Residence permit of Canada

The country's government is interested in foreign specialists who are ready to occupy and create jobs and pay taxes. Urban and regional programs have been created for migrant workers of various qualifications.

For expats, short-term visas are open for 6 months and long-term Temporary Resident visas are equivalent to residence permits for several years. TRV allows students, entrepreneurs, investors, relatives of residents to stay on the territory.

The state is loyal to expats, but in order to obtain status, they must justify the reasons for moving and prove that the activity will benefit the society or the economy.

Types of residence permit

About 500,000 immigrants come to the country every year. The type of visa is issued depending on the purpose of the visit. Short-term single-entry Visitor visas and other categories are issued on the website of the Government of Canada. Multivisa allows you to cross borders several times, stay in the territory for a total of 6 months in 10 years. After submitting an application to the migration service, relocants are granted a temporary status for six months with the right of extension.

Who can freely visit Canada

By default, citizens of Europe, the Caribbean countries of the Commonwealth, and the United States have the right to free entry.

Residence permits are conditionally divided into educational, working, family, and entrepreneurial. For 3 weeks, the residence is received by qualified specialists, founders of startups, investors, people of liberal professions.

Supervisory visas are available for parents and elderly relatives of Canadians. They allow its holders to stay in the country for 5 years without extending the term and obtaining permanent residence. The requirements for collecting documents depend on the type of Temporary Resident visa and the purpose.

Residence permit upon purchase of real estate

Financially well-off people are attracted by Canada's open door policy. Foreigners buy residential/ commercial properties in any region, except for tourist-protected areas. The fact of buying for personal savings and on credit is not a pretext for obtaining a residence permit, but gives advantages when applying for a visitor visa for six months.

Necessary justifications

Those who want to bypass the period of naturalization and immediately equalize rights with Canadians, take part in the investment program of Quebec, investing $892,300 in the economy of the prefecture.

List of documents

The documents are first translated and notarized. In prefectures, the lists differ.

Basic package of documents:

• Identity card and photo:
• confirmation of the legality of the origin of funds;
• certificate of proficiency in English /French at B2 level;
• biometrics data;
• tax declaration; 
• registration of the place of residence;
• health certificate; 

Student residence permits

Young people study at the universities and colleges of the capital. Many people come to Canada under the Work and Study program. Expats learn English and receive higher education.

Necessary justifications

Admission to the university is not a ground for obtaining the status.

Students with licenses are issued permits for the period of study and for 3 months after graduation. During this time, those who wish to apply for open certificates for work, become participants in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) for graduate specialists.

What is Rural and Northern Immigration

In 2023, the authorities launched a youth program to attract 90,000 people to gain work experience. According to the terms, it is agreed with the American Work and Travel program. It attracts students for internships, working vacations, as well as yesterday's university graduates with invitations from employers.

List of documents

When applying to study or work, relocants must first request official permits from the university and the employer.

The file includes:

• IMM 1294 application;
• legalized copies of the passport;
• language certificate; 
• study permit;
• enrollment certificate; 
• the results of the medical examination;
• parent Sponsorship Letter;
• police clearance certificate;
• duty of 150 CAD (£85).

Minor students are required to be accompanied by parents or guardians. A Study Permit is open for them for 6 months.

Residence permit for financially independent expats

Wealthy freelancers, self-employed IT specialists, entrepreneurs become digital nomads on the basis of Digital Nomad Visa. This is one of the short-term Visitor visa programs for 6 months.

Necessary justifications

Employees of a digital nomad shall be granted a visa on the basis of an employment contract with a foreign company or a private person. During this time, expats find a vacancy, change the type of visa and stay in the country. After 5 years, they apply for permanent residence.

List of documents

Digital Nomad Visa is opened within 28 days, provided that the papers are correctly collected. Unlike other countries, the Canadian authorities do not impose requirements on applicants for monthly earnings.

The content of the file is:

• resume; 
• bank statement for 6 months;
• company payrolls;
• employment contract with a foreign employer;
• permission to work remotely;
• lease agreement;
• 100 CAD for visa and 85 CAD for biometrics.

