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You are here : Home > Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is the Canada - Québec Accord?
- What are the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)?
- How many immigrants are admitted in Canada every year?
- How many immigrants do Canada and Quebec plan to admit?
- What is the role of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC-SCCI)?
- What is a visa?
- What is a permanent resident?
- How long does it take to receive a permanent resident visa?
- To immigrate to Quebec, two applications must be submitted, one to the Government of Quebec and one to the Government of Canada: does this make the process longer before I obtain my permanent resident visa?
- Why are security and health examinations required before obtaining a permanent resident visa?
- Where do I have to submit my application for a visa?
- How to choose the right consultant to represent me?
- Should I retain the services of a lawyer or those of a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant?
- Why choose a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant (CCIC)?
- Why retain the services of Siminca?
- If I retain Siminca to represent me will my application be processed faster by Canadian immigration services?
- Can Siminca guarantee that my application will be accepted by the visa office?
- Can Siminca find me a job in Canada when I apply for permanent residence?
- If I am not satisfied with the services provided by Siminca what can I do?
- When applying for immigration to Quebec I must submit two applications one to each of the Governments of Quebec and Canada. Does it mean I have to pay more for Siminca's services?
- What is Siminca's Refund Policy?
- Other than the fees for Siminca's services, are there any other fees which must be paid when applying for a Canadian visa?
- What are the fees which I must pay to the Government of Canada?
- How much will it cost me to immigrate to Canada?
- What is the Canada - Quebec Accord?
It is an agreement signed in 1991 between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec. Under its terms:
- Quebec determines how many immigrants it wish to welcome annually and has the exclusive responsibility of selecting all candidates for permanent residence to Canada who wish to settle in the Province, except candidates under the family reunification category
- Canada is in charge of selecting family reunification candidates as well as determining the status of asylum seekers
- Canada also alone is responsible for granting visas to candidates for immigration once the have been selected by Quebec. To be granted a visa by Canada, candidates wishing to settle in any one of Canada's Provinces (not only Quebec) must first pass health and security examinations.
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- What are the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)?
The governments of the Canadian provinces other than Quebec (which has wider immigration powers under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord), and the Yukon Territory have signed agreements with the Government of Canada. These agreements allow provinces to choose a certain (limited) number of immigration candidates under what is called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
Under PNP's, Provinces and Territories may nominate for immigration persons who meet specific criteria, based on provincial labour market and economic needs.
After being nominated by a Province or Territory, the candidate must apply to the Government of Canada for a permanent residence visa. Before they are given such a visa, they must pass health and security examinations showing that they do not represent a burden for Canada's health system or a danger to the security of Canadians.
In 2006, 6,4% (13304 persons) of all newly admitted permanent residents to Canada were selected under PNP's.
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- How many immigrants are admitted in Canada every year?
The Government of Canada sets annual immigration goals. Since the year 2000 the total number of new permanent residents admitted in Canada has averaged about 240 000 per year (more than 251 000 in 2006 only). The following table shows the 2006 distribution of newly admitted permanent residents according to the category they were selected in and whether they settled in Quebec or in the other provinces of Canada.
Permanent residents admitted in Canada (2006)
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Economic categories
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Skilled Workers
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105 949
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42.1
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23 629
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52.9
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82 320
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39.8
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Business persons
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12 077
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4.8
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1 642
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3.7
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10 435
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5.0
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Nominated by provinces
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13 336
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5.3
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32
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0.1
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13 304
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6.4
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Other
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6 895
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2.7
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649
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1.5
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6 246
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3.0
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sub-total
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138 257
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54.9
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25 952
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58.1
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112 305
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54.3
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Family category
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70 506
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28.0
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9 219
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20.6
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61 287
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29.6
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sub-total
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208 763
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83.0
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35 171
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78.7
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173 592
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83.9
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Other
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42 886
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17.0
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9 506
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21.3
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33 380
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16.1
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Total
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251 649
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100.0
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44 677
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100.0
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206 972
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100.0
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Source: Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration 2007
(Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Government of Canada)
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- How many immigrants do Canada and Quebec plan to admit?
