Canada has become one of the leading and most preferred countries to immigrate for people around the world. Canada has been welcoming immigrants from all over the world with various pathways to immigrate to Canada such as Federal Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, temporary resident visas, and family sponsorships.
Each program has its own different streams and eligibility requirements, from documents required to the process of application to immigrate to Canada.
We have divided the ways to immigrate to Canada and specified various programs. You can check below and match your eligibility to know which stream and way is best for you to immigrate to Canada.
Immigrate as a Permanent Resident
If you already have a certain level of education and experience outside Canada, there are some programs that you might be eligible for and you can immigrate to Canada directly as a permanent resident:
1. Express Entry System
Express entry is one of the easiest way to immigrate to Canada. And increasing demand is making it most popular program to immigrate to Canada.
Express Entry Canada is points-based immigration system that is used to evaluate candidates on different factors such as education, age, work experience, language proficiency and more. CRS score system is used to calculate the points and candidates with the highest points will selected in the express entry pool.
Express Entry System has 3 streams under this program:
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- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For highly skilled individuals, granting permanent residency based on factors like education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople with relevant work experience.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with skilled work experience in Canada
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Each province and territory has its own nominee program with specific criteria. Examples include the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) which has 9 streams and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) which is best for people who have worked experience and education in British Columbia.
Learn more about Canada PNP Programs for each Province and check your eligibility requirements.
3. Quebec Immigration Programs
Quebec has its own immigration program just like other provinces but not called the provincial nominee program.
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP): The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a immigration pathway for skilled workers intending to settle in the province of Quebec.
- Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
4. Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)
Designed for skilled workers, intermediate-skilled workers, and international graduates who want to permanently live in the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island).
Atlantic Immigration Pilot will become an official permanent program in 2022 and each year it is planned to immigrate 9,000 new immigrants in this stream covering all four major provinces.
5. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Aimed at bringing skilled workers to smaller communities in participating provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Applicant needs to have a job offer and other requirements such as education, language proficiency and more in one of the participating communities. Check out your eligibility on Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program to know more.
6. Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot for those with eligible work experience in the agri-food sector and a job offer from a designated employer in a specific region. Every year around 2500 – 3000 people are invited under this stream including occupations like Meat Product Manufacturing, Animal production, and other production.
7. Caregiver Program
The Caregiver Program in Canada facilitates the immigration of individuals who provide care for children, elderly persons, or those with high medical needs, offering them a pathway to permanent residency.
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot
- Home Support Worker Pilot
Read more about the Childcare Caregiver program here.
8. Start-Up Visa Program
For entrepreneurs who have the support of a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. Start-up Visa program helps entrepreneurs who have a viable business idea that ultimately helps in getting PR in Canada.
Immigrate as Worker
1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is designed for Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill a temporary positions that cannot be filled by Canadian workers. This stream may require you to have a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to invite foreign worker to Canada.
2. International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program is designed to invite temporary foreign worker students, researchers, and professionals to come to Canada and work for employers without the need for an LMIA. IMP has 6 streams in it:
- Canadian Interest Exemptions
- Bridging Open Work Permit
- International Free Trade Agreements
- Reciprocal Youth Exchange Agreements
- Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- Intra-Company Transferees
3. International Experience Canada (IEC)
International Experience Canada gives opportunities to young individuals from partner countries to work and travel in Canada to exchange knowledge, value exchange, and culture exchange. Participants in this stream may apply for an open work permit.
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op
4. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) allows agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers for seasonal agricultural work. Workers are usually employed for specific periods that cannot be fulfilled by Canadian local workers.
5. Home Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots
Specific pilot programs are designed for foreign caregivers and home support workers that seeking to work in Canada. They may lead to permanent residency after meeting certain conditions. Learn more about Caregiver programs here.
6. Work Permits for Spouses or Common-law Partners
Spouses or common-law partners of individuals with valid work or study permits can apply for spousal sponsorship where they will get open work permit valid till the work permit of spouse or common-law partners’ work permit is valid.
7. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Post Graduation Work Permit is for International students who have completed at least 8 months of study in designated institutions in Canada and are eligible to apply for PGWP.
8. Intra-Company Transfer Work Permits
Multinational companies that transfer their employees to their Canadian branch, affiliate, or subsidiary can apply for work permit under his program.
Immigrate as a Temporary Resident
1. Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV)
A Visitor Visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is visa for a temporary stay for tourism, family visit or it could be business purpose. To be eligible for visitor visa, there might be more requirement and applicant may need to show sufficient funds that shows they can support themselves in Canada.
2. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Required for visa-exempt individuals traveling to Canada by air for short stays, this could be for visit or business trip.
3. Study Permits
Study permit is document issued to individuals intending to study at designated Canadian institutions for the purpose of study only.
4. Working Holiday Visa (International Experience Canada)
Allows young individuals from participating countries to work and travel in Canada for a limited period. Learn more about Working Holiday Visa here.
Immigrate as Business or self Employed
1. Start-Up Visa Program
Start-Up Visa Program is for entrepreneurs with a qualifying business idea and support from designated Canadian organizations can apply for permanent residency.
2. Self-Employed Persons Program:
Individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities, athletics, or farm management may qualify for permanent residency as self-employed persons.
Immigrate as a Family Sponorship
If you have someone in your family or your spouse or common-law partner who is already staying in Canada, can sponsor their family member to Canada
1. Spousal and Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or common-law partner sponsorship for permanent residency in the form of a reunion, after the application is approved they will get permanent residency.
2. Parents and Grandparents’ Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence through a two-step application process that is the first step is to sponsor phase and 2nd is to invitation to apply phase.
3. Dependent Children Sponsorship
Allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children for permanent residency that helps them to reunite with their family.
4. Other Relatives Sponsorship
In some cases, individuals can sponsor other eligible relatives, such as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren.
5. Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents
While this is not basically a sponsorship program, the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to extend their stay and live in Canada for 2 years allowing multiple entries.
Immigrate as Refugee
You can also immigrate to Canada through Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program, these are the pathways in this program:
1. Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR)
Individuals referred to Canada by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or another designated referral organization will get stay in Canada.
2. Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR)
Refugees sponsored by private groups or individuals in Canada, including sponsorship agreements with groups, community organizations, or individuals.
3. Asylum Seekers and Refugee Claimants
Individuals already in Canada who seek asylum and protection can apply for refugee status within the country and immigrate to Canada legally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Express Entry, and how does it work?
Express Entry is a points-based systemused to manage applications for permanent residence under three federal economic immigration programs that includes 3 programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
How can I calculate my Express Entry Score?
If you want to calculate your Express Entry score, You can do it through the Express Entry Score Calculator.
How long does the immigration process take?
The processing time varies depending on the immigration program and individual circumstances. Express Entry applications are typically processed within 6 months or even less if your application is complete.
Can I include my family in my immigration application?
Yes, You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children with your application, they will get a work permit or temporary stay in Canada depending on the profile.
What is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship?
Permanent residency allows you to live and work in Canada indefinitely, while citizenship grants you the right to vote and obtain a Canadian passport.
Are there any language proficiency requirements for immigration?
Yes, language proficiency is an essential factor in most immigration programs. English and French are the official languages, and proficiency is usually assessed through language tests like IELTS or CELPIP.
What financial requirements are there for immigration?
Some immigration programs may have minimum financial requirements to ensure that applicants can support themselves and families that are accommodating them in Canada.
