History

• The history of the first human migration into Canada is disputed, but the most widely accepted theory states that they moved from Siberia across a land bridge into Alaska and then south to the rest of North America. The French began to colonize the area that is today the province of Quebec in the early 1600s, and they ceded control to Great Britain following defeat in the French and Indian War in 1763. American colonists who remained loyal to Great Britain moved north into Canada following U.S. independence in 1783. Settlers from Great Britain and Ireland arrived in the 1800s. Other peoples migrated to Canada in the 1900s, including Chinese, Japanese and East Indians.
  
  

Significance

• According to the 2006 census carried out by Statistics Canada, 6,186,950 individuals, or almost 20 per cent of the population, were born outside of Canada. The origin countries of the Canadian immigrant population include the United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, India, Philippines and Italy. More than 200 different ethnicities make up the Canadian population. The visible minority population numbered 5,068,100 in the same census, which constituted 16 per cent of the population.
  
  

Visa Types

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) regulates the movement of people in and out of the country. Five visa types are offered: visitor, worker, student, immigrant and refugees. Citizens of some countries do not need a visa to enter Canada temporarily.
  
  

Visa Features

• A visitor visa is for people who intend to travel or stay temporarily in Canada. The holders of this visa are not allowed to work or study without applying for the proper permit.
  
  A work visa allows an individual who already has a Canadian job offer to live and work for a certain time period.
  
  You can get a student visa if you have already been accepted at a recognized Canadian educational institution. You will be able to stay for the period of your coursework.
  
  The immigrant visa is a more permanent type of visa for skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs, self-employed people and family members of Canadians.
  
  Canada also provides humanitarian shelter for refugees who need protection.
  
  

Naturalization

• Each year, 170,000 people become Canadian citizens. To apply for citizenship, you must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least three years out of the past four years. In addition, other criteria are used to determine eligibility, including age, language abilities, criminal history and knowledge of Canada.