Each year Canada sets immigration goals. For 2008 the objective is to admit between 240 000 and 265 000 new permanent residents.
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Immigration Levels Plan - Canada
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2008 Ranges
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Immigrant Category
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Low
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High
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Economic
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Federal and Quebec Skilled Workers
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92 000
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98 000
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Federal/Quebec Business
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11 000
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13 000
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Live-in Caregiver
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6 000
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9 000
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Provincial/Territorial Nominees
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20 000
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22 000
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Canadian Experience Class
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10 000
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12 000
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Total Economic
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139 000
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154 000
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Family
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Spouses, Partners & Children
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50 000
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52 000
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Parents and Grandparents
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18 000
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19 000
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Total Family
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68 000
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71 000
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Protected Persons
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26 000
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31 800
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Other
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7 000
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8 200
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TOTAL
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240 000
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265 000
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Source : Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2007 (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Quebec also sets annual goals for the number of persons it wishes to select under its immigration programs. Between 2004 and 2007 Quebec selected more than 43 000 candidates per year. Goals have been increased to between 46 500 and 49 600 for 2008 (see table below). These objectives are in addition to the approximately 10 000 persons selected and admitted in Quebec by the Government of Canada under the Family Category.
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Immigrants selected by Quebec
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2008 Plan
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Minimum
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Maximum
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Economic Categories
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Skilled Workers
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36 500
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38 000
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Business
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6 000
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7 000
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Other
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600
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800
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Refugees
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2 300
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2 500
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Autres
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1 100
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1 300
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Total
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46 500
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49 600
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Source : Plan d'immigration du Québec pour l'année 2008 (MICCQ, Gouvernement du Québec)
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- What is the role of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC-SCCI)?
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants:
- Protects the consumers of immigration consulting services
- Has been mandated by the Government of Canada to regulate the activities of immigration consultants;
- Ensures the competent and professional conduct of Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants; and
- Manages a complaints mechanism to which consumer of immigration consulting services have access if dissatisfied with the work of the Consultant they have retained.
If you wish to retain the services of a paid immigration advisor to represent you before Canadian immigration services, that person must be a member in good standing of one of the following organizations:
- The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC-SCCI)
- The Chambre des notaires du Québec or
- a lawyer society of Canada.
In the words of documentation provided by CSIC-SCCI :
«In Canada, not all consultants are 'authorized' to practice (i.e. fully trained and tested and liable for their actions). CSIC represents only Canadian Certified Immigration Consultants (CCIC).»
Please consult the CSIC's Internet site for further details at http://www.csic-scci.ca/
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- What is a visa?
A visa is an official document granted (out of Canada) by a Canadian visa office and proving that the person named in that document is authorized to enter Canada. The visa is placed in the person's passport.
Temporary resident visas may be granted to citizens or residents of certain countries who must visit, work temporarily of study in Canada, or transit via Canada on their way to a third country.
A permanent resident visa is required for anyone who wishes to immigrate to Canada. An application for such a visa must be made at a Canadian visa bureau, outside of Canada.
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- What is a permanent resident?
A permanent resident in Canada is a person who does not have Canadian citizenship but has been authorized to enter and remain in Canada permanently. Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter and remain permanently in Canada if they have not been granted first a permanent resident visa.
A permanent resident :
- Must reside in Canada a minimum of 730 days per 5 year period to keep its permanent resident status;
- Has the same rights as citizens except the right to vote and be elected in a Federal or Provincial election;
- May apply for Canadian citizenship after having lived in Canada for a minimum of 3 years.
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- How long does it take to receive a permanent resident visa?
This depends on the visa bureau which will process your application. Some bureaus receive a larger volume of application and which tends to increase processing times. It also depends on the type of application. For instance Canada's policy favours family reunification and gives priority to spouse/partner sponsorships. Applications for permanent resident visas under the Quebec Skilled Worker program are also given higher priority than some of the other applications.
