Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker visa is aimed at bringing in migrants whose education, work experience and employment skills will help them find work in Canada and consequently contribute to the Canadian economy.

In order to qualify through this route there are three requirements you must meet. These are:
1. Meet the minimum work experience requirements – this includes one year of employment in one of the many occupations  included under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupations List.
2. Prove that you have the funds available for long-term settlement.
3. Earn enough points in the skilled worker selection grid to meet the current pass mark. The selection grid is split into six 'factors' – education, language, work experience (in occupations in Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC)), age, arranged employment and adaptability – and awards varying points dependent on your performance in each section. The pass mark is currently set at 67 points, and 46 of these could be scored in the education and work experience factors. Although not the most difficult of skills-based emigration programmes to qualify for, one significant stumbling block of the Skilled Worker programme is the protracted visa processing times, which can amount to three years or more. This is why more applicants are attempting to secure a job before applying, whereby a temporary work visa can be secured in a matter of weeks. The Provincial Nominee Programme also offers similarly speedy benefits.

Provincial Nominee Programme
The Provincial Nominee Programme, which is designed to give Canada's provinces more control over the immigrants it selects each year, is becoming an increasingly popular emigration route for both skilled workers and business visa applicants alike. To qualify as a provincial nominee you must first apply to the province where you wish to settle. The province will consider your application based on their immigration needs and your genuine intention to settle there. Each province has its own selection criteria, many of which differ from the federal immigration programme, but in most instances a pre-arranged job offer will be essential. Successful applicants could receive their visas in just six to nine months.

Business Class
The Business Class route is designed to encourage experienced business people to start up businesses in Canada.

There are three types of Business Class categories.

Investor category
To qualify through the investor route, you must have spent at least two years in the management of a qualifying business and have controlled a percentage of equity in this business. You will also need to score at least 35 points on a selection grid, have a net worth of at least CDN$800,000 and be prepared to make an additional investment of CDN$400,000 into your new business.

Entrepreneur programme
You must be able to prove that your business will be able to contribute to the Canadian economy and create at least one full-time position for a Canadian citizen. In addition, you will need a minimum net worth of CDN$300,000 and be able to demonstrate the same business experience and points score needed for the investor route.

Self-employed persons
To be eligible for this route you will need to have had experience in either: self-employment in cultural activities or athletics, participation at world-class level in cultural activities or athletics or farm management experience. If you meet any of these, then the only other requirement s are that you can create employment for and support yourself.

Family Class
If you have a relative who is already a Canadian citizen, and is willing to sponsor your application to emigrate to Canada, then you are in with a chance of sealing a permanent move. Providing your relationship to the sponsor is that of spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, nephew, niece, dependant child or grandchild who is unmarried, orphaned and under 18, then you will be eligible for sponsorship by them. In addition, you will also be eligible if you are a relative of any other kind, providing the sponsor has never sponsored any other application. The sponsor must  promise to financially support you, and accompanying family members for a period of three to ten years to help you settle.

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