. 

Applicants with management experience can qualify under either the federal investor or the Quebec investor program, however, the Quebec investor program also accepts management experience in government organizations.

What happens to my investment money if my application as an immigrant investor is refused?

A:  If you applied under the federal investor program, your investment money will be immediately refunded to you by CIC.

If you applied under the Quebec investor program, and you have deposited your investment into a government approved fund for investor applicants, provided that the investment is not locked-in, your investment will be immediately refunded to you.

As an immigrant investor, am I required to start a business in Canada?

A:  No.  As an immigrant investor you are entitled to engage in work or business activities, however, you are absolutely not required to start any businesses in Canada.

Do I need to take any language tests in order to qualify under the immigrant investor category? 

A: To claim points under languages you are required to take either IELTS (for English) or TEF (for French).  If you are not claiming points under languages, then you do not have to take any language tests.

Are there any conditions imposed on immigrant investors upon admission to Canada?

A:  There are no conditions imposed for immigrant investors upon admission to Canada.

Once we are in Canada, will you be able to assist us with managing our investments so that they grow at a faster rate?

A:  We work with Canadian tax lawyers who specialize in minimizing your tax liability so your investments grow at a faster rate.

How can I qualify under the Entrepreneur program?

A:  In order to qualify under the Entrepreneur program you must:

• have two years of business experience in the last five years as owner or part-owner of a business and manager of the business;
• have a legally obtained net-worth of at least CDN $300,000;
• have the intention and ability to, for a period of at least one year, within three years of becoming a permanent resident, establish, invest or acquire a business in Canada; and
• actively manage the business for one year and employ at least one Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, other than your family member.

What are the conditions of the Entrepreneur visa?

A:  Within three years of becoming a permanent resident, as an entrepreneur immigrant you are required to start a business in Canada and run it for at least one year.  You must also employ at least one Canadian or permanent resident of Canada, other than your family member.  You must be actively involved in the management of the business.  You must demonstrate to immigration officials that you have made efforts to comply with the conditions on your visa and must report your progress to immigration officials on a regular basis for the three year period.

Are there any net worth requirements for Entrepreneur applicants?

A:  In order to qualify under the Entrepreneur program, your net worth must be at least CDN $300,000.

Do I need to have a detailed business plan in order to apply under the Entrepreneur program?

A:  You are not required to have a detailed business plan.  However, you are encouraged to have an informal business plan that outlines the type of business you plan to undertake in Canada and your plans for its operation.

If I submit a business plan with my application as an Entrepreneur immigrant, will I be allowed to change it once I am in Canada?

A:  Yes.  Once you are in Canada, you may find that the business plan you had originally submitted will not be economically advantageous.  You can change your business plan once you are in Canada.  However, to be sure that your new business plan is acceptable by immigration officials, you should meet with immigration officials and discuss your new business plan.

What will happen if I cannot meet the conditions of my Entrepreneur visa?

A:  If after three years you have not met the terms and conditions of your Entrepreneur visa, you may be ordered to leave Canada.

How can I qualify under the Self-Employed Immigrant category?

A:  In order to qualify under the self-employed category, you must have relevant experience and must demonstrate that you have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada so that you will be able to support yourself and your dependants.  You must also demonstrate that you intend to make a significant contribution in specified economic activities through either self-employment in cultural activities or athletics or purchase and management of a farm.

Are there any net worth requirements for Self-Employed applicants?

A:  No.  However, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds that you can establish or purchase a business in Canada and be self-employed.

Are there any conditions imposed on Self-Employed immigrants upon admission to Canada?

A:  There are no conditions imposed on self-employed immigrants upon admission to Canada. 

I want to come to Canada to study.  Do I first need an acceptance letter from an educational institution in Canada before I can apply for a study permit?

A:  Yes. You need to get accepted into a college or university in Canada before applying for a study permit.  We can get you accepted into a college or university in Canada and subsequently help you apply for a study permit.

What are the government processing fees for international students? 

A:  Currently the processing fees for students are CDN $125.

I would like to come to Canada to study.  Is there a minimum required amount of funds I need to bring with myself to Canada?

A:  You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself and your dependants for at least one year.  That includes your tuition fees, and other living expenses.