5 Must-Haves for New Visitors Coming to Canada
Being a Canadian permanent resident allows you to benefit from the protection of Canadian laws, apply for full citizenship status, and access social benefits. However, getting this status requires submitting specific documents, including the immigration medical exam performed by an immigration doctor and fulfilling several other requirements.
In this article, we will outline additional details on the essential requirements for your permanent residency in Canada. This guide can help you ensure that you submit a complete application to the Canadian government and give yourself the best prospect of getting permanent residency status without delays.
Are you eligible?
Most people coming to Canada require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). To determine eligibility, you can complete an online questionnaire that will guide you through obtaining the correct documents.
If you require an eTA, you can find an online application at the end of the questionnaire. To complete the form, you must have a credit card, email address, and valid passport.
People can apply for visas on paper or online. After you finish a qualifying questionnaire, you will receive detailed application instructions.
Ensure You Have the Proper Documentation Before Making Travel Plans
Before completing your travel plans, we advise you to become familiar with entry requirements by country. What is required depends on how you travel, the country you are from, and what documents you travel with. In addition to a passport, you may need travel authorization like an eTA or visa to come into Canada.
We also advise you to apply for an eTA before booking your flight. While most people obtain approval within minutes, some applications take days to process. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute.
A Cautionary Word
People applying for an eTA must exercise caution when dealing with companies that claim to help them obtain this document. These businesses are not working on behalf of the Canadian government. Many websites charge fees to submit eTA applications and provide information.
The Government of Canada website is the only official place for applying for an eTA.
Essentials for New Canadian Visitors Seeking Permanent Residency
1. Primary identification
People entering Canada must show a valid piece of primary identification. While valid passports are frequently used for this purpose, you can also show a certificate of identity provided by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (or the equivalent in different countries).
All primary identification must have the following attributes:
- Date it is issued
- Document number and type
- Date of expiration
- Your full legal name
- Date of birth
- Your photo
In very rare situations, some applicants can provide statutory declarations from someone who knew them before they came to Canada, from themselves, or from other identity documents issued outside of Canada.
To qualify, applicants must have these documents accompany a letter stating the exceptional circumstances that prevent the application from providing standard identity documents. Going this route may subject you to additional investigation, which could add time to your overall application process.
2. Police certificate
Individuals applying for their Canadian Permanent Residency must submit police certificates with their application. When applying, temporary workers, students, and caregivers visiting Canada must also submit this.
Police certificates assist the Government of Canada in discovering whether individuals have a criminal record. They use it to determine admissibility into Canada. Yet, while criminal records can decrease your chances of applying successfully, not all charges make you inadmissible. Charges that are withdrawn or stayed do not affect eligibility.
3. Immigration medical exam
People applying for their Permanent Residency (in addition to visitors, prospective students, and temporary workers) must undergo an immigration medical exam. Having an immigration medical exam verifies you are not a safety or health risk to Canadians during your time in the country. It also states you will not put undue strain on the Canadian public healthcare system.
Immigration medical exams involve:
- Physical exams, which include measuring weight, height, blood pressure, hearing, vision, and more.
- Completing questionnaires about your medical history and information on current medication.
- X-rays and additional lab tests (potentially creatinine and tests for HIV or syphilis).
- Mental health examination searching for evidence of psychiatric conditions requiring specialized care.
A government-approved panel physician must perform your immigration medical exam. Since the process can be confusing, Immigration Medical Toronto can assist you in your journey. We simplify the process, making it easier to obtain permanent residency status.
4. Paying fees
Part of the application process for permanent residency is paying the appropriate fees. The costs include a Right of Permanent Residency Fee, which is paid when the application is approved. You may also have to pay processing fees, which can differ depending on how you apply for your permanent residency (family sponsorship, business immigration, etc).
Current permanent residency fees for application are available here. Information on paying these fees is located here.
5. Biometrics (photos and fingerprints)
The required biometrics include photos and fingerprints. Individuals applying for Canadian visas as students, visitors, or temporary workers must submit this before the remainder of their application. For all prospective permanent residents, you must send these items with the rest of your application.
For the first time, individuals coming to Canada must submit biometrics information. However, if you have already provided it as a visitor, temporary worker, or student, then your information is probably still valid and won’t require resubmission.
To obtain your biometrics, you must pay a fee. After that, you will get a letter with additional instructions. Follow the instructions outlined closely to have the biometrics recorded at valid locations. Ensure you bring the letter and a valid passport to your appointment.
Book your biometrics appointment as soon as you receive your instructional letter to prevent delays. All biometrics information must be obtained in person.
Contact Immigration Medical Toronto to Book Your Immigration Medical Exam
Our immigration doctors are fully certified by the government to conduct an immigration medical exam. Please note that your immigration medical exam cannot be administered by your primary physician. It must be done by a government-approved immigration doctor to qualify for Canadian permanent residency status.
Our processes have been streamlined to provide a pleasant and efficient immigration medical exam. To book your appointment with an immigration doctor, call
