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| Subject: Great FAQs on Canadian Immigration |
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http://immigrationguides.com/immigration_faqs/task,display/catid,88/page,1/#FAQ6
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I want to immigrate to Canada. Where do I start?
This is perhaps the most common question people ask when starting out on their quest to move to Canada. While there are many sites (including this one) that offer free guidance, and others (especially sites run by immigration lawyers) that ask that you fill out forms to receive assistance, the best place to start is the Canadian government´s Citizenship and Immigration Department [CIC]. The CIC has a bilingual web site at: www.ci.gc.ca For immigration to Quebec, the Quebec provincial government has a French language web site at: www.immq.gouv.qc.ca
Where can I find application forms for immigration?
You will obtain application forms from the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. This is the recommended way of obtaining the forms, since althought the basic forms are universal, each consular post has different supplementary forms and/or information which is country/region specific. The CIC site has some of these forms in PDF format here: http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/applications/index.html
Could you give us an overview of the immigration process?
The Canadian immigration process basically consists of a paper screening phase, in which the documentation required by the local consulate/embassy are assessed using the criteria determined by the Canadian Government [in the case of applicants headed for Quebec, by the Quebec Provincial Government] which employ a point grading system. After the points are calculated, you might or might not be called for an interview. A positive interview result, or an interview waiver will get you to the medicals check phase, to ensure that you do not have any illnesses that can threaten the Canadian populace and/or have ailments that would make you a burden on the Canadian health system. A positive medical result will lead to an immigrants visa for you and your dependants. The CIC website has a more in-depth explanation. NOTE: If you want to settle in Quebec, contact the Quebec Immigration Office responsible for processing applications for nationals from your country. The responsible office will send you a Demande de certificat de sélection form, to be completed and returned to the appropriate address. If your application is approved, you will be issued a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
My wife is pregnant, does she also have to get the x-rays for the medicals?
Since X-rays can have a damaging effect on the developing foetus, the medical examinations of your wife will most probably be postponed, with the inevitable delays any postponement will cause, since you will not be issued a visa without first having completed the medicals.
My dependants will not be accompanying me to Canada, do I have to include them in my application?
Any dependents you have should go through the medical and criminal checks, and they should be included in your application even if they are not accompanying you at this time. If any of your dependants (accompanying or non-accompanying) should happen to fail in the medical or security checks, all the applications will normally be rejected.
Can I change the province/city I intend to land?
For applicants in the skilled worker category, you do not have to land in the city and/or province that you have indicated in your IMM008 form. There IS one caveat, however. If you have indicated a non-Quebec destination but try to land in Quebec, you might have problems at the border, since Quebec has the provincial authority to choose its own immigrants, and has a slightly different immigration procedure. If you do have to land in Quebec without a CSQ, you should be able to show that you are continuing on to a destination outside Quebec. Evidence for this can be in form of an ongoing airline ticket, a lease, an off-Quebec job offer, etc. Landing in Victoria, BC, while your intended destination had been Toronto, ON, however, will not present you with a problem. The exception to this is Business Class/Entrepreneur applicants, since the minimum investment conditions on the granting of such visas differ from province to province.
I have to go back to my/a third country to finish my school/contract. Can I do it?
This is of course possible, but beware of the so-called 183 rule. If you need more time, you might choose to apply for a Returning Resident Permit (RRP), so as not to lose your Canadian PR status. Finishing advanced studies, contract work, liquidating your assets, or an illness in the family are all acceptable reasons for leaving Canada temporarily and will not have an adverse effect on your PR, provided that the absence is not very long and/or the reasons for leaving are well documented and the PR returns to Canada soon after the completion of the reason for being abroad.
Can I change my US/UK/(whatever) driver´s licence for a Canadian driver´s license?
Driver´s licenses are under provincial juridisction, but generally speaking, you´d have to pass a driving test and surrender your out of province driving licence to get a Canadian one. Depending on the province, you can drive with your out of province driver´s license for a period of two to three months.
I have a car and I want to import it into Canada, can I do it?
I have a car and I want to import it into Canada, can I do it? In general, the vehicles to be imported to Canada has to meet some uniquely Canadian standards. Not all cars manufactured in the USA, let alone other parts of the worlds, do or could be made to conform to these standards. So, before deciding to import your car into Canada, you should check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. You can reach the RIV at: 1-800-511-7755. RIV also has a web site with information about specific canadian requirements on cars at: http://www.riv.ca/
How does Canada help newcomers adjust to living in Canada?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada offers programs and services to help newly arrived immigrants adapt and settle in Canada. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec is responsible for settlement and integration services inside its jurisdiction. As a result of Settlement Renewal, the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba have assumed responsibility for the administration and delivery of settlement programming and services. Up-to-date details may be obtained by contacting a CIC Call Centre. Programs and services are a bridge to help newcomers adapt, normally during their first year in Canada. They help new arrivals to become self-reliant, participating members of Canadian society as quickly as possible. They also help Canadians understand the immigration, settlement and integration process. Local immigration offices provide interested organizations and agencies with information about immigrants and immigration.
