Immigration Canada

Click on the link below to find the information for your desired immigration or visa program. If you want to speak to an expert, click here. If you want to compile your own application but would like to have some expert guidance and tips, click here.

Express Entry

There are three federal immigration programs managed through the Express Entry system:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): If you have one year of work experience in NOC A, B or 00 in the last 10 years, you may consider FSWP. Learn more below.

2. Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP): If you have two years of work experience in trade occupation in the last 5 years and have a job offer from an eligible employer in Canada, you may consider FSTP. Learn more below.

3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): If you have at least one year of work experience in NOC A, B or 00 in the last 3 years in Canada, you may consider CEC. Learn more below.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

You must have at least 67 CRS points in order to be eligible to be in the pool.

You need to:

• have at least 1 year (or 1,560 hours) of paid, full-time work experience in jobs classified as NOC A, B or 00

• have at least CLB 7 if you worked in NOC 0 or A job, or CLB 5 if you worked in NOC B job. CLB 7 is equivalent to IELTS 6.0. CLB 5 is equivalent to IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (conversion table here). Your language test must be taken within the last 2 years

• get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for your education for immigration purpose

• have enough funds to support yourself and/or your family. You do not need to show proof of funds if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or are legally allowed to work in Canada

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

You can check your CRS score using the online tool here.

Federal Skilled Trade Program

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

There is no minimum score requirement.

You need to:

• have at least 2 years of paid, full-time work experience within the last 5 years

• have at least CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing. Your language test must be taken within the last 2 years.

• show that you meet the requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC. You do not need to have a certificate of qualification.

• have a job offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year, or you have a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade. This certificate of qualification must be issued by a Canadian province, territory or federal authority.

• get an Education Credential Assessment for your education for immigration purpose

• have enough funds to support yourself and/or your family. You do not need to show proof of funds if you have a valid job offer and are currently able to legally work in Canada

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

What are skilled trade occupations?

• Industrial, electrical and construction trades (NOC Major Group 72)

• Maintenance and equipment operation trades (NOC Major Group 73)

• Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production (NOC Major Group 82)

• Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor and central control operators (NOC Major Group 92)

• Chefs and cooks (NOC Minor Group 632)

• Butchers and bakers (NOC Minor Group 633)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

There is no minimum CRS score required to be eligible.

You need to:

• have at least 1 year (or 1,560 hours) of skilled work (that is NOC A, B or 00) experience in Canada within the last 3 years

• have at least CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A job type, or CLB 5 for NOC B job type

• have gained your work experience in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

There is no minimum education requirement for CEC; however, you can get more CRS points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian institute or an oversea institute. If you gained your education outside of Canada, you must provide an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

You do not need to show proof of funds.

Visitor Visa

If you are not from a visa-exempt country, most likely you would need a visitor visa to enter Canada. A visitor cannot study or work in Canada, unless they also have a study permit or work permit.

You can submit your visitor visa application online here.

The key to a successful visitor visa application is a strong, convincing application, from which the processing officer believes that the applicant would leave upon the end of their visit in Canada. You must prove to the officer that there is something back home for you to return to and that why you would not overstay your visa.

Common Refusal Reasons

Visa Refusal based on Travel History

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR based on your travel history.

The officer may refuse the application because the applicant has not been outside their home country previously or has travelled outside but not very often. Lack of travel history can be overcome in a new application.

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Visa Refusal based on Purpose of Visit

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR based on the purpose of your visit.

This type of refusal is often given because there was not enough details in the application regarding why specifically the applicant was coming to Canada. For example, an applicant said that they were coming to Canada to visit friend. This is very vague. Another example, an applicant said they were coming to Canada because their friends are getting married in the Blue Mountain and included a copy of the wedding invitation. This later example sounds more convincing.

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Visa Refusal based on Family Ties

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR because of your family ties in Canada and country of residence.

The applicant's tie in Canada often time raise concerns for the processing officer, who may believe that the applicant may not want to leave at the end of their stay. This requires a detailed explanation on the nature of the ties the applicant has in both Canada and in home country.

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Visa Refusal based on Immigration Status

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR because of your immigration status in your country of residence.

This usually happens when the applicant is outside of his country of nationality when they submit their visitor visa application and did not provide sufficient proof that they have legal status in their country of residence.

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Visa Refusal based on Personal Assets and Financial Status

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR because of your personal assets and financial status.

Visitor to Canada must prove that they have sufficient money to finance their trip to and your stay in Canada. These includes, you have money to pay for your ticket to Canada, you have enough money to pay for the costs during your visit, and you have money to pay for your ticket to return back to your country of residence.

