Every year, thousands of individuals from all areas of the world decide to immigrate to Canada. Canada is a richly diverse country, which offers many benefits to potential immigrants. Every year, Canada is ranked as one of the best countries in the world in which to live. If you are considering immigrating to Canada, one of your first choices will be to decide the category of immigration in which you should apply.

Permanent Resident v. Temporary Status?
Becoming a permanent resident is known as “immigrating to Canada” or becoming a “landed immigrant of Canada.” If an applicant is successful in his or her application to become a permanent resident of Canada, the applicant will be issued a Canada immigrant visa, which confers permanent status upon the applicant, and as a permanent resident, that individual will enjoy all the same rights and privileges as those of Canadian citizens, with the following exceptions: a permanent resident cannot vote, cannot hold a Canadian passport and can be deported for certain criminal convictions.

A Canadian permanent resident is eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after three years of receiving Canadian permanent residency. After obtaining Canadian Citizenship, one can apply for a Canadian passport.

A permanent resident can remain outside of Canada for a total of three years within any five year period before they are deemed to have abandoned their Canadian permanent residence status.

To become eligible to become a permanent resident of Canada, the applicant must meet one of four requirements as to the different classes of immigration: (1) the Independent/Skilled Worker Class, (2) the Canadian Experience Class; (3) the Family Class or (4) the Business Class OR qualify as a Provincial Nominee AND one must apply for Permanent Resident status through a Canadian visa office.

There are many permanent Immigration categories:
Family Class Immigration
Skilled Worker Class Immigration
Business Self-Employed Immigration
Business Entrepreneur Immigration
Business Investor Immigration
Canadian Experience Class Immigration
Provincial Nominee Program Immigration

If you do not wish to immigrate to Canada, and only want to come on a temporary basis, you can do so as qualifying as a visitor, student or worker.

The three main categories in which to qualify are:
Study Permits
Visitor Visas
Work Permits

See Required Canada Immigration Documents