If you are not a Canadian citizen, you do not have an automatic right of entry to the country. Unless, you are a permanent resident, you must generally secure a temporary resident visa abroad before seeking to enter Canada to visit, study or work.  Nationals of certain countries are exempt from the visa requirement. The list of these nations can be seen at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

When you make an application for a visa, you may submit your application to the Canadian visa office in the country where you are present and lawfully admitted. You may also submit your application to the Canadian visa office in your country of nationality

You are responsible for proving that you meet the criteria for the visa to be issued. You may be required to provide information on your immigration status, your family ties, your employment information, the value of your assets, and the financial obligations you are leaving behind.

A visa officer cannot issue you with a visa unless he or she is satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of the period authorized for your stay. If you intend to stay in Canada permanently, you would not be entitled to a visa

You must also prove that you have sufficient ties to your country of nationality or residence. Even if circumstances where your ties to your home country appear strong, you may still be refused a visa if your country`s economic or political environment are unstable.

The visa officer will review your application on the basis of the information that you submit. You do not have a right to be interviewed, and the visa officer may take a decision without inviting you to an interview. If you are invited to an interview and you fail to attend, your application will be refused. At the interview, you will asked questions which you are required to answer truthfully. Where you lie or misrepresent material facts, you will be barred from entry into Canada for two years. You may also be inadmissible and barred from entering Canada if you a history of criminal activity or security or human rights violations or if you have a serious medical condition.

You must enter Canada by the date on your visa. At the port of entry, you will have a stamp endorsed on your passport or an immigration document issued. This will specify the date by which you must leave Canada. If there is no document issued to you or no date endorsed on your passport, you can generally stay in Canada for up to 6 months from the date of your arrival.

Visa applications are often refused and there is no formal appeal process. A fresh application can be made following a refusal. Such an application is not likely to be successful unless you have additional information that was not made available at the time of the initial application or if your circumstances have changed. If you are dissatisfied with a decision, you apply to the Federal Court in Canada for leave to have the decision of the visa officer reviewed.

For more information, please contact: immigrate@skilledworkerscanada.com