You must prove to the immigration officer that you have those fund ready and accessible.

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Visa Refusal based on Current Employment Situation

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR because of your current employment situation.

In addition to proving you have sufficient money, you also need to prove that the source of those funds are legible. One of the most convincing way is through proof of employment status, that is, the funds come from you working. Applicants who are unemployed at the time they submit their application are considered, by immigration officers, of high risk to break immigration law and visa conditions and terms, overstaying their visa and perhaps, working illegally in Canada.

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Visa Refusal based on Length of Proposed Stay

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 179(b) of the IRPR because of your length of proposed stay in Canada.

A visitor to Canada can stay up to 6 months from the date of entry, unless otherwise specified. When asked how long you plan to stay in Canada, if you put the maximum time of 6 months, it may become suspicious.

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Visa Refusal based on Misrepresentation

• You have submitted documentation which lacks authenticity as part of your application. This has diminished the overall credibility of your submission.

When the immigration officer does not believe the documents or information you provided are genuine, they may refuse your application under section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for misrepresentation. A person found inadmissible on the grounds of misrepresentation is banned from entering Canada for five years.

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Reconsideration Request

Did you know you can submit a reconsideration request after a refusal? A reconsideration request is free. It is basically asking the immigration officer to re-open your file and re-evaluate your application. Whether your reconsider request is granted or not is at the sole discretion of the processing officer. The officer usually respond to your request in 2 weeks time, though this may be longer depending on the regional processing office. 2 weeks time is significantly shorter than submitting a new application, which could take months.

We have experience in submitting strong, convincing reconsider request to IRCC.

Don't wait. Act fast. Talk to Bonny today and have her submit your reconsideration request to IRCC.

Study Permit

Most foreign nationals need a study permit to study in Canada. It must be noted that a study permit is not a visa. It does not let you enter Canada. If you are from a non visa-exempted country, you would also need to apply for a visitor visa. If you are from a visa-exempted country, you would need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the following requirements:

• You are qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller (unless you are under 18 years old or your school has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan)

• You are enrolled at a Designated Learning Institute (DLI). Check if your college or university is a DLI here.

• You can prove that you have enough money for your tuition, living expenses, tickets to return to your home country when you completed your studies

• You have no criminal record

• You are in good health

• You can convince the officer that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires

Documents Checklist

You need to have the following documents to apply for a study permit:

• Letter of acceptance

• Proof of identity: passport, travel document, photos,

• Proof of financial support

• Letter of explanation (or Study Plan)

• Custodian declaration (if you are a minor in the province you plan to study in)

Student Direct Stream

The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is open to students from eligible countries. Study permit under this stream is usually processed within 20 calendar days.

Eligibility requirements: You must meet the following requirements:

• You are a legal resident of one of the following countries: Antigua and barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or Vietnam

• You have an acceptance letter from a post-secondary Designated Learning Institute (DLI)

• You live outside of Canada when you submit your study permit application

• You have paid your tuition for your first year of study

• You have a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAN $10,000

• You have a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if you are planning to study in Quebec

• You have done your medical exam before you apply

• You have a police certificate before you apply

• You have your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcripts

• You have a language test result of IELTS 6.0 or higher or CLB 7 or higher

Apply Study Permit Online

You can submit your study permit application online at the IRCC official website here. Or, you can submit your application using the new IRCC Portal here.

To apply online, you need to have:

1. A scanner or camera to create digital copies of your document and

2. A valid credit or debit card to pay fees online.

Common Study Permit Refusal Reasons

Visa Refusal based on Purpose of Your Visit

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 216(1) of the IRPR, based on the purpose of your visit.

Your purpose to come to Canada is to study, that's why you submitted an application for a study permit. When your study permit application is refused on this basis, it means the officer does not believe your study is genuine. This kind of refusal is frequently related to your Statement of Purpose, sometimes referred to as Study Plan or SOP. If your study plan was vague and general, the processing officer will most likely refuse your application.

Another reason could be that the officer believes the applicant is attempting to "enter the labour market in Canada," meaning they believe you would likely work illegally.

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Visa Refusal based on Your Personal Assets and Financial Status

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 216(1) of the IRPR, based on your personal assets and financial status.

You must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds for your studies, living expense and return flight. The immigration officer wants to make sure that you can support yourself, and your family, while studying in Canada without working, regardless of your qualification or previous experience which may show that you have the ability. You can overcome this refusal by providing a detailed explanation on the source of your fund and/or income. You should support your explanation with documentation.

