G1 Who is an immigrant?
An immigrant is defined as a person who seeks lawful permission to land in Canada to establish residence in Canada.
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G2 What is a Canadian Immigrant Visa?
A Canadian Immigrant Visa is a legal document that enables a person to live and work anywhere in Canada.
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G3 What are the categories of immigrants?
To date, the Immigration Act and attendant Regulations defines several categories of immigrants. They are independent immigrants, entrepreneurs, investors, self-employed persons, family class, assisted relatives and convention refugees.
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G4 Who can qualify as an independent immigrant to Canada?
Any person who demonstrates specific occupational skills and experience may qualify as an independent immigrant. However, in order to qualify these skills must be readily transferable to the Canadian labour market. Therefore, we would ask that you complete our free informal assessment form in order to see if you qualify.
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G5 Does it matter if I am an illegal resident in the country from which I am applying?
To date, the general procedural guidelines advise immigration officers that they cannot refuse to process applications from applicants without lawful permission to be in the country where they reside. This includes Canada.
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G6 What if I have a relative already in Canada?
If you possess a close relative living in Canada it will increase your chances of a successful application. However, the relative must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen aged 19 or over, and he/she must be a "close relative" as defined in our assessment form. It should be noted that you will be required to provide documentation to prove the relationship.
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G7 Is it true that the Canadian Immigration Act and its Regulations will be changing?
Immigration Laws, Regulations, and policies are always subject to change. We are advised that in the year 2000 there were proposed changes tabled before the Canadian Parliament. Since that date, there have been ongoing discussions to make the selection criteria more compatible with the Canadian labour market. The effect of these changes will vary considerably but we are confident that it may open more doors to applicants who may not of previously qualified under the present Immigration Laws and Regulations.
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G8 Do I need to hire a paralegal, lawyer or legal representative to complete my forms and advise me on my application?
No. However, their expertise can be invaluable and make the difference between an approval and refusal of your application form given their extensive knowledge of the Immigration Act and its attendant Regulations.
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G9 What is the difference between using a Canadian-based representative and a foreign-based representative?
A foreign-based representative(s) may be outside the reach of Canadian law. Consequently, there may be no protection or recourse available in Canada to you if you are dissatisfied with their services. Additionally, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only provide information on your file to representatives who are either:
Canadian citizens permanent residents of Canada or physically present in Canada. In your decision making process you should also consider that there are several associations and/or societies in Canada, that either govern or oversee Canadian-based companies, paralegal or attorneys. Consequently, you may lodge a complaint against the legal representative and they will investigate the complaint(s). Failing an adequate response from the representative, these associations etc. can take disciplinary measures and/or impose discipline and provide financial compensations to clients who are victims of negligence or misconduct. All in all, by using a Canadian based legal representative there are recourses available in Canada to a dissatisfied client from oversees.
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G10 How do I retain Canadian Immigration Council to represent me?
In order for our office to determine whether or not you can retain us, we would kindly ask that you complete our informal assessment form so that we may determine your eligibility.
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G11 What about common law spouses and same-sex partners?
Canadien citizens and permanent resident living in Canada, 18 years of age old or older, may sponsor a person as your common law partner if that person is of the opposite or same sex, has cohabited in a conjugal relationship with you for a period of at least one year and is still cohabiting with you.