How do I get a Social Insurance Number?
To get a Social Insurance Number (SIN), go to the nearest Human Resources Centre (HRC). An application form must be filled out and original (not photocopied) passports and immigration record of landing documents must be presented. A second piece of identification is also necessary. Applicants are assigned a temporary SIN until they receive their SIN card through the mail. There is no charge for this card. To find the location of the nearest HRC, look in the blue pages of the telephone directory, under "Government of Canada," then under "Human Resources Development Canada."
Can I apply for the SIN and provincial health insurance before landing?
For Canadian Permanent Residence applicants, it is not possible to apply for the SIN before completing the landing formalities. Similarly, provincial health insurance cannot be applied for before landing and even after landing you should be able to demonstrate that you are a resident of the province (ie. rent contract, mailing address (no PO Boxes), utility bills etc.) Most provincial health plans have a waiting period of three months before they cover you, so it is best if you apply for the health plan of your province as soon as possible after landing. People who have been inside Canada prior to landing, either on student or work authorizations may already have SINs and/or may be covered by the Health plan, please check with your provincial authorities.
What types of schooling are available?
Attendance at publicly funded elementary and secondary schools (high schools) is free. These schools are administered by district school boards, which are responsible for implementing provincial education policy. They also provide and maintain qualified teachers, support staff and appropriate facilities. Elected school board trustees represent the local community, providing a link between voters and the education system. Private or alternative schools also provide elementary and secondary education. They are independently operated and do not receive government funding. To telephone for general information, look in the blue provincial government pages of the telephone directory for "General Information & Public Enquiries," under "Education & Training -- Ministry of".
How do I enroll children in school?
In Canada, all permanent residents must attend school. However, the age requirement may vary form province to province. Most students continue to attend after the required period and receive a graduation diploma. To enroll a child in school, you generally have to bring the child to the local school along with his or her: birth certificate/passport; statement of immigration status; and immunization records/documents. It is also a good idea to have the child´s education history and most recent report cards. Check with the local school board to find the location of the nearest school and enrollment or registration requirements. To telephone for general information, look in the blue pages of the telephone directory (the provincial government section) under the heading "Education and Training -- Ministry of" for "General Information & Public Enquiries".
What types of child care services are available?
It is illegal in Canada to leave a child under the age of 12 years alone in a house. If you can afford to hire a babysitter, ask your neighbours or friends for a referral. Many high school students can babysit for you for a minimum wage. There are a few subsidized daycare centres where children may be registered. These subsidized centres, however, often have a long waiting list. Community groups that provide language instruction to newcomers may provide on-site child care, if you are registered in classes with that agency. For information about local child care services, look in the yellow pages directory for "Day Care Centres and Nurseries" or "Social Services Organizations."
How do I enroll in language classes?
Several community groups and some local boards of eucation provide classes in English or French as a Second Language, popularly known as ESL or FSL. ESL or FSL classes are open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants whose first language is not English or French. Citizenship and Immigration gives money to community organizations that help newcomers settle into their new community. Some of these organizations provide language training for newcomers through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. The language training through LINC is free and available to all adult immigrants who are permanent residents of Canada. Canadian citizens and refugees are not eligible for this training. In many cases, child-minding is available while the parent is attending the language classes.
How do I find out about international educational assessment services in Canada?
In Canada, education is a provincial responsibility.? While there is no central service for the assessment of education for all of Canada, services are available in some provinces.? For a fee, these services will provide individuals with an assessment report of their foreign educational credentials.? These assessments are mainly used to help employers understand how education from another country compares to education in a Canadian province.? For more information, please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada or check the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials listing in the Useful Links section of this site.
How much do I have to pay in taxes?
Income tax and other taxes are imposed and collected in Canada at the federal, provincial and municipal (city or town) levels. The combined federal and provincial income tax rates for individuals vary from province to province and are based on total annual income. Most provinces impose a retail sales tax on purchases of goods. The tax is added at the point of sale and does not apply to goods purchased for resale.
How long will it take to become a Canadian citizen?
To become a Canadian citizen, you must have spent three years out of the past four years inside Canada as a permanent resident. All time in Canada (during the four year period that ends on the date you make the application) that you spend as a landed immigrant counts in full and all time in Canada in another status (eg. on a student visa or an employement authorization) counts half. Short leaves of absence, for instance vacations, are usually not substracted from this time. You will also have to take and pass a Citizenship Exam, after which you either swear or affirm an oath to become a citizen.
[07-07-2006,01:46]
[**.243.235.205]
Billy |
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(in reply to: Great FAQs on Canadian Immigration)
There is no time to read all of this Billy !!!!!!!
[08-07-2006,12:33]
[**.102.12.43]
olga |
There is no time to read all of this Billy !!!!!!! (in reply to: Great FAQs on Canadian Immigration)
why? I read it all!
(just kidding)
[08-07-2006,14:14]
[***.239.199.126]
Jolli |
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