The Canadian Maple Leaf Card is a permanent proof of Canadian resident status and is an important goal for many people who want to immigrate to Canada and work there. Obtaining a maple leaf card requires certain requirements and years of work. Let's go into it in detail below.

1. Work year requirements

Under Canadian Immigration Regulations, applicants must work in Canada for at least one year to be eligible for a maple leaf card. Specifically, if you apply for a maple leaf card through the federally skilled immigration category, you will need to work legally in Canada for more than one year. And, if you apply for a maple leaf card through the Canadian Provincial Nomination Program, the work year requirements may vary by province and project.

2. Work visa holders in Canada

For those with a Canadian work visa, it can take years to get a maple leaf card. While waiting, people with work visas can accumulate work experience in Canada, adapt to Canada’s society and culture, improve their language skills, and prepare for future application of maple leaf card.

3. Provincial nomination project

Canada's current official provincial nomination program usually takes nearly two years. It takes about one to 16 months to obtain a maple leaf card, depending on the province and project. During this period, the applicant must reside in the province and meet other relevant conditions.

4. Quebec technician immigration

If you plan to apply for a maple leaf card through the Quebec Mechanic Immigration Category, the waiting time may be longer. Based on recent experience, it usually takes three years to submit an application to obtain a maple leaf card.

5. Quebec business immigration

The Quebec Business Immigration Category is a long-term immigration program that usually requires 65 years of waiting. This project is a longer option for those who want to start a business in Quebec and end up with a maple leaf card.

6. Atlantic immigration program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is an immigration program initiated by four Canadian Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island). Under the program, applicants must live and work in Atlantic Province for at least two years to obtain a maple leaf card.

7. Residence obligations

In addition to meeting the work year requirements, applying for a Canadian maple leaf card must also comply with the Residence Obligation Regulations. If you have been a permanent resident for more than 5 years, you must live in Canada for more than 730 days within the last 5 years. If you are a permanent resident for less than 5 years, you must meet the requirement of living for more than 183 days a year in the past 5 years.

8. Education and work experience

Having a high level of education and related work experience has the advantage of reward points in applying for maple leaf cards. Take Ontario as an example. If you graduated from undergraduate for four years, you can get a three-year work visa and apply for a maple leaf card after one year of work. Canadian graduates are also more likely to obtain a work visa after studying in Canada and are eligible to apply for a maple leaf card after one year of work.

9. Immigration login time

After immigrating to Canada, you can usually receive a maple leaf card within 30 days. The longer the waiting time may be 2-3 months. If you do not receive a maple leaf card within the specified time, it is recommended that you contact the Immigration Bureau in time for consultation to avoid omitting emails.

Obtaining a Canadian Maple Leaf Card requires a certain number of years of work and other conditions, and different immigration categories and provinces may have different waiting times. For those who want to immigrate to Canada, knowing this information can help them develop a reasonable immigration plan and better plan their development in Canada.