In this video, immigration lawyer Andy Semotiuk explains spousal sponsorship to Canada. If you wish to bring your wife or husband to live with you in Canada, this video may answer some of your questions. Contact us for further details here.
Canadian Immigration is only as difficult as you make it!
Thousands of people immigrate to Canada every year, and the ones with the most success are those who are willing to hire professional immigration consultants who are trained and know the laws about Canadian Immigration.
Don’t be a victim of the many hurdles and roadblocks.
If you want to improve your life and the life of your family then you owe it to yourself to find out more about how simple it can be when you engage the proper professionals who can cut through the red tape, who have the right contacts, and who will treat you with respect.
Canada has the second strongest economy in the Western world and has experienced phenomenal growth in the past 10 years. Canadians are known to be very friendly people and the standard of living is very high. Skilled worker immigration to Canada gives people a chance to start a new career and a new life in a vibrant country full of possibilities. To become a skilled worker in Canada you have to meet requirements set forth by the Canadian government. There is a set procedure you must follow and your permanent resident status is approved by the government based on a set of rules and regulations that help to determine if you can support yourself and your family once you arrive.
If you are seeking to immigrate to Canada, it may be wise to seek the services of a Canadian Immigration Lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate the immigration process and be sure that your rights are represented. It is important to note that Quebec approves skilled workers on its own so if you want to immigrate there, be sure to review the criteria this Providence puts forth. The Canadian government provides a free assessment form on their website to help you determine if you qualify to apply for skilled worker status. As of June 26, 2010 only 20,000 applications for skilled workers will be approved without an arrangement for employment in Canada, so it is in your best interest to have an arrangement for employment before you begin the immigration approval process.
According to the Citizen and Immigration to Canada (CIC) website, the official website of the Canadian government, a skilled worker is defined as people who “are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to become economically established in Canada.” In order for your application to be considered it must include your scores to the language proficiency test (English and French are the official languages of Canada), have proof of an arrangement for employment, or you must have one year of work experience in one of the 500 professional occupations listed on the CIC website. You may apply as the principle partner if you are married or in a common-law relationship or your partner may apply. Use the assessment tool on the CIC website to determine which one of you is most likely to pass the application process.
What is Taken Into Account on Your Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada Application?
If you meet the above requirements your application will be approved based on your education, how well you can read and speak English and/or French, your age, your work experience, your adaptability to the Canadian culture and if you have an arranged employment in Canada. The Canadian government wants to be sure that you will be a benefit to their society and be able to support yourself and your family. By taking all of theses things into consideration they will determine if you are a good candidate for immigration to Canada.
Your assessment is based on a points system. There are six sections that you will be rated on and you must obtain a score of at least 67 points to pass.
If you do not obtain the minimum 67 points, you may write a detailed letter explaining why you think your application should be approved. Include how you will support yourself and your family and include any documentation that you can to support these claims. To avoid this use the tools on the CIC website to make sure you are eligible to pass the qualification process. You can take the self-evaluation test for free to use as a guide.
Once you have applied and your application has been accepted, a CIC agent will contact you if they need more information. Processing time is different for each case. There are some things you can do to ensure that the process is not delayed.
You will need to pass a medical exam and all of your dependents must also pass the medical exam before you are allowed to immigrate to Canada. This is not to say that you and your dependents must be in perfect health to immigrate to Canada, but your application may be turned down if they determine that you or your dependents will be a drain on the health care resources of the country.
If your application is approved and you are granted skilled worker status, you will be issued a permanent visa that permits you to immigrate to Canada. You must present your passport to the officer from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that will greet you at the border. You must also present your visa and proof of funds to the officer. He will ask you questions to make sure you are still eligible to enter the country as a skilled worker. Your Canadian mailing address will be verified and your permanent resident cared will be mailed there. If you enter the country with more than $10,000 you must alert the officer of this fact. Once you have satisfied the CBSA officer and your documentation is verified you will be allowed to enter Canada as a permanent resident and start your new life as a skilled worker.
