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"In addition, the Canadian system is biased in favor of skilled workers. The vast majority of American immigrants are unskilled laborers allowed in through the

by chancho 18y ago

"In addition, the Canadian system is biased in favor of skilled workers. The vast majority of American immigrants are unskilled laborers allowed in through the 'family reunification' program. Canada does have a similar program, but the majority of our immigrants are skilled." Care to speculate on the reason for this discrepancy, given that the US and Canada have similar family reunification programs? I mean, you say that most of the US's unskilled immigrants come through the family reunification program, but then go on to say that Canada has a similar program so I don't see how that explains the difference.

pcc 18y ago
Afaik there is a quota, something like 60:40 economically active to non-economically active; so priorities are firstly skilled workers (or where there are shortages), then most immediate family, and lastly other family (eg parents, grandparents). Also should perhaps be pointed out that Canada does in fact issue temporary work visas too (not just residency visas), and then there would in fact be constraints on staying with an employer etc. Depending on where one applies from, this is often a faster process than residency; and from that there are avenues such as the provincial nominee program, that allow for expediting the residency process.
deleted 18y ago
[deleted]
gamble 18y ago
Canada doesn't have a quota system like the US, but priority is given to skilled immigrants and their immediate relatives. A skilled immigrant can get a permanent residency visa in 1-3 years, whereas a grandparent might need 5-10 years. In the US, the quota system is disproportionately biased in favor of relatives - something like 70% of all immigrants. The only path for skilled immigrants is H1-B, which has an annual cap of 65,000 visas. For example, Canada issued about 250,000 PR visas last year. 150,000 went to skilled workers and entrepreneurs, whereas only 65,000 went to family members. (Of which, 44,000 were spouses) The statistics are here if you're curious: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/permanent/01.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/...

by chancho 18y ago

pcc 18y ago

Afaik there is a quota, something like 60:40 economically active to non-economically active; so priorities are firstly skilled workers (or where there are shortages), then most immediate family, and lastly other family (eg parents, grandparents). Also should perhaps be pointed out that Canada does in fact issue temporary work visas too (not just residency visas), and then there would in fact be constraints on staying with an employer etc. Depending on where one applies from, this is often a faster process than residency; and from that there are avenues such as the provincial nominee program, that allow for expediting the residency process.

deleted 18y ago

[deleted]

gamble 18y ago

Canada doesn't have a quota system like the US, but priority is given to skilled immigrants and their immediate relatives. A skilled immigrant can get a permanent residency visa in 1-3 years, whereas a grandparent might need 5-10 years. In the US, the quota system is disproportionately biased in favor of relatives - something like 70% of all immigrants. The only path for skilled immigrants is H1-B, which has an annual cap of 65,000 visas. For example, Canada issued about 250,000 PR visas last year. 150,000 went to skilled workers and entrepreneurs, whereas only 65,000 went to family members. (Of which, 44,000 were spouses) The statistics are here if you're curious: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/permanent/01.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/...