VISA TYPE
Canadian
Visa Application
The Canadian visa types available include:
»
Federal Skilled Trades
Program (FSTP)
»
Federal Skilled Worker
Program (FSWP)
»
Provincial Nomination
Programs (PNP)
»
Quebec-Selected Skilled
Worker Program (QSWP)
»
Family-Sponsorship
Program
»
Live-in Caregiver
Program (LCP)
NOTE: On January 1,
2015, the Canadian government launched its new "Express
Entry" system for skilled foreign workers who are applying
for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada through the
Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled
Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Program. The Provincial Nominees Program (PNP) will also be
affected by the "Express Entry" system. A key goal of the
"Express Entry" program is to speed up the process of
approving qualified skilled foreign workers for a PR Visa to
Canada so they can help meet the needs of Canadian
businesses. To learn more about the new "Express Entry"
Canadian immigration system, click here!
Want to become a Canadian citizen?
The first step is to be issued a visa by the Canadian
government. Below you will find information about the
various Canadian visa types, but first you may want to learn
more about the many benefits of Canadian citizenship.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This Canadian visa program started on January 2, 2013, and
offers a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada for qualified
tradespeople in such occupations as aircraft mechanics,
carpenters, crane operators, electricians, heavy-duty
equipment mechanics, ironworkers, machinists, plumbers,
welders and other skilled trades. Read more about the
Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
This Canadian visa is a permanent residency visa. Applicants
are evaluated based on their education (which, for many
eligible occupations, includes a university degree), work
experience, knowledge of French and/or English and age. All
you need is 67 points to qualify for this visa! Your
profession must also be a wanted profession in Canada
(recent examples include accountants, various types of
engineers and managers, financial analysts, occupational
therapists, nurses, physicians, computer programmers and
university professors). The rules for applying for this visa
are often changing, however, our immigration consultants
keep up-to-date daily with any changes that may occur. Read
more about Work Visa Canada.
Provincial Nomination Programs
(PNP) For those who will not qualify for a
skilled worker visa, there is still the chance to receive
Canadian permanent residency. The Provincial visas are aimed
at semi or low skilled professionals that will still be able
to come to Canada and work and contribute to the Canadian
economy. With this visa, you will be nominated for a
specific province of Canada that is looking for employees in
certain professions. The needed professions are frequently
changing in each province; however, our immigration
consultants stay constantly "in-the-know" about possible
changes. Read more about Provincial Nomination Programs.
Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers
Program (QSWP) The Canadian province of Quebec
has a special program for immigration to Canada called the
Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program (QSWP). Quebec is
the largest province in Canada and it needs thousands of
skilled foreign workers for various trades and professions –
especially if they have adequate French language skills
(since French is the dominant language used in Quebec). If
you receive enough points on this points-based Canadian
immigration program and are selected by Quebec’s provincial
government, you may then apply to the Canadian national
government for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada! Read
more about this unique Quebec immigration program.
Family-Sponsorship Program
Canada understands how important family is, and for this
reason offers the chance to reunite family in other
countries to come join you in your new life in Canada. Once
you have become a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident,
you are entitled to sponsor your spouse/common-law partner
and dependent children and also give them the chance to
become permanent residents.
You are then responsible for supporting your family
financially, and they will enjoy the benefits of residency -
being able to live, study and work in Canada. Read more
about Family-Sponsorship Visa.
Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP)
This is a special visa for live-in caregivers who have
qualified to provide care for children, elderly or the
disabled in private homes without supervision. The visa
entitles the caregiver to live in a private home in Canada.
This visa process is particularly complicated, requiring
work experience, a high school diploma and a good English or
French level. Contracts must be written and signed by the
future employer and yourself. Read more about Live-in
Caregiver Program.
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