Applying for Permanent Residence in Canada:
A Self-assessment Guide for Independent Applicants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
* A Few Facts to Start...
* Introduction
* The Selection System and Self-assessment
* The Application
* Upon your arrival
* Appendix 1: Registration and licensing
This booklet explains the requirements for immigrating to Canada
as an independent immigrant. It will also help you to decide if
you would be eligible to apply as an independent immigrant for
permanent residence in Canada.
Please read this booklet carefully before you apply for a visa.
This is not a legal document; for legal information please refer to
the Immigration Act and Regulations.
A FEW FACTS TO START ...
Anyone who wants to immigrate to Canada as an independent
immigrant must apply for an immigrant visa.
To get a visa you must:
o be assessed against a point based selection system to see
if you qualify;
o have a valid passport or travel document;
o be able to support yourself and your dependants in Canada;
o be of good health and character; and
o pay a non-refundable processing fee.
This booklet is divided into four main sections:
Introduction: who may apply for an independent immigrant visa and
the basic requirements for getting one.
The selection system: this explains the point system used to
select immigrants, and includes a self-assessment work sheet you
use to calculate your potential point score.
The application: how to apply and required documents.
Upon your arrival: what happens when you arrive in Canada and the
settlement services available.
INTRODUCTION
If you want to live in Canada as an independent immigrant you
must get an immigrant visa from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate
outside Canada. This introduction gives general information about
applying for an immigrant visa.
Who may apply as an independent immigrant?
A person with special occupational skills and experience may
qualify as an independant immigrant. These skills must be readily
transferable to the Canadian labour market.
Does it help to have a relative in Canada?
Having a close relative in Canada may help you qualify for a visa
because it increases your point score under the selection system.
The relative in Canada must be a permanent resident or Canadian
citizen 19 years of age or over.
What if I want to settle in the province of Quebec?
The Government of the Province of Quebec selects its own
immigrants in co-operation with the Government of Canada. If you
wish to settle in Quebec you should submit your application to
the nearest office of the Quebec Immigration Service.
Do professionals need registration and licensing to work in Canada?
Many occupations in Canada require membership in a professional
association and/or registration or licensing. Applicants
intending to work in one of these occupations may need to prove
they hold sufficient credentials to meet professional licensing
requirements.
We suggest you contact the appropriate professional association
in Canada to have your qualifications assessed before you submit
your application and fee.
Please see Appendix 1 for more details.
Do I pay a fee?
Yes, a processing fee is charged. See the information on
processing fees to determine the amount and how you must pay. The
fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused. You
are paying for the work done on your application.
What are the basic requirements for an immigrant visa?
You and your dependants must satisfy the visa officer that you
meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and
Regulations. You must:
o meet health requirements;
o be law abiding;
o not be a risk to the security of Canada;
o have a valid passport or travel document;
o have enough money to look after yourself and your
dependants in Canada until you become self-supporting;
o produce all documents requested by the visa officer to
establish your admissibility; and
o pay the processing fee.
In addition, you must score sufficient points under the selection
system.
Who is included in my application?
If you are married, either you or your spouse may apply as
principal applicant. You and your spouse should both complete the
enclosed worksheet to help you decide which of you would get a
higher point score, and apply as the principal applicant.
Whether or not they wish to immigrate with you, include all your
dependent children who are:
o under 19 years of age and unmarried on the date when your
application is received at the visa office; those who wish to
immigrate must be still unmarried at the time when the visa is
issued and when they arrive in Canada.
Dependent children aged 19 years and over may also be
included if they are financially supported by their parents for
one of the following reasons:
o they are enrolled as full-time students in an educational
institution on the date of their 19th birthday and still
enrolled when the application is received and when the visa is
issued; students who interrupt their full-time studies continue
to be considered dependants provided that the total absence of
studies does not exceed one year; or
o they are unable to support themselves because of a physical
or mental disability.
Note: Some disabilities may result in refusal for medical
reasons.
Your dependants must pass background screening and medical
examinations. All family members 18 years of age and over must
complete their own individual application form.
What if I have dependants who will not accompany me to Canada?
You and your dependants, whether or not they will accompany you,
must pass medical examinations and background checks before a
visa can be issued to you. All your dependants must be included
on your application form, or if 18 years of age or older, must
complete their own application form. You must inform the visa
office, in writing, of the names of any of your dependants who
will not accompany you to Canada.
THE SELECTION SYSTEM
AND SELF-ASSESSMENT
All applicants are assessed according to the "selection system".
