Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions who wish to live and work in Canada.

Q. I am a software programmer with more than one year of work experience. Do I qualify for Permanent Residence (PR) to Canada?
A. Under the Quebec regulation if you are ready to learn conversation level of French language you can qualify for immigration to Canada.

Toronto City View Canada Q. How long does it take to obtain PR of Canada?
A. Every Canadian High Commission the world over is independent for processing the permanent residence application. Every office has its own processing time depending on the number of applications received by that office. At present the processing time in India is approx. 24-36 months. This time is calculated from the date of filing the application.

Q. Am I able to work in the US after obtaining PR of Canada?
A. You cannot work while in the US while you are a permanent resident of Canada unless you have H-1 visa for USA. It is possible to work in the US after you become a Canadian citizen. Citizenship is obtained after being a permanent resident for a minimum of 3 years. Once you gain Canadian citizenship, you can work anywhere in North America legally under the NAFTA agreement.

Q. When can I apply for Canadian citizenship?
A. You have to remain a permanent resident of Canada for at least 3 years of the last 4 years of your stay there and then you may apply for Canadian citizenship.

Q. I am an Indian passport holder. Can I apply for Canadian PR outside India?
A. Irrespective of nationality & citizenship any professional and businessman can apply for Canadian PR at any Canadian High commission.

Q. Once I get PR of Canada, what is the time taken before I can reach Canada?
A. The PR visa has a validity of 6-12 months from the date of medical examination taken. You must enter Canada during this prescribed period of time. Under no circumstances this time period is extended.

Q. For how long is the permanent residency of Canada valid?
A The PR of Canada is valid for life. However to maintain your PR you must stay physically in Canada for two years in a 5 years period to maintain your PR.

Canada Stat Q. I have no legal visa to stay in the US. Can I apply for PR of Canada?
A. You cannot apply for Canadian PR if you have no legal status in the US or any other country of current habitat. However if you have some social security number and have paid tax for all the years of stay you may apply for PR of Canada.

Q. Does Canada have work permit/ visa?
A. Canada has a work permit/ visa for IT professionals. This regulation came into existence in 1997 and is known as Software Pilot Project. Under this regulation there are seven types of IT professionals who can apply for Canadian work permit provided you have a job offer from a Canadian company. There is no requirement to obtain a Job Validation (labour certification) from the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), the labour department of Canada.

Q. Can I sponsor my family members after I become a permanent resident of Canada?
A. You can sponsor your immediate family members such as your parents, brothers and sisters under the age of 22, uncle, aunty, nephew, niece and grandparents. If you are married, your spouse and children will automatically become permanent residents once you become a permanent resident and apply for them as your dependents.

Q. Can I change a job or profession or start a business in Canada once I become a permanent resident?
A. You can change your job, your profession on the basis of which you have received your PR or start a business in Canada as and when you please once you have PR of Canada.

Q. What are the benefits of having PR of Canada?
A. The benefits are as follows

  1. You and your family members are entitled to free medical and educational facilities.
  2. You can avail of government welfare benefits.
  3. You can go in & out of Canada as and when you like.
  4. You can obtain citizenship within 3 years.
  5. With a Canadian passport you are able to visit almost any country in the world without obtaining visas prior to travel.