Important Notice: Both the Canadian and Quebec governments have placed a temporary freeze on new applications for investor and skilled worker programs. The moratoriums are expected to be in effect until early 2013, at which time both levels of government should announce new selection criteria. More…
Canada is a country that has a reputation for being progressive, friendly, safe and one of the few Western countries that has a growing economy. For these reasons many people are looking toward the job opportunities skilled worker immigration to Canada presents. Over 90% of the residents in Canada live near the border of the United States and travel easily from one country to the other. Canadians and Americans alike visit each others countries freely with little restrictions. But for the best Canadian experience and job opportunities you may want to consider the option of becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
Starting a new life in Canada is exciting and a chance to begin a new chapter in your career. A skilled worker is defined as a person who has one year paid work experience in a field. You can apply for skilled worker status online. The Canadian government provides a free assessment tool to see if you would be qualified as a skilled worker. If you qualify you can then apply for skilled worker status. Your application is reviewed and scored on a point basis. You must score at least 67 and your score is based on several factors including your age, ability to support yourself and your dependants, adaptability, health and education. Once your application is accepted you will go through the process of an interview, medical exam and receive either acceptance or denial for permanent resident status. If you are approved you will then receive a permanent resident identification card and entrance into Canada.
In order to gain acceptance as a skilled worker you must first have a legitimate offer of employment. There are over 500 jobs listed on the Canadian government’s website that qualify for skilled worker status. According to the official Statistics Canada website the overall job market in Canada saw an increase. Full time employment was up by 1.9% and part-time employment rose by 3.4% in December of 2010. The areas that saw the greatest increases were transportation, manufacturing and warehouse operations. The provinces that saw the greatest growth in employment were Quebec, Newfoundland, Ontario, and Labrador. (It is important to note that if you are interested in skilled worker immigration to Quebec the province has its own application and approval process.)
The goods producing sector of employment in Canada showed an increase of 3 percent from December of 2009 to December of 2010 with the greatest percentage of increase in the natural resources classification. In the services producing sector, the overall increase was 2 percent. Transportation and warehousing led the increase with 10.8 percent increase from December of 2009 to December of 2010 and coming in second was business, building and other support services with an increase 8.1 percent.
The job sectors that showed the greatest amount of decline from December of 2009 to December of 2010 were health care and social assistance, agriculture and wholesale and retail trade. British Columbia experienced the slowest growth during this time period as compared to the other Canadian Provinces; however the rate of decline was under the national average and British Columbia still presents many job opportunities for skilled workers who immigrate to Canada.
One of the largest job sectors in Canada is transportation. Goods need to be shipped to consumers and wholesalers along with the construction and maintenance of the road system; this accounts for the continued growth in the transportation industry. In 2008 transportation accounted for the following percentages:
Of all the transportation jobs, trucking was number one. Trucking accounted for 28% of all transportation jobs. Skilled workers in trucking continue to be in high demand. Air, water and rail transport are all expected to continue to experience increases with the Port of Vancouver handling over 26 million tons of cargo, or 57% of Canada’s container traffic in 2006.
Jobs in the scientific sector are also projected to increase. Researchers are in high demand in the natural sciences and engineering sectors. From 1997 to 2006 these jobs grew by 57% and 8 in 1,000 workers were employed in research and development. Canada ranks fifth in the G7 countries for money spent on research and development. Business enterprise research also saw an increase of 66% in the same time period. Research and development jobs are expected to continue to grow with the highest percentage of growth in Ontario and Quebec.
The construction industry has many job opportunities for skilled workers who immigrate to Canada. Increases in residential and non-residential construction, engineering, maintenance and repair are expected to continue. In 2008 1.2 million workers were employed in construction, this accounted for 7.25% of all jobs in Canada. Although construction experienced a slight decline, 1.1%, it still accounted for $74.9 billion of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.
