Study Permit Requirements. Are You Eligible?

To be eligible to study in Canada

• You must have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada.
  
  
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your own fees and living expenses.
• You must have no criminal record.
  
  
• You may have to provide a police certificate.
  
  
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination.
  
  
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies.

Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Jason Kenney was appointed Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism on October 30, 2008 in the Stephen Harper Government.

Jason Kenney was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and has been re-elected three times. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2006, and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) in 2007. His riding is Calgary Southeast (Alberta).

You can write to the immigration minister at:


The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1

Or e-mail him at:

Minister@cic.gc.ca

Ask him to make the immigration system functional and transparent.

International Human Trafficking Statistics Released For The First Time

China, Romania, the Philippines and Moldova are the four worst offenders in international human trafficking into Canada, according to the first ever official statistics on the extent of the problem released. These are the first national statistics on international human trafficking to become available since Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) began flagging cases in its databases in May 2006. At least 31 foreigners were flagged to immigration officials as human trafficking victims since the department began taking note, but it's likely just the tip of the iceberg.

There were 31 documented cases (including four cases involving children)of international human trafficking in Canada over a two-year period but there has never been a conviction in a Canadian court according to a researcher who has compiled the statistics.

Under new Canadian legislation, victims of human trafficking can apply for temporary residency permits, giving them up to 120 days in the country to recover from the crime plus some access to health care, instead of facing immediate deportation.

Avoid Immigration Scam

DON’T BE THE VICTIM OF AN IMMIGRATION SCAM. Keep in mind that:

You don't need to hire an immigration representative to apply for a visa or for Canadian citizenship.

Immigration representatives do not have special connections with Canadian government officials.

Immigration representatives cannot guarantee you a visa.

Only authorized officers can decide whether or not to issue a visa.

Don’t use false documents, this will not help your immigration application.

Beware of internet scams and false websites.

You will find free application forms and guides for any type of visa on official government website.

Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa offices around the world.

Canadian visa offices will never ask you to deposit money into an individual’s personal bank accounts.

If you have questions, Call 1-800-O-CANADA.

Immigrating to Canada as a business immigrant

To support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy, Canada welcomes three classes of business immigrants:

Investors - must make a $400,000 investment that is used by the provinces for economic development and job creation.

Requirements:

1. make a prescribed investment of $400,000, payable to the Receiver General of Canada. This investment is subsequently allocated to participating provinces and territories in Canada, which use the funds for job creation and economic development. The full amount of the investment (without interest) is repaid to the investor after approximately five years. The return of the investment is fully guaranteed;
2. have a legally obtained net worth of at least $800,000; and
3. for at least two one-year periods in the period beginning five years before the date of application, have either:
1. managed and controlled a percentage of the equity of a qualifying business, or
2. managed at least five employees or full-time job equivalents per year in a business, or
3. a combination of a. and b. above

To establish whether a business is a “qualifying business” during a year for the purposes of selecting investors and entrepreneurs, the business must not have been operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income (such as interest, dividends or capital gains), and the applicant must provide documentary evidence that the business meets at least two of the following criteria:

* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the number of full-time job equivalents, is equal to or greater than two full-time job equivalents per year;
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the total annual sales, is equal to or greater than $500,000;
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net income for the year, is equal to or greater than $50,000; or
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net assets at the end of the year, is equal to or greater than $125,000.




Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneurs must own and manage a business in Canada that creates employment for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Requirements:

To be eligible for immigration as an entrepreneur, an applicant must:

1. have managed and controlled a percentage of the equity of a qualifying business for at least two one-year periods in the period beginning five years before the date of application;
2. have a legally obtained net worth of at least $300,000; and
3. intend and be able to manage and control a percentage of the equity of a qualifying Canadian business equal to or greater than 33 1/3 percent, and create at least one full-time job equivalent for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, other than the entrepreneur and his or her family members, for a period of at least one year within three years of arriving in Canada.

To establish whether a business is a “qualifying Canadian business” during a year for the purposes of 3) above, the business must not have been operated primarily for the purpose of deriving investment income (such as interest, dividends or capital gains), and an applicant must provide documentary evidence that the business meets at least two of the following criteria:

* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the number of full-time job equivalents, is equal to or greater than two full-time job equivalents per year;
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the total annual sales, is equal to or greater than $250,000;
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net income for the year, is equal to or greater than $25,000; or
* the percentage of equity, multiplied by the net assets at the end of the year, is equal to or greater than $125,000.


Self-employed persons - Self-employed persons must have the ability to employ themselves and make significant contributions to cultural activities, athletics or farming.

Requirements:

To be eligible for immigration as a self-employed person, an applicant must have at least two one-year periods of one of the following types of experience in the period beginning five years before the date of application:

* self-employment or participation at a world-class level in cultural activities;
* self-employment or participation at a world-class level in athletics; or
* farm management experience.

Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada and to make significant contributions to cultural activities or athletics, or to purchase and manage a farm.