Immigrate to Canada
Express Entry
This program was introduced in 2015 to make immigration more streamlined and faster. skilled workers. Express entry has an online application system specifically meant for skilled workers. This point-based system manages how people with skilled work experience apply to immigrate to Canada. The Express Entry includes three federal program categories as mentioned below:
1) Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
2) Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
3) Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
1) Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – This class is for the skilled workers who possess the Canadian Work Experience.
Requirements:
a) Applicant must have a minimum of 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) eligible skilled work experience in Canada during the last three years.
b) Must have appeared for a language proficiency test from an approved agency and meet the minimum required score needed for your job level.
(i) The requirement for jobs in NOC ‘0’ or ‘A’ is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
(ii) NOC ‘B’ is CLB 5. This test is valid for 2 years only
c) Work experience gained during full-time studies (for example, on a co-op work term) does not count under this program. Work experience gained after receiving a post-graduate work permit or after LMIA or other authorized work experience only is eligible. Also, self-employed candidates are not eligible for this program.
2) Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – This is specifically meant for foreign skilled workers. This program is designed to bring people with specific skill sets from around the world.
Requirements:
a) You should have completed a minimum of one year paid, continuous full-time or equivalent part-time in the same job within the last 10 years in a skill type 0, A, or B of the latest National Occupational Classification (NOC)
b) Must have secured a minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in speaking, listening, reading, and writing from an agency approved by Refugee, Citizenship, and Immigration Canada. In addition, the test results should not be older than 2 years at the time of your application.
c) Educational qualifications (Secondary school or higher) and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
3) Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – FSTP stream is for the candidates who can become permanent residents based on their qualifications in a skilled trade.
Requirements:
a) Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience or equivalent part-time in a skill type ‘B’ of the NOC within the last 5 years.
b) Meet the minimum score of CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing
c) One of the below:
(i) A certificate of qualification in that skilled trade from a Canadian provincial or federal authority.
(ii) Have a full-time valid job offer for a minimum of one year if you are on a valid LMIA-based work permit in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
This program was introduced in 1998, PNP is the second foremost way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker after the Express Entry. Almost every province in Canada runs this program to welcome skilled workers from all over the world, which is helpful for both the candidate and Canada to grow economically. This program is for the workers who are skilled, educated and have work experience in contributing to fulfilling the shortage of skills specific to that province. The applicant must have the intention to live in that province to become a permanent resident of Canada.
The eligibility criteria under PNPs vary from province to province. As this program is part of an economic immigration strategy, some PNPs emphasize the immigrants who have experience in occupations that are in demand in that province. Other PNPs prefer immigrants who have a connection to the province, like a relative, as this increases the chance that they will remain in the province.
Each province, except Quebec and Nunavut, runs several PNP streams. These streams are designed by the provinces to help in meeting their unique immigration goals, so the eligibility criteria vary for each province.
Requirements:
Province and territories usually look for applicants who are having work experience and can meet the needs of their specific labor market and also in addition to other language and education requirements. Each province has its own eligibility and requirements for language proficiency, education, and skill set. For qualifying, the applicant must also demonstrate that he will be able to contribute to the local economy and have a genuine intention to settle in that province or territory.
Process:
According to PNP, a successful applicant will be nominated by the province to apply for permanent residence in the federal government. This means that securing a province nomination is always step one. First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level and then they must apply to the federal level which is step two under this program. These two steps are a must to immigrate under PNPs.
Participating Provinces and Territories:
• Alberta (AINP)
• British Columbia (BC PNP)
• Manitoba (MPNP)
• New Brunswick (NBPNP)
• Newfoundland and Labrador (NLPNP)
• Nova Scotia (NSNP)
• Ontario (OINP)
• Prince Edward Island (PEI PNP)
• Saskatchewan (SINP)
Sponsorship Program
Who can be sponsored?
The Sponsorship program is one of the main pillars of Canada’s Immigration policies which helps reunite the family members. Once sponsored, the applicant can later apply to become a permanent resident of Canada.
The applicant can be sponsored if they fall into one of the categories below.