Business, consumer and property services are three of the job sectors that experienced a high rate of growth in 2009. Call centres, customer service representatives and business service centres had a 275.4% increase from 1998 to 2008. This increase outpaced the overall increase in the Canadian job market which was 32.9% during the same time period. Outsourcing by businesses was one of the contributing factors to this phenomenal growth as well as the changing face of business due to the internet.
Skilled worker immigration to Canada can give you and your family new job opportunities and a chance to start a new life. You may want to obtain the services of a Canada immigration lawyer to help you with the application process. The Canadian government has an excellent website that has all of the resources you need to start your skilled worker application process. Canada is a large country full of promise. Research your job opportunities, obtain an offer of employment and you will be on your way to joining the growing work force of people who are immigrating to Canada as skilled workers.
Skilled worker immigration to Canada sounds like an attractive proposition when you consider the past growth and projections of the continuing growth of the Canadian economy. According to the Statistics Canada website, employment increased by 2.2 percent from December 2009 to December 2010 and unemployment dropped by 8.5 percent. Many people are considering making the move north to find employment and start new lives.
You can immigrate to Canada and keep your citizenship in your home country with skilled worker permanent residence status. The process is fairly easy and the Canadian government outlines the steps in detail on their website. Applications are approved based on a point system. Points are based on age, ability to support yourself and your family, adaptability to the Canadian experience and other factors and you must score 67 points or above for your permanent resident status to be approved. If you are seriously thinking of moving to Canada, you may want to know what are the best paying jobs for skilled workers are.
If you are considering skilled worker immigration to Canada, consider construction jobs. Although it has had some ups and downs, construction jobs in Canada promise to continue to grow. Construction isn’t just hard hat jobs; it also includes managers, support staff, administrators and other white collar positions.
Health care, specifically nursing, is in high demand in Canada. As a nurse you can work in several health care facilities or be a travelling nurse and see the country. Most nurses in Canada have a Bachelor degree or higher. Skilled workers who immigrate to Canada as nurses can expect to have higher than average job opportunities and pay.
Transportation is a thriving industry in Canada. Skilled worker immigration to Canada for transportation workers promises many opportunities and good pay. Canada is a huge country and goods and services need to be moved over large expanses.
These are just three of the best paying jobs in Canada for skilled workers. Warehousing along with research and development are also growing industries and offer you competitive pay. In order to become a skilled worker and immigrate to Canada you must have at least one year of continuous and verifiable work experience. Canada has one of the most promising and growing economies in the Western world and can offer you many employment opportunities.
If you are interested in skilled worker immigration to Canada, you may be asking yourself if construction is a good job choice. Construction is one of the fastest growing industries in Canada and in 2008 over 74% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product was from construction. Over 7% of the total workforce (over 1 million people) is involved in construction which makes it a strong part of the Canadian economy. While the final decision will depend on your situation and family status, knowing the facts can help you to make an informed and intelligent decision.
There is a formal process to become a skilled worker in Canada. You must first pass a point scale to get your application accepted and then go through an interview and medial screening. In order to gain permanent residence status you have to have one year of continuous work experience and a way to support yourself and your family once you move there. If you are approved, then you are free to enter the country and work as a permanent resident of Canada. Information on the process and how to begin it is on the website of the Canadian government.
Canada has experienced steady growth for the past ten years. Although there was a slight downturn in new construction in the mid 2000’s, from 2009 to 2010 there was a 7.8% increase in new housing starts overall in Canada. Prince Edward Island was the only providence in Canada that experienced a decline in new housing starts during this time period, but the decline was only 1.1% with new housing starts falling from 877 to 756. The greatest number of residential housing starts in 2010 was in Ontario with over 60,000 and Quebec came in second with over 51,000. Alberta and British Columbia came in third and fourth with over 27,000 and 26,000 respectively.
