Many factors influence people’s decision to immigrate to Canada. Canada offers everything, including the opportunity to pursue a high-quality education, the security of free universal healthcare, and the high standard of living that the country is known for. To help foreign nationals become permanent residents, this nation also provides various types of visas. These visas are known as Canada permanent visas. A Complete Guide to Canada Temporary Visas.
A Canadian permanent visa allows its holder to remain there indefinitely. You can relocate to any province in Canada and live, work, and study there once you have a Permanent Canada Visa. You will be issued a Permanent Resident Card as soon as your visa is approved. A card, also known as a Canadian PR Card, attests to your status as a permanent resident of Canada. It must be carried at all times, especially when travelling.
We will cover the entire list of Canadian permanent visas and relevant information on them in this article to help you understand the various types of Canadian permanent visas and which one is best for you. A complete guide to Canada permanent visas.
Benefits of a Canada Permanent Visa
You are permitted to do the following if you are a permanent resident of Canada:
- Live, study, or work anywhere in Canada.
- Receive the majority of social benefits that Canadians receive, such as health insurance.
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian law provides you with protection.
- When eligible, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.
Note: To receive the benefits, you must consistently pay Canadian taxes and abide by the law.
What you can’t do with a Canada permanent visa
- You cannot vote,
- you cannot run for office.
- You cannot hold jobs requiring a high level of security clearance.
Requirements for Canada Permanent Visas
The eligibility requirements for the various types of Canadian permanent visas vary, but the following criteria must be met to qualify for a permanent Canada visa:
- A passport issued by a legitimate government has at least one blank page in it but is not the last page.
- Translate correctly all application materials that are not in English or French.
- Possess two photos that adhere to Canada’s photo requirements.
- Possess a spotless criminal record and be able to prove it in court.
- Evidence of paid processing and visa fees.
- Completed and signed Visa Application Center (VAC) consent form.
- Possess a Medical examination report.
Types of Canada Permanent Visas
- Family-Sponsorship Program
- Self-employed Person Visa
- Startup Visa Program
- Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Family-Sponsorship Program
You have the chance to support a family member who wants to immigrate to Canada if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The Canada Family Sponsorship Program allows you to do this.
Through this, they can join the program for family sponsorship, which enables them to apply for Canadian permanent residency. To be eligible for Canada’s family sponsorship program, both the sponsor and their relatives who reside abroad must fulfil several criteria.
Who can you sponsor in Canada?
If you meet certain requirements, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, grandparent, or other relative.
How To Become a Sponsor for Your Family Members
If you satisfy the following requirements, you may sponsor someone in Canada:
- You are of legal age.
- You are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- According to the Canadian Indian Act, you are recognized as an Indian in Canada.
- You earn enough money to support the people you are sponsoring.
- Unless you have a disability, you are not receiving social assistance.
- You are not detained in a jail, prison, or penitentiary.
- You don’t have a criminal record
- You must demonstrate that you intend to remain in Canada after the individuals you sponsor are granted residency
- You haven’t filed for bankruptcy.
- You don’t owe back child support or alimony or have any other mandatory family support obligations.
- You don’t have an unpaid immigration loan.
- There is no removal order against you.
- You must not have been sponsored by another spouse/partner within the last five years.
- You are not allowed to owe a former spouse or partner, (you once sponsored) any unpaid debts.
- Note: If you live in Quebec, please do not apply for this program.
For more information about the Family-Sponsorship Program, visit the official website.
Self-employed Person Visa
The Self-employed Person visa is available to people who can launch their businesses and have skills in business, athletics, culture, or farming. These people must demonstrate their skill in those particular areas as well as how they will finance the venture.
However, merely holding one of those professions is insufficient to give your application for a self-employed visa any chance of success. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have enough expertise in those two areas to significantly benefit Canada.
NOTE: As of March 2018, the Canadian government is no longer accepting applications for agriculture under the self-employed category.
Eligibility for the Canada Self-Employed Visa
If you fit the following criteria, you can apply for a self-employed visa for Canada:
– You have the necessary knowledge and abilities.
To work as a self-employed person in Canada, you must possess the necessary experience and skills. Two years of experience is the bare minimum required for self-employment. This experience must have been acquired within the five years before your application.
Pass the Canadian point-based system
You receive a point-based evaluation from the visa officers who handle your application for a self-employed Canadian visa. You require a minimum of 35 points and a maximum of 100 points. Because the Canada self-employed visa is based on a point system, more experience equates to more points.
They observe you through the following:
- Experience (35 points): If you have at least five years of experience, you receive the most points possible.
- Education (25 points): If you have a Master’s or PhD and have completed at least 17 years of full-time study, you will receive the most points.