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- To immigrate to Quebec two applications must be submitted, one to the Government of Quebec and one to the Government of Canada: does this make the process longer before I obtain my permanent resident visa?
No. The Government of Canada processes applications giving priority to candidates who apply under certain programs, such as Quebec's.
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- Why are security and health examinations required before obtaining a permanent resident visa?
Under Canada's immigration laws and regulations, certain persons are inadmissible to Canada. This is the case for instance of persons who have a criminal record, present a danger to the security of Canadians or have committed crimes against human rights or war crimes. It is also generally the situation for persons whose medical condition would represent a danger for public health or an excessive burden on Canada's health and social services.
Security and health examinations aim to establish whether immigration candidates are inadmissible to Canada or not.
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- Where do I have to submit my application for a visa?
Applications must be submitted at the appropriate visa of office outside of Canada. The choice will impact significantly on processing delays which vary from one office to the other. A wrong choice may also result in the file being returned to you unprocessed.
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- How to choose the right consultant to represent me?
There is no miracle recipe. Here are some of the factors you must consider. We also recommend you consult our website, and in particular the Siminca section.
The following are some of the factors to consider:
- The person must be a member in good standing of one of the following organizations whose members are authorized by the Government of Canada to represent clients before Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This ensures you are protected as a consumer of immigration consulting services.
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Organizations recognized by the Government of Canada
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Authorized representatives
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1-Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC-SCCI)
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Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant (CCIC)
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2-Chambre des notaires du Québec
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Notaries from Quebec
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3-One of Canada's lawyer societies
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Lawyer
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- Expertise : all lawyers are not specialized in immigration law. Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants (CCIC) are.
- Experience : verify that the consultant you choose has the appropriate experience in the type of application appropriate for your situation.
- Service contract: make sure the contract which you sign with the immigration counsel provides detailed information about the scope of his services and discloses all fees among other things. Any such contract must be in accordance with the rules of professional conduct mandated by one of the recognized organizations as defined above to which the counsel must belong.
- Refund Policy of fees paid for the counsel's services in case of refusal by Canadian immigration services. The existence of such a policy reflects the confidence the counsel places in the quality of his work.
- Fiduciary responsibility : Any money charged by whoever you choose as immigration representative must be deposited into that representative's client account at a Canadian financial institution. These funds belong to the client until the services have been rendered. They can be transferred to the representative's general account only after proper billing to the client for services provided in accordance with the stipulations of the contract that has been signed with him/her.
- Quality of information appearing on the counsel's Internet website: It is a good thing to evaluate the quality and depth of the information and assessment provided free of charge by the counsel before you become their client. .
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- Should I retain the services of a lawyer or those of a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant?
Canadian lawyers, Quebec notaries and Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants (CCIC) are all authorized by the Government of Canada to represent their clients before the immigration services of Canada. However most lawyers and Quebec notaries are not necessarily specialized in immigration law. Before retaining them you must make sure they are.
However, Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants are specialized in Canadian immigration law and must undergo a rigorous qualification process before they are given the CCIC title by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC-SCCI).
Persons who claim to be immigration consultants but do not have the CCIC accreditation are not authorized by the Government of Canada to represent you for a fee before its immigration services, do not have the required training and qualifications to assist you in immigration matters. Furthermore there would be little recourse in case of shoddy work by such so-called consultants.
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- Why choose a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant (CCIC)?
CCICs are specialized in the area of Canadian immigration law (including regulations, procedures, required and acceptable documents, delays, where to apply etc.). Here are some of the advantages of hiring a CCIC:
- You apply under the immigration program most suitable to your personal and professional situation
- You avoid errors which will unduly delay the processing of your application by Canadian immigration services: the law, regulations and procedures are complex and this can be source of mistakes leading to rejection or longer delays than necessary in the processing of your application. These delays are long enough as it is for you to take these risks in the context of such a life changing proceeding as immigration. .
- Devote more of your time and energy to prepare for your future life in Canada, with our help, while we take care of your application for immigration to Canada. You can do this while you let us worry about preparing your file, sending the right documents at the right moment and to the appropriate visa office, communicate with the immigration department in charge of processing your application if needed etc.