Non-residential building starts have also been strong for the past few years in Canada. In 2009 the overall non-residential building starts have increased 5.3%. Leading the increase was Newfoundland and Labrador with an increase of 56.4% and in second was Nova Scotia with an increase of 23.3%. Once again Prince Edward Island had a decrease of 2.9% down from an increase in 2008 of 26.6%. The greatest increases were in the industrial category of non-residential building starts.
It’s not all hard hat positions and labourers that make up the construction industry in Canada. Many different jobs are needed in construction and include engineers, heavy equipment operators, designers, management, support staff and clerical. Besides new construction, there is also a large section of the industry devoted to remodelling and repair. Skilled construction jobs include electrical engineers, carpenters, sheet metal technicians and plumbers. If you are interested in skilled worker immigration to Canada and have experience with Green building technology you will be high demand as the trend toward environmentally responsible and sustainable buildings increase.
On average you can expect to make $27.30 an hour or over $52,000 annually in construction. Civil engineering and heavy equipment positions have an average wage of $29.71 per hour or over $57,000. Your wages will be dependant upon your experience and area of construction that you work in.
As you can see the area of construction is an excellent choice for skilled worker immigration to Canada. Canada continues to experience growth and this trend is expected to continue into the next decade. If you have at least one year of experience in construction and are looking for a new start in a vibrant and growing economy, you may want to seriously consider living and working in Canada.
Important update: Both the Canadian and Quebec governments have placed a temporary freeze on new applications for investor and skilled worker programs. The moratoriums are expected to be in effect until early 2013, at which time both levels of government should announce new selection criteria. Read more here.
Skilled worker immigration to Canada in Quebec is a bit different than the rest of Canada. Quebec retains the rights to approve skilled workers and there are some things you need to know if you are interested in immigrating to Quebec to find work. Canada has a growing economy and the country has a reputation for being a great place to live and work. If you don’t have Canadian citizenship you will have to apply to become a permanent resident in order to live and work in the country.
Quebec is Canada’s only predominantly French speaking providence. It is located on the eastern side of Canada and is bordered by the American states of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. It is the most populated providence followed by Ontario. Its coast includes Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, James Bay and Ungava Bay. Quebec is an area that has many acres of forests, rivers and lakes. It is considered one of the most beautiful parts of Canada.
Quebec’s jobs are still plentiful and their unemployment rate is below the national average; 8.4% for the entire providence. The city of Quebec has the lowest unemployment rate of 5.5%. Gatineau comes in second lowest with 5.7% unemployment. For immigrants this means that the chances of finding jobs in Quebec is quite high, the Université de Montraél did a study and found that two-thirds of all immigrants were working in their chosen field after living in the country for five years.
The first step to immigration is to research Quebec and see what jobs are available in your field. Also look at the cost of living and how much you can spend to live here. Next go to the Official site of the Government of Quebec and fill out the free Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration (PEI). You then will want to submit an application for permanent residence status. A Canada immigration lawyer may be of service in this step, although it is not necessary to retain one. Once you submit your application you will then receive a decision and you can then move to Quebec and start work.
The application process is fairly easy, but you need to completely understand it for you application to be approved. A skilled worker must have at least a high school diploma and have worked for one continuous year before your application is approved. You must show a command of the English and French language. Proficiency is obtained by taking specific tests from the government of Quebec. You must also have a verifiable offer of employment. The other criteria for approval includes the ability to adapt to the Canadian experience, a medical exam, an interview with your immigration agent or agents, and having all of your forms filled out completely and paying your fees.
You may receive approval after your interview and the immigration agent will issue you your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) or it may be mailed to you if your agent needs to review your application and interview. If you are rejected for skilled worker status you have 60 days to write a detailed letter explaining why you feel you should be accepted. Your family and spouse are also eligible for permanent worker status and will be permitted to enter the country with you if they meet the requirements. When you enter the country you will need a valid passport and your approval documents. Your permanent resident card will be mailed to you at the address you provide the agent at the border.
