If you're considering immigrating to Canada, you're certainly not alone. Due to its high standard of living, its excellent education system, and its universal health care, Canada immigration is attractive to people around the world. And, who can ignore the country's peacefulness, safety, and sheer beauty?

There are a number of paths to Canadian immigration. For example, provinces and territories share authority with the federal government and can fast track applications for permanent residency. The immigrants given priority are those who the provinces and territories deem to have skills in areas defined as important by the provincial authorities.

There are also immigration options based on marriage and family relationships. If, for example, you're married to a permanent resident or citizen, you can achieve permanent residency through their sponsorship. Similarly, if your parent is a permanent resident, he or she can sponsor you if you're less than 22 years of age, if you're financially dependent upon him or her, or if you are disabled. If you're the brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, there are circumstances under which you can be sponsored for residency.

Through its business class application, the country also extends Canadian immigration to those who fit its entrepreneur and investor requirements. For example, if you have a net worth of $300,000 and extensive business management experience, or net assets of $1 million, you may be eligible for these immigration categories - and, in the process, realize significant tax savings.

Similarly, if you have an offer of employment, are a temporary foreign worker, or have experience in any number of occupations listed as desirable by the federal government, you may be eligible for immigration. Although the list of occupations changes from time to time, they currently run the gamut from financial managers and health care managers to mining engineers and crane operators.

Although Canada accepts close to a quarter of a million immigrants each year, Canadian immigration isn't necessarily a cakewalk. Indeed, navigating the various immigration categories and finding the one that will reduce your delay in moving to the country can be confusing at best and impossible at worst. After all, in 2006, close to half of applications for immigration in the business and skilled worker categories were refused.

Because the immigration process can be so tricky, it is helpful to engage the services of a Canadian immigration consultant who can assess your chances of qualification and smooth the way for successful immigration. A Canadian immigration consultant who is accredited by the country's government can go even further, by representing you during the application process and, if necessary, making your case to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. You can find immigration consultants online, but make sure that you select one that has a high success rate (a 95% success rate should be the standard you use), one that will provide you with a free assessment of your chances for success, and one that offers personal and effective services at reasonable prices. When you do, you'll exponentially increase the chance that, this time next year, you'll be enjoying the high standard of living that Canada has to offer.