How can I immigrate to Canada?

Canada is known for its welcoming attitude towards immigrants, and it has a well-established immigration structure that is unique in that it is based on a points-based system that gives preference to highly-skilled immigrants.

The Canadian government is heavily committed to immigration to top up the gap in its labor force left by the aging Baby Boomer generation. A while ago, the federal government announced an aggressive plan to take in 500,000 immigrants a year by 2025, with almost 1.5 million new immigrants coming to the country over the next three years.

Canada immigration categories

The main categories under which new permanent residents are admitted to Canada include economic, family sponsorship, protected persons, refugees, and humanitarian or other reasons. Let us examine these more closely:

Economic

This is the most common pathway for prospective immigrants to Canada. It is based on a points system that evaluates applicants based on factors such as their age, education, employment experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.

The Express Entry program is an important part of this category, facilitating the acceptance of skilled workers based on a points system. Other programs under this category include the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Quebec’s skilled worker programs, and federal programs for specific groups such as international graduates and essential workers. See more about these later in this article.

Family sponsorships

This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members for immigration to Canada. Qualifying family members include parents, partners, spouses, children, and grandparents. There are several different family sponsorship programs available.

Refugees, protected persons, and humanitarian

This category is for those who are in need of protection and includes refugees, people in refugee-like situations, and others in similar circumstances. Canada has various programs in place to support and protect these individuals.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, it is important to research the different options that are available to determine which one is best suited to your particular situation. Your next logical step might be to first visit Canada for a few weeks or months on an eTA before making a final decision.

How does Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) work?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a popular option for people who are interested in immigrating to specific Canadian provinces or territories. Here’s how it works:

Provincial Nomination

Each province, except Quebec and Nunavut, operates its own PNP with several streams designed to meet its unique immigration goals. The eligibility criteria and application procedures vary by province. If you are nominated by a province, you can then apply for permanent residence at the federal level.

Express Entry and PNP

Some provinces select candidates directly from the Express Entry pool, while others have their own PNP streams. If a province or territory nominates you through a PNP stream, it will be listed on your nomination certificate, and you can confirm this with the respective province or territory.

Benefits and purpose

The PNP is designed to spread the benefits of immigration throughout Canada. It enables the country’s provinces to choose economic immigrants who will live in that specific province, help fill job vacancies, or operate businesses. Since its launch in 1998, the PNP has contributed to a broader distribution of immigration across the entire country.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the PNP, you have to meet all the relevant criteria and be nominated by that province or territory. You must also qualify for one of the three Express Entry programs.

The PNP is a popular and effective way to immigrate to Canada. If you are considering the PNP as a pathway to Canadian permanent residence, it’s important to research the programs offered by the different provinces because each province’s program is tailored to its specific needs and priorities. Make sure that you qualify based on their specific requirements.

How do Quebec’s skilled worker programs work?

Quebec’s skilled worker programs were specifically designed to attract skilled workers to the province. There are several of these programs available, including the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Here’s how these programs work:

Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)

The RSWP is intended for people who want to immigrate to Quebec as a skilled worker, whether they are currently in Quebec or abroad. To be eligible, an applicant must first submit an expression of interest. If he or she is lucky enough to receive an invitation, they can then submit an application for permanent selection.

Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The PEQ is aimed at temporary foreign workers or foreign students who have graduated in Quebec. To qualify, you must have experience in the province of Quebec and show proof that you have advanced intermediate knowledge of spoken French. There are also other eligibility requirements for this program, including that the applicant has to be legally living in Quebec at the time the application is submitted.

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)

The QIIP is for those who would like to invest in Quebec with the aim of getting permanent residence. To be eligible, you must meet specific investment requirements and pass a selection process.

Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs

Quebec also offers various pilot programs for workers in specific sectors, such as food processing and orderlies. These programs were established to address the province’s labor needs in those particular industries.

Does Canada also have federal programs for specific groups such as international graduates and essential workers?

Yes, the Canadian federal government has created specific immigration programs for certain groups, such as international graduates and essential workers. These programs were designed to facilitate the immigration process for these groups in order to address specific labor needs in Canada. Below are a few examples:

International Graduates

The International Graduates program provides a temporary pathway to permanent residency for international graduates. It was designed to help retain international talent in Canada and address labor shortages in certain sectors. To qualify, international graduates must have completed a Canadian post-secondary program within the last four years and meet a few other criteria.

Essential Workers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government also implemented a temporary policy to facilitate the entry of essential workers into the country. This policy allowed certain types of essential workers to apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada. The policy has since expired, but the government has since announced plans to create new pathways to permanent residency for essential workers.

Why is Canada such a popular immigration destination?

There are many reasons why Canada is so popular among prospective immigrants. One of the primary reasons is the high quality of life it offers. Canada is known for its prosperous economy, high standard of living, excellent healthcare system, and well-respected education system. The country’s strong economy and many job opportunities make it an attractive destination for immigrants seeking better prospects.

Apart from that, Canada is also renowned for its safe and friendly living environment, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The country’s welcoming attitude towards newcomers and its diverse and inclusive society also contribute to its popularity as an immigration destination.

Another reason is that Canada’s immigration policies, for example, the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee programs discussed above, provide great opportunities for skilled immigrants who want to settle in the country. In the process it also contributes to the country’s economic growth and helps to address labor market needs.

More benefits of Canadian citizenship

Freedom to travel

Canadian citizens can travel to over 180 countries visa-free because the Canadian passport is one of the strongest in the world.

Right to vote and run for political office

Canadian citizens have the right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections, allowing them to participate in shaping the future of their communities and country. They are also free to run for political office.

Access to Healthcare

Canadian citizens have access to free healthcare, which is considered one of the best in the world.

Visiting short-term on an eTA

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It is electronically linked to a traveler’s passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. An eTA allows you to travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays, normally for up to six months at a time. If you plan to visit Canada for a relatively long trip (but not more than 6 months), an eTA can, therefore, be a good option.

Canada visitor record

If you want to stay in Canada for longer than 6 months, however, you will have to apply for a visitor record.

A visitor record is a document that allows someone to stay in Canada longer as a visitor, a worker authorized to work without a work permit, or a student authorized to study without a study permit.

To apply for a visitor record, you have to complete an application package and provide your personal information as well as all the necessary documents.