If you are looking for a better life to live or planning to study or finding a good job that is completely legal and will never leave you stranded in any country, then I can suggest you to go for Canada. It has always been one of the best countries to live in and any immigrant that has lived there would always say that Canada is a very nice place to settle down and they will always prefer Canada over any other country.
Are you thinking of applying for a Canadian visa? There are numerous types of visas that are issued to newcomers who wish to live in Canada. The first step should be understanding the different types of visas and determining which one is right for you.
Canada is one of the most popular country for immigration. Many of the people want to get settled in Canada. Canada has a great opportunity for skilled and highly-skilled professionals as well as business immigrants due to its reputation as a stable, secure and prosperous nation in the world today.
The fast pace of life of under taking a lengthy procedure for the immigration today, but it is extremely competitive field and tough to acquire a visa especially if you have no Canadian experience. It means Canada is one of the most desired countries by the applicant, which makes its immigration process even more competitive than ever. It is also considered as a problem as less number of visas are issued each year as compared to other countries. However, when on one has to decide on an application then points that matter at the end are your skills and luck factor.
Residence Visa In Canada
A Permanent Canada Visa is a visa which allows the holder to stay in Canada permanently. It is an immigration visa, just like the Green Card is for the United States. Once you get a Permanent Canada Visa, you can move to any province of Canada, live, work, and study there. You are considered a Canadian Permanent Resident.
Once your visa is approved, you will get a Permanent Resident Card. This card, otherwise known as a Canadian PR Card proves that you have permanent residence in Canada. You must have it with you at all times, especially when you travel.
You must be at least 18 years old to apply and you can apply with your child if they are under 18 years old.
What Are the Benefits of a Canada Permanent Visa?
As a Canada Permanent Resident, you are allowed to do the following:
- You can get most social benefits that Canadians get such as health care coverage;
- You can live, study, or work anywhere in Canada;
- You get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
- You can apply for a Canadian citizenship once you are eligible;
To get these benefits though, you must regularly pay Canadian taxes and respect the laws. Even if you are a permanent resident of Canada, you are not allowed to vote or run for political office as well as hold jobs that need high-level security clearance.
What are the Types of the Permanent Canada Visas?
Depending on your situation, there are different ways to get an immigration visa for Canada. There are four categories which have their own visas for permanent residence, so you can get the status through the following:
- Finding a permanent job in Canada
- Getting sponsored by your family
- Opening a business or investing in Canada
- Other permanent visas
Finding a Permanent Job in Canada
The most attainable way to get a Permanent Canada Visa is to find a job in the country. There are different programs which will lead to such a visa, as described in the table below.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) visa is given to qualified tradespeople in different occupations such as:
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Machinists
- Ironworkers
- Welders
- Crane Operators
- Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics
- Plumbers, etc.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) visa is given to those who have occupations which are required in Canada. You must check the types of occupations Canada needs when you start planning to apply and obtain the necessary points.
Provincial Nomination Programs
The Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) visa is for semi or low-skilled workers who can contribute to the Canadian economy though their work. The workers get placement in different provinces of Canada where the demand for their work is higher.
Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program
If you have one of the occupations required in the Canadian province of Quebec and you are fluent in French, then you can apply for the Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) visa which will allow you to move and work permanently there.
Getting sponsored by your family
If you have close family in Canada such as a spouse, parents, or children who are Canadian Permanent Residents or Citizens, then you can get sponsored through them and call for family union. Through this, you can get on the Family Sponsorship Program which allows you to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.
Opening a business or investing in Canada
The Canadian economy is continuously developing and if you are a businessperson who can contribute to it with resources, then you can get one of the Canadian Permanent Visas as follows.
Immigrant Investor Program
The Immigrant Investor Program visa is given to people with a net worth of at least CAD$800,000 who will make investments in the Canadian economy.
They must invest at least CAD$400,000 and the government will return the investment to them in 5 years without any interest.
Immigrant Investor Program –Entrepreneur Program
The Entrepreneur Program visa is given to people with a net worth of at least CAD$300,000 who will be individually involved in contributing to the Canadian economy.
These investors must commit to owning and managing at least one third of a Canadian business as well as create and maintain employment within 3 years of being in the country.
Self-employed Persons Program
The Self-employed Persons Program visa is given to people who have skills in business, athletics, culture, or farming and can start their own businesses.
These people must demonstrate how they will finance the business and prove their skills in those particular areas.
Other permanent visas
Other permanent visas are those that do not necessarily fit within the categories above but are valid ways to get permanent residence in Canada.
Live-in Caregiver Program
This visa is given to caregivers that are qualified to care for elderly, disabled people, or children and live in a private home in Canada.
Canadian Experience Class
This visa is given to those who have a temporary student visa or a temporary workers visa and want to switch to a permanent resident status.
They either have a Canadian education or work experience and have settled into Canadian society.
What are the requirements of the Permanent Canada Visas?
All Canadian Visas have general requirements and visa specific requirements. The general requirements for the Permanent Canada Visas are as follows:
- A valid government-issued passport with at least one blank page that is not the last page.
- If you have application documents in a language other than English or French, you must translate them through an authorized and verified translator.
- Two (2) photos following the Canada Photo Requirements.
- Have a clean criminal history and prove it through court documents.
- Proof of paid visa and processing fees.
- Signed and filled out a Visa Application Center (VAC) consent form.
- Medical exam certificate.
If you fulfill these requirements, then you will have visa specific requirements.
How to apply for a Permanent Canada Visa?
Each Permanent Canada Visa has their own application process, but they have some similarities. In general, you will have to go through the following steps to apply.
- Visit the Government of Canada website and go to Immigrate and then to “Find out if you can apply”. Take the questionnaire and wait for the results.
- If you qualify for any of the permanent visas, you will get a reference code and instructions on how to apply.
- Create an account using your bank information or the Government of Canada login (GCKey)/.
- Start and submit your application by inputting your reference code and completing the necessary documents.
- When you submit your application, you will have to also pay the application fees.
- Wait for processing and if necessary, attend a visa interview and give your biometrics information.
- Check your account frequently for any notifications on the status of your visa processing.
- If your visa is approved, mail in your passport according to the instructions that the Canadian Consulate sends you with the processing fees.
- The Consulate will stamp the visa on your passport and send you a Permanent Resident Travel Card (PRTC) with your passport via mail.
- You can then travel to Canada and wait for your Canada PR Card to be mailed to you.
- Congratulations! You are a Canadian Permanent Resident.