How to Move to Canada from the USA and Become a Permanent Resident

SL Newman, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jun 6, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

If you have taken the plunge and decided to move across the border and take up residence in Canada, you should know that just moving to Canada does not make you a permanent resident. In fact, the process of actually becoming a permanent resident is rather time consuming and complex. It is also quite rewarding as once you are approved for permanent residency, you will be afforded all the same rights as citizens of Canada with the exception of voting privileges.

If you are interested in moving to Canada and becoming a permanent resident, you should be aware that there are six different categories that you can apply under for permanent residence. The six categories are: Skilled Worker Class Immigration, Business Class Immigration, Provincial Nomination, Family Class Immigration, Quebec-selected immigration and International Adoption.

Under the skilled worker class, immigrants are evaluated on education level, language proficiency, work experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability. Each item is assigned a score, with the combined score from 0 to 100. The minimum score to qualify is 67. Citizenship and Immigration also looks at criminal history, the state of the Canadian labor market and other factors before making a decision.

The business class is further separated out to investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people. Investors must have business experience, a net worth of $800,000 Canadian and must invest $400,000 Canadian into the Canadian economy to qualify. Entrepreneurs also need to show business experience, either in owning a business or a share of a business. They will need to have an net worth of $300,000 Canadian and be able to manage and operate a business that creates at least one full-time job within 3 years of becoming a permanent resident. Self-employed applicants need to have experience, intention and ability to establish a business that will create employment for them as well as make a contribution to the Canadian society. Or, they must purchase and manage a farm.

Provincial nomination is where a province nominates individuals that they wish to have immigrate and settle there. This means you will need to contact the immigration office in your target province and apply for nomination.

Family class immigration allows for your close family members that are permanent residents in Canada to sponsor your immigration.

Quebec selected immigration is a separate evaluation process. It is broken down into the following categories: permanent workers, businesspeople, students wanting permanent immigration, temporary workers wanting permanent immigration, families and sponsored refugees.

International adoption is where Canadian permanent residents are allowed to adopt children of foreign countries.

Published by SL Newman

SL Newman has been working as a freelance writer since 1997. With experience in varied areas such as travel, immigration, finance and health, she has written for a variety of publications including USA Today... View profile

How to Move to Canada from the USA and Become a Permanent Resident

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