Immigrating to Canada – Our Services
Our Canadian lawyers based in China and Canada specialize in assisting with applications to immigrate to Canada. Our immigration team is constituted of licensed Canadian lawyers and regulated Canadian immigration consultants, and technical staff. We provide services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Immigration issues, processes and requirements for immigration in Canada can get very complex and involve many other aspects of laws. We are dedicated to providing the best possible service to all of our clients.
We Assist
Individuals who are being sponsored by family members who are Canadian Citizens or Canadian Permanent Residents with applying to become Canadian Permanent Residents.
Investors, business owners, entrepreneurs with determining which immigration programs offer the best pathway to obtaining a become Canadian Permanent Resident card.
Hong Kong Residents with applications to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence under Special Programs for Hong Kong residents.
Skilled workers, skilled trades workers selecting the most efficient pathways to applying for and obtaining Permanent Residence in Canada.
Students and caregivers with Canadian Permanent Residence applications.
There are various ways to apply for permanent resident status in Canada:
If you are Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada and are at least 18 years old, you can sponsor your relatives, including your spouse, conjugal partner, common law partner, children, parents, grandparents, dependent relatives of qualifying relatives and others to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence to live, study and work in Canada.
Sponsoring a Spouse, Partner or Child
To sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children, you may be living either in Canada or outside Canada. If you do not live in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen and you must demonstrate that you will live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Eligible sponsors must:
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Live in Canada, or plan to return to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada
• Be able and willing to provide for the basic financial needs of your family member for three years
Sponsoring a Parent or Grandparent
Eligible sponsors must:
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Live in Canada
• Provide evidence that you have the financial needs to support the person you sponsor
Required Information and Documents of the Sponsor
• Complete and sign application documents
• Proof that you are a permanent resident or Canadian Citizen
• Copy of marriage certificate or proof of common-law or conjugal relationship (if applicable)
• If either spouse was previously married, copy of divorce, annulment, separation or death certificate
• Declaration of severance of any previous common-law relationship (if applicable)
• Proof of employment and/or income
• Proof that you intend to live in Canada with your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and/or dependent children
Required Information and Documents of the Applicant
• Complete and sign application documents
• Undergo a medical examination
• Provide non-criminal record certificates
• Scanned copy of passport
• Provide photographs
• Complete any additional questionnaires or documents required for the country from which the application is being made
Timeline
• Sponsorship applications take approximately 12 months to process.
Biometrics
Canada requires most immigration applicants to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photos). After paying your biometric fee when submitting your application, you will receive a letter from IRCC with instructions on how to provide your biometrics.
Medical Exam
Individuals applying for Canadian permanent residence must undergo a medical exam to ensure they are not medically inadmissible. You do not need to submit your medical exam with your application. After submitting your sponsorship application, IRCC will provide instructions on how to complete your medical exam. The medical exam must be with a doctor on IRCC’s list:
• https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
Super Visa for Parents or Grandparents
Sponsors who are unable to permanently support their parent or grandparent may be eligible for a Super Visa, a long term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
If Sponsorship is Not an Option
If sponsorship is not an option, your relative may be eligible under another Canadian immigration program. Please contact us for further details and an assessment of which immigration program your relative might be eligible to apply for.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
Special Program for Hong Kong Residents
Immigration from Hong Kong to Canada was rapid prior to the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Residents of Hong Kong were uncertain of the ramifications of the handover and moved to countries such as Canada in pursuit of economic and political stability.
In 2020, Canada sought to build on its longstanding ties with Hong Kong by enacting programs to encourage more Hong Kong residents to immigrate to Canada. In 2021, a total of 2,295 Hong Kong residents gained permanent residence in Canada, up from 1,045 in 2020, and 1,540 in 2019, prior to the pandemic.
From June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026, there are two pathways to permanent residence for eligible Hong Kong residents who are currently in Canada.
• Stream A: In-Canada graduates: Hong Kong residents that have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution in the last three years.
• Stream B: Canadian work experience: Hong Kong residents that have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada or abroad and have at least one year of work experience in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements – Stream A
• Hold a valid passport issued by:
-Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; or -UK person naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
• Be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you obtain permanent residence
• Have valid temporary resident status in Canada
• Intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec
• Have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada in the 3 years before you apply with one of the following:
-a diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years
-a degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral)
-a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year and with at least 50% of your program completed in Canada (either in person or online)
Eligibility Requirements – Stream B
• Hold a valid passport issued by:
-The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;
-UK person naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
• Be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you obtain permanent residence
• Have valid temporary resident status in Canada
• Intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec
• Have graduated in the 5 years before you apply with one of the following:
-a diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years, or a degree (for example, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate) from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
-a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
A foreign educational credential equivalent to one of the following:
-a Canadian post-secondary diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years, a Canadian post-secondary degree, a Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year
• Have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full time, or an equal number of part-time hours in the 3 years before you apply.
