Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of landmass. Its 10 provinces and 3 territories together cover over 9,000,000 kms. While temperatures in the extreme north do remain below freezing almost year-round, most Canadian live within 300 kilometers of the country's southern border where milder temperatures prevail.

Formerly a British Colony, Canada has a federal system of government that elects public representatives in free and democratic elections. Built by immigrants, its population of approximately 30 million encompasses Chinese, Indian, British, French and many other nationalities. Today, Canada still accepts more immigrants as a proportion of its population than any other country in the world.

With a GDP exceeding $830 billion, Canada is one of the world's largest economies. A member of the G8 group of leading industrial countries, Canada enjoys an enviable standard of living, an excellent infrastructure, a highly educated and skilled labour force as well as a well-deserved reputation as a successful trading nation. Canada's social security system is also second to none. The government supports one of the world's best education systems and provides fully funded universal health care for every citizen and resident, young or old. Plus, Canada offers generous public pensions, household benefits, employment insurance, disability subsidies, and welfare payments.

While Vancouver and Toronto remain popular centers for work and play, Trinity also places clients in numerous cities across Canada, where incomes and the cost of living vary as much as the industries and climates that shape their landscape. Whether its Calgary or Montreal, Winnipeg or Halifax, Trinity puts you where you want to be.

There are mainly three categories described as below, click on any one to know the details for the specified class:

1. Skilled Workers / Professional Class

Skilled workers are persons who can become permanent residents of Canada because they have the ability to become economically established in Canada. Unlike the old Occupation Demand List, the new regulations stipulate that applicants under any occupation category, which requires at least a post secondary education and / or training, can qualify to apply for immigration to Canada provided they obtain 67 points out of 100 points based on the following six criteria:

1. Education

2. Language Ability

3. Work Experience

4. Age

5. Arranged Employment

6. Adaptability

Apart from obtaining the required 67 points, the applicants must also have:

• Minimum of one year work experience in the last 10 years and must have been paid for that job.

• Must have minimum fund to settle in Canada.

• Must take the IELTS English Test or in alternate provide a proof of proficiency in English Language.

• Must pass medical and security clearance test.

• Must pay visa fee of $550 CD per adult and $150 CD per child under the age of 22 years and Right of Permanent Resident of $975 CD per adult before issuance of final visa.

Notes:

• Children under the age of 22 years, unmarried and dependent on their parents, can be included in the application.

• Once visa is issued, the applicant must travel within the given time frame to Canada.

• To maintain immigration status applicants must stay physically for at least two years in a 5 years period in Canada.

• Application for Canadian citizenship can be made after 3 years of stay in Canada.

• Canadian citizens and Permanent residents do not require a visa to visit USA.

• Canadian citizens working in certain professions need only a TN1 visa to work in USA, which can be obtained through a very simple process.

• Free medical care for all family members and free public school education.
   

Provincial Nominee

The Provincial governments have signed agreements with the Federal government of Canada that has resulted in another form of permanent immigration.

Within Canada there exists the Federal Immigration Regulations that apply to permanent immigration throughout Canada. In 1993, the province of Quebec signed an agreement with the Federal Immigration Department, which gave the Quebec government direct immigration powers for its particular province. This action allowed Quebec to target specific needs within the province for workers and laborers. Since that time, all other provinces, except Ontario, have signed their own agreements with the Federal government. These Provincial Immigration Programs differ slightly across the provinces, so let's look at them individually.
 

Quebec Immigration Program

The Quebec Immigration Program was the first provincial program. The qualifications for this program expand the NOC skill level to include O, A, B and C applicants. The number of applicants applying for immigration to Quebec is low and as a result there is quick processing of the visa application. Processing time for Quebec is about one to one and a half years, as opposed to up to three years for the Federal Immigration Program.

Since 85% of the population in the province of Quebec is French speaking, the applicant must speak and comprehend the French language at an intermediate level. While the application is pending, the applicant may take up French language courses.

The point system for Quebec is slightly different and includes several additional criteria that are listed here that relate to language and spouse's education.

The Quebec program is a two-step application process. The applications are approved on merit and a Selection Certificate is issued. Based on the Selection Certificate, the applicant is required to make an application to the Government of Canada for medical and security clearance, after which the final visa will be issued to them. Once the final visa is issued, the applicant is free to stay anywhere in Canada and residency is not restricted to the province of Quebec.

The next program is the Manitoba Immigration Program and other Provincial Nominee Programs.

The provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have developed a high demand occupation list. Applicants may only apply for immigration status under the PNP program for those occupations specifically. In addition, the applicant must have a permanent job offer from an employer residing in one of the fore-mentioned provinces.

The selection criteria are the same as the Federal program but there is some difference in the number of passing points required in each PNP, as shown here. For the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, there is a Priority Industry Category instead of an occupation list. Similar to the Quebec system, the applicant is first approved as a Provincial Nominee and the applicant is then required to make an application to the Federal government of Canada for medical and security clearance. Once visa is issued, the applicant may live anywhere in Canada.

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