Residence permit by marriage

In Canada, not only foreign spouses of citizens can receive a residence permit, but also their permanent partners.

Necessary justifications

Before registering with the local municipality, newlyweds receive a marriage license and pay state duties. After registration, a Certificate of Marriage is issued, which serves as the basis for obtaining a permanent residence.

If the relationship was established abroad, the foreign citizen applies for reunification with subsequent legalization in Canada.

Residence permit without official marriage

In the case of a common-law partner, proof of cohabitation is required: joint bank accounts, loans, utility bills. The country also recognizes same-sex unions, as well as prisoners in another 5 countries. Only to enter the country, you need to become a member of the Family Class visa project.

List of documents

To obtain the status, the couple must prove continuous residence on the territory for a year.

The file should contain:

• identity card; 
• metrics; 
• a certificate of divorce upon remarriage;
• for widowers – a certificate of death of the spouses;
• a document to confirm the change of surname;
• an extract from the resident's account.

The requirements for the amount of earnings of the sponsor's resident are removed, but the applications of debtors with multiple credit obligations are not considered.

Family reunification

Family reunification is designed to ensure that close relatives can not be separated if one of them is a permanent resident of Canada, and the others are not.

Necessary justifications

For this purpose, the migration authorities opened the Family sponsorship project. Family sponsorships are available to family members of a resident of Canada or people subject to the Indian Act.

Status holders are sponsors for the next of kin. This includes first- and second-generation dependents, as well as adopted children.

List of documents

Applicants are required to sign a form with a financial commitment. The duration of the sponsorship agreement depends on the relationship. For a spouse and a child from 22 years old – 3 years, minor children either 10 years old from the moment of receiving PR, or up to 25 years old.

Package of documents for family reunification:

• application for participation in the program;
• copies of passports;
• certificate of the deposit amount;
• documents from the police for adults;
• a copy of the military card; 
• biometrics; 
• medical certificates of candidates 12+;
• receipt for the fee payment (C$1,205 per person)

Residence permit for work

Locals are not able to fill vacancies in the labour market, and the Ministry of Immigration issues work visas for foreigners along with a work permit.

Necessary justifications

Specialists can become participants in the Federal Skilled Worker project. Representatives of working specialties are looking for vacancies in Federal Skilled Trades.

Foreigners with Canadian work experience are invited to apply for the Experience Class, then go through the online selection through the Express Entry system.

List of documents

To apply for a work permit, you need a package of official papers:

• an invitation (job offer) of a Canadian legal entity;
• financial assessment of the employer on the contribution of a foreigner to the economy (LMIA);
• IMM 1295 application of the candidate;
• diploma and proven work experience;
• CAQ certificate for Quebec.

Residence permit for business and individual entrepreneurship

There are several business immigration destinations in Canada.

Necessary justifications

Basically, small companies employ up to 4 employees, which make up a quarter of the country's business. Foreigners can buy a working enterprise or sponsor one of the provinces.

Who can get a residence permit for the self-employed

Startup founders and self-employed entrepreneurs also become residents. This group includes farmers, representatives of professional sports, art, and more.

List of documents

The file includes official documents translated into English or French languages.

First, candidates on the website of Canadian government fill out the form and attach:

• letter from the business incubator/ broker;
• language certificate; 
• a development plan approved by a venture fund from the government list;
• cover letter; 
• proof of capital and management experience;
• receipt of payment 1245 CAD for the processing of the application and 390 CAD for the residence.

Extension of residence permit

The file is submitted in paper form to the Immigration Service or uploaded on the website of the Visa Application Center (VAC). It is important to have time to do this a month before the deadline. Dates are renewed based on work and study.

For renewal, the inspectors require:

• bank statement; 
• guarantee of a business incubator that financially supports the startup;
• evidence of participation in the development of the economy;
• for company employees – a new LMIA assessment.

Seasonal workers living on short-term visas in agricultural provinces are not eligible for renewal. They leave the country immediately after the end of the contract. Fee for renewal - C$50.