The following is an excerpt from Canada Countdown, How to Immigrate to Canada - A Guide Book.

The organization handling all applications and issues regarding immigration and citizenship is called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

This federal department determines immigration policy in Canada, works to ensure all applicants — temporary workers, international students and permanent residents — get competent and fair decisions, and also strives to make their first steps toward integration easier.

It also offers assistance and protection to refugees and other persons in need. 

On the CIC website you can download all the application forms you need to apply for coming to Canada temporarily or permanently to Canada, and information on filling them out, submitting them and paying the applicable fees. 

You can also contact the closest visa office to your city for information on applying for immigration. Visa officers work in Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world to process applications for immigration, refugee resettlement, temporary resident visas, study and temporary work permits. See the CIC website for visa office locations.

TIP: Be sure that you follow the specific instructions for the visa office serving your country.

Filling out an application form is one thing; getting it approved is entirely different. The number of applicants far exceeds the number of people approved for immigration. And applying to immigrate can be riddled with an endless stream of complicated forms and confusing requirements.

But immigration policies are also always changing! So it’s important to keep on top of new policies and rules.

Here are some recent changes that have been made by CIC:

CIC wants to make assessing applications fast and transparent so they are requiring objective third party services to evaluate language skills and educational qualifications. Applicants will need to have the results of these evaluations before submitting an application.

CIC is going electronic! More and more applications are being made online. This trend will continue but it may have potential challenges. You have to be sure you understand the entire online application process.

CIC wants to be able to process applications quickly and manage its workload — which could mean the end of waitlists. Expect to see annual caps on the number of applicants eligible in more and more programs categories.

Canada Countdown is written by Nick Noorani and Catherine Sas QC. It is available for download online from www.canadacountdown.ca.