Here's a nugget from Lizzie:
Message 19920732
So people from China/India have more exposure to the USA than say, Vancouver. (to immigrate to Vancouver from hong kong you needed one million dollars in the 90s).
Really?
No, not really. Canadian immigration laws have long been more pro-immigrant and pro-Asian immigrant than the U.S. laws. Canada, being in a cold climate with relatively few people, sees a benefit in attracting the highly skilled and highly educated, even if they are from <shudder> China and India. The actual Canadian system has for many years been based on points awarded for various factors. You don't even need a family sponsor or exceptional skill to get in like you do for the U.S.; just amass enough points and you can get in by sponsoring yourself and your own family.
Here's how it works under the new Canadian law; under the previous law it was even easier for Asians to get to Vancouver (and it didn't require a million dollars, either):
Canadian Independent Immigration
The Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) became law on June 28, 2002. The new law replaces the 25 year old Canadian Immigration Act. The IRPA applies to all applications and proceedings that are pending or in progress before June 28, 2002. The new law substantially changes the Canadian immigration laws. Applicants who have filed their application under the independent category should note the following:
Applicants who have applied before January 1, 2002 and have not received a selection decision by March 31, 2003, will be evaluated under the new criteria with a pass mark of 70 points; and
Applicants who have applied on or after January 1, 2002 and did not receive a selection decision by June 28, 2002 will be evaluated under the new criteria with a pass mark of 75 points.
In the United States, there are only a few opportunities for potential immigrants to petition themselves for permanent residence. In Canada, all immigrant categories (except Family Immigration) permit potential immigrants to sponsor themselves as landed immigrants.
The most common category immigrant category is the independent category. Independent applicant cases are processed on the basis of the applicant's individual skills and the likelihood that they will contribute to the Canadian economy.
It should be mentioned that the Quebec government has exclusive control over the selection of independent applicants who seek to settle in the Province of Quebec. Such applicants should file their applications with immigrations officials for the Province of Quebec. Quebec has established its own selection criteria and place a greater emphasis on French speaking ability. Once Quebec has determined that the applicant meets is provincial selection standards, the case is referred to the Federal government for assessment of any other grounds of inadmissibility. Quebec immigration is not discussed at this site.
General
Independent applications applying for residence in Canada (other than in Quebec) are processed using the "points system". Under this system, the applicant is awarded points based on various factors which assess his or her ability to make a positive contribution to Canada. Under the current immigration laws Independent applicants must generally attain at least 75 points in order to qualify for landed status.
The principal applicant may include his dependents (spouse [including common law partners] and dependent children) in the application.
.....
Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria are considered in an independent case:
education;
experience in the particular occupation;
arranged employment;
the applicant's age;
the ability to read, write and speak English and/or French;
adaptability;
These assessment factors are described in the Immigration Act (Canada).
Education
A maximum of 25 points can be awarded for education. Points are awarded for education in the following manner:
Applicants with a Ph.D or Masters degree AND at least 17 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 25 points;
Applicants with two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 22 points;
Applicants with a three year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 22 points;
Applicants with a two year university degree AND at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 20 points;
Applicants with a two year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 20 points;
Applicants with a one year university degree at the bachelors level AND at least 13 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 15 points;
Applicants with a one year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study would obtain 15 points;
Applicants with a one year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of completed full-time or full-time equivalent study will obtain 12 points;
Applicants with a completed secondary school educational credentials will obtain 5 points.
Experience
The points given for experience are calculated after considering the number of years of experience (up to a maximum of 4 years) the applicant has worked. The maximum points which can be awarded for experience is 21.
Applicants with one year of working experience will obtain 15 points.
Applicants with two years of working experience will obtain 17 points.
Applicants with three years of working experience will obtain 19 points.
Applicants with four years of working experience will obtain 21 points.
Arranged Employment
Applicants who have a confirmed offer of permanent employment from the Human Resources Development Canada will receive 10 points.
If applicants are applying from within Canada and have a temporary work permit that is either confirmed by the HRDC or HRDC confirmation exempt under NAFTA, GATS, CCFTA, significant economic benefit or intra-company will receive 10 points.
Age
If a person is between the ages of 21 and 49, the applicant receives 10 points. Two units are deducted for each year under 21 or over 49.
Language
A maximum of 24 points are awarded based on fluency in either or both of the official languages (English and French). Points are first given based on the ability to listen, speak, read and write in either official languages.
For the first language, an applicant is given 4 points for their ability to listen, read, write and speak at a high proficiency level in each of the ability areas. If the applicant reads, listens, writes and speaks at a moderate proficiency, 2 points are awarded in each ability category. If the applicant reads, listens, writes and speaks with a basic proficiency 1 to 2 points are awarded. A maximum of 16 points are awarded for the applicants first language category.
If the applicant is knowledgeable of the second official language, points are given using the same analysis except that only 2 credits each are given for reading, listening, writing and speaking at a high to moderate proficiency level and 1 to 2 points is given for reading, listening, writing and speaking at a basic proficiency level. No credits are given where the applicant reads, listens, writes or speaks the second language with no proficiency. A maximum of 8 points will be awarded for the applicant's ability to speak, listen, read and write in their second official language.
Applicants must provide conclusive proof of their language skills:
1. Take an official language test by an approved organization or
2. Provide other written documentation
Adaptability Applicants may receive a maximum of 10 points under the adaptability category. The breakdown of this category is as follows:
1. applicants spouse's or common law partner's education may receive an additional 3-5 points (depending on the level of education)
2. Applicants (or the accompanying spouse or common-law partner) has a minimum of 1 year of full-time authorized work visa in Canada will receive 5 points.
3. Applicants (or the accompanying spouse or common-law partner) has completed a minimum of 2 years full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada will receive 5 points.
4. Applicants who have received points under the arranged employment in Canada factor will receive 5 points
5. Applicants (or the accompanying spouse or common-law partner), has a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may receive 5 points.
pathtocanada.com
Basically, if you are a PH.D., 25 years old, fluent in English, with four years' work experience, and job arrangements, you will probably get in easily. Even without the PH.D., if you have a college degree and all of the above you will probably get into Canada. A million dollars is not required, though there was a special provision used by many Hong Kong businesspersons in 1997 that allowed them to get into Canada if they invested a significant amount of money in a business that hired people. The U.S. had a similar provision, but the U.S. required more money to be invested than Canada.
So, in virtually every respect, Canada is easier to emigrate to than the U.S. And Vancouver has evolved into the most Asian-influenced city in the Western Hemisphere, with a Chinatown that dwarfs that of San Francisco in size, and Asian minority populations which comprise a large part of the populace:
BRITISH COLUMBIA Population Percentage
Total British Columbia 3,689,755 100.00%
Total Visible Minorities 660,540 17.90%
Chinese 299,860 8.13%
South Asian 158,430 4.29%
Black 23,275 0.63%
Arab/West Asian 20,090 0.54%
Filipino 47,080 1.28%
Southeast Asian 25,355 0.69%
Latin American 17,655 0.48%
Japanese 29,815 0.81%
Korean 19,050 0.52%
Visible minority, n.i.e. (1) 8,070 0.22%
Multiple visible minority (2) 11,850 0.32%
Aboriginals 139,655 3.80%
All others (3) 2,889,555 78.31%
imdiversity.com. |