Skilled worker immigration to Canada in Quebec can give you a chance to live and work in one of the strongest economies in the Western world. Quebec has one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Canada. The official website lists over 500 jobs that eligible for skilled worker status and the website also has all of the forms you need to start your skilled worker application. Do your research and know your options. You may decide that Quebec is the right choice for you and your family to start a new life.
Important Update: Both the Canadian and Quebec governments have placed a temporary freeze on new applications for investor and skilled worker programs. The moratoriums are expected to be in effect until early 2013, at which time both levels of government should announce new selection criteria. Read more about the temporary freeze here.
The official languages of Quebec are English and French unlike the rest of Canada that has English as the official language. This mixture of cultures gives Quebec a European feel to its cities and towns. It has come a long way since the City of Quebec was settled in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain to become the capital of the providence of the same name. Today Quebec has one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Canada and presents a unique opportunity for skilled workers who immigrate to Canada to find jobs.
If you are between the ages of 25 and 54 you can expect to make an average of $24.77 per hour. This number is an average for all job classifications according to the Canadian government’s statistical website for December of 2010. The five top paying job classifications are the following:
Of course your wages will be higher or lower depending on your experience and speciality in your field. Union members make slightly over $5 per hour more than non-union members and full-time employees make significantly more than part-time employees; approximately $8 more per hour.
Sales and service occupations employs the largest amount of people with business and finance coming second and trades, transport and equipment operator occupations coming in third. From December 2009 to December 2010 the employment classifications that showed the biggest increase were transportation and warehousing, agriculture, and accommodation and food services.
Quebec has set forth its own immigration and approval processes. It is very similar to the rest of Canada, but it has retained the power to approve or deny applicants seeking permanent resident status in the providence. In order to be a candidate for skilled worker status you must have a high school diploma or above. First you are encouraged to research the area and the potential jobs in your area of expertise. Once you have decided that you do want to immigrate to Quebec, you can take the Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration (PEI) found on the official government website of the providence. The PEI will tell you if you are a good candidate to pursue the approval process.
Your next step is to submit your application for skilled worker status. Your application is graded on a point basis. The points are based on your age, ability to adapt, legitimate work offer and your ability to support yourself and your family. You and your family will have to go through a medical exam to determine if you are in good enough health to move to Canada. This is to determine if you or a member of your family will be a drain on the nation’s health care and social service’s resources. You may have to have an interview with an immigration agent or your application may be reviewed without an interview. If your immigration agent decides right after your interview to grant you permanent resident status as a skilled worker, he or she may issue you a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec Selection Certificate) that day. He or she also has the option to consider your application further and mail your certificate or denial letter to you. You have 60 days to write a detailed letter and present further documentation of why you should be approved if you are denied. If you are approved you will then be able to immigrate to Quebec and become a permanent resident and start to work.
If you are considering immigrating to Canada for work, you may want to enlist the services of a Canada immigration lawyer. Canada has very strict requirements for anyone who wants to gain approval as a skilled worker. An immigration lawyer can help you to make sense of the forms, laws and help you have all of your documentation in order so that you can get approved
In order for you to gain skilled worker status you must first qualify and score at least 67 points on a 100 point scale. The points are based on several criteria including your age, ability to support yourself and your family and if you have a legitimate offer of employment. If you meet the point requirement, you may then apply for skilled worker status. You will have to undergo a medical examination, as well as any family members who are seeking entrance into Canada, to be sure that none of you will be a drain on the country’s health care system. Once your application is approved you can then move to Canada as a permanent resident and begin work.
The main reason people choose to move to Canada as a skilled worker is to find a job and start a new life. This means that your family will want to go along with you, and to do this you must be approved yourself and then sponsor your family. A Canada immigration lawyer can help you do this. Your lawyer will explain what it takes to get your family sponsored, file the necessary paperwork and work with your immigration agent to ensure that your family can enter Canada. A lawyer can also help you if any member of your family has been denied because of their health or a criminal record.
To immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker you not only need one year of verifiable work experience, but you also need a valid job offer. A lawyer can help you with the verification process and filing the paperwork needed to prove you have a job offer waiting for you in Canada. A lawyer can also help you to find a job in Canada. Many of them have job seeking tools for you to use and will coach you for your interviews. With a lawyer’s help you can get a job that is listed on the Canadian skilled worker job list and get the proper documentation filed correctly.
Once your application is accepted you may be called in for an interview with an immigration agent. This can be a very nerve racking prospect. An immigration lawyer can help coach you for your interview so that you know what to expect. This will help you be prepared and more at ease so that your interview goes well. The immigration agent has the power to approve your skilled worker status right after your interview, so performing well is important. They also have the power to deny you based on your interview so you want to be as prepared as possible.
A Canada immigration lawyer can help you with your skilled worker application. They know the Canadian laws and how to get your application filed and processed. A lawyer can also help you with any delays or if you get denied. Hiring a lawyer to help with your immigration to Canada is not mandatory, but it may be a wise choice on your part to help you get approved and make the transition into the Canadian experience.
Canada is a prosperous progressive country. The people are highly educated and the standard of living is one of the best in the developed countries of the world. The standard of care in the Canadian medical system is also very high. The Canadian experience is one that has a good reputation throughout the world. If you are planning to move to Canada to find work and become a permanent resident, it is a good idea to know a bit about the country and how the people live so that your transition will be smooth.
Canada has a Westminster style of parliamentary democracy. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the Canadian Monarch and Queen of Canada. She is the head of the government and is considered the unifying factor of the Canadian government that includes executive, legislative and judicial branches. The three branches of government are also called the Queen-in-Council (the executive branch), the Queen-in-Parliament (the legislative branch), and the Queen on the Bench (the judicial branch).
The Constitution Act of 1867 set the government up as a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is the head of government, but the various ministries act actually run the country. The laws governing Canada are outlined in their constitution and the Governor General, appointed by the Queen, has the duty of standing in for the Queen and overseeing the government. The actual participation in the day to day governing of the country by the Queen is fairly limited and instead falls upon the Governor General, the Prime Minister who is elected by the people, and the three branches of the Canadian government.
The Governor General appoints the members of the upper house of parliament and the lower house members are elected by the people. The parliament sits in Ontario, the nation’s capital. The judicial branch is very similar to that of the United States. Nine members are appointed by the Governor General and are overseen by the Chief Justice.
Healthcare in Canada is provided for almost all of its citizens through public funding. This includes preventative care and medical treatments from doctors and health care facilities as well as prescription plans. The healthcare system in Canada is also known as socialized medicine or universal healthcare since it is administered by the government for all citizens. Canada has very high life expectancy, 80 years, and has a very good reputation throughout the world for its healthcare and care of its citizens.
Canada is a huge country and while the majority of the population lives near the United States border, many ethnic groups make up its populace. This gives Canada a diverse and rich culture. The main influences are from the British and the French and in more recent years the United States has also become a major influence on the culture of Canada.
Native peoples continue to be a large influence on the Canadian culture as well as immigrants from other countries. Each providence has its own particular flavor of the Canadian experience. Quebec has more of a European feel since it is the only French speaking providence and the people take pride in their French background.
You can expect the Canadian people to be open, friendly and modern. Live in Canadian cities has all of the amenities you’d expect in any metropolitan area. The theatre and the arts are important in Canadian life and well funded by the government. Many movies and television shows are produced in Canada and are popular on both sides of the border. In recent years the people of Canada have become more concerned about maintaining their distinct culture and have taken strides to preserve and protect what makes them uniquely Canadian. Overall the Canadian experience is a positive one and is an easy transition for skilled workers to make.
