The Canadian government grants permanent resident visas to professionals and skilled workers under the Federal Independent category, and under applicable Quebec, Newfoundland, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan provincial programs. Ideal applicants will possess employment skills and experience compatible with occupations "open" to prospective immigrants to Canada. Using a point system, an applicant applying under the skilled worker programs is assessed according to various factors that will indicate whether there is a strong likelihood that the applicant and dependents will successfully establish in Canada. There is no requirement for an applicant to obtain an approved offer of employment from a prospective employer.
Canada also admits immigrants under the Business Class which comprises three sub-categories including Entrepreneur, Investor and Self-Employed.
The Entrepreneur category allows for qualified applicants to receive Canadian permanent residence on the basis of an investment plus active participation in a business or commercial venture in Canada. A qualified applicant is generally one who intends and has the ability to establish, purchase or make a substantial investment in a business or commercial venture in Canada that will make a significant contribution to the economy and whereby employment opportunities will be created or continued in Canada for one or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, other than the entrepreneur and his dependants.
The Investor category allows qualified applicants with a personal net worth of at least $800,000 to acquire Canadian permanent residence on the basis of a five-year passive irrevocable investment of $400,000 in an approved Canadian company. Under applicable programs, applicants can obtain financing and receive legal security on their investment.
The Quebec government manages its own immigration programs providing for skilled worker and business class selection rules.
Under the federal family class, current sponsorship programs typically promote the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives including a spouse or fiancée, a dependent child, father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, and a brother, sister, nephew, niece, grand-son, or grand-daughter who is an orphan, unmarried and under 19 years of age.
