A Few Facts to Start...
Introduction
The Selection System and Self-assessment
The Application
Upon your arrival
Appendix 1: Registration and licensing

This booklet explains the requirements for immigrating to Canada as an independent immigrant. It will also help you to decide if you would be eligible to apply as an independent immigrant for permanent residence in Canada.

Please read this booklet carefully before you apply for a visa.

This is not a legal document; for legal information please refer to the Immigration Act and Regulations.

Anyone who wants to immigrate to Canada as an independent immigrant must apply for an immigrant visa.

To get a visa you must:

• be assessed against a point based selection system to see if you qualify;
• have a valid passport or travel document;
• be able to support yourself and your dependants in Canada;
• be of good health and character; and
• pay a non-refundable processing fee.

This booklet is divided into four main sections:

Introduction: who may apply for an independent immigrant visa and the basic requirements for getting one.

The selection system: this explains the point system used to select immigrants, and includes a self-assessment work sheet you use to calculate your potential point score.

The application: how to apply and required documents.

Upon your arrival: what happens when you arrive in Canada and the settlement services available.

If you want to live in Canada as an independent immigrant you must get an immigrant visa from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside Canada. This introduction gives general information about applying for an immigrant visa.

Who may apply as an independent immigrant?

A person with special occupational skills and experience may qualify as an independant immigrant. These skills must be readily transferable to the Canadian labour market.

Does it help to have a relative in Canada?

Having a close relative in Canada may help you qualify for a visa because it increases your point score under the selection system. The relative in Canada must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen 19 years of age or over.

What if I want to settle in the province of Quebec?

The Government of the Province of Quebec selects its own immigrants in co-operation with the Government of Canada. If you wish to settle in Quebec you should submit your application to the nearest office of the Quebec Immigration Service.

Do professionals need registration and licensing to work in Canada?

Many occupations in Canada require membership in a professional association and/or registration or licensing. Applicants intending to work in one of these occupations may need to prove they hold sufficient credentials to meet professional licensing requirements.

We suggest you contact the appropriate professional association in Canada to have your qualifications assessed before you submit your application and fee.

Please see Appendix 1 for more details.

Do I pay a fee?

Yes, a processing fee is charged. See the information on processing fees to determine the amount and how you must pay. The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused. You are paying for the work done on your application.

What are the basic requirements for an immigrant visa?

You and your dependants must satisfy the visa officer that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations. You must:

• meet health requirements;
• be law abiding;
• not be a risk to the security of Canada;
• have a valid passport or travel document;
• have enough money to look after yourself and your dependants in Canada until you become self-supporting;
• produce all documents requested by the visa officer to establish your admissibility; and
• pay the processing fee.

In addition, you must score sufficient points under the selection system.

Who is included in my application?

If you are married, either you or your spouse may apply as principal applicant. You and your spouse should both complete the enclosed worksheet to help you decide which of you would get a higher point score, and apply as the principal applicant.

Whether or not they wish to immigrate with you, include all your dependent children who are:

• under 19 years of age and unmarried on the date when your application is received at the visa office; those who wish to immigrate must be still unmarried at the time when the visa is issued and when they arrive in Canada.

  Dependent children aged 19 years and over may also be included if they are financially supported by their parents for one of the following reasons:

• they are enrolled as full-time students in an educational institution on the date of their 19th birthday and still enrolled when the application is received and when the visa is issued; students who interrupt their full-time studies continue to be considered dependants provided that the total absence of studies does not exceed one year; or

• they are unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental disability.

  Note: Some disabilities may result in refusal for medical reasons.

Your dependants must pass background screening and medical examinations. All family members 18 years of age and over must complete their own individual application form.

What if I have dependants who will not accompany me to Canada?

You and your dependants, whether or not they will accompany you, must pass medical examinations and background checks before a visa can be issued to you. All your dependants must be included on your application form, or if 18 years of age or older, must complete their own application form. You must inform the visa office, in writing, of the names of any of your dependants who will not accompany you to Canada.

All applicants are assessed according to the "selection system". A worksheet is provided in this booklet to help you assess your chances of qualifying.

