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Permanent Residency
Depending on their skills, job experience, education, and other characteristics, applicants typically go through various immigration processes, such as the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or family sponsorship, in order to get permanent status in Canada.
Express Entry
Express Entry is the comprehensive application system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC) to administer applications for permanent residency under the three federal economic immigration programs. It was implemented in January 2015 to simplify the process of selecting talented individuals and professionals from around the world to come to Canada and settle candidates must intend to reside in a province other than Quebec for all three major programs.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nomination Program (Express Entry Supported)
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
FSWP was introduced in 1967 to attract qualified individuals from all over the world. It is a flagship economic immigration program for professionals with overseas job experience.
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must meet several requirements, including but not limited to:
Job Experience: Within the last ten years, candidates must have had at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience job experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill class 0, A, or B.
Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate English or French proficiency by passing an approved language test (such as IELTS for English or TEF for French). CLB Canadian Language Benchmark) level 7 or above.
Education: Candidates must possess an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an accredited agency, demonstrating that their foreign education is equal to Canadian education. They must have earned at least a high school diploma or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree in Canada.
Settlement Funds: Unless they have a legitimate job offer from a Canadian business or are currently permitted to work in Canada, candidates must demonstrate that they have the financial means to sustain themselves and their families in the country.
Adaptability: Extra points are given for things like having a close relative living in Canada, having working or schooling experience in the past, or having a legitimate employment offer from a Canadian employer.
Get at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP grid: The assessment of the program’s grid is based on components that include age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language ability, and adaptability. Check your Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).
The Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)
FSTP was launched in 2013 to bring qualified skilled trade professionals to overcome labour shortages & boost economic growth. It is intended for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada permanently and have experience in specific approved skilled trade occupations.
For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the candidates must fulfill a number of conditions, including but not limited to:
Experience in a Skilled Trade: Candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time employment) in a skilled trade occupation classified in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system within the 5 years before the application.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Candidates must either hold a certificate of qualification issued by a provincial or territorial authority in Canada, or they must have a valid full-time job offer for a continuous period of at least one year from up to two employers in Canada in an eligible skilled trade occupation.
Language Proficiency: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Education: The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not have any specified educational requirements.
The Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)
FSTP was launched in 2013 to bring qualified skilled trade professionals to overcome labour shortages & boost economic growth. It is intended for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada permanently and have experience in specific approved skilled trade occupations.
For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the candidates must fulfill a number of conditions, including but not limited to:
Experience in a Skilled Trade: Candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time employment) in a skilled trade occupation classified in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system within the 5 years before the application.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Candidates must either hold a certificate of qualification issued by a provincial or territorial authority in Canada, or they must have a valid full-time job offer for a continuous period of at least one year from up to two employers in Canada in an eligible skilled trade occupation.
Language Proficiency: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Education: The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not have any specified educational requirements.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
It is an excellent opportunity for people who have earned professional work experience in Canada and want to live there permanently. This program was introduced in 2018 to encourage temporary foreign workers & international students as a pathway to permanent residency.
Candidates must fulfill a number of prerequisites in order to be qualified for the Canadian Experience Class, including but not limited to:
Job Experience in Canada: Prior to application, candidates must have at least one year full-time of specialized job experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date. A National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A, or B must be represented by the job experience.
Language Proficiency: Candidates are required to show that they are proficient in either English or French by passing a recognized language test (such as the IELTS for English or the TEF for French). CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A, CLB 5 for NOC B.
Some other popular programs for permanent residency are as follows:
Family Sponsorship
Through Family sponsorship, Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their relatives to immigrate to and settle permanently in Canada.
Qualified Canadians can sponsor the following family members through family sponsorship:
- Spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners
- Dependent Children
- Parents and Grandparents
- Orphaned minor sibling, grandchild, niece, nephew
- Any other relative if the sponsor doesn’t have any of the listed relatives alive, nor a living aunt or uncle
Pilot Program
Canada frequently starts pilot programs to evaluate new immigration laws or policies before putting them into practice on a larger basis. These transitory pilot initiatives are intended to assess the viability and efficacy of novel immigration strategies.
Caregiver Pilot – for home child care provider (NOC 4411) and home support worker (NOC 4412).
Atlantic Immigration Pilot – for foreign workers and Atlantic international graduates who have obtained a job offer from a designated Atlantic employer.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot – for foreign workers and eligible international graduates who have obtained a job offer from a Canadian employer in a participating community.
Agri-Food Pilot – for foreign workers with agricultural work experience in Canada with a job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible industry and occupation.
Provincial Nominee Program
A crucial element of Canada’s immigration system is the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), which enables individual provinces and territories to choose and nominate immigrants who have the abilities, job history, and/or educational background necessary to contribute to the local economy and community. Except for Quebec, which has its own selection process, every province and territory in Canada has its own PNP that is customized to meet the demands of its own labor market and demographics.
The steps to apply for PNP goes as follows:
Eligibility Evaluation: Before submitting a provincial nomination application, applicants must ascertain their eligibility by carefully reading the PNP’s eligibility requirements for the province or territory.
Expression of Interest or Application: Depending on the PNP, applicants may be required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in order to be considered for provincial nomination.
Nomination: Provinces and territories assess the expressions of interest or applications submitted and nominate candidates who match their unique requirements and have the potential to contribute positively to the local economy.
Permanent Residence Application: After being nominated by a province or territory, an individual can apply to the federal government for permanent residence. The nomination usually gives them more points in the Express Entry system.
Federal Processing: During the federal processing of the permanent residency application, the Canadian government undertakes medical and security checks.
Permanent Residency Obligation
The Permanent Residency Obligation in Canada requires permanent residents to stay in the nation for at least 730 days over a five-year period. Compliance with laws, respect for citizens’ rights, and personal presence are critical. Some time spent overseas may be counted toward the requirement. Failure to complete these standards may result in the loss of permanent resident status, which may be appealed. To maintain compliance, permanent residents must be educated about current immigration policies.
Skilled Worker Assistance
Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada through one of the country's over 100 skilled worker options.
Family Sponsorship Assistance
See if you are eligible to sponsor a loved one, or be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Other Immigration Enquiries
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