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Bienvenue au CANADA
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Canada is one of the few countries in the world with an active program for permanent immigration. In fact, Canada accepts more immigrants and refugees, in proportion to its population, than any other country. | One out of every six Canadian residents was born outside the country. Directly or indirectly, immigration policy has touched the lives of every Canadian, and it has helped to make Canada a culturally-rich, prosperous and progressive nation. Since 1967, Canada's immigration program has been based on non-discriminatory principles, both in law and in practice. Citizenship and Immigration assesses immigrants and visitors on standards which do not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, or sex. In addition, the immigration program is universal -- applicants from around the world are assessed against exactly the same criteria. The present immigration program is based on the Immigration Act of 1976, which became law in 1978 and was most recently amended in 1993. This Act includes the first attempt by the federal government to establish, in law, the basic objectives of the Canadian immigration program. It also reconfirmed the fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality. The Act sets out three basic social, humanitarian and economic goals for the immigration program: to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian residents with close family members from abroad; to fulfil Canada's legal obligations with respect to refugees and to uphold its humanitarian tradition; to foster the development of a strong, viable economy in all regions of the country. In addition, the Act states that the immigration program should protect the health and safety of Canadians, and prevent the entry of potential criminals, spies, terrorists and subversives. The immigration program also deals with people who want to visit Canada but do not plan to settle here. This "non-immigrant" part of the program involves the rules and procedures governing the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers. In 1995, more than 41 million people -- excluding returning Canadians -- visited Canada.
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ANNUAL IMMIGRATION PLAN | Immigration Plan, 1999 Immigrant Category Range Skilled Workers 100,200 - 111,200 Business 17,700 - 19,700 Spouses, Fianc�(e)s and Children 38,000 - 41,000 Parents and Grandparents 15,500 - 17,300 Other - Live-in Caregiver Program - Special Categories - Provincial/Territorial Nominees 6,500 Total Immigrant 177,900 - 195,700 Refugee Category Range Government Assisted 7,300 Privately Sponsored 2,800 - 4,000 Refugees Landed In Canada and 10,000 - 15,000 Dependants Abroad 2,000 - 3,000 Total Refugee 22,100 - 29,300 Total Immigrant and Refugee 200,000 - 225,000 Immigration Levels, 1999 Canada, Quebec* and Other Provinces Immigrant Other Provinces Quebec*** Canada Total Family 45,900 - 50,300 7,600 - 8,000 53,500 - 58,300 Total Economic 103,700 - 115,700 14,200 - 15,200 117,900 - 130,900 Total Other** 6,500 6,500 Total Immigrant 156,100 - 172,500 21,800 - 23,200 177,900 - 195,700 Refugee Other Provinces Quebec Canada Total Refugee 14,800 - 21,200 7,300 - 8,100 22,100 - 29,300 Total Other Provinces Quebec Canada Total 170,900 - 193,700 29,100 - 31,300 200,000 - 225,000 * The Immigration Act requires that the government's annual immigration plan include separate numbers for provinces with selection powers. At this time, Quebec is the only province with this responsibility. ** Includes members of the Live-in Caregiver Class, Special Categories and Provincial/Territorial Nominees. *** As of September 1, 1998. Projected Immigration Arrivals, 1998 Immigrant 1998 Plan (as announced Oct. 23, 1997) Projection as of Sept. 1, 1998 Skilled Workers 96,600 - 106,600 82,700 Business 19,300 - 21,300 14,000 Spouses, Fianc�(e)s, and Children 35,200 - 38,300 37,500 Parents and Grandparents 18,300 - 20,000 15,600 Other* 6,500 6,300 Total Immigrant 175,900 - 192,700 156,100 Refugee 1998 Plan (as announced Oct. 23, 1997) Projection as of Sept. 1, 1998 Government Assisted 7,300 7,300 Privately Sponsored 2,800 - 4,000 2,200 Refugees Landed In Canada and 12,000 - 18,000 