Points are calculated based on the following:

• age;
• education;
• Educational and Training Factor (ETF), which refers to the level of training needed to work in your occupation in Canada;
• occupation;
• arranged employment/designated occupation;
• work experience;
• language ability;
• demographic factor (this number is set by the federal government);
• personal suitability; and
• relatives in Canada.

Note: If you do not score 70 points, you are unlikely to qualify as an independent immigrant.

Is my occupation important in the selection system?

Yes, it is very important. Your application for an immigrant visa will be assessed mainly on your qualifications, skills and experience in the occupation you wish to have in Canada.

You must have at least one year's experience in your occupation. Your occupation must be listed on the General Occupations List, included with this guide. All occupations are assessed against Canadian standards for that occupation. You should be aware that job titles in your country may not correspond to the same positions in Canada. Some occupations require licensing.

How to estimate your points

The worksheet below lists the factors upon which your application will be assessed. Read the explanation for each factor, and fill in your score on the worksheet.

This self-assessment will indicate if you will have a good chance of qualifying. If you decide to apply and pay the fee, a visa officer will review your point score. If there is a difference between the points you give yourself, and the points the visa officer awards you, the visa officer's assessment will prevail.

Factor 1 -- Age (maximum 10 points)

Points are given for your age at the time your application is received. To calculate your points for this factor, use Table 1.

Table 1: Calculation of age points

Age	Total Points
18 19 20 21-44 45 46 47 48 49 and over	4 6 8 10 8 6 4 2 0

Factor 2 -- Education (maximum 16 points)

Points are given for the highest level of schooling you have achieved.

	Score
If you have not completed secondary school	0
If you have completed secondary school, but the program does not allow for entrance to a university and does not include trade or occupational certification	5
If secondary school has been completed and the program provides for entrance to university	10
If secondary school has been completed and the program includes trade or occupational certification	10
If you have completed a post-secondary program (for example, college, trade school diploma or apprenticeship) which required, as a condition of admission, secondary schooling at a level that does not ordinarily allow for entrance to a university (the program must have included at least one year of full-time classroom study)	10
If you have completed a post-secondary program (for example, college, trade school diploma or apprenticeship) which required, as a condition of admission, secondary schooling at a level that allows for entrance to a university (the program must have included at least one year of full-time classroom study)	13
If you have completed a university degree in a program that requires at least three years of full time study	15
If you have completed a second or third level university degree	16

Factor 3 -- Educational and Training Factor (maximum 18 points)

Educational and Training Factor (ETF) refers to the length of training, education, and/or apprenticeship required to work in Canada.

	Score
If the occupation you have selected is listed in the enclosed occupations list (see Factor 4), give yourself the number of points listed under the As column marked "ETF" for that occupation listed
If your occupation is not on the enclosed occupations list but you have arranged employment in Canada the ETF points will be shown on the notification of arranged employment sent to you by the visa office	As notified

Factor 4 -- Occupation (maximum 10 points)

Points are given according to your occupation in Canada. Generally, it is the occupation for which you have training or experience.

	Score
If your occupation is not indicated on the enclosed occupations list, check it to see if there is another occupation for which you are qualified. If there is, give yourself the points listed	As listed
If there is no occupation listed for which you are qualified	0
If you have arranged employment or a designated occupation with an ETF above 11 (as outlined in Factor 5)	10

Note: You must receive at least one point in this factor to be accepted. If you have scored 0 in Factor 4 your application will be refused.

Factor 5 -- Arranged employment/designated occupation factor (10 points)

Arranged employment is a guaranteed offer of employment from a Canadian employer. This offer must be approved by a Canada Employment Centre and you must be qualified to do the job.

Designated occupations are occupations identified by a province or territory as being especially in demand in that region. These occupations change periodically and are identified on the enclosed occupations list.

	Score
If you have arranged employment or a designated occupation	10
If you are a member of the clergy and have a letter from a congregation in Canada offering you a position	10
If your family in Canada has a business where you will work full time. This process must be initiated in Canada, and the offer of employment must be approved by a Canada Immigration Centre.	10

Factor 6 -- Work experience (maximum 8 points)

The number of points depends on: 1) the number of years you have worked in your intended occupation, after completion of formal training; and 2) the number of points you scored for ETF, Factor 3.

