Frequently Asked Questions

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An immigration consultant can assess your eligibility for various programs, help you gather and prepare your documents, ensure your application is complete and accurate, represent you to IRCC, and navigate the complex immigration process, significantly increasing your chances of a successful outcome.

If you are inviting a friend or family member to visit Canada, you can provide them with a Letter of Invitation. While it's not mandatory, it can strengthen their visitor visa application by showing their purpose of visit and ties to Canada. It does not guarantee approval.

Yes, some programs allow for in-Canada applications for permanent residence, especially if you hold a valid temporary resident status (e.g., study permit or work permit) and meet the specific program requirements.

A police certificate (or criminal record check) is required from any country or territory where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18. This is to ensure you do not have a criminal record that would make you inadmissible to Canada.

Yes, most immigration applicants and their accompanying family members are required to undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician to ensure they do not pose a health risk to Canadians.

If your application is refused, you will usually receive a refusal letter explaining the reasons. Depending on the reason for refusal, you may have options such as reapplying, requesting a reconsideration, or appealing the decision if there are grounds for appeal. Consulting with an immigration consultant is advisable in such cases.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you generally need to have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 3 out of the last 5 years, file your taxes, pass a citizenship test (if applicable), and demonstrate sufficient language ability.

The PGWP allows eligible international students who have graduated from a DLI in Canada to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This experience can often help them qualify for permanent residency programs like the Canadian Experience Class.

Many international students with a valid study permit are eligible to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, provided their study permit indicates this eligibility.

A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. If you plan to study in Canada, you must have an acceptance letter from a DLI to apply for a study permit.

Processing times vary greatly depending on the immigration program, the completeness of your application, and the volume of applications IRCC is receiving. Some Express Entry applications can be processed in as little as six months, while other programs might take longer.

Yes, most immigration programs allow you to include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application. For family sponsorship, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their close family members.

A work permit is a temporary authorization to work in Canada for a specific period and often for a specific employer. A permanent resident visa grants you the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada permanently, and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

The required settlement funds vary depending on the size of your family. IRCC publishes updated figures annually. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada, unless you have a valid job offer (in some cases).

Most economic immigration programs require proof of language proficiency in either English or French. Accepted tests include IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for English, and TEF or TCF for French. A minimum score (often Canadian Language Benchmark - CLB 7 or higher) is usually required.

Your CRS score is calculated based on factors like age, education, language proficiency (English and/or French), work experience, and adaptability factors. IRCC provides an online tool (the CRS Calculator) where you can estimate your score.

While a job offer can significantly boost your chances and CRS score, it is not always a mandatory requirement for all immigration programs (e.g., some Express Entry streams or specific PNPs might not require one if you meet other criteria).

PNPs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who have the skills and experience to contribute to that province's economy. A provincial nomination can significantly increase a candidate's CRS score under Express Entry, often leading to an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Express Entry is an online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence under three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws.

The main pathways to immigrate to Canada include Express Entry (for skilled workers), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), family sponsorship, and various temporary resident streams like study permits and work permits, which can sometimes lead to permanent residency.