Immigrate from Jamaica to Canada:
Permanent Status

Each year many Jamaican citizens choose to immigrate to Canada in search of a better way of life. Since Canada is consistently ranked as being among the best countries in the world in which to live, immigrating to Canada is a popular choice. Most Jamaican immigrants to Canada tend to settle in Toronto, Ontario, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario. If you are considering immigrating to Canada from Jamaica, you must first select and apply under the most appropriate category of Immigration.

The Canadian immigration lawyers at the Toronto law firm of Abrams & Krochak have assisted tens of thousands of emigrating individuals since 1996. As Canadian immigration attorneys we help those who wish to reside in Canada find the appropriate Canada Immigration category and the most expedient means of coming to this country, in accordance with the Canada Immigration laws. Click on the links on the right of this page to learn more about the various Canada Immigration categories that are open to applicants.

After determining which category best suits your goals and qualifications, please proceed to complete the free Canada Immigration Eligibility Assessment questionnaire. This will allow our Canadian immigration lawyers at Abrams & Krochak, to assess your eligibility to immigrate to Canada from Jamaica, in keeping with Canadian Immigration laws. We will respond to your questionnaire within one business day and there is no cost to you. Complete as many Online Assessment Questionnaires that may be relevant to your circumstances. Each assessment will be carefully reviewed by our team of Canadian immigration attorneys in Toronto.

Canadian Immigration Laws: Permanent Residence Status

Attaining “permanent resident status of Canada”, when emigrating from Jamaica, is also referred to as “Immigration to Canada” or becoming a “landed immigrant of Canada”. After a successful Canada Immigration Application process you will be issued a Canada immigrant visa, which bestows permanent status upon you. As a permanent resident, will enjoy all the same rights as those of a Canadian citizen (i.e. free health care, free elementary and secondary education, subsidized post-secondary education, the right to work in Canada) with just a few exceptions.

Unlike Canadian citizens,

1. a permanent resident cannot vote;
2. a permanent resident cannot hold a Canadian passport; and
3. a permanent resident can be deported for certain criminal convictions.

Applying for Canadian Citizenship After Emigrating from Jamaica

After emigrating from Jamaica you will be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship if you have been a Canadian permanent resident for at least a total of 1095 days within any consecutive four (4) year period of time after receiving Canadian Permanent Residence. After obtaining Canadian Citizenship, you will be eligible to apply for a Canadian passport.

Pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada, to be eligible to renew the Permanent Resident Card, a permanent resident must reside in Canada for a total of at least 730 days within the five (5) years prior to the date of expiration on his/her Permanent Resident Card, subject to certain exceptions.

To become a permanent resident, those to whom a Canadian immigrant visa has been issued must present themselves to a Canada Immigration officer at one of the official ports of entry of Canada.

Eligibility to become a permanent resident of Canada is based on meeting the requirements of one (1) of five (5) classes of Immigration: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, the Canadian Experience Class, the Family Class or the Business Class OR qualify as a provincial nominee.