Canada welcomes foreigners from all over the world to live and work in Canada. Our strong economy and ample job opportunities make it an attractive choice to anyone who wants to start a new adventure.
While there are many options to study or work temporarily in the country, it is Canada’s immigration programs that really pull people in. Whether you’re a carpenter, nurse, farmer or software developer, here’s how to get permanent residency in Canada in 2022.
- Step 1. Check Your Eligibility
- Step 2. Calculate your CRS Score
- Step 3. Gather Your Documents
- Step 4. Create an Online Profile
- Step 5. Apply
Step 1. Check Your Eligibility
The first step when applying for permanent residency in Canada is to check which immigration programs you qualify for. There are over 100 visas and immigration programs, so sifting through these may seem challenging. Which immigration program you are eligible for depends on your age, qualification, profession, where you want to settle and how much experience you have in that field. For example, to qualify for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you need to settle in one of the Atlantic Provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
If you want to get a Provincial Nomination and apply through a PNP, you’ll have to prove your ties to a particular province. To apply through the most widely used immigration system, Express Entry, you need to meet the requirements for one of the three federal skilled programs. They are designed to encourage foreign workers with skills to move to Canada across various occupations.
Check out the information below to see if you meet the requirements for each program:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
| FSWP | |
|---|---|
| Selection Factors | Requirement |
| Skilled work category | National Occupation Classification (NOC) Level 0, A or B |
| Work Experience | One year work experience |
| Language Requirements | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities: reading, speaking, listening and writing |
| Education | Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) of your qualification from an appropriate authority eg: A university |
| Settlement Funds | Have enough money, and provide proof thereof, that you can support yourself and dependants in the country or; you have a valid work offer from an employer in Canada or; have a work permit and can work in Canada. |
Federal Skilled Trades Program
| FSTP | |
|---|---|
| Selection Factors | Requirement |
| Trade work category | National Occupational Classification (NOC) major groups: Major Group 72 : construction trades as well as industrial and electrical fields Major Group 73: Trades that encompass maintenance and equipment operation Major Group 82: These are supervisors and those technical jobs where you’ll work with natural resources, agriculture and production of harvested goods Major Group 92; Trade category that has to do with processing, manufacturing including utilities supervisors and central control operators Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers |
| Work Experience | Two years of full-time work experience |
| Education | No education requirement certificate of qualification or proof of experience certified by a relevant local (provincial, territorial or federal) authority in Canada |
| Work Requirements | job offer of full-time employment for a Canadian employer |
| Language Requirements | CLB 5 for speaking and listening CLB 4 for reading and writing |
| Settlement Funds | Have enough money, and provide proof thereof, that you can support yourself and dependants in the country or; you have a valid work offer from an employer in Canada or; have a work permit and can work in Canada |
Canadian Experience Class
| CEC | |
|---|---|
| Selection Factors | Requirement |
| Work Experience | full-time work in one occupation in Canada or; two years part-time in Canada |
| Skilled work category | NOC 0, A or B jobs. |
| Education | Must have seconday school completed No minimum post-secondary requirement |
| Language Requirement | CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A occupations or; CLB 5 for NOC 5 occupations |
Step 2. Calculate your CRS Score
Once you’ve found out which program you’re eligible for, you’ll have to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score, which plays a vital role in the process. Canada’s immigration atrophy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), uses this system to determine whether you can immigrate to Canada.
Your score increases based on your language skills, education, years of experience, age, and other factors, like whether you have family members in Canada. The maximum points you can get is 1200. You want your scores to be as high as possible when applying for permanent residency in Canada. Some factors increase your score, such as taking the French and English test, immigrating with a skilled partner, or getting a provincial nomination that can afford you 600 points alone.
Step 3. Gather Your Documents
The documents you must acquire will always be dependent on the type of visa you are applying for since some procedures are standard. For example, you must have a passport, do your biometrics, submit your medical reports and police clearance.
Some programs will require you to have a job and certification of your qualification, such as a degree or technical certificate. Sometimes you’ll have to provide evidence of where you live and work in Canada such as for the AIP and the PNP. No matter what program you apply for, you will always have to submit your language test results.
Step 4. Create an Online Profile
Thanks to modern technology, most applications can be processed online from start to finish. That is an efficient way to ensure you get a speedy reply. Although certain applications can still be paper-based, the most convenient way is to apply online by creating an online profile.
Your profile will have all your important information, such as your name, where you’re from, where you want to live, work and more. This information will be added to a pool of candidates, and with a good CRS score, it increases your chances of being selected.
Step 5. Apply
The final step in applying for permanent residency in Canada is actually submitting all the documents you gathered. When your profile gets selected, you’ll be sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA) thanks to your great CRS Score. This gives you 60- days to submit all the supporting documentation on your profile. Being timely and organized in this step is very important. If all goes well, you’ll be able to travel to Canada before you know it.
Why Get Permanent Residency in Canada?
Live and Work in Canada indefinitely
While you can continuously renew your temporary work or study visa in Canada, there are always factors you need to consider. When you get permanent residency, your status in the country is far more stable. You’ll live and work in Canada indefinitely and even apply for citizenship a little later. You’ll never have to worry about meeting certain job or living requirements.
Sponsor your Family
While certain work visas will allow you to temporarily sponsor your family members, such as your spouse, common-law partner or children, as a permanent resident, you can apply for your family members to live with you permanently. While they wait, they can work and study with a work permit or study permit.
Free education for your children
Canada has a very high standard of education since its schools and the public education system is world-renowned from pre-primary to university level. For basic education up until twelfth grade, education is free for the children of parents who are permanent residents. Public schools in Canada are well-equipped and have amazing resources and staff.
Universal healthcare
Another thing that’s free in Canada for permanent residents in healthcare. While you may have to supplement care by getting a private medical scheme for dental and optometry needs, your basic health is covered. Additionally, many jobs offer medical insurance benefits and subsidies for their employees.
Social Benefits
One of the most important things to consider when getting older is your retirement. After about ten years of working in Canada, you can receive social benefits such as retirement payments and disability benefits. Canadian jobs are incredibly high-paying, but the taxes can seem a little higher than you’re used to. The government uses this money to keep the country running efficiently with free healthcare and education. However, as a resident, you can apply for tax rebates and see some of that money returned.
Move to Canada
Have any more questions about how to apply for Permanent Residency in Canada in 2022? Contact us today to get in touch with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), a professional in Canadian Immigration. Their guidance and assistance in your move to Canada will be invaluable.
