Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about Canadian immigration, working with a regulated representative, permanent residence, sponsorship, work and study permits, visitor applications, fees and processing.
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About Argus & Representation
What immigration services does Argus Immigration offer?
Argus provides regulated Canadian immigration advice, application preparation and representation across major immigration and citizenship matters. Current service areas include Express Entry, provincial immigration, family sponsorship, work permits, study permits, visitor visas, Super Visas and Canadian citizenship.
What is an RCIC?
An RCIC is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant who is licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Paid immigration consultants must be authorized to provide Canadian immigration advice or representation.
How can I verify an immigration consultant?
You can verify a citizenship or immigration consultant through the CICC Public Register. IRCC also recommends confirming that any paid representative is authorized and in good standing before you hire them.
Do I need to hire an immigration representative?
No. Hiring a representative is optional. IRCC provides application forms and instructions directly to applicants. Some people choose professional representation because they want help assessing eligibility, preparing documents, organizing evidence, checking forms or communicating with IRCC.
Will hiring an RCIC make IRCC process my application faster?
No. IRCC states that using a representative does not give an application special attention, faster processing or a guaranteed approval. A representative can help prepare and manage the application, but the government controls processing and makes the final decision.
What happens during an Argus consultation?
A consultation is used to understand your objective, immigration history, current status and the facts that affect your options. Where appropriate, the consultant can identify relevant pathways, requirements, potential concerns and practical next steps. A consultation is not a guarantee that a particular application will be accepted or approved.
Choosing an Immigration Pathway
What is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada?
There is no single fastest pathway for everyone. The appropriate route depends on factors such as work experience, language ability, education, family relationships, provincial connections, job offers and current program rules. Some pathways use invitation systems, which means meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee selection.
How do I know which Canadian immigration program is right for me?
The right program depends on your individual profile and objective. Permanent residence may involve Express Entry, a provincial program, family sponsorship or another pathway. Temporary residence may involve a work permit, study permit or visitor status. Start by identifying your goal, then assess the eligibility rules for the specific program rather than relying on a generic online checklist.
Is there an age limit for immigrating to Canada?
Canada does not have one universal immigration age limit. Age affects some economic immigration scoring systems, including Express Entry, while other programs use different eligibility criteria. Family sponsorship, work permits, study permits and citizenship each have their own rules.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the federal system used to manage applications for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Eligible candidates create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and may be invited to apply for permanent residence through an invitation round.
Canadian Experience Class · Federal Skilled Worker Program · Federal Skilled Trades Program
Do I need a Canadian job offer for Express Entry?
Not always. A job offer is not a minimum requirement for the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires either a qualifying job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade. Other factors can affect your eligibility and CRS score.
How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada?
There is no single amount for every immigration application. Some Express Entry applicants, including many Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants, must show settlement funds based on family size. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not have the same proof-of-funds requirement. Government fees, medicals, biometrics, language tests and other costs also vary by application.
Because settlement-fund tables and fees are updated, check the current amount for the specific program before applying.
Family Sponsorship
Who can sponsor a spouse or partner to Canada?
An eligible sponsor is generally at least 18 and is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act. Additional sponsor restrictions and relationship requirements apply. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor, while a Canadian citizen abroad may be able to sponsor if they can show an intention to return to Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
What is the difference between spousal and common-law sponsorship?
Spousal sponsorship is based on a legally valid marriage. Common-law sponsorship generally requires the couple to have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Both categories require evidence that the relationship is genuine and meet the applicable sponsorship requirements.
Is there a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?
In most spouse or partner sponsorship cases, there is no minimum necessary income requirement. Exceptions can apply in certain cases involving dependent children who themselves have dependent children. Sponsors must still meet the other financial and sponsorship obligations.
Is the Parents and Grandparents Program open?
As of September 2026, IRCC has paused new intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program. It is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms or issuing new invitations until further notice, while existing applications continue to be processed. Eligible parents and grandparents may consider the Super Visa for temporary visits.
Work, Study & Visit
What is the difference between an employer-specific and an open work permit?
An employer-specific work permit authorizes work under conditions tied to the approved employment, such as the employer, occupation or location. An open work permit is not tied to one employer but is available only in specific eligibility categories.
Does every Canadian work permit require an LMIA?
No. Many employer-specific work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), but Canada also has LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program and other categories. Open work permits generally do not require an LMIA.
Does admission to a Canadian school guarantee a study permit?
No. A letter of acceptance is an important part of a study permit application, but IRCC also assesses financial support, immigration history, temporary-resident requirements and other applicable documentation such as a PAL or TAL where required.
Can the spouse of an international student or foreign worker get an open work permit?
Sometimes. Spousal open work permit eligibility is restricted to specific categories and changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. Eligibility can depend on the principal applicant’s study program, occupation, work permit duration or sponsorship situation.
Does a Canadian visitor visa guarantee entry to Canada?
No. A visitor visa allows a traveller to travel to a Canadian port of entry. A border services officer makes the final decision about admission and the period of authorized stay.
What is the difference between a Super Visa and parent sponsorship?
The Super Visa is a temporary residence option for eligible parents and grandparents and can allow extended visits to Canada. The Parents and Grandparents Program is a permanent residence sponsorship program. They have different eligibility, income, insurance and application requirements.
Applications, Fees & Decisions
How long will my Canadian immigration application take?
Processing times vary by application type, where the application is processed, how complete it is, how quickly information can be verified and whether IRCC needs additional documents or checks. Published processing times are estimates, not guarantees.
How much are Canadian immigration application fees?
Government fees depend on the application type and family composition and can change. Professional fees charged by Argus are separate from government fees, biometrics, medical examinations, language tests, translations and other third-party costs.
Can Argus guarantee that my application will be approved?
No. Immigration and citizenship decisions are made by IRCC, provincial authorities, visa officers or other responsible government decision-makers. Argus can provide professional advice and representation, but no representative can guarantee an approval, invitation, nomination or processing time.
What should I do if my application was refused?
A refusal should be reviewed before you simply submit the same application again. The appropriate next step depends on the application type, refusal reasons, evidence, timing and whether there is a new application, reconsideration, appeal or other legal remedy available. Not every remedy applies to every refusal.
For many temporary-residence refusals, the first practical step is to understand the concerns and determine whether new or stronger evidence can address them.
Are government immigration forms and instructions free?
Yes. IRCC provides its official forms and instructions without charge on Canada.ca. Argus professional fees are for immigration consulting, case preparation and representation services, not for access to government forms.
Where should I confirm the latest immigration rules?
Canadian immigration rules can change quickly. For authoritative program rules, forms, fees and processing information, use Canada.ca, the relevant provincial immigration authority and the CICC Public Register for consultant verification. Argus service pages are written to explain the rules in practical language, but time-sensitive requirements should always be checked against the current official source before an application is filed.