11,200 Dependants Abroad 2,000 - 3,000 3,200 Total Refugee 24,100 - 32,300 23,900 Total Immigrant and Refugee 200,000 - 225,000 180,000 - 200,000 * Includes members of the Live-in Caregiver Class, Special Categories and Provincial/Territorial Nominees. Immigration by Source Area, 1995-1998 Immigration (All Classes) Top Ten Source Countries, 1995-1998 Country Jan-Dec 1995 Rank Jan-Dec 1996 Rank Jan-Dec 1997 Rank Jan-Sept 1998 Rank China 13,209 4 17,496 3 18,498 3 13,793 1 India 16,024 2 21,169 2 19,541 2 11,381 2 Hong Kong (SAR) 31,622 1 29,913 1 22,212 1 6,986 3 Philippines 15,071 3 13,127 5 10,849 6 6,301 4 Pakistan 3,981 10 7,734 6 11,210 5 6,164 5 Taiwan 7,659 6 13,178 4 13,295 4 6,074 6 Iran - - 5,809 9 7,458 7 5,301 7 Korea - - - - - - 3,658 8 United States 5,211 9 5,854 8 5,034 9 3,389 9 Russia - - - - - - 3,245 10 Sri Lanka 8,819 5 6,125 7 5,046 8 - - Great Britain 6,148 8 5,579 10 4,655 10 - - Bosnia- Hercegovina 6,278 7 - - - - - - Top Ten Total 114,022 125,984 117,798 66,292 % 54% 56% 55% 50% Other countries 98,176 99,848 98,046 66,490 % 46% 44% 45% 50% Total 212,198 225,832 215,844 132,782 Skilled Workers -- Visas Issued Abroad, Top Ten Source Countries, 1995-1998 Country Jan- Dec 1995 Rank Jan-Dec 1996 Rank Jan-Dec 1997 Rank Jan-Sept 1998 Rank China 9,381 2 21,023 1 20,083 1 21,272 1 Pakistan 3,181 8 10,456 5 14,106 2 8,641 2 India 5,830 5 10,632 4 10,621 4 7,522 3 Taiwan 6,429 3 13,302 3 11,352 3 5,713 4 Iran - - 4,155 7 6,103 7 4,485 5 Hong Kong (SAR) 16,732 1 19,396 2 10,003 5 3,397 6 South Korea - - - - - - 3,122 7 France 4,562 6 3,132 10 - - 2,987 8 Russia - - - - 4,014 8 2,829 9 Philippines 5,841 4 7,098 6 6,608 6 2,775 10 Great Britain 4,406 7 3,975 8 - - - - Romania 3,044 9 3,493 9 3,160 10 - - United States 2,129 10 - - - - - - Saudi Arabia - - - - 3,761 9 - - Top Ten Total 61,535 96,662 89,811 62,743 % 63% 67% 65% 62% Other countries 36,772 47,537 47,773 38,889 % 37% 33% 35% 38% Total 98,307 144,199 137,584 101,632 Economic Category, Persons Admitted, 1995-1997 Refugees by Category, 1997 Refugees by Source Area -- Top Ten Source Countries, 1995-1998 Country Jan-Dec 1995 Rank Jan-Dec 1996 Rank Jan-Dec 1997 Rank Jan-Sept 1998 Rank Bosnia- Hercegovina 5,985 1 4,961 1 3,673 1 2,903 1 Sri Lanka 5,952 2 3,604 2 2,553 2 1,657 2 Iran 1,344 3 1,720 4 1,662 4 1,134 3 Afghanistan 1,113 6 1,794 3 1,731 3 1,063 4 Croatia - - - - 995 6 1,043 5 Somalia 1,142 5 800 8 727 10 891 6 India 482 9 1,233 6 773 8 659 7 Iraq 1,273 4 1,342 5 1,348 5 646 8 Pakistan 561 8 652 10 750 9 534 9 Yugoslavia 618 7 - - - - 447 10 Bangladesh - - 828 7 791 7 - - Algeria - - 677 9 - - - - China 478 10 - - - - - - Top Ten Total 18,948 17,611 15,003 10,977 % 68% 62% 62% 63% Other countries 8,812 10,738 9,211 6,340 % 32% 38% 38% 37% Total Refugees 27,760 28,349 24,214 17,317 Immigrants and Visitors to Canada, 1995-1997 Immigrant 1995 1996 1997 Family 77,307 68,344 59,966 Economic 100,912 120,285 125,491 Other 6,219 8,854 6,173 Refugee 27,760 28,349 24,214 Total Immigrant and Refugee 212,198 225,832 215,844 Temporary Entry 1995 1996 1997 Visitor Visas Issued 582,094 659,180 650,618 Employment Authorizations* 97,157 98,152 102,737 Student Authorizations 84,294 95,354 97,393 * Excludes employment authorizations issued to spouses who apply for landing in Canada, refugee claimants, foreign students and their spouses. Canada and Immigration Canada benefits from opening its doors to skilled workers, entrepreneurs, refugees and the relatives of people already settled in this country. Their energy and activity have traditionally stimulated our social, cultural and economic life. The Government of Canada prepares an annual immigration plan in consultation with the provinces. It seeks to balance various considerations, including economic growth, family reunification and humanitarian compassion. Canadians are justly proud of our reputation for refugee resettlement. Every year, close to 39 million visitors come to Canada. Citizenship and Immigration staff admitts about 211,000 immigrants including skilled workers, business immigrants, family members and refugees. Each year, Citizenship and Immigration officers: process more than 100,000 immigration applications; process about 100,000 employment authorizations; grant close to 45,000 visitor extensions; conduct approximately 