Being the second largest country in the world, interest in immigrating to Canada never seems to be lacking. To be specific, 1/5 of Canada’s population is made up of immigrants, which is the highest percentage of interest among all G7 countries.
What’s more, as Canada’s population ages and fertility rates drop, demand for immigration will continue to grow; with Canada’s immigration rate expected to increase by 24.5–30 per cent come 2036.
So, given this interest, what are the top 5 ways for you and your family to move to Canada today! for long term? Border Law’s suggestions are below:
Express Entry:
The first suggestion is to always review whether you qualify for Canada’s Express Entry Stream. Among these streams, one of the best options to consider is that of the Federal Skilled Worker Stream, which often accounts for at least 50% of all permitted Express Entry Applicants.
To qualify, Applicant’s require at least one year of skilled work experience in an approved occupation, making this stream highly competitive.
With that said, as Draws under the Express Entry stream occur monthly, this option does allow Applicants to use IRCC’s Comprehensive Ranking System to determine their current eligibility in comparison to recent Express Entry Draws, while also demonstrating ways in which Applicants can increase their Express Entry scores.
Provincial Nominations:
Following Express Entry, the next best option to consider would be IRCC’s Provincial Nominee Program, or PNP.
Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs which is unique and built to fit each Province’s respective economic and demographic needs. Subsequently, if a Province believes you will benefit their respective Province, they may invite you to Apply, thereby, sponsoring your Express Entry Application as a result.
Currently, Provincial Nominations account for a large portion of Canada’s total economic immigration; actually, resulting in an Express Entry Draw backlog during 2020.
This is because PNPs are a popular option if individuals are lacking in their required Express Entry Scores given that each Provincial Invitation to Apply obtained can result in upwards of 600 CRM points added to your Express Entry Profile; making this option one of the fastest pathways to Canadian permanent residency.
If this is an option you may be considering, then our experience has proven that the top 4 Provinces to apply to would include:
· Ontario
· British Columbia
· Quebec, and
· Alberta
Family Sponsorship:
Another option to consider when looking to relocate to Canada as a Permanent Resident would be Family Sponsorship if you have a qualifying relative who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and at least 18 years of age.
Like other immigration categories, family class sponsorship has additional requirements which should be met to qualify, such as minimum necessary income, however, as this option is designed to reunite families, IRCC is known to prioritizes the processing of sponsorship applications to uphold the Canadian government’s goal in keeping families together.
With that said, it should be noted that at this time, there is currently no direct sponsorship program for brothers and sisters of Canadian citizens or permanent residents; however, their siblings can apply for permanent residency as economic class immigrants and receive fifteen additional points under Express Entry.
Alternative Options
Should direct paths to Permanent Residency not seem available, other options to consider would be working and studying in Canada to gain the necessary points you require for your Permanent Residency Applications.
Work Permits / Intra-Company Transfers:
Many of Canada’s immigration programs require a certain amount of skilled work experience in order to qualify for Permanent Residency, and so, if none of the above options meet your current needs, one option to consider would be working in Canada to increase your skilled work experience, and thus, your Permanent Residency Point Value as well.
Often times, a job offer will be required to obtain a work permit here in Canada, however, certain foreign nationals may be eligible to gain a Canadian work permit through an intra-company transfer which will allow you to be transferred to an office in Canada, without too much paperwork!
To qualify under this stream, your employer must be part of a multinational corporation with offices in Canada, and so, if this option seems of interest to you, contact Border Law now to learn more.
Study in Canada
Lastly, should none of the above options appear to meet your needs or qualifications, why not consider applying to study in Canada as an international student, and begin working while you study or after you graduate.
Recent studies have also shown that most foreign nationals are now choosing to study in Canada over the United States, given the ample options to work during and after their studies.
For many foreign nationals, after completing a Canadian credential, there are many permanent residency immigration opportunities that become available to international graduates. One of the most valuable opportunities is that of the Post-Graduate Work Permit which allows international graduates to work anywhere in Canada and gain valuable work experience required for many of Canada’s Permanent Residency programs.
In closing...
Given that Canada plans to welcome a record number of newcomers over the next three years, now is a great time to make the move to Canada. With increased immigration targets and more efficient processes in place than ever before, you can make your goals of immigrating a reality today.
So, if you’re interested in learning how to immigrate to Canada, we can help! Working with immigration counsel can save you time and money throughout your immigration process. Get started today by completing our free Consult Request Form and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your options!
This update has been compiled with the latest available information for the general information of Border Law clients and other interested parties. This Update is not comprehensive and should not be relied upon without appropriate legal advice.