Process for Business Immigration

Skilled Worker and Professional Class

The rules can change frequently so be sure to always check .  You can do this at your Canadian Embassy if you wish or online.

Current Eligibility Requirements (as of February 27, 2008)

• You have an offer of permanent employment OR

• You have been living legally in Canada for at least one year as a foreign national

  • You must have been either a temporary foreign worker OR

  • An international student

• If you don’t meet either of the above requirements you may still be able to submit an application if you have at least one year’s experience in a managerial occupation, professional occupation or technical occupation as listed in the following. (The professional and technical occupations will typically require an apprenticeship or college/university education). This list is subject to change.

  • Management Occupations

    • Financial

    • Computer and Information Systems

    • Health Care

    • Restaurant and Food Service

    • Accommodation Service

    • Construction

  • Business, Finance and Administration Occupations

    • Financial Auditors and Accountants

  • Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations

    • Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

    • Mining Engineers

    • Geological Engineers

    • Petroleum Engineers

  • Health Occupations

    • Specialist Physicians

    • General Practitioners and Family Physicians

    • Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists

    • Occupational Therapists

    • Physiotherapists

    • Head Nurses and Supervisors

    • Registered Nurses

    • Medical Radiation Technologists

    • Licensed Practical Nurses

  • Occupations in Social Science, Education, Government Service and Religion

    • University Professors

    • College and Other Vocational Instructors

  • Sales and Service Occupations

    • Chefs

    • Cooks

  • Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations

    • Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades

    • Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

    • Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews

    • Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)

    • Industrial Electricians

    • Plumbers

    • Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers

    • Welders and Related Machine Operators

    • Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics

    • Crane Operators

    • Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction

  • Occupations Unique to Primary Industry

    • Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying

    • Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

  • Occupations Unique to Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities

    • Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities

• The work experience must have been within the last ten years

• Once officials determine you meet the above requirements they will then assign your application points based on six selection factors. The minimum pass amount is 67 points. Citizen and Immigration Canada has a Self Assessment test you can take to determine if you may be eligible. It’s recommend you check first!

  • Education – Maximum of 25 points, based on the amount of time spent on full-time or full-time equivalent study.

    • Full-time studies = a minimum of 15 credit hours of instruction per week during the school year. This includes internships or workplace training, as long as it was a part of your studies.

    • Full-time equivalent studies = If you took classes part-time or in an accelerated program but completed a program of study you would fall in this category and use the amount of time it would have taken to complete the program full-time.

      • For example, you studied registered nursing part-time for four years and earned an associate’s degree. And an associate’s degree normally takes 2 years to earn during full-time study. You would use the 2 years as your basis for time spent.

        • Point amounts for education are described in the above link.

  • Ability in English and/or French – Maximum of 24 points based on your ability and proficiency to speak, listen, read and write one or both of English and French. One will be considered a “first” language and the other a “second.” When checking to see what points you may be awarded start with the one you are the most familiar with.

    • You need to prove your language ability.

      • The best way to do this is to take a language proficiency test at an approved training center. You’ll need to include the results with your application but with those results you can see exactly how many points you will be awarded. 

• Even if you are still in Mexico you can take the exam(s) at an approved location of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of Evaluation of French (TEF).

  • Approved locations for the English exam.

    • IELTS  – Use the General Training Option.

  • Approved locations for the French exam.

    • TEF.  

• If you are already in Canada you can also do this through IELTS and the TEF. You also have an additional option for the English exam at the Canadian English Language Proficient Index Program (CELPIP).

  • Approved locations for the English exam.

    • CELPIP. 

    • IELTS. 

  • Approved locations for the French exam.

    • TEF. 

  • You can, if you don’t wish to take the test, attempt to prove it on your own. This method is discouraged but you are permitted to do so.

• You will need to provide written proof of speaking, listening, reading and writing English and/or French. (If you have proficiency in both, provide proof for both! It will increase your points!)

  • Indicate which level of proficiency for each skill.

  • Written explanation of training in either language.

  • Written explanation how you use either language in everyday use.

  • Official documentation of any schooling in either language.

    • i.e. transcripts, etc.

  • Official documentation of work experience in either language.

• Another reason this method can be risky is that you won’t know how many points you will be awarded or if you will even receive any. A Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer will review your submission and determine if it meets the level of proficiency you are claiming and award you points based on that.

  • If you aren’t as proficient as they feel you should be you may get less points than you estimate and cause you to not get enough points to pass.

    • First Official Language – This should be the one you are most proficient in of English or French. (The points apply for each category of speaking, listening, reading and writing.)

      • High Proficiency – 4 Points

      • Moderate Proficiency – 2 Points

      • Basic Proficiency – 1 Point (in basic proficiency you can only get 2 points total)

      • No Proficiency – 0 Points

    • Second Official Language – This is the other choice of French or English that you are less proficient in.

      • High Proficiency – 2 Points

      • Moderate Proficiency – 2 Points

      • Basic Proficiency – 1 Point (again you can only get a maximum of 2 points)

      • No Proficiency – 0 Points

    • Experience – Maximum of 21 points.

      • You will receive points based on the number of years of experience you have in the job categories listed previously.

        • 1 Year = 15 points

        • 2 Years = 17 points

        • 3 Years = 19 points

        • 4 Years = 21 points

    • Age - You also receive points based on the age you are when the immigration office receives your application up to a maximum of 10.

    • Arranged Employment – If you have already arranged for employment in Canada you can get up to a maximum of 10 points based on certain criteria.

    • Adaptability – If you can show you and any family coming with you can adapt easily to Canada you can increase your score by up to 10 points. 

Application Process

• Instruction Packet – This packet contains instructions for the forms as well as worksheets to help you determine how many points you can receive for your scores on the language tests.

• Application for Permanent Residence in Canada 

  • You need to put ALL family members on the application, even if they are not going to Canada with you. To not put them on the application puts you in jeopardy of being denied residence on the basis of not completing the application in full and not disclosing all information.

  • You’ll need passport photos for all family members for the application.

• Schedule 1 – Background/Declaration 

  • The principal applicant for permanent residence, spouse/partner and dependent child over 18 must each complete one of these. 

• Additional Family Information 

  • Include any family members who are already in Canada that you may not have included on your Residence application.

    • This includes married children, adopted children, step children, etc. 

• Use of a Representative

  • This form is only needed if you need to have someone conduct business as your representative with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

    • You may only have one representative. Appointing another will nullify the original appointment.

    • Dependent children over the age of 18 will need to complete their own form. 

• Schedule 3 

  • This form will allow you to enter in the details of the selection factors which apply to you as the principal applicant. 

• Mexico Specific Visa Instructions 

  • These instructions detail what all is needed including photo and medical requirements as well as a checklist to help you make sure you don’t miss a step! 

• Fees Receipt. You will need proof of fees paid for the application.

  • View the application fees list to ensure you are paying the exact and most current amount.

  • Paying fees online. 

    • You will need an acceptable credit card (Visa, American Express or MasterCard) to pay online. 

    • Print the receipt and include with application as proof of fees paid. 

• Mail your application and supporting documents to:

The Canadian Embassy
Immigration Section
Schiller 529
Col. Polanco
11560, Mexico D.F.
Mexico
Website  

• You will need to provide Proof of Funds with your application. The chart will show you how much as a skilled worker you need to prove to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada.