Coming to Canada as an immigrant is an exciting opportunity. However, there
are several things you should consider before you apply to be a permanent
resident.
In most cases, you must apply at a Canadian visa office outside of Canada. In
some cases, you can apply to become a permanent resident after you arrive in
Canada. For example, live-in caregivers or people granted refugee protection can
apply from within Canada.
If you want to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply.
You will need to decide which immigration program will work best for you and
your family.
Find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category:
Skilled workers and professionals
Education, experience and language skills you need
Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons
Who can start a business in Canada
Sponsoring your family
How to sponsor a family member to join you here if you are a permanent
resident
Provincial nominees
Learn about settling in one of Canada’s provinces as a provincial nominee
Quebec-selected skilled workers
Find out how to apply to be selected to settle in Quebec
Citizenship
Canadians are proud of their citizenship. We value the rights and freedoms,
and accept the responsibilities, that this status gives us.
CIC manages the application process and guides applicants through the steps
to becoming Canadian citizens. CIC staff process citizenship applications,
requests for proof of citizenship and searches of citizenship records.
Each year, approximately 160,000 people become Canadian citizens
(representing about 85 percent of all immigrants) and take an oath of
citizenship at ceremonies across the country. The oath is a personal commitment
to accept the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship.
Citizenship for international adoptees
In December 2007, Canada’s citizenship law will be amended to allow
Canadian citizens who adopt a child from a foreign country the option of
applying for Canadian citizenship for their adopted child without first having
to apply for permanent residence. Adopted persons who are adults may apply for
themselves. This amendment will only apply to persons adopted after February 14,
1977.
More information on this change will soon become available.
When this new law comes into force, the existing interim policy that allows
for the possibility of a discretionary grant of citizenship for foreign-born
adopted persons living outside of Canada will no longer be in effect. This
special, interim policy only applies to persons residing outside Canada who were
adopted by a Canadian citizen parent.
If you are covered by this policy and were adopted by a Canadian citizen before
February 15, 1977, you may wish to apply for citizenship, before
the interim policy expires on December 22, 2007.
After December 22, 2007, foreign-born persons adopted by a Canadian citizen
before February 15, 1977 who wish to apply for citizenship must first obtain
permanent resident status in Canada and then apply for citizenship.
The refugee system
Refugees and people needing protection are those in or outside Canada who
fear returning to their home country. In keeping with its humanitarian tradition
and international obligations, Canada provides protection to thousands of people
every year.
Canada offers refugee protection to people in Canada who fear persecution or
who may be at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, and
are unwilling or unable to return to their home country.
Groups and individuals can sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come
to Canada.
Refugee claims in Canada
Canada offers refugee protection to people in Canada who fear persecution or
who may be at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, and
are unwilling or unable to return to their home country.
If you feel that you will be persecuted or otherwise at risk as mentioned
above, if you return to your home country, you can seek protection in Canada as
a Convention Refugee or a person in need of protection. To be eligible, you must
apply from within Canada or at a point of entry to Canada.
For more details visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
