Canada - FAQ's

Immigration from India to Canada

What is a Canadian Permanent Residence Visa?
This Visa gives a right to the holder and his immediate family (i.e. Spouse and Children) to stay and work permanently in Canada. For the children, it gives a right to pursue their studies at the cost and with facilities available to any other Canadian citizen/Resident.  The Holder of the Visa also gets a right to all the Social Security benefits such a medical facilities, child allowances, children education, unemployment allowance besides right to purchase and sell properties in their names and doing any business or carrying out any activity in Canada.

Who is eligible for this Visa?
The eligibility for issuance of Permanent residence Visa is assessed on various factors such as education, age, occupation, experience, English communication skills and blood relation, if any, in Canada.  But the most important factor is the Personal Suitability Factor through which the Visa Officer decides about final visa issuance and uses his discretionary powers in the process regarding Canadian Immigration Act and Immigration.

Is the Businessman eligible for Issuance of the
Visa?
YES.  There are three categories available for a businessman namely ; Self-Employed, Enterpreneur and Investor. Main factors considered while issuing the Visas under this category relate to the business background and personal net-worth of the applicant.

Where is the entire process of my application
conducted?
In India, Process is conducted at Canadian High Commission, New Delhi.

Is there any age limit for the process?
Currently the preferred upper age limit is 44 years.  However, there are cases where the application can be accepted in the Independent Category upto 48-49 years.  We can only advise from case to case basis.
For all the business category applicants, age restrictions are very flexible.

Who can accompany me to Canada?
Initially only your spouse and children can accompany you to Canada.  Your parents needs to be sponsored after you have landed in Canada. Children above 19 can accompany the parents only if they are unmarried and are full time students of a regular course.

You may apply for the entire family together and get all the Visas issued simultaneously.  Normally depending on the date of your medical the Visas carry a validity of approximately 2 to 11 months. After visa issuance you may proceed alone and call your family, as soon as you have arranged for a job/Residence. However they should reach within the visa validity. To decide whether to apply with the entire family or not, you should also look at the additional finances involved in incurring High Commission Fees and settlement costs required.

You may apply alone with only your immigration fees. In that case the visas will only be issued for you.  You can only call your spouse and children after landing in Canada and need to sponsor them with the required High Commission. Current delay in this category at New Delhi High Commission is 6 - 8 months from the time you land, depending on when you sponsor them from Canada.

What is the approximate cost of living after
arrival in Canada?
The approximate cost of living for an individual is around Canadian $ 1000 per month.  For husband, spouse and two children it could be around Canadian $ 1,500 per month.  This includes the accommodation rentals, car and other monthly expenses.

After how many years of being a Permanent
Resident can I become a Canadian Citizen?
If you meet the conditions of being a Permanent Resident for three consecutive years from the date of landing, you can apply for the Canadian Citizenship in the fourth year. One of the major conditions is that you must stay in Canada for 183 days in a year, every year, for first 3 consecutive years. As a Canadian Citizen you are entitled to a Canadian Passport and right to vote in Elections.