	Score
To calculate the number of points you would receive for experience use Table 2 below. Find the number that corresponds to your ETF, and read across to the number of years of experience you have in your occupation. The number in the years columns will be the number of points you will receive for this factor	As calculated

Table 2: Calculation of experience points

Years of experience in occupation = Points

ETF points	1	2	3	4 or more
1 - 3 5 - 7 11 - 15 18	2 2 2 2	2 4 4 4	2 4 6 6	2 4 6 8

For example: Robert has an ETF of 7 after his formal training and three years' experience in his job. He will get 4 points for experience.

Note: You must have at least one year's experience in your occupation to score a point under this factor. A score of 0 in Factor 6 means your application will be refused.

Factor 7 -- Language ability (maximum 15 points)

	Score
If you are fluent in both official languages (English and French)	15

Fluent: Means you have a very good command of the language in a wide range of social and work situations, and have no difficulties communicating in a professional capacity.

Well: Means you can communicate reasonably well about personal and familiar things.

With difficulty: Means you know just a few basic words.

If you are not fluent in both official languages, use Table 3 to estimate your points. Mark the score that best reflects your ability to read, write and speak English and/or French. Total the points for your abilities, keeping in mind that the maximum is 15 points.

Table 3: Calculation of language points

First Language	Read	Write	Speak
Fluent Well With difficulty	3 2 0	3 2 0	3 2 0
Second Language	Read	Write	Speak
Fluent Well With difficulty	2 1 0	2 1 0	2 1 0
Total
Total of read + write + speak = ________

	Score
For a total score of 0 or 1	0
For a total score of 2 to 5	2
For a total score of 6 to 15 enter the actual score to a maximum of 15	Actual score

For example: Helen has rated her language abilities in the following way:

In English she can read fluently, and can write and speak well. She gave herself 3 points for reading, 2 points for writing, and 2 points for speaking under First Language. As she does not read, write or speak French, she gave herself 0 points for her Second Language ability. Adding her points together, Helen has a total of 7 points for her ability to speak the First Language, English, and 0 points for the Second Language, French. She thus has 7 points for a total score of 7.

Factor 8 -- Demographic factor (maximum 10 points)

	Score
This is a number set by the federal government	8

Factor 9 -- Personal suitability (maximum 10 points)

Personal suitability refers to adaptability, motivation, initiative, and resourcefulness. This factor examines whether you and your family will be able to settle successfully in Canada.

	Score
The points for personal suitability will be assessed by a visa officer. The maximum score allotted for personal suitability is 10. The average applicant is awarded from 5 to 7 points; few receive either 0 or 10. Use the average score to assess your own personal suitability	5-7

Factor 10 -- Relative in Canada (Bonus 5 points)

	Score
Give yourself 5 points if a brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen living in Canada	5

Self-Assessment Worksheet

Self-Assessment worksheet (Table 4), is provided to help you to calculate your point score.

Table 4: Self-assessment Worksheet

Factor	Maximum Points	Your Score
1. Age	10
2. Education	16
3. Educational and Training Factor	18
4. Occupation	10
5. Arranged employment/designated occupation	10
6. Work experience	8
7. Language ability	15
8. Demographic factor	10
9. Personal suitability	10
10. Relative in Canada (Bonus)	5
Your Score:

Note: You should achieve a score of 70 points to qualify for an immigrant visa.

Note: Points awarded for occupational factor are updated periodically. Point scores may change without notice. Your application will be evaluated based on the regulations in effect on the date your completed application and fee are received at the visa office.

For example: Marie is a pharmacist who mails her application for permanent residence to the visa office on May 1. At that time, pharmacists are on the occupations list with a score of 5 for occupational factor. Unfortunately, by the time her application arrives at the visa office on May 15, pharmacists are no longer on the list. Marie thus will not score any points for occupational factor. As all applicants must score at least 1 point under the occupational factor, her application is refused.

This section explains how to apply, and how your application will be processed by the visa office.

How do I apply?

Step one:

Complete the self-assessment worksheet
(Table 4).

Step two:

If you decide to proceed, complete the application form that is included with this booklet. Your spouse and dependent children age 18 or over must complete their own application form whether or not they will accompany you to Canada.

Step three:

Return the completed application form with four recent passport size photographs of yourself and your dependants. Include the processing fee and send to the nearest Canadian visa office.

