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For a detailed outline of Canadian Immigration Regulations, click here.
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How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa?
Every application is different and processing times depend on the type of visa being applied for and where the application is to be submitted. The Canadian Government has announced its aim to process all new applications under the Skilled Worker category within 6 to 12 months. If achieved, this will be a significant improvement on the previous processing times of over 30 months. Spousal cases and temporary work visas tend to be a little quicker, however applicants requiring professional registration or a personal interview may find that this adds several months to their processing time. Business applications currently take 20 to 25 months to process.
For details of current application processing times, click here.
Once approved, how long before I must move to Canada?
Your arrival must be within one year from the date of your medical tests. For work permits and other temporary visas you may only have a number of months to enter the country.
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Will the Canadian immigration authorities or embassy help me to prepare my application and make sure that everything is correct before applying?
NO. This type of service is no longer provided by Government. The authorities exist to enforce immigration law, make decisions on residence applications and to issue residence visas. Although basic information and application forms are available, the authorities are unable to provide independent advice and personalised guidance on your specific case. Only a Canadian migration consultant can provide this kind of service.
Can the immigration authorities refuse my application?
YES. A surprisingly large number of applicants are unaware how strictly the immigration regulations are enforced and are often unnecessarily refused or delayed due to technical errors on their application or by submitting the wrong supporting documentation. So it is advisable to seek the professional guidance and independent advice of a migration consultant BEFORE lodging an application for residence. Consultants exist to help you find the best way through the immigration maze and are highly effective in doing so.
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My migration consultant has assessed me as being eligible for residence in Canada. If I apply without his or her help, can I be certain of success?
NO. Although you may fundamentally qualify under Canada’s immigration policy, you are by no means guaranteed of success. Your application must be prepared in accordance with the prevailing immigration regulations and submitted together with the appropriate supporting documentation in order to be approved by the Canadian Department of Immigration. The ways in which to do this are not always clearly set out by the immigration authorities and can result in many applicants presenting their cases wrongly, inevitably leading to refusal.
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Why do most people use an officially-recognised migration agent to double-check their visa application?
Mostly to protect themselves from the HIGHER FAILURE RATE: D.I.Y applicantsin the immigration process under some visa classes can FAIL to successfully receive their permanent residence visas - due to application errors, delays, misunderstandings or a variety of other technical reasons. This compares to an average success rate of over 95% for those applicants that apply through an officially-recognised migration agent.
What is a permanent resident or landed immigrant?
Essentially, it is a right affixed into your passport granting you the permanent right to live and work in Canada. You are eligible for government-subsidised medical care immediately in most states and territories but are not permitted to vote in Provincial or Federal elections. After three years you can apply for citizenship, entitling you to a Canadian passport. Temporary residents (those on student and work visas) are generally not entitled to medical care or social welfare assistance. These persons are advised to take out private health insurance.
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When I migrate, will I lose my current passport?
NO, not necessarily. Firstly, you will enter as a permanent resident or landed immigrant which does not affect your current citizenship status. After three years you can apply for Canadian citizenship (but this is not obligatory). The Canadian Government allows dual-nationality (i.e. the holding of two passports), so you could retain your current passport and obtain a Canadian passport as well. Having said this, you must check that your own country of citizenship allows dual-nationality, as this right must be reciprocal. If not, you will need to surrender your other passport in order to become a Canadian citizen.
(Information on this page has been checked by John Lironi, MA, ICCRC Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, as at 1st July 2011).
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