- Age (1 point): If you are between the ages of 21 and 49, you receive the most points. They seek individuals who can make a sustained contribution to Canadian culture and athletics.
- Language skills (24 points): They will evaluate your ability to write, speak, read, and listen in either English or French. You can take a language test from a recognized organization, such as IELTS or CELPIP for English or TEF Canada, or TFC Canada for French. You can make your native language your first official language.
- Adaptability (6 points): Adaptability points are awarded based on the following factors: your spouse’s educational level; whether you previously worked/studied in Canada; and whether you have relatives in Canada. They consider this to determine how well you would potentially integrate into Canadian culture.
For more information about the Self-employed Person Visa, visit the official website.
Startup Visa Program
Individuals who will contribute to the economy on their own are eligible for the Canada Startup Visa. They must commit to owning and managing at least one-third of a Canadian company, creating and retaining jobs within three years of moving to Canada, and having a net worth of at least $300,000.
The Startup Program in Canada provides excellent opportunities for new foreign businesses seeking to establish themselves in Canada. It seeks immigrant entrepreneurs with the ability and desires to establish businesses in Canada that are cutting-edge, create jobs for Canadians, and compete on an international level. However, they must first meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian startup visa.
Eligibility Requirements for a Startup Visa
- You must own and operate a qualifying business.
- Provide a letter of support from a designated organization.
- You must have enough money.
- The language requirements must be met.
What Business qualifies for a Canada start-up Visa?
Your company must meet the following requirements to qualify:
- Each owner of the company (up to five owners) must own at least 10% of the voting rights.
- A minimum of 50% of the voting power in the company must be held by the owners and the designated organization.
What is the Processing time for the Startup Visa Program?
It takes 36 months for a Canadian start-up visa to be processed. Your application might also require you to submit biometric data. The time needed for you to provide your biometrics is included in this processing time.
For more information about the Startup Visa Program, visit the official website.
Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
Each province in Canada has its laws and regulations, particularly about immigration. One of the provinces with its immigration policies is Quebec, which has the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
Through this program, foreigners with skills that meet the needs of the province can apply for Quebec immigration. Only those who intend to reside in Quebec permanently are eligible to apply directly for this program, as it is assessed following provincial regulations.
If you are selected, you will be able to find work and housing in Quebec and remain there. You will be considered a permanent resident of Canada and will be eligible for all benefits. You will also be able to apply for Canadian citizenship and obtain a Canadian passport after a few years.
Requirements of the Quebec Selected Skilled Workers Program
Quebec has created its requirements and selection criteria based on a grid of points to make the application process fairer. You will be given Quebec immigration points when you apply, which will let them compare you to the other candidates. Then, the people with the highest scores are selected.
Education, work experience, age, language ability, Quebec-based relatives, spouse or common-law partner points, job offer, child age, and financial situation are all selection criteria.
For more information about the Quebec Selected Skilled Workers Program, visit the official website.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class Program was created for foreign nationals who have been temporary employees or temporary student visa holders in Canada and want to become permanent residents.
You can relocate permanently to Canada, work, and live in one of the provinces with the help of the CEC program. Will be able to obtain a Canadian passport and apply for citizenship after a few years. You will enjoy the same privileges as other long-term residents and citizens of Canada, including access to healthcare services and the chance to enrol your children or yourself in Canadian universities.
For more information about Canadian Experience Class, visit the official website.
How to apply for a Permanent Canada Visa
Although each application for a Permanent Canada Visa is different, there are some similarities. Generally speaking, the following steps must be followed to apply.
- Go to Immigrate and then “Find out if you can apply” on the Government of Canada website. Complete the survey, then wait for the results.
- If you meet the requirements for any of the permanent visas, you will receive an application reference code and instructions.
- Using your bank account information or the Government of Canada login (GCKey)/, create an account.
- By entering your reference code and completing the required documents, you can begin and submit your application.
- You must pay the application fees at the same time as submitting your application.
- Wait for processing, go to a visa interview if necessary, and provide your biometric data.
- For updates on the progress of your visa application, frequently check your account.
- If your visa is approved, follow the instructions the Canadian Consulate sends you with the processing fees when mailing in your passport.
- Your passport will be stamped with the visa at the consulate, and you’ll receive a Permanent Resident Travel Card (PRTC) in the mail along with it.
- After that, you can fly to Canada and wait to receive your Canada PR Card in the mail.
Conclusion
Canada is inexpensive and provides foreigners with countless opportunities. Additionally, it provides a variety of visas, such as the Canadian permanent visa, to meet the needs of various individuals.
Once you have a permanent visa for Canada, you are free to relocate, live, work, and attend school in any province. You are regarded as a Permanent Resident of Canada.
We covered the different types of Complete Canadian permanent visas. We hope you found this article informative.
