The following is collected and archived by CND-Canada. If you have any questions regarding the following information/message, please contact the original sender(s) listed below. Thank You. China News Digest - Canadian Regional Services (Bo Xiong) --------------- Article: 166714 of soc.culture.china From: zou@astro.ocis.temple.edu (Donald 4d* Zou) Newsgroups: soc.culture.china Subject: Immigration Canada FAQ Date: 15 Mar 1995 15:30:03 GMT Organization: Temple University, Academic Computer Services Lines: 108 Message-ID: <3k715s$icp@cronkite.ocis.temple.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: astro.ocis.temple.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IMMIGRATION TO CANADA UNDER THE INDEPENDENT CATEGORY ===================================================== WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF CANADA? With permanent residence status ( or so called Green Card ), you and your dependants have the rights to live, study and work indefinitely in Canada, and are entitled to all social benefits accorded to Canadian citizens. When you have met citizenship requirements, you may apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport. WHAT KIND OF HELP CAN I GET TO SETTLE DOWN IN CANADA? There are various settlement assistance available to immigrants; you can get information from Canada Immigration Centers, Canada Employment Centers and private organizations. WHO MAY QUALIFY AS AN INDEPENDENT IMMIGRANT? A person with special occupational skills and experience may qualify as an independent immigrant. If your field of study is computer science, engineering, science, business administration or one of hundreds listed as 'open occupations' by Canadian Government, and if you have more than one year of related working experience, you stand a good chance. DO I HAVE TO FIND A JOB FIRST IN CANADA IN ORDER TO APPLY? No. The application of Immigration under the Independence category is based on a person's 'intended' occupation in Canada, and is assessed upon his credentials such as education, language ability, employment history and etc towards the intended occupation. A certified job offer will improve one's chance to qualify for the visa. In case of an applicant's lack of minimum one year of working experience, the job offer will suffice if the applicant demonstrates that he/she is ready to take on the job even without sufficient working experience in the past. WHO IS INCLUDED IN MY APPLICATION? If you are married, either you or your spouse may apply as principal applicant. If your children wish to immigrate with you, they may apply as your dependants. WHAT IF MY DEPENDANTS WILL NOT ACCOMPANY ME TO CANADA? They still have to pass medical examinations and background checks. These dependants must be included on your application form. They don't pay application fees and immigration visa will not be issued to them. HOW MUCH IS APPLICATION FEE? Adults: Canadian$500/each (non-refundable) + Canadian$975/each (Landing Rights Fee,refundable in case of rejection or withdrawn of application); Children : Canadian$100/each WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO SUPPLY ? An applicant has to supply certain documents for him/derself and his/her dependents. A detailed document list is specified by the Immigration office later in the application procedure. In general, one has to provide the following: valid travel documents, proof of education, recommendation from previous and current employers, police certificate/letter of good conduct, proof of funds. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN MY VISA? Processing time depends on the complexity of your case, the number of applicants being processed and how quickly you obtain required documents. Usually it takes 3-8 months. WHERE CAN I APPLY FROM? WHERE DO I TO ATTEND THE INTERVIEW? Applications can be filed from anywhere in the world. Interviews are held in Canadian Consulates if you are in North America, in Canadian High Commissions or Embassies if you are in other parts of the world. Immigration visas are only issued outside Canada. DOES IT HELP TO HAVE RELATIVES IN CANADA? Yes, it will improve your chance for the visa. AFTER I GET THE VISA, CAN I STILL STUDY OR WORK IN THE US? CAN I STILL APPLY FOR US GREEN CARD? The visa is valid for 12 months starting from the date you take the medical exam. Immigrants are required to reside in Canada at least 183 days in any 12-month period, to remain the permanent resident status. However, if you have to finish education or contract job outside Canada for more than half a year, you can apply for Returning Resident Permit, valid for one year and extendable for two years. You can still apply for US Green Card at the mean time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you need more information, please email zou@astro.ocis.temple.edu Please use 'IMMIGRATION' as Subject. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wen Shang | 160 Fern Street President/Immigration Consultant | Philadelphia Pa 19120 USA Great Wall Company | (215)247-1231 Fax (215)242-4637 -------------------------------------------------------------------------