1. Spousal Sponsorship
2. Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Requirements
3. Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
4. Dependent Child Sponsorship
5. Orphaned Child and Sibling Sponsorship
6. Close Extended Family Sponsorship
Process:
The most important step in this program is to make sure about the eligibility of the person who will be the sponsor. The second step is to ensure that the person being sponsored fits the classification of a family member as per Canadian immigration. Post checking the eligibilities for both persons, an application can be submitted to Canada immigration for processing the family sponsorship.
Spousal Sponsorship:
According to PNP, a successful applicant will be nominated by the province to apply for permanent residence in the federal government. This means that securing a province nomination is always step one. First, an interested immigrant is approved at the provincial level and then they must apply to the federal level which is step two under this program. These two steps are a must to immigrate under PNPs.
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship:
Common-law partners can apply for this program if they have lived together for at least 1 year consecutively; short, temporary, unavoidable absences for business or family reasons may be exempted depending on the situation.
Requirements:
- Must have proof that they have a household together and have their affairs combined.
- The person being sponsored can be of the same or opposite sex.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship:
There are two programs under which the parents and grandparents can be sponsored.
- The first program is family sponsorship which helps get them Permanent Resident status upon their arrival to Canada.
- The second category is applying for a Super Visa which allows the parents/grandparents to visit Canada temporarily and stay for up to TWO years at stretch, removing the limit of 6 months.
- The first step in the application process is that the sponsor needs to be invited to apply. The invitation is sent after an intake process. This intake process usually starts at the beginning of the year and stays open for some defined time.
- After being invited, within a time frame, an application for permanent residency can be submitted.
Dependent Child Sponsorship:
Child/Children will be given a Canada PR status upon arrival under this program. The child must meet all the eligibility criteria under the definition of dependent children as per Canadian immigration.
When applying for dependent child sponsorship, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- A person can sponsor a dependent child who is of 21 years of age or less
- If a person is applying for a spousal sponsorship for an applicant who already has a dependent child at the time of the marriage, the dependent child can also be added to the application. The applicant must fill out the details and complete any other pre-requisites and medical exams at the same time as the initial spousal sponsorship.
- There might be a situation where the dependent child is not accompanied. However, if they tend to change their mind later and for the child to be eligible the paperwork and medical exams must be completed at the time of the initial spousal sponsorship. If the applicant does not get the medical exams for the dependent child completed, the dependent child will not be considered as part of the family, and hence they can not be sponsored in the future.
Orphaned Child and Sibling Sponsorship :
- they are related to you by blood or adoption
- they are under 18 years of age
- both their mother and father passed away
- they are single
LMIA & Job Offer Points
Offer of arranged Employment
If you have a valid job offer you can get extra CRS points under your Express Entry Profile. But the most important requirement is that Job Offer should be genuine. Below are some criteria which are required:
- The job offer should be full-time, continuous, and paid employment for a minimum of 12 months/1 year after which the PR is issued to the applicant. This means it cannot be a seasonal job offer.
- The type of job offer should be one of the types listed under the National Occupation Classification (NOC), which also meets the eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class programs.
- LMIA Based: For LMIA based Job offer, the employer of the applicant must have received LMIA approval which can be further used to support the PR Application. The LMIA approval should contain all the details of the applicant like name and position
- LMIA Exempt: If an applicant meets the requirements below, and already has a work permit that is LMIA- exempt, they may receive bonus points.
Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C)
Under this program, Canada grants Permanent Residence to those individuals who meet some specific criteria under compelling circumstances.
Applying for PR under this category signifies that you or your family members have some risk or hardship situation back home , which can cause undue and undeserved emotional distress.
The special aspect of this program is that people who would otherwise be unqualified to get PR are eligible under this.
Processing of Applications:
Detailed documentation showing proofs of circumstances including letters, photographs or other official/ medical documents is needed.
Different aspects apart from the applicant’s situation will be taken into consideration during the processing of the application.
1) Establishment in Canada
2) Ties to Canada
3) Best interests of the child if any.
4) Factors/ circumstances which can be faced in the home country.
5) Health considerations
It’s the applicant’s duty to explain what all circumstances he would have to face if his request doesn’t get approved.