If you have experience managing or owning your own business, the easiest way to immigrate to Canada could be through a Federal or Provincial business immigration program. Our lawyers are on standby for initial consultations to help determine which Federal or Provincial immigration are most suited to your circumstances.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
Canadian immigration programs prioritize immigrants who have experience in occupations that are in-demand in Canada and prefer immigrants who will likely remain in Canada after obtaining a permanent residence.
Canada views international students, health care, information technology professionals and entrepreneurs as ideal applicants. To retain international graduates and business professionals, there are several Provincial Nominee Programs offered to international graduates and entrepreneurs across Canada.
As with most economic immigration programs, young applicants who possess strong language skills, high levels of education, and skilled work experience are better suited to succeed.
Please contact us in order to determine which immigration programs are most relevant for your situation.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
Foreign skilled workers are eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence under Canada’s Express Entry system. This is the fastest method to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Some applicants have obtained permanent residence within 4 months of submitting an Express Entry application.
Applicants in the Express Entry pool are ranked against one another using a Comprehensive Ranking System. The highest-ranking candidates receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Who is Eligible?
1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Must have Canadian work experience
• Work experience must have been gained in the 3 years before you apply
• Work experience falls under the management, professional or technical jobs listed in
Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, which classifies all jobs that exist in the Canadian labor market. The IRCC uses NOC codes to evaluate an immigration applicant’s work experience
• Applicants must meet required language levels
• Applicants must reside outside of Quebec
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Canadian work experience is not required
• Must have relevant foreign work experience which falls under the management, professional or technical jobs listed in Canada’s NOC system
• Must meet a minimum points requirement based on factors such as work experience, language ability, and education
• At least one year of continuous full-time skilled work experience completed within the previous 10 years
• Obtain a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW scale. The scale is based on age, education, work experience, whether you have a valid job offer, English and/or French language skills and adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle in Canada)
• Applicants must meet required language and education levels
• You must prove that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you already have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada
• Applicants must reside outside of Quebec
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
• For skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade
• Must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply
• Must have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or
• certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
• Skilled trade work, as classified in the NOC, includes:
o industrial, electrical and construction trades
o maintenance and equipment operation trades
o supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
o processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
o chefs and cooks
o butchers and bakers
• Applicants must meet required language levels
• You must prove that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you already have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada
• Applicants must reside outside of Quebec
Permanent residence in Canada can be obtained if you are nominated by a Canadian province or territory. Canada’s provincial nominee programs (PNPs) offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for individuals who are interested in immigrating to a specific Canadian province or territory. The timeline to be approved is as short as six months.
Overview of PNP Programs
Each Canadian province and territory operates its own PNP and the eligibility factors for PNPs vary in each province and territory. Each province sets their own eligibility requirements for language proficiency, education, and skill set. In order to qualify, you must also demonstrate that you will be able to contribute to the local economy and have a genuine intention to settle in that province or territory.
Application Procedure
Applying for Canadian permanent residence through a PNP program is a two-step process. First, you must apply to the province. Once that has been approved, you must then submit your application to the federal government
Eligibility Requirements
Since each province set their own eligibility requirements, they use different points systems to determine who can apply or receive an invitation. Points are typically based on a combination of age, work experience, education, language, and connections to the province. Not all nominee programs use a points system to rank their candidates.
Some PNPs prioritize immigrants who have experience in occupations that are in demand in that province. Other PNPs prefer immigrants who have a connection to the province, like a relative, as this increases the chance that they will remain in the province.
Almost all PNPs require candidates to take a designated French or English language exam to demonstrate their proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages and most PNPs require at least one year of work experience to apply.
Canada views international students, health care, information technology professionals and entrepreneurs as ideal applicants.To retain international graduates, there are several Provincial Nominee Programs offered to international graduates and entrepreneurs across Canada.
As with most economic immigration programs, young applicants who possess strong language skills, high levels of education, and skilled work experience are better suited to succeed.
Please contact us in order to determine which PNP programs is most relevant for your situation and we will help explain the eligibility factors for each program individually.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada. The province has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there. Applicants must undergo two separate processes:
1. Selection: obtain approval from the province of Quebec by being issued a Quebec Selection Certificate
2. Admission: apply to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Quebec Skilled Worker
The Quebec Skilled Worker program is a points-based immigration program. As a skilled worker program, all applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum amount of skilled work experience.
Quebec Experience Program
The Quebec Experience Program requires that candidates have prior work or study experience in the province of Quebec either as a temporary foreign worker or an international student. Applicants must legally reside in Quebec at the time the application is submitted and processed and possess French language skills.
