Applying for PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS in CANADA A World of Opportunity

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Applying for PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUSin
CANADAA World of Opportunity!

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Who We AreCanadian Consulate General, Seattle

• Trade, Consular, and Political
• Immigration Section
• Temporary Resident visa applications
• (visit, study, work in Canada)
• Permanent Resident visa applications
• (immigrate to Canada)

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Visa Offices in the USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. TR visas only
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Immigrating to Canada
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How Many Immigrants Come to Canada Every Year?
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Application Categories

• Economic Class
• Skilled Workers
• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self-Employed
• Humanitarian Class
• Refugees

• Family Class
• Spouses
• Common-law partner
• Conjugal Partner
• Children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Others

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Immigration By Class
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The Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Who can be included
• How and where to apply
• How applications are assessed
• Minimum requirements
• The points system
• Admissibility requirements

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Who Can Be Included?

• Principal Applicant
• Family Members
• Spouse/common-law partner
• Dependent children

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Where to Apply

• Applicants residing in the USA or Canada send
  their applications to Buffalo Regional Processing
  Centre (RPC)
• RPC reviews for completeness, acknowledges
  receipt, creates file, then conducts initial
  assessment
• RPC may process to completion or transfer file to
  1 of 4 other US offices for completion notice
  of transfer given
• An interview may be required

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Application Kit

• Download the kit at www.cic.gc.ca

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How Applications are Assessed

• Federal Skilled Workers must meet the following
  basic requirement
• At least one year of full-time work experience.
• Within 10 years before application
• Continuous full-time or equivalent
• Paid
• At NOC skill level
• O Management
• A Professional
• B Technical/Skilled Trades

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National Occupational Classification (NOC)

• The NOC is a classification system for jobs in
  the Canadian economy. It describes duties,
  skills, talents and work settings for
  occupations.
• http//www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/generic/welcom
  e.shtml

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National Occupational Classification (cont)
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National Occupation Classification (cont)
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Skilled Worker Selection Factors
   
   
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Self-Assessment Tool
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Selection Factors Age
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Selection Factors Education

• Points awarded are determined by
• Nature of the educational credential (diploma,
  trade certificate, apprenticeship, university
  degree)
• Length of program
• Number of credentials
• Total years of education

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Selection Factors Education
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Selection Factors Language

• Points awarded for level of proficiency (high,
  moderate, basic, or none)
• Canadas two official languages English and
  French
• Assessed against the Canadian Language Benchmarks
  for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

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Language Assessment

• Two types of evidence
• Third Party Language Testing
• Other Evidence - Written Submission

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Selection Factors Language

• Taking an approved language test is STRONGLY
  RECOMMENDED if claiming skills in a language that
  is not your native language
• CELPIP Canadian English Language Proficiency
  Index Program
• http//www.ares.ubc.ca/CELPIP/index.html
• IELTS International English Language Testing
  System
• www.ielts.org
• TEF Test dEvaluation de Francais
• www.fda.ccip.fr/

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Selection Factors Language
Maximum 2 points
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Selection FactorsWork Experience
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Selection Factors Experience

• Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B in NOC matrix
• Must have performed the actions in the lead
  statement of the occupation as set out in the NOC
• Must have performed all the essential duties and
  at least a substantial number of the main duties

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Selection Factors Experience

• Points only awarded for paid experience
• Must be continuous work
• Can be in more than one occupation

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Selection Factors Arranged Employment

• 10 points
• Full time, indeterminate Job Offer confirmed by
  HRSDC
• OR
• Currently working in Canada on work permit valid
  for at least next 12 months

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Selection Factors Adaptability

• MAXIMUM 10 Points
• Education of accompanying spouse / common-law
  partner
• 3, 4 or 5 points depending upon spouses
  post-secondary educational attainment
• Previous study in Canada
• 5 points if applicant or spouse/partner completed
  at least 2 year post-secondary program in Canada

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Selection Factors Adaptability

• Previous work in Canada
• 5 points if Applicant or spouse/partner have at
  least one year full time experience in Canada on
  work permit
• Arranged employment
• 5 points if applicant received points under the
  Arranged Employment factor
• Relatives in Canada
• 5 points if applicant or spouse/partner has a
  Canadian citizen or permanent resident relative

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Minimum RequirementsSettlement Funds

• Available funds must amount to half of the
  minimum necessary annual income

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Inadmissibility

• Criminal
• Medical
• Misrepresentation

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Fees

• Application Fee
• Principal applicant 550
• Spouse/Partner 550
• Child 150
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• Principal Applicant 490
• Spouse/Partner 490

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How Long Does it Take?

• Routine application may take up to 24 months
• Supporting documents must be submitted
• Submission of complete application up front will
  reduce processing time!
• Medical examinations are required
• An interview may be required
• Police clearance certificates from all places of
  residence in the last ten years or since age 18
  are required

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How Can I Get Canadian Immigration Information?

• www.cic.gc.ca
• General information
• Application Kits
• Fee Schedules
• CIC Publications
• Links to Related Sites
• Updates on Immigration Act
• www.canadainternational.gc.ca
• General information
• Links to other resources

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Other Useful Websites

• HRSDC
• www.hrsdc.gc.ca
• NOC
• www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
• Buffalo Consulate
• www.buffalo.gc.ca
• Government of Canada
• www.canada.gc.ca

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For More Informationand Application Kits

• Visit www.cic.gc.ca

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Questions?

• Canadian Consulate
• General
• Seattle, Washington
• www.seattle.gc.ca