Canada is committed to the goal of accepting about 485,000 new immigrants in the year 2024 and about 500,000 more immigrants in 2025 and 2026.
There are approximately one hundred distinct Canadian immigration programs available to families, skilled professionals, and business individuals seeking to settle in Canada.
Hence, this makes Canada’s immigration system widely regarded as one of the most accessible and adaptable in the world.
Canada Immigration Programs
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program
- Family Sponsorship Program
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Business Immigration Program
- Other Federal Immigration Programs
a. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
b. Agri-Food Pilot Program
c. Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
There are about 100 distinct Canada immigration programs for settling in Canada as a permanent resident (PR). Hence, naturally the process of immigration to Canada is different for each program and according to each application.
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1. Express Entry
Express Entry is the federal Canada immigration program that the country uses to manage applications for skilled workers.
There are three primary economic class immigration programs under the Express Entry system:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates receive a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This score is determined by factors such as age, education level, English and/or French language proficiency, and work experience.
To invite international skilled workers, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry draws. Thus, IRCC sends out invitations to those applicants with the highest CRS scores to submit an application for permanent residency.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The following is a list of immigration programs in Canada under PNP:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another famous Canada immigration program. Also, IRCC allots specific targets to provinces and territories of Canada to nominate individuals for PR.
These individuals must be interested in immigrating to Canada and settling in one of the provinces or territories. Under the PNPs, Canada hopes to provide a home to more than 100,000 new immigrants each year.
Every province and territory has its own PNP, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut. PNPs use methods called Expression of Interest (EOI). Also, these are very similar to Express Entry, and hold periodical draws to invite the candidates who have the best scores. But some PNP streams are also linked with Express Entry and hence nominate eligible candidates for residency in Canada.
If you successfully obtain a provincial nomination through one of these immigration programs of PNP, Express Entry awards you an additional 600 CRS points. Moreover, this virtually ensures your selection for an invitation to submit an application for permanent residence in the upcoming Express Entry draw.
3. Quebec Skilled Worker Program
The province of Quebec operates its own immigration program with its very own set of selection criteria known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Each applicant granted permission to immigrate to Quebec receives a Quebec Selection Certificate, also known as a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
Quebec selects skilled workers interested in becoming permanent citizens of Canada and immigrating to Quebec through the QSWP.
Additionally, the province of Quebec provides immigration programs for business owners and self-employed individuals interested in establishing a company in the province.
4. Family Sponsorship Programs
The Family Sponsorship Program makes it easy to bring your family members, including parents, grandparents, spouses or common-law partners, and dependent children to Canada.
The government of Canada is dedicated to ensuring that families are able to remain united. As a result, they have an immigration program known as Family Sponsorship Program.
In order to “sponsor” your family, you will be required to sign an “undertaking.” This means that you will be accountable for the financial well-being of the individual whom you will sponsor.
5. Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) of Canada helps skilled workers obtain permanent residency in one the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
The Atlantic provinces of Canada are:
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
The primary objective of this Canada immigration program is to bring skilled workers to the Atlantic provinces.
The AIP requires employers to find a suitable applicant and extend a job offer to them. Employers do not need to conduct a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Once the candidate accepts the offer, the employer must connect them with a designated organization to help them develop a transition strategy. For a faster process, employers may also obtain a temporary work permit.
6. Business Immigration Program
The two most famous Business Immigration Programs are Start-up Visa and Self-employed Visa. Both of these programs are administered by the federal government.
In the event that you would like to immigrate to Quebec, the province also has its own immigration programs for business people. Moreover, many of the PNP streams have immigration streams that are tailored specifically for business people and other types of entrepreneurs.
7. Other Federal Immigration Programs
There are additional federal programs specifically for skilled workers that exist to assist immigration candidates in obtaining PR.
The following are some of the additional federal programs:
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
This Canada immigration program makes it possible for rural and remote communities to recruit and retain foreign workers.
Participating communities act as the driving force to recruit new immigrants and place them in jobs good fit for them.
Agri-Food Pilot Program
This Canada immigration program is for temporary foreign workers to apply for permanent residency through the Agri-Food Pilot.
They must be eligible, experienced and non-seasonal workers in the agriculture and agri-food industry.
In order to be considered, candidates need to have work experience in one or more of the eligible industries and occupations. Further, they need to meet educational and language proficiency requirements.
Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
Eligible caregivers and their family members can immigrate to Canada through Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. Applications are processed according to the work experience they have.
Basic requirements of Immigration Programs in Canada
Each of the immigration programs has its own unique set of eligibility requirements, but the majority of programs share a few essential requirements in common.
The following is a list of common as well as essential requirements for immigration to Canada. It is based on one’s professional qualifications:
- Educational qualification
- Language proficiency
- Meet minimum required CRS points
- Work experience
- Medical exam
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Why does Canada need immigrants?
Canada has an aging population and a low birth rate, the majority of the immigrants it welcomes are skilled workers. For the sake of its existing workforce as well as future economic expansion, Canada requires these skilled workers.
These skilled workers arrive with strong language abilities, extensive work experience, and education, in addition to a strong desire to succeed. As a result, they play an extremely important part in supporting economic growth and social services in Canada.
The family sponsorship route accounts for the arrival of the second largest group of immigrants. Since stable families are the foundation of Canada’s society and economy, the country extends a warm welcome to the friends and family members of its citizens and permanent residents.
If this article made you think about immigrating to Canada, do contact us! Talent Connected Worldwide has been in this industry for the past 15 years. Our team of immigration consultants are always ready to help aspirants like you realize your dreams. So, pick up the phone and call us! Or just your query in the form below or comment!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. The best immigration program in Canada for skilled workers are:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
3. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
4. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
5. Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
Ans. No, it is not. However, some immigration programs in Canada have more stringent requirements in terms of qualifications and the number of documents required. Canada immigration consultants in India can assist throughout the immigration process.
Ans. This will depend on the specifics of the position. You need to have at least a graduate-level education or higher in order to score well on the immigration points system.
Ans. Express Entry is the quickest and most popular Canada immigration program. The majority of Express Entry applications are processed in less than or equal to six months.
Ans. Those who have been granted permanent residency status in Canada are free to settle and work wherever they like within the country. Working in Canada requires the appropriate authorization if the foreign national does not have permanent residency status in Canada.
Ans. If you want to use the federal Express Entry system or any of the PNPs, you need to have at least a CLB 7 level of English proficiency, which equates to an IELTS band 6 in all four skills.
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