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Visa Refusal based on Qualifications, Pervious Studies, Missing Mark Sheets, Academic Record, Level of Establishment, Language Abilities

• Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of: your qualifications, previous studies, missing mark sheets, academic record, level of establishment, language abilities, financial ability, and/or your future prospect and plans.

You may want to include your transcripts, report cards, marks sheets, evaluations and language test results in your study permit application package. While this may work in your favor, you need to be careful, especially if your previous marks were average or below average. If the immigration officer does not believe that you could succeed academically in Canada, because your previous academic record shows otherwise, even though you eventually passed the course or graduated the program, the immigration officer may refuse your study permit application.

This is not to say that you have to be a straight-A student. This means, you need to show and convince the immigration officer that you can succeed in the program in Canada.

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Visa Refusal based on Family Ties

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 216(1) of the IRPR, based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence.

This is a very common reason for refusal for temporary residence application such as a study permit or a visitor visa application. If you have family in Canada, the officer may believe that you are not likely to leave Canada by the end of your study or visit because you want to remain in Canada to be with your family. If you do not have family in your home country, the immigration officer could also argue that you are not likely to leave Canada because there is no reason for you to go back to your home country. Remember, for any temporary residence application, you must convince to immigration officer that you will leave Canada by the end of your authorized stay.

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Visa Refusal based on Current Employment Situation

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 216(1) of the IRPR, based on your current employment situation.

This usually happens with mature students, especially if you have been out of school for more than a year. The immigration officer may expect you to have been working during those "non-academic years."

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Visa Refusal based on Financial Resources without Working in Canada

• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as a temporary resident as stipulated in paragraph 216(1) of the IRPR, because I do not believe you have sufficient and available financial resources, without working in Canada, to maintain yourself and your family members who are accompanying you for your period of study.

Again, you must be able to convince the immigration officer that you have enough money to cover your tuition, living expense and return ticket to your home country when you completed your studies. These funds must be readily accessibly. Although international students who are studying at college or university for post-secondary studies may work part-time during their academic year and full-time during their scheduled break, the money they could potentially earn does not count towards their ability to finance their studies in Canada.

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Work Permit

Usually, foreign nationals who want to work in Canada require a valid work permit before they can start working in Canada legally. There are mainly two types of work permit: Open Work Permit and Employer-Specific Work Permit.

Open Work Permit (OWP)

OWP allows you to work for any employer in Canada. There is no restrictions on who you can work for or where you can work at. Below is a brief list of applicant or scenario where one qualifies for OWP. Each type of work permit has its own eligibility requirements:

• Spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident who has submitted a spousal sponsorship application

• Spouse or common-law partner of a work or study permit holder in Canada

• International students who graduated from eligible college or university (also known as the Post Graduate Work Permit)

• Refugee claimant in Canada who is waiting for their claim to be heard

Employer-Specific Work Permit

Depending on the job you would be working at, your employer may or may not require to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is called the LMIA-Required Work Permit or the LMIA-Exempted.

For a list of occupation (or job titles) that you do not require a LMIA, please click here. If your occupation or situation does not fall within that list, most likely your employer would need to get a LMIA.

What is an LMIA?

LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment. The Canadian employer would need to prove to the Canadian government (specifically, the Economic and Social Development Canada) that they need to hire a foreign national to fill the position. Depending on the position to be filled, the wage, among other factors, the Canadian employer need to take certain steps in proving that they indeed need a foreign national.

If Economic and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is convinced that there is a need for foreign skilled worker, they would accept and approve the employer's LMIA application. Once the employer receives a Positive LMIA Certificate, the employer will provide the foreign skilled worker a copy of the LMIA certificate. The foreign skilled worker (you) would then submit an Employer-Specific Work Permit application, along with the LMIA certificate.

You must understand that a Positive LMIA Certificate is not a guarantee that your work permit will be approved. The IRCC officer would still assess the genuineness of the job offer, your background, your finance, and other admissibility factors.

Work Permit Masterclass: Submit Your Own Application with Competence

This one of a kind masterclass is prepared and guided by Canadian licensed and immigration counsel. It consists of tutorials, checklists, templates and sample documents to help you through your Canadian Work Permit Application.

In this Masterclass you will learn:

• Which work permit you are qualified for

• How to properly gather your document and compile your application package

• How to perfect and organize your application for greater chance of approval

• If and how to include your family members, whether or not they are accompanying

• If and how to apply for Open Work Permit for your spouse or Study Permit for your dependent(s)

• What are some of the common reason for refusal and how to avoid them

• What to do if you do not have sufficient funds in your bank account

• When and how to prepare your Letters of Explanation (for documents that you cannot provide) to maximize your chance of success

• How to contact your local processing office