On January 1, 2015, the Canadian government started implementation of the Express Entry Immigration scheme. It is under the Economic Class and includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program. By definition, a Federal Skilled Worker is a person who possesses suitable education, working experience, qualified age, and language proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages. Federal Skilled Workers are selected and qualified through the ETA system to apply for permanent residency. In order to be accepted to the Express Entry Pool as a Federal Skilled Worker, an applicant must meet the conditions outlined below:

Essential Conditions:

• Have one year of continuous, full-time paid work experience, or its equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the past 10 years in any of the 347 eligible occupations listed under the National Occupational Classification system;
• Work experience must be categorised according to: Skill Type 0 for Managerial Occupations, Skill Level A for Professional Occupations, and Skill Level B for Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades under the meaning of the National Occupational Classification System;
• Acquire enough points under the skilled worker point grid, which is composed of six selection factors. The current passing mark is 67 points.
• Undergo language proficiency examination from a recognised third-party organisation and demonstrate intermediate level language skills either in English or French, in correspondence to the Canadian Language Benchmark of 7;
• Have suitable or adequate settlement funding;
• Undertake a successful security and background check and medical examination

Quebec Skilled Worker Program
The province of Quebec has a special agreement with the Government on the process and requirements of immigration to Canada. Quebec implements its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there.

Eligibility Criteria
First: Applicants must apply for and secure a certificate of selection (Certificat de sélection du Québec) from the Quebec government. It is proof that Quebec accepts you as an immigrant.

Second: Applicants accepted by Quebec must apply for permanent residence under Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The process requires a medical examination and a police check (certificate). All immigrants searching for jobs in Canada must undergo these checks, regardless of where they plan to settle in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Programs
The majority of Canadian provinces and territories can nominate immigrants under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These candidates for immigration to Canada must possess the necessary skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of the province or territory, and should want to live there.

The country welcomes more than 200,000 students from foreign jurisdictions every year. Generally, foreign nationals must obtain a study permit, though there are exceptions. A study permit allows foreign nationals to study at an approved Canadian educational institution throughout the duration of their specified course or programme. A study permit is not required if:

The course or programme specified will be completed in less than 6 months
The foreign national is a member of the family or staff of a foreign representative to Canada
In case a student is a citizen of a country required to obtain Temporary Resident Visas to gain entry to Canada, the student must secure a Temporary Resident Visa. A student from countries exempted from getting a visitor visa does not require a Temporary Resident Visa.

Family Class Visa
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age can sponsor certain family members to come and migrate to Canada. Family members who become permanent residents can live, study, and get jobs in Canada.

Canada’s Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) seeks to encourage experienced business people to migrate to Canada and contribute to the country’s growth and long-term prosperity though investing in the local economy. Investors should:

• Demonstrate they have business experience
• Possess a net worth of at least C$ 1,600,000 gained through legal means
• Invest C$800,000

The investment will be divided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to participating provinces and territories. It will be used for projects aimed at developing their economics and creating jobs for five years. The investment is guaranteed. It will be returned by CIC, without interest, for about five years and three months after payment. If an applicant is approved, they must make the investment before they are granted a permanent resident visa. This should be done within 30 days. The visa office will send a letter to applicants explaining what to do to complete the process for Canada immigration from Dubai or wherever the applicant is based. Learn more about making an investment through the expertise of our Canada immigration consultants in Dubai.

Foreigners who are exempted from getting a visa still need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to fly to or transit through Canadian soil. The exceptions to this rule are U.S. citizens and travellers already holding a valid Canada visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents are not allowed to apply for an ETA. The leniency period allowing travellers to board their flight without ETA ends on November 9. Learn the answers to your questions about the ETA application and Canada visa acquisition during this period. Be prepared. You should apply for an ETA prior to booking a flight to Canada. Though the approval can be done within minutes, there are certain applications that take several days to complete so avoid waiting until the last minute. If you require more information on how to secure a Canada visa from Dubai, our immigration consultants in Dubai can help you.