• Canada takes in immigrants to help address the country's aging population and low birthrate.canada map image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
  
  Canada took in more than 500,000 permanent and temporary residents in 2009, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Canada recruits immigrants to help the country's economic needs as well as address its aging population and low birthrate. With an active immigration policy, the government of Canada has put in place a CIC website to assist potential immigrants. There also are other resources that an applicant can use in to research the country's immigration policies and procedures.
  
  

Citizenship and Immigration Canada website

• Foreigners can find a detailed immigration procedures on the CIC website. The site gives instructions on how to apply either as an immigrant, student, worker, refugee or visitor. Downloadable application forms also are found on the site. Also available online are the instructions on how to fill out the forms, how to submit applications and lists application and processing fees. The website also features a media center, which provides updated immigration news.
  
  

Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants

• If the use an immigration consultant is desired, applicants can check the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants website. The society's website offers a list of members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Its members are graduates of immigration consultant certificate programs and have passed the society's membership examination. The site allows applicants to choose a consultant using email contact information.
  
  

Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants

• The Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants has members in different countries. The association has more than 400 consultants in 11 countries. The association's website helps applicants find a consultant located in Canada, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The site also provides websites for some of the members.
  
  

Provincial websites

• Prospective immigrants also can take the path of the provincial nominee program in which a province or territory nominates applicants who meet its criteria. The websites of a province or territory in which applicants are provide information about its provincial nominee program. The CIC website provides a list of the provinces and territories that participate in this program and provides a link to each province's website.