- Get prompt answers to your queries, which are precise and adapted to your personal and professional needs. If you have doubts, questions or need information about your application and your immigration project just contact us and we will provide you with the answers. If we do not have them right away, we will research them for you and provide you with answers which suit your personal requirements. By being our client, you ensure that we understand your needs and the constraints under which you undertake your immigration project and are able to match these with Canadian immigration laws and regulations. You will not have to wait in line waiting for someone who does not know your situation to provide you with answers which, in the end, you will not be sure that they indeed are the right ones.
- Our taking charge of your file will reduce the stress to which you would be subjected should you decide to undertake submitting an application all by yourself. We will also help you prepare for any interview which you might have to attend with the government officer in charge of processing you immigration application.
- As CCICs we are committed to acting in the best interests of our clients, and the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) to which we belong ensures that you are protected.
- You are covered by an errors and omissions insurance policy to which we subscribe in accordance to the Rules of Professional Conduct to which we adhere.
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- Why retain the services of Siminca?
Please consult the following:
- Why choose Siminca?
- Why choose a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant (CCIC)?
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- If I retain Siminca to represent me, will my application be processed faster by Canadian immigration services?
Siminca will help you avoid costly mistakes resulting in rejection of your application and longer processing times than necessary, delaying the moment of your arrival and start of a new life in Canada.
If your file is incomplete or contains one or more errors Canadian immigration services might return it to you without processing it. You will have to resubmit at a later date and find yourself back at the queue. If you choose the wrong immigration program you could be refused after the process has been completed, losing money and time. And you will have to start all over again.
Processing delays are long, so it is essential that from the start you avoid such mistakes. Siminca will help you do this.
Siminca cannot directly speed up the processing done by immigration officers but can ensure everything is done to minimize the risk of mistakes which could delay the moment of your arrival in Canada.
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- Can Siminca guarantee that my application will be accepted by the Canadian immigration services?
No. No consultant or lawyer is able to offer such a guarantee. Whoever did this would contravene to their Rules of Professional Conduct for making false representations.
However, when you hire us, you maximize your chances of success as you benefit from our expertise and experience. It is important to submit from the start an application which is prepared professionally with the right supporting legal arguments. During processing, government immigration services may request further documentation or information. This is normal but such requests must be answered within the appropriate time frames to avoid rejection of your application.
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- Can Siminca find me a job in Canada when I apply for permanent residence?
No. Siminca will take care of your permanent residence application and assist you in your immigration proceedings. We help you obtain the authorizations to come to Canada but we are not an employment agency nor can we find you a job.
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- If I am not satisfied with the services provided by Siminca what can I do?
At Siminca we strive to provide you with a service of the utmost quality and to live up to your expectations:
- If you have any concern about our services please contact us or write to service-client@siminca.com. We will do our best to give you satisfaction.
- You may also contact the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. The Society has a complaints mechanism and has the power to investigate and discipline Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants.
Addresses of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants:
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- Internet : http://www.csic-scci.ca/
- Telephone : 1 416 572 2800
- Fax: 1 416 572 4114
- Mail : 390 Bay Street, Suite 1600
Munich Re Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5H 2Y2
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- When applying for immigration to Quebec I must submit two applications one for each of the Governments of Quebec and Canada. Does it mean I have to pay more for Siminca's services?
No. Siminca helps you choose the program which allows you best to qualify for immigration to Canada, at the lowest cost to you. For a given immigration category (for instance Skilled Worker) our fees are the same irrespective of whether you apply under the federal program or the Quebec program. However fees will differ from one category to another simply because the work involved is different, for instance between the Skilled Worker category and the Investor category. Please consult the Immigrate to Canada section of this website for a definition of each immigration category.
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- What is Siminca's Refund Policy?
Please consult our Refund Policy page.
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- Other than the fees for Siminca's services, are there any other fees which must be paid when applying for a Canadian visa?
