Become a Permanent Resident In Canada
Canada has become one of the most popular destinations for immigrants to live and work. Given its strong economy and job opportunities, a lot of newcomers aspire to start their new life in Canada. Moreover, several Canadian immigration programs make it easier for individuals with different skills, education, and work experience to settle down in Canada.
How to become a Permanent resident in Canada
Canada offers plenty of immigration programs for individuals who wish to become a permanent residents in Canada. The first step is to check if you are eligible under any of the immigration programs. Once you determine your eligibility, you need to get your documents ready and file for your application. These programs are listed and explained below:
Permanent resident and citizens of Canada can sponsor their family members and eligible relatives to become permanent residents of Canada under the Family Class (FC) immigration program. The sponsor must meet the minimum requirements of age, status, income requirements, and financial support to sponsor relatives in Canada. Following are the family members/relatives who can be sponsored under the Family Sponsorship Canada program:
- Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
- Parents or grandparents
- Dependent child
- Orphaned, unmarried, and under 18 years of age brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild
- Intended adopted children under 18 years of age, and
- One relative, if the sponsor has no relative listed above and no other relative.
Among these programs, the most popular and quickest to become a permanent resident in Canada is through Express Entry. Express Entry provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in Canada or overseas.
There are mainly four federal programs managed through Express Entry, and the eligibility requirements are as explained:
1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you are already inside Canada and have Canadian skilled work experience, you are eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It is precisely aimed at applicants who have gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
Although there is no education requirement, one can also improve their Express Entry CRS score by adding points of their education from a Canadian Secondary or Post-Secondary institution, or foreign education with a completed foreign credential, and an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization.
You can find out your CRS score using our calculator.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
FSW is a program for skilled workers with foreign work experience who wants to immigrate to Canada. FSW uses a 100-point grid to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility. The current passing mark is 67 points.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
FSTP is for skilled workers who want to become a permanent resident based on a skilled trade. To be eligible under FSTP, the applicant must have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for at least 1 year, or a certificate of qualification from a provincial, territorial, or federal government body.
4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The provincial nominee program (PNP) is an economic immigration program through Express entry, which aims at fulfilling the shortages of skilled labour in the designated province. This program is intended for people who want to live in a specific province or territory, have skills, education, and experience to contribute to its economy and would like to become permanent residents of Canada. Each province or territory has its own streams (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. The applicant may apply using a paper-based process or online process through express entry, depending on which provincial program they are applying under.
The Agri-food pilot program is designed for experienced, non-seasonal livestock and farmworkers, who want to settle down permanently in Canada. This program aims at fulfilling the shortages in the Canadian agriculture sector and will run until May 2023. To be eligible for this program, the applicant must meet these requirements:
- Language requirements
- Education
- Job offers and work experience
- Settlement funds
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP) is an economic and community-driven program intended to help smaller communities in Canada. The program benefits both the communities and the skilled worker by creating a path to permanent residence for foreign workers who wants to work and live in the participating community.
The Canada Start-up visa program is intended for immigrant entrepreneurs from around the world who have the capability of building a business that is innovative, globally competitive, and can create jobs for Canadians. This business immigration program helps these entrepreneurs come to Canada by awarding them permanent residency. While waiting for permanent residency, the applicants may receive a temporary work permit to enter Canada and start building their businesses.
The Self-employed Canada program allows the applicant to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person. Self-employed persons must have relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics and be willing to make a significant contribution to it. To qualify for this program, the applicant must score a minimum of 35 points out of 100 based on the five factors mentioned below:
- Age
- Relevant experience
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Adaptability factors
Click here to see a breakdown of the point system!