Where do I apply?

You may apply for an immigrant visa at any Canadian visa office. Immigrant visas are only issued outside Canada.

Note: You should be aware that if you submit your application to a visa office, whether inside or outside your country of permanent residence, your spouse and dependent children aged 18 and over may be required to attend an interview with a visa officer.

What documents may be required?

The following documents may be required for the processing of your application (do not send these until you are requested to do so by the visa officer):

• passports or travel documents for yourself, your spouse and dependent children;

• proof of birth for your dependent children;

• marriage, separation and final divorce certificates;

• death certificates, if applicable;

• adoption papers for adopted dependent children;

• proof of custody for children under the age of 18 and proof that the children may be removed from the jurisdiction of the court; if the children will not accompany you to Canada, proof that you have fulfilled any obligation stated in custody agreements;

• proof of the studies of all dependent children age 19 or over;

• a family tree or list of family members;

• proof of relationship to your close relatives in Canada;

• diplomas, school certificates or apprenticeship documents;

• letters from previous employers providing a statement of duties and/or employment contracts;

• proof that you meet the licensing or certification requirements for your chosen occupation in Canada, if applicable;

• police certificates, if available, from countries where you have resided for over six months during the past 10 years;

• proof of arranged employment in Canada, if available; and

• proof of sufficient funds to maintain yourself and your dependants until you are self-supporting in Canada.

Note: All documents submitted must be original or certified photocopies. If they are not in English or French you may be required to send a certified translation in either English or French. If you cannot obtain some of the documents, you must provide a written explanation.

What happens when my application is received?

Processing of your application begins the day you submit a completed form and pay the processing fee.

Your application will be reviewed to determine if:

• you meet the basic requirements;
• you have enough points for an immigrant visa;
• you have provided all required information and documents; and
• your qualifications need to be assessed by a professional association in Canada.

You will then be informed if your application will be processed further or refused.

The medical examination

You and your dependants must pass a medical examination to ensure that you are all in good health. The visa office will give you medical forms and instructions, and a list of doctors who will do the medical examination.

The medical examination consists of a general physical examination, a blood and urine test, and a chest x-ray. The doctor will forward the results to a Canadian medical officer who will assess the results of your examination.

What happens if I don't pass the medical examination?

If you or your dependants have a serious medical problem and do not pass the medical examination, your application will be refused.

The background check

This refers to background checks completed in all countries where you and your dependants have lived. These checks will determine if you have any arrests or convictions, and if you are a security risk to Canada.

How is the background check done?

The visa officer will start the check based on information provided in your application.

You and your dependants may be asked to provide police certificates.

If you or any of your dependants have a criminal conviction, your application will probably be refused. Generally, persons with a criminal conviction are not admitted into Canada. Under exceptional circumstances, however, such persons may request special consideration. Occasionally such persons are admitted on the grounds that they have been rehabilitated. You must wait five years after the end of your sentence to apply for approval of rehabilitation.

Note: If the conviction occurred in Canada, you must seek a pardon from the National Parole Board of Canada.

Passports or travel documents

You and your dependants must have valid passports or travel documents. If your passports or travel documents will expire in the near future, get them renewed. Your visa cannot exceed the validity date of your travel document.

Will I need to attend an interview?

After reviewing your application, a visa officer will decide if an interview is necessary. If so, you will be informed of its time and place.

The interview is to determine your personal suitability for immigration to Canada, as well as your occupational expertise and professional qualifications. The visa officer may ask you questions about your job, past experience, education, reasons for migrating, plans for the future in Canada, and the preparations you have made. These questions are intended to evaluate your motivation, initiative, adaptability, and resourcefulness, which indicate if you will settle successfully in Canada.

The visa officer may also ask questions about your health, financial situation, past difficulties with the law, if any, and your family, spouse, and/or dependants. The officer will answer questions or concerns you may have about moving to Canada.

How long will it take to obtain my visa?

Applicants are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Processing time depends on the complexity of your application, the number of applications being processed and how quickly you respond to requests from the visa office for documents or other information.

Note: Individuals or agencies who help you to complete your application are not given any special treatment in processing.

How will I be informed of the decision?

If your application is accepted, you will either receive your visa by mail or you will be advised when you may pick it up at the visa office.

