The formal process by which a person who is not a Canadian citizen can become a Canadian citizen. The person must usually become a permanent resident first.

Family members who are dependent on the principal applicant but who are not immigrating to Canada. They include a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and the children of a dependent child.

These people must be listed on the principal applicant’s application for permanent residence. They should have a medical exam so they can remain eligible for sponsorship at a later date.

A profession or a trade you can work in without needing a licence, certificate or registration. 80% of jobs in Canada are non-regulated.

Consistent and regularly scheduled paid employment throughout the year. It includes working schedules where pay does not stop during periods of non-work. It does not include work with periods of unemployment where the worker receives employment insurance throughout any part of the year.

An agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. Under it, citizens of each country can enter the other more easily for business.

NAFTA applies to four types of business people:

• business visitors,

• professionals,

• people transferred within a company to work in Canada, and

• traders and investors.

A person authorized by a province or territory’s law to be an official witness to the signing of contracts, deeds and other legal documents. They can also certify documents. Depending on the province or territory, a notary may also be able to draft documents, such as contracts. The requirements to be a notary differ in each province and territory.

A declaration that a person will

• be loyal to the King

• obey Canada’s laws and customs

• fulfill the duties of a Canadian citizen

In order to become citizens, people aged 14 or over must take the oath. Reciting the oath is the final requirement for Canadian citizenship.

See Citizenship ceremony, Citizenship judge.

An offence is any violation of a Canadian law or act, whether or not it occurs in Canada. It can include anything from trespassing or damaging property to immigration fraud or violent crime. There are two main types:

• Summary offences — These are less serious. The maximum penalty for a summary offence is usually a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

• Indictable offences — These are more serious and include theft over $5,000, break and enter, aggravated sexual assault and murder. Maximum penalties vary and include life in prison. Some have minimum penalties.

This allows resettled refugees in Canada to be reunited with immediate family members that are still overseas. Immediate family members are spouses, common-law partners and dependent children. To be eligible for this provision, an application must be made within one year of the resettled refugee arriving in Canada.

A type of work permit that allows a person to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:

• who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with conditions, or

• who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.

The actual paper version of a document, not a photocopy or an electronic copy.

A medical doctor appointed by IRCC to perform immigration medical examinations.