A worksheet is provided in this booklet to help you assess your
chances of qualifying.
Points are calculated based on the following:
o age;
o education;
o Educational and Training Factor (ETF), which refers to the
level of training needed to work in your occupation in Canada;
o occupation;
o arranged employment/designated occupation;
o work experience;
o language ability;
o demographic factor (this number is set by the federal
government);
o personal suitability; and
o relatives in Canada.
Note: If you do not score 70 points, you are unlikely to qualify
as an independent immigrant.
Is my occupation important in the selection system?
Yes, it is very important. Your application for an immigrant visa
will be assessed mainly on your qualifications, skills and
experience in the occupation you wish to have in Canada.
You must have at least one year's experience in your occupation.
Your occupation must be listed on the General Occupations List,
included with this guide. All occupations are assessed against
Canadian standards for that occupation. You should be aware that
job titles in your country may not correspond to the same
positions in Canada. Some occupations require licensing.
How to estimate your points
The worksheet below lists the factors upon which your application
will be assessed. Read the explanation for each factor, and fill
in your score on the worksheet.
This self-assessment will indicate if you will have a good chance
of qualifying. If you decide to apply and pay the fee, a visa
officer will review your point score. If there is a difference
between the points you give yourself, and the points the visa
officer awards you, the visa officer's assessment will prevail.
Factor 1 -- Age (maximum 10 points)
Points are given for your age at the time your application is
received. To calculate your points for this factor, use Table 1.
Table 1: Calculation of age points
Age Total Points
18 4
19 6
20 8
21-44 10
45 8
46 6
47 4
48 2
49 and over 0
Factor 2 -- Education (maximum 16 points)
Points are given for the highest level of schooling you have
achieved.
Score
If you have not completed secondary school 0
If you have completed secondary school, but the program does not
allow for entrance to a university and does not include trade or
occupational certification 5
If secondary school has been completed and the program provides
for entrance to university 10
If secondary school has been completed and the program includes
trade or occupational certification 10
If you have completed a post-secondary program (for example,
college, trade school diploma or apprenticeship) which required,
as a condition of admission, secondary schooling at a level that
does not ordinarily allow for entrance to a university (the
program must have included at least one year of full-time
classroom study) 10
If you have completed a post-secondary program (for example,
college, trade school diploma or apprenticeship) which required,
as a condition of admission, secondary schooling at a level that
allows for entrance to a university (the program must have
included at least one year of full-time classroom study) 13
If you have completed a university degree in a program that
requires at least three years of full time study 15
If you have completed a second or third level university degree 16
Factor 3 -- Educational and Training Factor (maximum 18 points)
Educational and Training Factor (ETF) refers to the length of
training, education, and/or apprenticeship required to work in
Canada.
Score
If the occupation you have selected is listed in the enclosed
occupations list (see Factor 4), give yourself the number of
points listed under the As column marked "ETF" for that
occupation listed
If your occupation is not on the enclosed occupations list but
you have arranged employment in Canada the ETF points will be
shown on the notification of arranged employment sent to you by
the visa office. As notified
Factor 4 -- Occupation (maximum 10 points)
Points are given according to your occupation in Canada.
Generally, it is the occupation for which you have training or
experience.
Score
If your occupation is not indicated on the enclosed occupations
list, check it to see if there is another occupation for which
you are qualified. If there is, give yourself the points listed As listed
If there is no occupation listed for which you are qualified 0
If you have arranged employment or a designated occupation with
an ETF above 11 (as outlined in Factor 5) 10
Note: You must receive at least one point in this factor to be
accepted. If you have scored 0 in Factor 4 your application will
be refused.
Factor 5 -- Arranged employment/designated occupation factor (10
points)
Arranged employment is a guaranteed offer of employment from a
Canadian employer. This offer must be approved by a Canada
Employment Centre and you must be qualified to do the job.
Designated occupations are occupations identified by a province
or territory as being especially in demand in that region. These
occupations change periodically and are identified on the
enclosed occupations list.
Score
If you have arranged employment or a designated occupation 10
If you are a member of the clergy and have a letter from a
congregation in Canada offering you a position 10
If your family in Canada has a business where you will work full
time. This process must be initiated in Canada, and the offer of
employment must be approved by a Canada Immigration Centre. 10
Factor 6 -- Work experience (maximum 8 points)
The number of points depends on: 1) the number of years you have
worked in your intended occupation, after completion of formal
training; and 2) the number of points you scored for ETF, Factor 3.