If your application has been refused, you will be informed by letter of the decision and the reasons for the refusal.

Please do not quit your job, sell or give away your possessions until you have been issued an immigrant visa.

Note: All immigrant visas have an expiry date. You should make arrangements to arrive in Canada before the expiry date on your visa. No extensions are possible. If your visa expires, you will have to reapply, pay a new fee and be reassessed.

What happens when I arrive in Canada?

When you arrive, you must present your immigrant visa to a customs/immigration officer. Landing formalities will then be completed.

What settlement services are available?

Various kind of settlement services are available to immigrants. You can find out about them at Canada Immigration Centres, Canada Employment Centres and private organizations.

It is your responsibility to get a job once you arrive. Employment opportunities vary depending on the region and season of the year. An immigrant visa is no guarantee of employment. You should have sufficient funds to keep yourself and your dependants until you have become established in Canada.

What are my rights and obligations as a permanent resident of Canada?

You and your dependants have the right to live, study and work indefinitely in Canada, and are entitled to most social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens. When you have met citizenship requirements, you may apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport.

There are few limitations on permanent residents. You cannot vote in certain elections. You may be ineligible for certain jobs requiring high-level security clearances.

As a permanent resident, you also have the same legal obligations as Canadians, such as paying taxes and respecting other laws.

If you or your dependants commit serious crimes, you or your dependants risk being deported from Canada.

You remain a permanent resident until you become a Canadian citizen or you abandon Canada as your place of residence. You may be considered to have abandoned Canada if you have frequent and/or lengthy absences from Canada.

Travelling to Canada to present your visas for landing and then returning to live in your home country indefinitely will result in the loss of your permanent resident status.

Several professions require registration and/or licensing. The following is a list of some of these. The visa officer will inform you of any additional documentation required for occupations that are not included.

Applicants intending to work in the following occupations should be aware that there are special procedures related to the registration and licensing of their occupations.

Academics and professors: Academics who intend to teach at a Canadian university must obtain a "confirmation of offer of employment" issued by a Canada Employment Centre before their application can be approved.

Engineers: To score points under Factor 4, Occupation, Engineers may have their engineering education and experience reviewed by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE). To do this they must obtain form IMM 1338 from the visa office. Complete this form and return it with the required documents and a non-refundable fee payable to the CCPE. The visa officer will forward your request to the CCPE. The result of this informal review leads only to occupational designation for immigration purposes and will not have any bearing on the final decision of the licensing authority in Canada.

Engineering and applied sciences technologists and technicians: To score points under Factor 4, Occupation, engineering and applied sciences technologists and technicians may have their education and experience reviewed by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). To do this they must obtain form IMM 1338 from the visa office. Complete this form and return it with the required documents and a non-refundable fee payable to the CCTT. The visa officer will forward your request to the CCTT. The result of this informal review leads only to occupational designation for immigration purposes and will not have any bearing on the final decision of the licensing authority in Canada.

Occupational therapists: To score points under Factor 5, Designated occupation, or Factor 4, Occupation, occupational therapists may have their academic background reviewed by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). This is to determine whether they are qualified to write the national certification examination. To do this they must obtain form IMM 5206 from the visa office. Complete this form and return it with the required documents and a non-refundable fee payable to the CAOT. The visa officer will forward your request to the CAOT.

The result of this informal review leads only to occupational designation for immigration purposes and will not have any bearing on the final decision of the licensing authority in Canada. Occupational licensing is a provincial responsibility. Upon arrival in Canada, you will have to contact the provincial occupational therapy regulatory body in your province of destination to apply for a licence to practise as an occupational therapist.

Physicians: Physicians who intend to practise medicine in Canada must obtain a "confirmation of offer of employment" issued by a Canada Employment Centre before their application can be approved.

There are a number of restrictions which limit the employment of medical personnel in Canada. The visa officer will inform you of these restrictions.

Note: There are a number of occupations which are not on the general occupations list. Individuals may, in spite of this, still consider independent immigration to Canada. In such cases, the applicant must have a "confirmation of offer of employment" from a Canada Employment Centre if their application is to be approved.

Produced by Public Affairs and International Service Group, Citizenship and Immigration Canada

For more information, contact your nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or Visa Office

Revised 01-95