Quebec Investor Program
In order to apply to the Quebec Investor Program, applicants must have net assets totalling at least $2 million Canadian Dollars and the ability to invest at least $1.2 million. Applicants who fit these criteria may be eligible to obtain permanent residence in Canada through the Quebec Investor Program.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program requires applicants to have the financial capacity along with the experience and intention to manage a business project in Quebec or to acquire a business in Quebec.
Quebec Self-Employed
The Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program allows certain self-employed people to immigrate to Quebec and create their own job. In order to qualify for this program, an applicant needs to have net assets of at least $100,000 Canadian Dollars and two years of experience as a self-employed worker in the business sector or occupation they plan to practice in Quebec.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador
To qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program, applicants must:
• Have an official job offer from a designated employer
• Have at least one year of paid, full-time work experience in the past five years
• Work experience falls under the management, professional or technical jobs listed in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, which classifies all jobs that exists in the Canadian labor market. The IRCC uses NOC codes to evaluate an immigration applicant’s work experience
• Candidates that qualify as eligible international graduates do not need to meet the work experience requirements if applicants have lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the last two years before graduating
• If your education was completed outside of Canada, you must provide educational credential assessment
• Candidates must also be able to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their families when settling in Canada.
For further details and an initial assessment, please contact us at:
• info@canadanotoryinchina.com
• +8617701787978
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot seeks to change this by helping smaller towns to attract skilled workers. The pilot program accepts applications from rural and northern communities who want to participate.
The Agri-Food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The program provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations.
Immigrate by providing care for children, the elderly or those with medical needs, or work as a live-in caregiver.
Home Child Care Provider Pilot
Home child care providers help busy parents take care their children and assist with household duties. Examples of Home Child Care workers include a babysitter, private home child caregiver, a nanny and a child caregiver in a public setting such as a gym or shopping centre.
Home Support Worker Pilot
The Home Support Worker Pilot is a 5-year pilot program that allows qualified caregivers and their family members to come to Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Home support workers assist senior citizens, people with disabilities and individuals going through rehabilitation. Examples of Home Support workers include family caregivers, home support workers, housekeepers and live-in caregivers for seniors or persons with disabilities. Responsibilities typically include preparing meals, feeding, bathing, changing dressings, administering medications and other routine housekeeping duties.
Eligibility
You will be eligible to apply for the Home Support Worker or Home Child Care worker if you have:
• Have a job offer
• Meet work experience, education and language requirements
• Plan to live outside the province of Quebec
Canadian Citizenship vs. Permanent Residence vs. Work or Travel
Temporary residency applies to those who are not Canadian citizens but are legally in Canada for a temporary purpose, including international students, foreign workers, and tourists.
Permanent residency in Canada is a status granting someone who is not a Canadian citizen the right to live and work in Canada without any time limit on their stay. To become a permanent resident a foreign national must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under one of several programs. To keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time abroad may count towards the 730 days. Holders of a Permanent Resident Card are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must be a permanent resident, have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days), file taxes, pass a citizenship test and prove language skills in English or French.
Entering Canada
Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
Any person wishing to enter Canada’s borders must possess a valid travel document. Canadian Permanent Residents are able to use their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) in order to enter the country.
Permanent Resident Travel Documents (PRTD)
If a permanent resident does not have a valid PR Card and needs to enter Canada, they may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). Generally, PRTDs are valid for a single entry to Canada, allowing a permanent resident to enter the country before obtaining a new PR card. A permanent resident may only apply for a PR card from inside of Canada, so the PRTD is often necessary to facilitate entry to Canada. A person may apply for a permanent resident travel document if they meet the following criteria:
• They are a permanent resident of Canada;
• They do not have a valid PR card showing PR status;
• They are outside Canada, and;
• They will return to Canada by airplane, boat, train, or bus.
Appeal an Immigration Decision
Our lawyers are readily available to assist with appeals to the Immigration and Refugee Board about sponsorship, removal orders, residency obligation requirements and rejection decisions.
• Appeals of rejected family class sponsors
• Judicial review for rejected application of foreign nationals
• Removal orders of PR/PP
• Residency obligations of PR
• Admissibility hearing
• Detention reviews
• Hearings of Refugee Protection Division
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries entering Canada by air, including those transiting through Canada, require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa.
An ETA is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport and is valid for five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Applications for ETA’s are done online on the IRCC website, and in most cases the authorization will be issued immediately after submitting the online form.
If you need an ETA, it is recommended that you apply for it when you plan your trip, as opposed to waiting until you are ready to travel. You must travel to Canada with the passport you used to get your ETA.
