Immigration Quiz

QUESTION

An applicant to enter Canada who has a criminal records may not be allowed to enter Canada. Such a person may be a security risk. How do Canadian immigration laws and procedures avoid such a situation and protect the security of Canada?

ANSWER

The answer lies in what is called a Police Certificate. Entrants to Canada must provide “proper police certificates” from any country or territory (except Canada) in which one has spent 6 months in a now or more since the age of 18.

WHY IS IT RIGHT

Though there’s no doubt that immigration leads to some growing pains, overall Canada’s immigrant population brings more to the country than they take. As Canadians, we should be proud that our country is one of the best places in the world to work and attracts people from all over the world.

Immigrating to a new country is a big undertaking, even in a culture that welcomes immigrants like Canada does. You’re uprooting your entire life and building a new home in a place that has different customs and possibly even a different language than what you’re used to. The more support you have during this transition, the easier and smoother the process will be. Here are some things that all people who are considering immigrating to Canada or have recently arrived should know.

1. One-fifth of Canada’s population is foreign-born

First off, it’s important to know you’re not alone as a new immigrant in Canada! Canada is a country of immigrants. 21.9% of people who live and work in Canada were not born in the country, and 22.3% of the population identifies as a visible minority. Those numbers are even higher in urban centres. Overall, Canada is a very open culture that welcomes new immigrants and celebrates multiculturalism. Canada’s major cities are especially multicultural and attract a very high number of immigrants. Over 50% of the residents of Toronto and Vancouver, for instance, identify as visible minorities. Toronto has been called ‘the most multicultural city in the world’ and over 200 unique cultural groups reside in the city.

2. You don’t need a job to immigrate to Canada

You don’t necessarily need to have a job lined up to come to Canada, but it does make it a lot easier. Canada’s Express Entry immigration system is points-based, and having a job offer waiting for you will award you a good amount of points. The more points you’re awarded, the more likely you’ll be invited to immigrate to Canada. You get points for your age, education, work experience and knowledge of English or French, among other things. 57% of all Canadian immigrants gain entry as skilled workers or business-class immigrants under this points system. The vast majority of remaining immigrants arrive in Canada as refugees or join family already living in Canada. Altogether Canada welcomes more immigrants per capita (tied with Australia) than any other developed country, for a total of about 300,000 per year.

3. You can fast track immigration if you’re a skilled worker

Express Entry is Canada’s immigration program for skilled workers. The program aims to process new immigrants in 6 months or less. Before you fill out an Express Entry profile, determine if you’d eligible under one of the federal programs for skilled workers. If you qualify, go ahead and complete your profile and pay the relevant fees. This is the first step to immigrating to Canada! Keep in mind that to complete your Express Entry, you’ll also need to be prepared to take a language test, and have your education credentials and experience assessed. After you’ve completed these steps, your profile will be evaluated and you’ll be placed into the Express Entry pool of candidates. Being in the pool doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be invited to become a permanent resident. The higher your Express Entry score, the better your chances of gaining an invite. This is the point at which it’s recommended that you start looking for jobs through Job Bank, Canada’s official job matching platform.

4. The process to become a Canadian citizen

The first stage towards Canadian citizenship for most new immigrants is obtaining permanent residency. Permanent residents are entitled to many of the same social benefits as Canadians including provincial healthcare coverage and protection under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If you’ve been admitted into Canada under the Express Entry skilled workers’ program, you’re granted permanent residency automatically. Refugees, students, and other temporary or foreign workers who have not entered the country as skilled workers under the Express Entry program must apply for permanent residency before they can progress to citizenship.

You can be a permanent resident for your entire stay in Canada, if you choose, however many immigrants opt for the more permanent step of becoming a full-fledged Canadian citizen. To become a Canadian citizen you must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days of the past 5 years and pass a language and citizenship test. Canadian citizens gain additional rights that permanent residents don’t have, such as the right to vote and run for office, travel on a Canadian passport, hold government jobs that require citizenship, and a guarantee they will not lose their status in Canada.

5. The Canadian government has lots of resources for new immigrants

The Canadian government website is an excellent resource for foreign nationals who are hoping to immigrate to Canada, as well as new immigrants who are looking to get settled or find work in Canada. You’ll find extensive information about Express Entry and other immigration programs, how to attain permanent residency or Canadian citizenship, links to organizations that can provide support, and anything else you could possibly want to know about immigrating to Canada and settling in once you’ve arrived. The Canadian government’s Department of Employment and Social Services also operates Job Bank, a government job board, to help new and established Canadians alike find work.

