If you’ve been considering moving to Canada, there are several pathways to explore. Each has its own set of requirements and processes, but with the right preparation and understanding, you can find the best way to make Canada your new home.
Here are seven common ways to move to Canada:
Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is one of the fastest and most popular immigration routes to Canada for skilled workers. Launched in 2015, this system allows Canada to select qualified applicants based on their skills, work experience, and ability to contribute to the country’s economy. The program is points-based, meaning applicants are ranked based on factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
How It Works:
Express Entry includes three main immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates create an online profile and are given a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. If you have skills in demand and meet the eligibility criteria, this can be one of the quickest routes to move to Canada.
Benefits:
- Fast processing times (as little as six months)
- Path to permanent residency
- No job offer required, though having one can improve your CRS score
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
If you’re looking to settle in a specific province or territory in Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may be an ideal option for you. Each Canadian province and territory (except Quebec) has its own PNP that allows them to nominate individuals who want to live and work in that particular area.
How It Works:
To apply for PNP, you must first choose the province or territory where you wish to live. Each PNP has its own eligibility requirements, often based on the province’s economic needs. For example, some provinces prioritize skilled tradespeople, healthcare workers, or those with job offers in specific industries.
Once you receive a provincial nomination, you will receive additional points towards your Express Entry CRS score, increasing your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency.
Benefits:
- Path to permanent residency
- Province-specific programs can increase chances for those with targeted skills
- Often easier for applicants with job offers in the province
Family Sponsorship
If you have family members already living in Canada, you may be eligible to move to Canada through the Family Sponsorship program. This immigration pathway allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close relatives to come and live with them in Canada.
How It Works:
Family sponsorship is available for:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents (via the Parents and Grandparents Program or PGP)
- Certain other relatives in specific situations
Your sponsor must be able to support you financially and meet specific income requirements. Additionally, they must commit to ensuring you don’t require government social assistance. Once you are approved for sponsorship, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Benefits:
- Permanent residency for close family members
- Quick processing for spouses and dependent children
- No education or job offer required
Study Permit
One of the most popular ways to move to Canada is by studying at a Canadian educational institution. International students are welcomed in Canada, and obtaining a study permit can be a gateway to permanent residency after graduation.
How It Works:
First, you must be accepted by a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Once you receive your acceptance letter, you can apply for a study permit, which allows you to live and study in Canada for the duration of your program. Many study permits also allow you to work part-time during the school year and full-time during breaks.
After graduation, students may be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows them to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This work experience can help them apply for permanent residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Benefits:
- High-quality education
- Work while studying and after graduation
- Pathway to permanent residency after completing studies
Work Permits and Job Offers
Another common way to move to Canada is by obtaining a work permit. Canada offers various work permit programs, allowing foreign workers to come to Canada temporarily. While this route is often not permanent at first, it can lead to long-term residency through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
How It Works:
Work permits in Canada are often tied to a specific job offer, meaning you must first secure employment from a Canadian employer. Employers may need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact the Canadian labor market. Once the LMIA is approved, you can apply for a work permit and begin working in Canada.
There are also open work permits available, which are not tied to a specific job and allow you to work for any employer in Canada. Some open work permits are granted to spouses of international students or skilled workers.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to work in Canada
- Gain Canadian work experience
- Path to permanent residency via programs like CEC
Start-Up Visa Program
If you are an entrepreneur with an innovative business idea, the Start-Up Visa Program may be an excellent pathway to move to Canada. This program is designed to attract entrepreneurs who can start and grow businesses that create jobs for Canadians and compete globally.
How It Works:
To be eligible for the Start-Up Visa, you need to:
- Have a qualifying business idea that is supported by a designated organization (venture capital firm, angel investor group, or business incubator)
- Meet the ownership and control requirements for the business
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon arriving in Canada
- Meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French
Once you have the support of a designated organization, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada through this program.
Benefits:
- Direct pathway to permanent residency
- Opportunity to launch a business in a thriving economy
- Support from Canadian investors and organizations
Asylum and Refugee Status
For individuals who are fleeing persecution, war, or danger in their home countries, Canada offers asylum and refugee protection. Canada is known for its compassionate refugee policies and has a long history of welcoming individuals who need protection.
How It Works:
There are two main ways to seek asylum in Canada:
- Claiming asylum at the border or within Canada: Individuals can make a refugee claim when they arrive at a Canadian port of entry or after entering the country. They will need to demonstrate that they are at risk of persecution or harm if they return to their home country.
- Resettlement as a government-assisted or privately sponsored refugee: In this case, refugees are identified outside Canada and resettled with the help of the Canadian government or private sponsorship groups.
Once accepted as a refugee, individuals can apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Benefits:
- Protection for individuals fleeing danger
- Access to services and support
- Pathway to permanent residency for accepted refugees