Yes. You must also pay processing fees to the government service in charge of processing your application. These vary according to the type of visa you are applying for and the category you are applying in. These are not refundable and will not be refunded by the government immigration services in the case of a refusal of your application.
Please read also What are the fees which I must pay to the Government of Canada?
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- What are the fees which I must pay to the Government of Canada?
Here is a list of fees charged by the Government of Canada for some of the most frequent immigration related services. These fees are not refundable in case of refusal by the Canadian immigration services. Figures are all in Canadian dollars.
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PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA APPLICATION
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Family Class applicants
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- Sponsorship application (per application)
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$75
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- Principal applicant
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$475
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- Principal applicant, if less than 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner (including a dependent child of the sponsor, a child to be adopted and an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild)
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$75
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner
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$150
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Note : Fees assessed for principal applicants and family members under the Family Class are payable, along with the sponsorship fee, when the sponsor files the sponsorship application.
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Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-employed Persons Class applicants
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- Principal applicant
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$1 050
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner
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$150
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Other classes of applicants
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- Principal applicant
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner
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$150
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APPLICATIONS TO REMAIN IN CANADA AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT
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Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class
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- Sponsorship application (per application)
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$75
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- Principal applicant
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$475
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner
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$150
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Other applicants
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- Principal applicant
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner
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$550
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- A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner
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$150
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RIGHT OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE FEE
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$490
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Note: Must be paid in addition to application fees. The fee is payable by the principal applicant and accompanying spouses and common-law partners before the immigrant visa is issued overseas or before the applicant becomes a permanent resident in Canada. Dependent children are not required to pay this fee.
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TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA APPLICATION
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Single entry in Canada
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$75
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Multiple entry
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$150
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Note : The total will not exceed $400 per family, provided that the family members all apply at the same time and place.
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WORK PERMIT APPLICATION
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$150
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Note : This fee is per person, but the total amount will not exceed $450 in the case of a group of three or more performing artists and their staff who apply at the same time and place.
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STUDY PERMIT APPLICATION
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$125
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- How much will it cost me to immigrate to Canada?
When planning your immigration project you must factor in several elements:
- The fees which must be paid to government services for the processing of your application and the right of permanent residence fee once you are accepted
- The amount of money you must have at your disposal when you land in Canada to meet your family needs until you find an employment.
- The cost of transportation from your current country of residence to Canada after being issued a permanent resident visa.
- The fees for our services.
The following table illustrates some examples of the expected costs of a typical immigration project as a Skilled Worker under the Federal and Quebec programs.
We have not included transportation costs which may vary significantly depending of your country of residence, the moment of the year you are to travel or the transportation company you choose. Nor have we included the fees for our services. We will provide you with information on these after the Free Assessment Questionnaire has been filled out and sent to us and you wish to retain our services.
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Skilled Worker Class (Canadian Dollars)
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Program:
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Canada
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Quebec
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Single person
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Fees payable to the Government of Canada
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Processing fee
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550
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550
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Right of Permanent Residence fee
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490
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490
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Processing fee payable to the Government of Quebec
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0
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390
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Sub-total --fees
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1 040
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1 430
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Funds required after your arrival in Canada (see Note 1)
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10 168
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2 657
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Total
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11 208
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4 087
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Couple without children
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Fees payable to the Government of Canada
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Processing fee
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1 100
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1 100
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Right of Permanent Residence fee
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980
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980
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Processing fee payable to the Government of Quebec
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0
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540
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Sub-total --fees
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2 080
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2 620
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Funds required after your arrival in Canada (see Note 1)
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12 659
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3 897
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Total
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14 739
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6 517
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Couple with two dependent children less than 18 years of age
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Fees payable o the Government of Canada
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Processing fee
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1 400
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1 400
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Right of Permanent Residence
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980
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980
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Processing fee payable to the Government of Quebec
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0
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840
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Sub-total --fees
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2 380
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3 220
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Funds required after your arrival in Canada (see Note 1)
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18 895
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4 712
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Total
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21 275
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7 932
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Note 1: Data for 2008. These amounts are adjusted each year to the cost of living.
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