What is a Canadian Immigration Visa?
A Canadian Immigration Visa is also known as a Permanent Resident Visa. It is a document that will allow you to live and work anywhere within Canada which will be granted depending on your Permanent Resident Status.
Can you have it taken away?
Yes, this Visa will come with specific responsibilities and it can be taken away from you, or in other words revoked if you do not meet the Canadian Residency Obligations or if you have been found guilty of any serious criminal activity.
Can you apply for Canadian Citizenship from the Canadian Immigration Visa?
You sure can! After 3 years of having the Canadian Immigration Visa you can apply for Canadian Citizenship. Please note this regulation will soon change to 4 years.
What are the Canadian Residency Obligations?
When you obtain the Canadian Immigration Visa you will be expected to meet certain obligations or there is a chance you can lose your Permanent Resident status.
There is two years of “residency days” that need to be accumulated in every 5 years period. These residency days do not need to be accumulated consecutively and can be either inside or even outside of Canada. They can be acquired in the following ways:
Inside Canada:
- By being physically inside of Canada
Outside of Canada:
- If you accompany a Canadian Citizen, spouse or even common-law partner
- If you are a child that is accompanying their parent(s)
- If you are employed you can use your employment on a full-time basis with a Canadian business or within the Public Service of Canada
- By you accompanying a Canadian Permanent Resident who is outside of Canada and is employed on a full-time basis by a Canadian employer or the Public Service of Canada, and you are the employee’s spouse, common-law partner or even their child
How are the Residency Days calculated?
The calculation of these days if you have been a Canadian Permanent Resident for more than 5 years will be limited to the 5 years that immediately precede the examination. If you have been a Permanent Resident for less than 5 years you will be required to demonstrate that you will be able to meet and continue to meet all of the residency requirements during the 5 year period that will immediately follow you becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident.
What if you plan on leaving Canada and coming back?
If you are a Canadian Permanent Resident and you are planning to leave Canada and return by a common carrier, which can be: a plane, train, bus or boat, you will be expected to show your Canadian Permanent Resident Card or your Temporary Travel document, whichever one you obtain. You will be expected to show this before you board whichever form of travel you choose to take.
Are you a Permanent Resident as soon as your Canadian Immigration Visa is issued?
The answer to this question is no. You are only a Permanent Resident of Canada once you cross into Canada using a Port of Entry and you show your valid passport/travel document as well as your valid Canadian Immigration Visa. Once you are proceeding with this stage, it is known as “landing in Canada”.
Should you obtain the help of an immigration representative?
It is not mandatory that you work with an immigration representative for this stage, however, it definitely would not hurt you to do so.
By having the assistance of a representative you will be able to ensure that you are meeting all the requirements and have all the appropriate documents supporting you to continue on with this process.
Please feel free to contact our Immigration Law Office and allow our representatives to assist you with any step of this process that you may need our help with.