Top 3 Ways to Get Permanent Residency in Canada
Whenever we talk about immigration, a number of countries come to mind, and Canada is usually at the top of that list. Canada continues to be a top destination for immigration because it offers many benefits to immigrants.
Canada has an excellent healthcare system with many free benefits, an excellent education system with free public tuition, and many benefits for workers. However, to enjoy these benefits, you must be a permanent resident.
Read on to learn the 3 best ways to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
Popular Canadian Immigration Programs
Express Entry
108,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) is the goal Express Entry wants to achieve by the end of 2021. This makes Express Entry one of the biggest immigration drivers in Canada, as the total goal of immigrants welcomed in 2021 is 401,000.
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry is an online immigration system that manages three federal programs, namely Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Foreign skilled workers can apply through the Express Entry system in order to gain Canadian permanent residency.
Not only can you become a permanent resident but you can do so within as little as six months, making the Express Entry system one of the fastest immigration programs in Canada.
How does the Express Entry work?
1. Determine eligibility
Determine if you meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry and for which of the three programs you qualify for. If you do meet the requirements, you’ll get a list of instructions on what to do next. Included in that list is creating an online profile.
2. Create an Express Entry profile
To create an Express Entry profile, you’ll need to answer questions regarding your age, work experience, qualifications, language ability and other factors. You may need to submit supporting documents if required. You‘ll then receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on your answers which will also determine your ranking within the Express Entry pool.
3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If you meet or exceed the qualifying CRS score of a particular Express Entry draw, you’ll then receive an ITA. Getting an ITA means that you now have the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
Please note that if you receive an invitation to apply, you are required to submit your application for permanent residence within 60 days.
Provincial Nominee Program
One of the top 3 ways to get permanent residency in Canada is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The PNP is designed for foreign skilled workers who have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a province and want to live in Canada permanently.
An agreement was made between the local provinces and the government that enables the provinces to nominate foreign skilled workers to become permanent residents. Depending on your skills and the needs of a particular province, you can apply to these 11 provinces and territories:
- Alberta;
- British Columbia;
- Manitoba;
- New Brunswick;
- Newfoundland and Labrador;
- Northwest Territories;
- Nova Scotia;
- Ontario;
- Prince Edward Island;
- Saskatchewan; and
- Yukon.
How do I apply for a provincial nomination?
This will depend on the PNP stream you’re applying to, you may apply via the paper-based process or online via the Express Entry process.
Paper-based Process:
- Apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream;
- You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you;
- Once you’ve been nominated, you need to submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); and
- You are required to pass a medical exam and get a police clearance certificate. Regardless of where you plan to live in Canada, you need to do these checks.
Good to know:
This route to permanent residency takes much longer than through the Express Entry.
Express Entry Process:
You have two choices when it comes to applying via the Express Entry system. You can either:
- Contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream. If the province agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile and show you that you’ve been nominated; or
- Create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces you’re interested in. If the province sends a notification of interest to your profile, you can contact them directly. You may also apply to their Express Entry stream.
Top Tip:
Always apply to a province or territory where your skills or occupation are in demand as this will increase your success of receiving a nomination and therefore permanent residency.