You can also sponsor a person as a conjugal partner if that person is residing outside Canada and you have maintains with this person a conjugal relationship for at least one year, but you have not cohabited with him or her. You should be aware that if your sponsorship is successful, your conjugal partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada but cannot exercise any rights or privileges associated with common law status until you have cohabited for at least one year. In both cases, you must provide financial support for three years from the date at which that person became a permanent resident.
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A1 Do I have to pay a processing fee?
At present, an applicant must pay a non-refundable processing fee to cover the cost of processing of the application. Once an application has been accepted, you will be required to pay a Right of Landing Fee (ROLF) for every adult aged 19 or over in your family. The (ROLF) fee is refundable only if an immigrant visa is not issued or used, or if you withdraw your application or if your application is refused. This fee (ROLF) can be paid at any time during the application process, but an immigrant Visa will not be issued until this fee has been paid. Additionally, you will have to pay other fees such as those related to obtaining a medical examination and a police certificate. For more information, please refer to the FAQ's regarding government processing fees.
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A2 How long does an application take to process?
Processing times vary depending upon the immigration processing posts where your application is submitted. The average processing time of all visa offices is approximately 18 months for applications where a selection interview is required. However, processing times can range between six (6) and 42 months.
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A3 Who must complete an IMM 0008 Application for Permanent Residence to Canada?
Every person who is 18 years of age or over must complete an IMM 0008 Application for Permanent Residence form. As a norm, this would include your spouse, any dependants not accompanying you that are 18 years of age and older or any dependants who have been enrolled and attending full-time academic, professional or vocational program at a university, college or other educational institution. It is imperative that their enrolment and attendance be continuous since they attained 19 years of age and they have been wholly or substantially supported by their parents financially since.
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A4 What happens if I do not have sufficient space on the application form?
If you need more space to answer any of the questions, attach separate page(s).
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A5 Who should be the principal applicant?
We would ask that both you and your spouse (if applicable) complete our free informal assessment form. Once our office assesses your form, we will select the person whose application will have the best chances of success and advise you accordingly.
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A6 Who can I include in my application?
If you are married, your spouse and children are included in your application as a dependent. This would also include all dependent children whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not.
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A7 Who is a dependant son or daughter?
Dependant children must be:

- under the age of 22 and not a spouse or common law partner, or
- have depended substantially on the financial support of a parent and have been continuously involved on a attendance as full time students in a post-secondary institution accredit by the relevant government authority since before the age of 22 (or since becoming a spouse or a common law partner, if they married or entered into a common law relationship before the age of 22), or
- have depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 22 and unable to provide for themselves due to a medical condition. TOP

A8 I have children from a previous relationship. Do I have to include them in my application form if they are not living with me?
Yes. You should list these children on your application form even if they will not be accompanying you to Canada. If you have a custody arrangement, you should provide copies of the custody documents.
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A9 Do I have to include my dependants that will not accompany me to Canada?
Yes. You must include all of your dependants regardless of whether or not they will accompany you to Canada. Also, each dependant aged 18 years of age and over must complete his/her own application form. All of your dependants, whether they will accompany you to Canada or not, must pass medical examinations and background checks.
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A10 Where must my application be submitted?
Applicants may submit their application to any of the International Region's points of service. They are not required to reside or have an address in the area served by the office where they apply. Once your file has been completed, our office will determine which processing posts have the quickest times and advise you accordingly so that you may decide which post is most convenient to your needs. However, it should be noted that non-resident applicants might involve more steps and take longer than resident applications.
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A11 Can I transfer my application to a different visa office after it has been submitted?
You can transfer your application to a different visa office after it has been submitted. The transfer of an application to a different visa office takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks to occur and an additional processing fee will be required. Please note that the processing of the file will begin again at the new visa office.
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A12 What documents should I submit in support of my application for permanent residence?
As a norm, we ask that you include documents that prove your civil status, employment, education and assets. Additionally, you will be required to provide proof that you have had no past criminal activity. Every visa office has specific requirements regarding the submission of supporting documentation. Therefore, our office will instruct you accordingly.
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A13 Do I require a valid passport or travel document?
Yes. Everyone included in the application, including the applicant, must have valid passports or travel documents. If your passport or travel document are due to expire soon, you should renew them. Note that diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports cannot be used to immigrate to Canada. You must have a valid regular or private passport when you arrive. The validity of your visa may be affected by the validity of your passport.";
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A14 What language must my documents be in?
Presently, Canada has two official languages. Consequently, all supporting documentation that is in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation by a certified translator.
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A15 Do I need to submit the supporting documentation all at once?
Each visa office has specific timing requirements. However, we ask that you provide most of the supporting documents at the same time as your completed application forms and processing fees.
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A16 What should I do if during the course of processing my applications,the information contained in the initial application form has changed or is outdated?
If any information changes before you arrive in Canada, you must inform our office in writing and we will inform the visa office of the change. This rule applies even if your visa has already been issued.
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