Canadian Immigration Routes: PR Paths:
Canada never ceases to attract newcomers with its high living standards and diverse job opportunities.
After targeting a record-breaking 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, the government is expected to lower the number of immigrants to 395,000 in 2025.
That being said, the country still aims to welcome new residents and offers over 80 programs and visas for different types of applicants.
This guide explores the PR programs in Canada to help you take a step forward in fulfilling your moving aspirations.
Table of Contents
Overview of PR Pathways in Canada
The ways to immigrate to Canada include numerous business and economic programs, alongside the options for foreigners seeking refugee or family reunions.
Business and Economic Pathways
- Express Entry: the most popular pathway designed for professionals with the skills to support the country’s economy. Express Entry serves as an online point-based system for assigning scores to applicants based on a number of selection criteria. It also manages three major federal economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class.
- Provincial Nominees: the programs offer a pathway to permanent residence for immigrants willing to move to a specific Canadian territory or province. To qualify, the applicants must have the skills, work experience, and education to improve the economy of the region. There are more than 60 PNP programs to choose from, as every territory or region has its own streams that target business people, students, semi-skilled workers, or skilled specialists.
- Start-up Visa: the program was designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who have the skills and resources to build a successful venture in Canada. Immigrants can apply for the Start-up Visa individually or in groups of up to 5 business partners. To meet the requirements, they must have a qualifying business type and enough money to settle their venture, get a letter of support issued by the designated organization, and fulfill language proficiency in English and French.
- Quebec Programs: the option is suitable for those who want to get a PR status in Canada and live in the Quebec province. The federal government has given local authorities more autonomy in conducting immigration procedures, so Quebec programs come separately from other Canadian provinces. The key pathways include the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, Experience Program, and Entrepreneur Program.
- Other Canada Immigration Programs: foreigners can also immigrate to the country through a range of other federal programs. For example, the government makes it possible to work and become a PR in Canada as a caregiver. Besides, international graduates from Canadian institutions and skilled workers can take advantage of the Atlantic Immigration Program to get a job and live in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, or New Brunswick. A few other options include the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot and Agri-Food Pilot.
Family Sponsorship
The Canadian government supports families who want to stay closer to their loved ones. So, the residents are allowed to sponsor their relatives to migrate to the country. Eligible sponsors are required to:
- Be citizens or permanent residents of the country
- Be 18 years old and above
- Live in the country or plan to return to the country when a dependent family member becomes a permanent resident
- Be able to support a dependent family member financially for three years
Who may be eligible for sponsorship? The list is vast:
- Spouse
- Common law partner
- Conjugal partner
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Dependent children
- Orphaned siblings
- Other close family members related to the sponsor by blood or adoption
Refugee and Humanitarian Immigration Programs in Canada
The number of foreigners choosing these PR pathways is growing steadily. Individuals may apply for permanent residence in the country if they are:
- Victims or relatives of victims of a disaster
- In danger of torture or cruel punishment
- Looking for protection from discrimination or persecution for nationality, race, religion, political opinion, etc.
- In a life-threatening situation
The options include Refugees programs, humanitarian programs for Venezuelan, Haitian, and Colombian families, and PR pathways for families of victims of the PS752 flight.
How Can You Improve the Chances of Getting PR in Canada?
Once we have defined “what are the ways to get PR in Canada?”, it’s time to learn some smart strategies to boost your prospects of getting permanent residency:
- Understand the CRS system and determine your eligibility for Express Entry programs. Keep working on improving your score, as it’s never finalized.
- Leverage your education with additional certifications, diplomas, or degrees to improve your Express Entry profile.
- Connect with Canadian employers through networking events and job search platforms to get a strong employment offer in advance.
- Prepare the needed documents in advance since some of them may take months to obtain. Moreover, keep track of the expiry dates of your bank statements, police background checks, medical assessments, and other documents you will need to provide.
- Use advanced online file editors like PDF Guru to make sure all the documents you create look accurate and well-structured. You can use such tools to fill out forms, edit content, add e-signatures, rearrange pages, and more.
- When completing the PR application, double-check the data you provide to eliminate the slightest inaccuracies that may result in denial. Consider getting professional advice if the task seems daunting.
- Work on your language proficiency (take tests, hire a tutor, communicate with native speakers, etc.).
- Never lie on an immigration application. Besides devastating your chances, it may even have criminal consequences.
Final Thoughts
Even though Canada is welcoming newcomers, immigration may not be as simple as it seems. Each PR pathway has its requirements and eligibility model, so take time to explore all the intricacies of the Canada immigration process and decide which program will work best for you. Do not hesitate to seek assistance from legal professionals for a smooth application process.
GFK Immigration
Gboyega Esan RCIC R708591
Phone: +1 (647) 225-0092
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