6. Create a Canadian-style resume

If you’re planning to look for work in Canada, it’s important to update your resume so it matches the regional style. This will help you have the best chance of finding a great job. Canadian style resumes (sometimes called CVs in Quebec) tend to be in reverse chronological order, meaning your newest experience appears first. The main sections you should include (in order) are your name and contact information, a professional summary, your work history, and education and professional training. You can also include a skills section however, this is not a requirement on most resumes. Need more tips on creating a resume for the Canadian job market? Try these resources:

7. Prepare to answer common interview questions

If you’re new to the Canadian job market, you might not be familiar with some of the job interview expectations or common questions that Canadian job seekers are asked. To ensure you’re able to pass Canadian job interviews with flying colours, brush up on your interview skills in either English or French and try answering practice questions to get familiar with the job interview process. Need help with interview preparation? Here are some job interview resources:

8. Know what salary to ask for

It’s important to know your salary expectations when you’re new to Canada. Do research ahead of time about the pay rate for someone in your job, with your level of experience. If you arrive in Canada as a skilled worker, your work experience and education will be assessed to determine the Canadian equivalent. Use that information as a basis for what you should be paid. If you’re working in an industry that is wage-based always be aware of the minimum wage requirements in your province and ensure you’re being paid fairly. The minimum wage in Canada ranges from $11 to $14, depending on where you live. If you’re unsure what salary to ask for, Randstad has some resources to help, including our salary guides and salary calculator.

SKILLS IMMIGRATION STREAM KEY POINTS

Program Requirements

What is the Skills Immigration Stream?

  • The Skills Immigration (SI) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a way for people with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
  • You can apply under one of five SI categories.
  • SIRS is an on-line points-based application management system that helps B.C. select in-demand workers to meet labour market needs.

The differences between the Express Entry BC stream and the Skills Immigration Stream

  • Express Entry BC
    • An online application process for applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
    • Faster processing by IRCC of permanent residence applications.
    • Is only for skilled occupations (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A or B).
    • Requires applicants to meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s federal economic immigration programs, including work experience, language and settlement funds.
  • Skills Immigration
    • A paper application process for applying to IRCC for permanent residence.
    • IRCC processing times differ from applications for permanent residency under Express Entry.
    • Is for all eligible occupations in the (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A, B, C and D).
    • Does not require applicants in some categories to have prior work experience, although experience can benefit your application.

SIRS points-based system

  • You will receive a score based on your job, where in B.C. your job is located, your offered wage as well as your work experience, education and language ability.
  • If your score is high enough, you will receive an invitation to apply under the BC PNP Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC streams.

SIRS – Why

  • The BC PNP receives a limited number of nominations each year from the federal government. This means we often receive more applications than we have nominations.
  • SIRS is transparent, flexible and manages applications efficiently. It allows us to ensure we have the right resources to process all the nominations we receive from IRCC without having to stop accepting applications.
  • It ensures the BC PNP meets B.C.’s labour market and economic development priorities.

The registration process

  • You must first create a profile with BCPNP Online and register for the Skilled Worker, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled or International Graduate category.
  • You don’t have to register if you are applying under the HealthCare Professional or International Post-Graduate category. Instead, you can apply directly via BCPNP Online.
  • View the registration process.
  • For information about how to complete the online registration and application, please refer to the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Technical Guide (PDF, 1MB).

SIRS Score Factors

  • Key economic factors include:
    • The National Occupation Classification skill level of your B.C. job offer should align with B.C. labour market needs. This lets us prioritize high-demand occupations.
    • The annual wage you are offered indicates labour market demand and economic impact. The right wage also helps you settle successfully in B.C.
    • The B.C. location of your job offer recognizes the challenges regional communities face in attracting and retaining workers.
  • Factors that influence your ability to settle in B.C. include:
    • Directly related work experience means you are likely to be able to transfer your skills to the B.C. workforce. It also indicates how successful you are likely to be in your role.
    • Higher levels of education enable workers to earn more and settle in B.C. more easily.
    • English language proficiency helps build a successful economy and integrate new workers into B.C.

Registration Scores

WHY IS EVERYTHING ELSE WRONG

A. ASSESSMENT OF APLICATIONS

Every application is checked for:

  • filled out your application correctly
  • paid your processing fee
  • met all the requirements
  • included all documents

If you aren’t truthful in your application for permanent residence:

  • refuse your application
  • find you inadmissible
  • bar you for up to 5 years from applying for permanent resident status

You will be contacted to:

  • confirm your application is complete
  • tell you what you need to do and what will happen next

If your application is not complete, it will be rejected and refund your processing fees.

If you’re currently working in Canada

If your existing work permit is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If you’re eligible, this permit can let you keep working while you wait for a final decision on your permanent residence application.

