By Richard Long, eHow Contributor

 

Normally, it is mandatory for a non-resident of Canada to acquire a work visa to work in Canada or to obtain Canadian Landed Immigrant status. If a person wants to immigrate to Canada, there are different methods to apply as a land imm

In Canada, a skilled worker in terms of immigration is someone who has dynamic work experience for at least 10 years in either an executive position or a professional, industrial, skilled or as a nonprofessional who can assist other professionals. Citizenship and immigration officials evaluate applicants based on criteria that includes education and work experience, ability to speak either English or French, possession of the means required to relocate, jobs offered in Canada, medical history, criminal record and any previous applications.

To Apply Under the Family Class

To apply under the family class, applicants must obtain sponsorship from a relative who is at least 18 years of age and either a permanent resident or citizen. The relative must be living in or returning to Canada. Sponsorship is limited only to certain relatives such as the spouse or common law partner, the child or children, the parents and grandparents, or other eligible family members. Students who have graduated in Canada may also apply for immigration and eventually sponsor their family members.

To Apply Under the Business Class

The Business Immigration Program in Canada desires to encourage economic growth and focuses on people with venture capital, business skills and consumer skills. There are three classes of business immigration: investors, entrepreneurs and the self-employed. Business immigrants need to make a C$400,000 investment or own and manage businesses in Canada. There are different requirements for each business class. Entrepreneurs must prove their business experience, have a net worth of at least C$300,000 and respect the conditions that pertain to entrepreneurs in Canada. The self-employed must have either experiences that will contribute to the cultural or athletic life in Canada or retain experience in farm management and the intention and finances to buy and/or manage a farm.

Read more: Canada Landed Immigrant Requirements | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6774354_canada-landed-immigrant-requirements.html#ixzz0x6xQnLIA

Canadian immigration visa processing times have been cut in half since 2005

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From 2005 and 2009, the average overall processing time for Canadian immigration applications decreased to 26 months from 50 months. A recent analysis has found this improvement is linked to legislation introduced in 2008 which fast-tracked applications by skilled-workers such as registered nurses, crane operators, financial auditors, construction managers and 34 other qualifying occupations for the Federal Skilled Worker Category. The approximate processing time now for a skilled worker application is seven months, which represents a drastic reduction since previously the overall processing time could take up to five years.
The Canadian immigration system has been streamlined and improved. According to this recent analysis by immigration consultant Richard Kurland, there is evidence that skilled workers are getting high-quality service from Immigration Canada. A spokesman for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the findings in this analysis on wait times proves the Canadian government is heading in the right direction in implementing policies that make Canada more attractive to the world’s “best and brightest” people.
In 2009, Canada issued 14,917 visas to foreign workers who met the federal skilled worker criteria and their families. If an applicant does not meet the criteria for the Federal Skilled WorkerCategories, the application enters a different queue where processing times may be longer.

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