Canada immigration, Skilled workers Immigration to Canada, Canada immigration

On-line Immigration Assessment Forms

Independent Immigrants Category for Skilled Workers

Independent immigrants are those who apply for a permanent residence on their own merit.

 

There is no Canadian Consulate in Canada to process the applications for independent immigrants. If you want to apply for permanent residence in Canada as an independent immigrant, you are required to apply in the Consulates outside of Canada.

 

Applicants interested in applying for permanent residence in Canada first should qualify.
The below information will help you understand the qualification criteria. 

 

Requirements for Independent  Immigrants

Anyone can apply to immigrate to Canada. To qualify for the permanent residence in Canada, applicants must meet basic requirements of the Canadian immigration act and regulation. They must:

• Secure sufficient points under the selection system.

• Meet health requirements.

• Not be at risk to the security of Canada.

• Have enough money to look after themselves and their dependents in Canada until they become self-supporting.

• Be law abiding.

• Have a valid passport or travel document.

• Produce all documents requested by the visa officer to establish their admissibility.

• Pay the processing and landing fee.

 

FUNDS REQUIRED TO SETTLE IN CANADA. You are required to provide an evidence of your funds when applying. For example, bank statement or a letter from your bank. An independent applicant is required to have at least CAD $17,800.00 (or USA$11,000) plus about CAD $3,500.00 for each dependant (spouse or child) to support yourself after landing in Canada.

This requirement is not strictly adhered by Visa Officers if you have a job waiting for you or your spouse in Canada or if you have a relative who will offer you a room and financial help until locating employment.

 

If the applicant is married or have any dependents, the applicant's spouse and his or her dependent children, whether or not accompanying the applicant to Canada, are required to pass medical examination before a visa is issued. The applicant will receive medical forms, instructions and a listing of doctors in the applicant's country.

Each applicant 18 years of age or older is required to provide police certificates and submit their own application. 

 

SELECTION SYSTEM 

All applicants are assessed according to the selection system based on point awarded.
Points are calculated based on the following:

• Age

• Education

• Language ability in English or French

• Work experience

• Validated arranged employment/designated occupation

• Adaptability: spouse education, work and education in Canada, arranged employment, family member in Canada

 

Calculate your points

 

FACTOR	Points
EDUCATION	25
LANGUAGE	24
EXPERIENCE	21
AGE	10
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT	10
ADAPTABILITY	10
TOTAL	100

 

 

Validated Arranged Employment is a guaranteed offer of employment in Canada validated by Human Resources Centre in Canada certifying that there is no suitably qualified Canadian to fill the position. Member of the clergy should have a letter from a congregation in Canada offering a permanent salaried position.

 

It is recommended to provide information related to one successful establishment in Canada. Job offer in the intended occupation in Canada will help you to demonstrate your adaptability, initiative, motivation or resourcefulness. 

 

Supporting assessments from Canada are vital for some occupations. It is suggested to provide an independent assessment from a Canadian assessment organization demonstrating that your professional qualifications are likely to be recognized in Canada.

 

 

IMMIGRATION FEE SCHEDULE

RIGHT OF LANDING FEE (all applicants age 22 and over) $ 975 CAD. If an applicant who has paid the fee is not landed in Canada, the fee will be refunded. The Right of Landing Fee should not be confused with processing fees for Immigration services.

PROCESSING FEE FOR INDEPENDENT APPLICANTS
Applicants of 22 year of age and older $550 CAD. Each dependent under 22 years of age $100 CAD.

 

 

DOCUMENT LIST

1. Copies of valid passports for each family member. Only the "information pages" are necessary. Passport must be valid for at least one year.

2. Birth certificates.

3. Marriage certificates.

4. Divorce decrees or separation agreements for each divorced, previously divorced, or separated person. Documents must be issued by a court of law and include rulings on custody of any children and financial responsibilities arising from the divorce agreement.
5. "No Objection to Immigration" statement from non-accompanying spouse (if applicable.) A statement must be certified by a notary public or a clergy member.
6. Death certificate of spouse (if applicable).

7. Educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates. Documents to proof English or French language proficiency.
8. Letters of reference detailing your present and previous work experience.

9. Evidence of funds to be transferred to Canada.

10. ORIGINAL letters of "no record" for each family member eighteen years of age or older  from the country where that family member is currently residing and any other country where that person resided for six months or more since reaching 18 years of age.

11. If you have family members as: brother, sister, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew who is permanent resident of Canada or a Canadian Citizen, and one is over 19 years of age, you may be eligible for "bonus points."

12. If required engineers, occupational therapists, physicians, and pharmacists should provide additional documents specified by the visa officer.

If the documents are not in English or French, a translation must be included. All documents must be submitted with the application. If the applicant can not obtain all necessary documents, written explanation must be provided.

 

Processing of the application begins when the applicant submits completed forms with all required documents and pay the processing fee. The application will be reviewed to determine if the applicant:

· meets the basic requirements;

· has enough points to qualify for an immigrant visa;
· has provided all required information and documents.

 

Than the applicant will be informed if his or her application will be processed further or refused. After reviewing the application, the Area Processing Center (APC) will decide if an interview is necessary. If an interview is required, the APC will send applicant's file to a nearest visa office. The applicant will be notified of the time and date of the interview approximately one to three months in advance.

 

The interview is to determine employment experience, education, reasons for migrating, plans for settling in Canada, etc.

 

Principal applicants and their dependents must pass medical examination to ensure that they are all in good health. 

 

Medical forms and instructions are forwarded to the applicants by the visa office. The Immigration Area Processing Center sends medical forms and instructions to applicants after registering the applications. The medical examination consists of a general physical examination, a blood and urine test, and a chest x-ray administered by a designated medical practitioner.
 

If the applicant or his/her dependents have any serious medical problem, all applicants will be refused.

Applicants are processed on first come, first-serve bases. Processing time depends on the complexity of the application, the number of applications being processed and how quickly your respond to requests from the visa office for documents or other information.

 

If the application is accepted, visa will be sent by mail or you can pick it up at the visa office.

 

When the applicant will arrive to Canada, one must present the immigrant visa to a custom/immigration officer. Landing formalities will then be completed.

 

It is the immigrant responsibility to get a job once he/she arrives but various settlement services are offered to immigrants by private organization or Canadian Employment Centers. An immigrant visa is not a guarantee of employment, therefore one should have sufficient funds for oneself and all dependents until he or she has become established in Canada.

 

Permanent residents have right to live, study and work indefinitely in Canada, and are entitled to all social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens. After three years of continuous residency in Canada one can apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Applicants must attain at least 67 points to qualify