20,000 investigations; supervise the removal of about 5,000 people from Canada who were in the country illegally; in Canada alone, staff processed over 50,700 student authorizations (documents issued for new entrants and extensions); and staff abroad processed 33,200 student authorizations. Canada is one of the few countries in the world with an active program for permanent immigration. In fact, Canada accepts more immigrants and refugees, in proportion to its population, than any other country. One out of every six Canadian residents was born outside the country. Directly or indirectly, immigration policy has touched the lives of every Canadian, and it has helped to make Canada a culturally-rich, prosperous and progressive nation. Since 1967, Canada's immigration program has been based on non-discriminatory principles, both in law and in practice. Citizenship and Immigration assesses immigrants and visitors on standards which do not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, or sex. In addition, the immigration program is universal -- applicants from around the world are assessed against exactly the same criteria. The present immigration program is based on the Immigration Act of 1976, which became law in 1978 and was most recently amended in 1993. This Act includes the first attempt by the federal government to establish, in law, the basic objectives of the Canadian immigration program. It also reconfirmed the fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality. The Act sets out three basic social, humanitarian and economic goals for the immigration program: to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian residents with close family members from abroad; to fulfil Canada's legal obligations with respect to refugees and to uphold its humanitarian tradition; to foster the development of a strong, viable economy in all regions of the country. In addition, the Act states that the immigration program should protect the health and safety of Canadians, and prevent the entry of potential criminals, spies, terrorists and subversives. The immigration program also deals with people who want to visit Canada but do not plan to settle here. This "non-immigrant" part of the program involves the rules and procedures governing the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers. In 1995, more than 41 million people -- excluding returning Canadians -- visited Canada. The number of immigrants allowed into Canada varies from year to year, based on several factors. The following is a list of the actual number of immigrants admitted to Canada over the past 14 years: 1991 230,781 1996 225,313* 1995 210,974 1994 222,081 1993 203,764 1992 252,842 1991 230,781 1990 214,230 1989 192,001 1988 161,929 1987 152,098 1986 99,219 1985 84,302 1984 88,239 1983 89,157 *Based on preliminary statistics as of March 1997. FEE SCHEDULE CITIZENSHIP FEES Right to be a Citizen $100 Change of Citizenship - Grant of Citizenship $100 - Retention of Citizenship $100 - Resumption of Citizenship $100 - Renunciation of Citizenship $100 Citizenship Status Documents - Proof of Citizenship $75 - Search for Record of Citizenship $75 IMMIGRATION FEES Right of Landing Fee $975 Application for Permanent Residence - Applicant $500 - Business Application $1,000 - Spouse $500 - Dependant aged 19 or over $500 - Dependant under age 19 $100 Order in Council -- A38(1) Landing $275 Family Business $400 Immigration Status Documents - Returning Resident Permit $75 - Visitor Status Extension $75 - Visitor Visa -- Single Entry $75 - Visitor Visa -- Multiple Entry $150 - Visitor Visa -- Family Rate $400 - Employment Authorization $150 - Employment Authorization -- Group of Performing Artists $450 - Student Authorization $125 Minor Violation of Immigration Act - Reinstatement of Visitor Status $200 - Minister's Permit $200 - Minister's Permit Extension $200 - Discretionary Entry $200 - Rehabilitation -- A.19(2)(a.1) $200 Rehabilitation &endash; A(1)(c.1) $1,000 Minister's Consent to Return to Canada $400 Replacement or Certification of a Document - Certification of Record of Landing $30 - Replacement of Immigration Records $30 Assessment of Eligible Business or Fund $6,000 Amendment of Eligible Business or Fund $1,650
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