Score
To calculate the number of points you would receive for
experience use Table 2 below. Find the number that corresponds to
your ETF, and read across to the number of years of experience
you have in your occupation. The number in the years columns will
be the number of points you will receive for this factor As calculated
Table 2: Calculation of experience points
Years of experience in occupation
1 2 3 4 or more
ETF points
1 - 3 2 2 2 2 = Points
5 - 7 2 4 4 4
11 - 15 2 4 6 6
18 2 4 6 8
For example: Robert has an ETF of 7 after his formal training and
three years' experience in his job. He will get 4 points for
experience.
Note: You must have at least one year's experience in your
occupation to score a point under this factor. A score of 0 in
Factor 6 means your application will be refused.
Factor 7 -- Language ability (maximum 15 points)
Score
If you are fluent in both official languages (English and French) 15
Fluent: Means you have a very good command of the language in a
wide range of social and work situations, and have no
difficulties communicating in a professional capacity.
Well: Means you can communicate reasonably well about personal
and familiar things.
With difficulty: Means you know just a few basic words.
If you are not fluent in both official languages, use Table 3 to
estimate your points. Mark the score that best reflects your
ability to read, write and speak English and/or French. Total the
points for your abilities, keeping in mind that the maximum is 15
points.
Table 3: Calculation of language points
First Language Read Write Speak
Fluent 3 3 3
Well 2 2 2
With difficulty 0 0 0
Second Language Read Write Speak
Fluent 2 2 2
Well 1 1 1
With difficulty 0 0 0
Total of read + write + speak = ________
Score
For a total score of 0 or 1 0
For a total score of 2 to 5 2
For a total score of 6 to 15 enter the actual score
to a maximum of 15 Actual score
For example: Helen has rated her language abilities in the
following way:
In English she can read fluently, and can write and speak well.
She gave herself 3 points for reading, 2 points for writing, and
2 points for speaking under First Language. As she does not read,
write or speak French, she gave herself 0 points for her Second
Language ability. Adding her points together, Helen has a total
of 7 points for her ability to speak the First Language, English,
and 0 points for the Second Language, French. She thus has 7
points for a total score of 7.
Factor 8 -- Demographic factor (maximum 10 points)
Score
This is a number set by the federal government 8
Factor 9 -- Personal suitability (maximum 10 points)
Personal suitability refers to adaptability, motivation,
initiative, and resourcefulness. This factor examines whether you
and your family will be able to settle successfully in Canada.
Score
The points for personal suitability will be assessed by a visa
officer. The maximum score allotted for personal suitability is
10. The average applicant is awarded from 5 to 7 points; few
receive either 0 or 10. Use the average score to assess your own
personal suitability 5-7
Factor 10 -- Relative in Canada (Bonus 5 points)
Score
Give yourself 5 points if a brother, sister, mother, father,
grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew is a permanent
resident or Canadian citizen living in Canada 5
Self-Assessment Worksheet
Self-Assessment worksheet (Table 4), is provided to help you to
calculate your point score.
Table 4: Self-assessment Worksheet
Factor Maximum Points Your Score
1. Age 10
2. Education 16
3. Educational and Training Factor 18
4. Occupation 10
5. Arranged employment/designated occupation 10
6. Work experience 8
7. Language ability 15
8. Demographic factor 10
9. Personal suitability 10
10. Relative in Canada (Bonus) 5
Your Score:
Note: You should achieve a score of 70 points to qualify for an
immigrant visa.
Note: Points awarded for occupational factor are updated
periodically. Point scores may change without notice. Your
application will be evaluated based on the regulations in effect on
the date your completed application and fee are received at the visa
office.
For example: Marie is a pharmacist who mails her application for
permanent residence to the visa office on May 1. At that time,
pharmacists are on the occupations list with a score of 5 for
occupational factor. Unfortunately, by the time her application
arrives at the visa office on May 15, pharmacists are no longer on
the list. Marie thus will not score any points for occupational
factor. As all applicants must score at least 1 point under the
occupational factor, her application is refused.
THE APPLICATION
This section explains how to apply, and how your application will be
processed by the visa office.
How do I apply?
Step one: Complete the self-assessment worksheet (Table 4).
Step two: If you decide to proceed, complete the application form that is
included with this booklet. Your spouse and dependent children age 18 or
over must complete their own application form whether or not they will
accompany you to Canada.
