Once a person becomes a permanent resident that person is entitled to enjoy most of the benefits available to Canadian citizens. These benefits include the right to live and work anywhere in Canada and to receive many social benefits including the right to universal health coverage. A permanent resident may sponsor his parents, brother and sisters, spouse or fiancee under 19 years of age for permanent residence status. These persons are called members of the family class of immigrants and receive first priority in processing. The remaining categories of immigrants to Canada fall under the independent and business class of immigrants.
Independent immigrants are subject to a point system.
To be eligible for immigration under the independent class, the immigrant must have work experience in an occupation which is in demand. Such occupations include accountants, engineers, technicians, technologists, secretaries, computer repair specialists, analysts and programmers. There are over 900 occupations currently in demand. Bonus points are awarded if an independent immigrant has a parent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt in Canada. The business class of immigrants includes the self-employed person and entrepreneurs.