You’ll need the letter called “Acknowledgment of receipt – Application for permanent residence” to apply for a bridging open work permit.

You must advice if:

  • you want to withdraw your application
  • your family composition changes, such as:
    • birth or adoption of a child
    • marriage or divorce
  • you change your immigration representative
  • your mailing address or email address changes
  • a province or territory withdraws your nomination
  • you do not plan to live in the province or territory nominating you

If there are any changes to your situation, let us know by filling in our web form.

B. PROCESSING TIMES

How long it takes us to process your application depends on which visa office is processing your application.

To avoid delays:

  • advise if there are changes to your personal information
  • avoid contacting more than once about the same issue

There may be delays with your application if:

  • there are criminal or security problems
  • we need to do more background checks
  • your family situation is not clear, such as:
    • a divorce or an adoption that is not yet complete
    • child custody issues that have not been resolved
  • a visa office has to contact our other offices in Canada or abroad to check your information

C. MEDICAL EXAMS

You must have a medical exam before you come to Canada. Your family members must also have one, even if they’re not coming with you.

We won’t accept your application if your health:

  • is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety
  • would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada

D. POLICE CERTIFICATES

If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter Canada. You cannot enter Canada if you pose a risk to Canada’s security.

You may need a police certificate from any country or territory (except Canada) in which you spent 6 months in a row or more since the age of 18.

In some countries, it can take a long time to get a police certificate. Therefore, you may want to get them early.

Decision on your application if you:

  • meet the eligibility criteria for the program
  • have the funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada
  • are admissible to Canada, based on:
    • your medical exam
    • your police certificate
    • any other background information

If more information from you is needed, we’ll let you know. We may also invite you to an interview.

E. CONFIRMATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE

If we approve your application, we’ll ask for your passport, or a photocopy of your passport. This depends on if you’re from a country where you need a visa to visit Canada.

You’ll need to pay your Right of Permanent Residence fee, if you haven’t already.

After you pay, we’ll issue you a:

  • confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
  • permanent resident visa (if you are from a country where you need a visa)
  • letter with important information about your COPR and other requirements

Your COPR will have information about you as well as your photograph. Check to make sure the information on the COPR is correct. It should be the same as the information on your passport.

If there is a mistake on your COPR, contact us by following the instructions we gave you.

You must have your COPR, and your visa (if you need one) with you when you arrive in Canada.

F. BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN CANADA

G. AFTER YOU ARRIVE IN CANADA

H. HOW TO BECOME A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF CANADA

The question of “how to become a permanent resident of Canada,” differs from candidate to candidate. Arriving at this answer is a matter of finding the Canadian immigration program that suits you best, as the prerequisites for Canadian permanent residency depend on the stream under which an individual qualifies. Canada has created a myriad of immigration streams based on various factors including age, education, work experience, net worth and willingness to invest as well as ties to Canada.

I. BENEFITS BY BECOMING A CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENT

Canadian permanent residents and their dependents are entitled:

  1. To receive almost all social benefits that Canadian citizens are entitled to, including Canadian health care.
  2. To live, work and study in any Canadian province or territory.
  3. To eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.
  4. To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

J. THE FIRST STEPS, TO TAKE ARE

There are many different ways that one can qualify themselves and their family for Canadian permanent residency. In fact, there are over 60 categories of Canadian immigration. The best way to proceed is to have a qualified expert assess your qualification for a Canada immigration visa.

K. CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Age

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time an application is submitted (or have a parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian apply on there behalf).

Time in Canada

In order be eligible for Canadian citizenship, a candidate must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) out of the past four years as a permanent resident before submitting an application. Children under 18 do not need to meet this requirement.

Official Languages

English and French are the official languages of Canada. You need to demonstrate proficiency in at least one of these two languages in order to become a Canadian citizen.

Criminal History

Certain convictions will render you criminally inadmissible to Canada. Please contact FWCanada for information on how your criminal conviction might affect your application.

L. CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The elements required to become a Canadian permanent resident vary depending on the stream through which you are accepted. Once you are a permanent resident of Canada you must remain in Canada for 2 of 5 years in order to maintain it. To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must have permanent resident status and it must not be in question. To be clear, you must not be the subject of an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order.

M. WHO CAN APPLY FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP?

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age in order to begin the application process for Canadian citizenship.

In order to apply for citizenship on behalf of a child under 18, the following conditions must be met:

  • the individual applying for Canadian citizenship is the child’s parent or legal guardian
  • the child in question must be a permanent resident of Canada, but is not required to have lived in Canada for three years; and
  • one parent is already a Canadian citizen or is applying to become a citizen as well. This stipulation also applies to adoptive parents.