Step three: Return the completed application form with four recent passport
size photographs of yourself and your dependants. Include the processing fee
and send to the nearest Canadian visa office.
Where do I apply?
You may apply for an immigrant visa at any Canadian visa office.
Immigrant visas are only issued outside Canada.
Note: You should be aware that if you submit your application to a
visa office, whether inside or outside your country of permanent
residence, your spouse and dependent children aged 18 and over may be
required to attend an interview with a visa officer.
What documents may be required?
The following documents may be required for the processing of your
application (do not send these until you are requested to do so by
the visa officer):
o passports or travel documents for yourself, your spouse and
dependent children;
o proof of birth for your dependent children;
o marriage, separation and final divorce certificates;
o death certificates, if applicable;
o adoption papers for adopted dependent children;
o proof of custody for children under the age of 18 and proof
that the children may be removed from the jurisdiction of the
court; if the children will not accompany you to Canada, proof that
you have fulfilled any obligation stated in custody agreements;
o proof of the studies of all dependent children age 19 or over;
o a family tree or list of family members;
o proof of relationship to your close relatives in Canada;
o diplomas, school certificates or apprenticeship documents;
o letters from previous employers providing a statement of duties
and/or employment contracts;
o proof that you meet the licensing or certification requirements
for your chosen occupation in Canada, if applicable;
o police certificates, if available, from countries where you
have resided for over six months during the past 10 years;
o proof of arranged employment in Canada, if available; and
o proof of sufficient funds to maintain yourself and your
dependants until you are self-supporting in Canada.
Note: All documents submitted must be original or certified
photocopies. If they are not in English or French you may be required
to send a certified translation in either English or French. If you
cannot obtain some of the documents, you must provide a written
explanation.
What happens when my application is received?
Processing of your application begins the day you submit a completed
form and pay the processing fee.
Your application will be reviewed to determine if:
o you meet the basic requirements;
o you have enough points for an immigrant visa;
o you have provided all required information and documents; and
o your qualifications need to be assessed by a professional
association in Canada.
You will then be informed if your application will be processed
further or refused.
The medical examination
You and your dependants must pass a medical examination to ensure
that you are all in good health. The visa office will give you
medical forms and instructions, and a list of doctors who will do the
medical examination.
The medical examination consists of a general physical examination, a
blood and urine test, and a chest x-ray. The doctor will forward the
results to a Canadian medical officer who will assess the results of
your examination.
What happens if I don't pass the medical examination?
If you or your dependants have a serious medical problem and do not
pass the medical examination, your application will be refused.
The background check
This refers to background checks completed in all countries where you
and your dependants have lived. These checks will determine if you
have any arrests or convictions, and if you are a security risk to
Canada.
How is the background check done?
The visa officer will start the check based on information provided
in your application.
You and your dependants may be asked to provide police certificates.
If you or any of your dependants have a criminal conviction, your
application will probably be refused. Generally, persons with a
criminal conviction are not admitted into Canada. Under exceptional
circumstances, however, such persons may request special
consideration. Occasionally such persons are admitted on the grounds
that they have been rehabilitated. You must wait five years after the
end of your sentence to apply for approval of rehabilitation.
Note: If the conviction occurred in Canada, you must seek a pardon
from the National Parole Board of Canada.
Passports or travel documents
You and your dependants must have valid passports or travel
documents. If your passports or travel documents will expire in the
near future, get them renewed. Your visa cannot exceed the validity
date of your travel document.
Will I need to attend an interview?
After reviewing your application, a visa officer will decide if an
interview is necessary. If so, you will be informed of its time and
place.
The interview is to determine your personal suitability for
immigration to Canada, as well as your occupational expertise and
professional qualifications. The visa officer may ask you questions
about your job, past experience, education, reasons for migrating,
plans for the future in Canada, and the preparations you have made.
These questions are intended to evaluate your motivation, initiative,
adaptability, and resourcefulness, which indicate if you will settle
successfully in Canada.
The visa officer may also ask questions about your health, financial
situation, past difficulties with the law, if any, and your family,
spouse, and/or dependants. The officer will answer questions or
concerns you may have about moving to Canada.
How long will it take to obtain my visa?
Applicants are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Processing time depends on the complexity of your application, the
number of applications being processed and how quickly you respond to
requests from the visa office for documents or other information.
Note: Individuals or agencies who help you to complete your
application are not given any special treatment in processing.
How will I be informed of the decision?
If your application is accepted, you will either receive your visa by
mail or you will be advised when you may pick it up at the visa
office.
