With the changes in the global economy and the gradual relaxation of immigration policies in Canada, the advantages of Canada as a resource-rich country in terms of education and settlement life are becoming increasingly evident. Those who wish to immigrate to Canada should stay updated on immigration policies.
Compared to the current Citizenship Act, the new Canadian immigration and citizenship law has the following four main reforms:
1. Residency requirement of 3 years within 5 years for citizenship
(1) Current regulation: Requires 4 years of residency within 6 years, with a minimum of 183 days per year;
(2) New law: Shortens the residency requirement in Canada to 3 years within 5 years, eliminating the requirement of 183 days per year.
2. More flexible calculation of residency time
(1) Current regulation: Time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident does not count;
(2) New law: Time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident can be counted, calculated as 1 day for every 2 days, with a maximum of 2 years of non-permanent residency counting as 1 year.
For example, if an individual has already lived in Canada for 2 years before becoming a permanent resident, they only need to live for another 2 years within 5 years after becoming a permanent resident to apply for citizenship.
3. Reduced language requirements
(1) Current regulation: Requires citizenship applicants aged 14 to 64 to pass language and citizenship knowledge tests;
(2) New law: Applicants aged 18 to 54 need to pass language and citizenship knowledge tests, narrowing the age range.
4. Simplified tax requirements
(1) Current regulation: Requires applicants to report at least 4 years of income to the tax authority within 6 years;
(2) New law: Applicants must report 3 years of income to the Canada Revenue Agency during the 5-year waiting period.
In 2017, the quota for immigration to Quebec, Canada, decreased from 31,600 to 29,300 compared to 2016. Pacific Immigration Analysis believes that although the Quebec immigration authority has not yet announced the specific quota for investment immigration in 2017, under the trend of the Canadian government placing increasing importance on skilled immigration, the quota for investment immigration that allows for immediate permanent residency may be reduced.
Canada has numerous immigration programs, and immigration policies are constantly changing. It is essential for individuals to choose the immigration program that suits them best. We hope this information is helpful for those looking to immigrate to Canada.