Canada encourages the admission of immigrants who bring both financial as well as intellectual capital, skills and expertise that collectively contribute to the nation's economic and cultural well-being, and create job opportunities. There are two (2) principal immigration categories: (1) Business; (2) Independent or Skilled Worker.

1.1 The Business immigration program ("BIP") is principally focused on those of whom who have business experience and funds to invest and who qualify under any one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Investor

To meet current selection criteria, an applicant must qualify under a points system and is required to 'score' a minimum of 70 points to be eligible. Assessment is based primarily on educational and vocational qualifications, skills and experience in the intended occupation in Canada. Generally, a minimum of one (1) year experience in a designated occupation is compulsory in order to qualify.

The application for permanent residence generally would include the principal applicant, his or her spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 19 years.

In 1860, Canada accepted 6,276 new immigrants. In 1960, 104,111 new immigrants arrived in Canada. Since 1990, Canada has accepted more than 200,000 immigrants each year, 10% of whom are refugees.

5. Which top three cities in Canada are chosen by immigrants as their preferred choice of destination?

In 1997, the top three metropolitan areas favoured by newly arriving immigrants to Canada were: (1) Toronto [44.7%]; (2) Vancouver [19.4%]; and, (3) Montreal [10.4%].

The strategic selection of an appropriate visa office for submission of applications can effectively reduce the overall time required for processing - all of which can vary greatly from one post to another.

Canadian immigration processing posts outside Asia-Pacific generally require shorter time periods - from submission of an application to the issuance of visas.

Generally, the principal applicant and his or her spouse, where applicable, will be required to attend the selection interview. In addition, certain visa offices require that any accompanying children over the age of 18 years be in attendance as well.

10. What healthcare benefits am I and my family entitled to as a Permanent Resident?

Canada is reputed to have one of the finest healthcare systems in the world the services of which are available free-of-charge to all Permanent Residents and their families who are registered under the national health insurance program known as 'Medicare'.

Medicare pays for those medical services provided for by a licensed medical doctor at hospitals, clinics or doctor's offices. Where medical services or prescription medicines are required which are not covered by Medicare, additional health coverage can be obtained by private insurance companies at very reasonable rates or, in the alternative, may be provided for by many Canadian employers' medical plans.

At any time after an applicant is issued their immigrant visa, they are permitted a one-time only opportunity to establish an off-shore trust into which may be transferred all non-Canadian income generating assets.

The purpose of the trust is to shield income and capital gains generated outside Canada from Canadian tax liability for a period of five (5) years commencing, generally, from the date which permanent residence is first established.

13. As an 'Investor', do I have to live in the Province in which my money is invested?

Once having obtained Landed Immigrant status, there are no restrictions which govern where you are required to live. As a Permanent Resident, you are free to choose to live anywhere in Canada at any time.

Read the fine print carefully as all immigration investment funds are not the same. Many funds promise 'long' but deliver 'short'. Responsible funds make provision for the return of funds invested, with or without an administration charge, in the event of application rejection. Generally, evidence of refusal is required to obtain a refund.

After you have lived in Canada for three or more years, you are entitled to apply for Citizenship. The process takes approximately 12 months after which, upon success, you are eligible for a Canadian passport.

You can maintain your Landed Immigrant status permanently without ever having to become a citizen of Canada. Canadian citizenship is a highly added-value option - not an imposed requirement.

As Canada allows for dual citizenship, you can still retain your current citizenship and become a Canadian citizen as well. However as some countries do not permit dual citizenship, you should check with your own country to determine whether this applies to you.

Unless you are experienced with the complexities of Canadian immigration law, regulation and policy - then a qualified and reputable professional is more likely to make all the difference between success and failure:

As a legal process, immigration proceedings can prove to be so complex that they are invariably subject to error in understanding and attitude on the part of both clients and Visa Officers. There exists strong evidence demonstrating systemic error by Visa Officers, to such a degree, that it would be clearly imprudent not to retain the services of competent, professional legal counsel.

It was disclosed in March of 1999 that six (6) out of every 10 cases submitted for judicial review from Visa Officers had been decided wrongly in 1997, the most recent year for which statistics are currently available.

Accordingly, it becomes the responsibility of reputable immigration counsel to address the potential for such a large margin of error on the part of Visa Officers and take effective steps to protect their client's rights.

Experienced and competent counsel are trained to recognize procedural errors, such as: the presence of 'irregularities' in the use of discretionary authority, or the 'misapplication' of immigration directives, guidelines and regulatory definitions, or the committing of fundamental 'breaches' in the duty to act fairly during the immigration legal process.

For some 18 years now, the people of Asia-Pacific have discovered for themselves that they are able to improve upon their probability of success of immigrating to and acquiring Permanent Resident's status in Canada with the participation of reputable Canadian legal counsel who understand best how to replicate that success.

Upon accepting a client's immigration matter, it becomes the responsibility of RRC to ensure the following:

• that you are eligible for Canada's immigration program and qualified to meet current standards;
• that your required documentation-in-support is examined and evaluated for acceptability and, if there are any deficiencies, provide advice as to the most appropriate solution to meet current requirements;
• that you are advised as to the most suitable immigration category to apply under in relation to your qualifications, objectives and expectations;
• that you are advised on the most appropriate immigration post to apply to - as circumstances may determine;
• that the preparation of your application and all supporting documentation is proper and accurate;
• that the presentation of your application package is supported with a professional report;
• that you receive a timely briefing and interview training - in preparation for your immigration selection interview with a Visa Officer;
• that you obtain and submit required police certificates and medical reports - in a timely manner;
• that you receive full, plain and true disclosure - at all times throughout the application procedure;
• that you will receive professional representation in support of your application - to further ensure fairness - and that a proper decision is made based on current law, regulations and policy;
• that you are provided with appropriate pre-landing advice as to certain financial matters;
• that you are provided with appropriate landing advice as to matters of immediate settlement;
• that you are provided with appropriate post-landing advice as to healthcare, education, banking, accounting, and insurance - among other applicable resource requirements.

Accountability and responsibility are key factors throughout the tenure of a client's relationship with RRC.

Consultants' fees vary from one consultant to another. In many instances, fees are quite arbitrary as they would appear to have no reasonable bearing on knowledge, experience or responsibility. So take caution!

a.) 50% is paid upon signing a contract for service when we agree to accept your immigration matter;

b.) 50% is paid when notice of your immigration selection interview is received.

RRC provides a 100% refund of fees in the event a client does not receive an immigration visa - save and except for any of the following reasons:

• Failure of Client to obtain and submit any document requested by Immigration Canada;
• Failure of Client to disclose any relevant facts or making false or misleading statements or producing false documents;
• Failure of Client to verify source of funds attributed to personal net worth statement(s);
• Failure of Client to submit the processing fee(s) or immigration investor fund payment in full;
• Failure of Client to attend the selection interview;
• Failure of Client or any accompanying family members to establish their proficiency in one of Canada's two official languages;
• Failure of Client or any accompanying family members to satisfactorily pass a medical or security check;

Immigration Canada assesses a non-refundable processing fee based on the age and size of your family and the immigration category chosen and, in addition, a refundable Right-of-Landing fee.

It must be remembered that a 'contractual relationship' is usually undertaken to succeed in achieving certain desired results. There is an underlying assumption that both parties have to perform specific duties for which they are responsible for completing.

To this end, the client is burdened with an important responsibility of honesty and integrity of character - without which the probability of success is remote at best!