If your application has been refused, you will be informed by letter
of the decision and the reasons for the refusal.
Please do not quit your job, sell or give away your possessions until
you have been issued an immigrant visa.
Note: All immigrant visas have an expiry date. You should make
arrangements to arrive in Canada before the expiry date on your visa.
No extensions are possible. If your visa expires, you will have to
reapply, pay a new fee and be reassessed.
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL
What happens when I arrive in Canada?
When you arrive, you must present your immigrant visa to a
customs/immigration officer. Landing formalities will then be
completed.
What settlement services are available?
Various kind of settlement services are available to immigrants. You
can find out about them at Canada Immigration Centres, Canada
Employment Centres and private organizations.
It is your responsibility to get a job once you arrive. Employment
opportunities vary depending on the region and season of the year. An
immigrant visa is no guarantee of employment. You should have
sufficient funds to keep yourself and your dependants until you have
become established in Canada.
What are my rights and obligations as a permanent resident of Canada?
You and your dependants have the right to live, study and work
indefinitely in Canada, and are entitled to most social benefits
accorded to Canadian citizens. When you have met citizenship
requirements, you may apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian
passport.
There are few limitations on permanent residents. You cannot vote in
certain elections. You may be ineligible for certain jobs requiring
high-level security clearances.
As a permanent resident, you also have the same legal obligations as
Canadians, such as paying taxes and respecting other laws.
If you or your dependants commit serious crimes, you or your
dependants risk being deported from Canada.
You remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen
or you abandon Canada as your place of residence. You may be
considered to have abandoned Canada if you have frequent and/or
lengthy absences from Canada.
Travelling to Canada to present your visas for landing and then
returning to live in your home country indefinitely will result in
the loss of your permanent resident status.
APPENDIX 1:
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING
Several professions require registration and/or licensing. The
following is a list of some of these. The visa officer will inform
you of any additional documentation required for occupations that are
not included.
Applicants intending to work in the following occupations should be
aware that there are special procedures related to the registration
and licensing of their occupations.
Academics and professors: Academics who intend to teach at a Canadian
university must obtain a "confirmation of offer of employment" issued
by a Canada Employment Centre before their application can be
approved.
Engineers: To score points under Factor 4, Occupation, Engineers may
have their engineering education and experience reviewed by the
Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE). To do this they
must obtain form IMM 1338 from the visa office. Complete this form
and return it with the required documents and a non-refundable fee
payable to the CCPE. The visa officer will forward your request to
the CCPE. The result of this informal review leads only to
occupational designation for immigration purposes and will not have
any bearing on the final decision of the licensing authority in
Canada.
Engineering and applied sciences technologists and technicians: To
score points under Factor 4, Occupation, engineering and applied
sciences technologists and technicians may have their education and
experience reviewed by the Canadian Council of Technicians and
Technologists (CCTT). To do this they must obtain form IMM 1338 from
the visa office. Complete this form and return it with the required
documents and a non-refundable fee payable to the CCTT. The visa
officer will forward your request to the CCTT. The result of this
informal review leads only to occupational designation for
immigration purposes and will not have any bearing on the final
decision of the licensing authority in Canada.
Occupational therapists: To score points under Factor 5, Designated
occupation, or Factor 4, Occupation, occupational therapists may have
their academic background reviewed by the Canadian Association of
Occupational Therapists (CAOT). This is to determine whether they are
qualified to write the national certification examination. To do this
they must obtain form IMM 5206 from the visa office. Complete this
form and return it with the required documents and a non-refundable
fee payable to the CAOT. The visa officer will forward your request
to the CAOT.
The result of this informal review leads only to occupational
designation for immigration purposes and will not have any bearing on
the final decision of the licensing authority in Canada. Occupational
licensing is a provincial responsibility. Upon arrival in Canada, you
will have to contact the provincial occupational therapy regulatory
body in your province of destination to apply for a licence to
practise as an occupational therapist.
Physicians: Physicians who intend to practise medicine in Canada must
obtain a "confirmation of offer of employment" issued by a Canada
Employment Centre before their application can be approved.
There are a number of restrictions which limit the employment of
medical personnel in Canada. The visa officer will inform you of
these restrictions.
Note: There are a number of occupations which are not on the general
occupations list. Individuals may, in spite of this, still consider
independent immigration to Canada. In such cases, the applicant must
have a "confirmation of offer of employment" from a Canada Employment
Centre if their application is to be approved.
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