Different Canada Immigration Pathways
The Canadian immigration system
The Canadian immigration system is not exactly straightforward. There are many different ways to immigrate, and it’s important to know the difference between them.
If you’re looking to move to Canada and have a job offer, you don’t need an employer-specific work permit first. That’s because the employer will apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment through Service Canada instead of going through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) directly. However, if you want to study or work in another type of occupation, there are different pathways that depend on your situation.
There are many more options than just the Express Entry program. With so many choices out there, it’s important to understand the differences before making any decisions about which pathway is best for you. You can also check out our comprehensive guide for more information about each pathway and how they work!
Different pathways and requirements
There are many different pathways to immigrate to Canada.
If you want to study or work in another type of occupation, there are different pathways that depend on your situation. There are plenty of options out there, but it’s important to know the differences before making any decisions about which pathway is best for you. You can also check out our comprehensive glossary for more information about each pathway and how they work!
Express Entry program
Express Entry is a points-based system that allows immigrants to apply for permanent residence in Canada. IRCC runs the system and it’s designed to make it easier for applicants to find out if they meet all of the requirements.
Every year, IRCC sets a target score based on what they believe they can process within that time period. Under Express Entry, candidates fill out an online profile answering questions about themselves and their education, work experience, language abilities, and other factors.
A points grid is then assessed to determine who is eligible for a permanent resident visa. It’s important to note that not everyone will be invited to this program–there are a limited number of spots available each year due to the high volume of applications. This means that you’ll need a certain level of scores to qualify for Express Entry and these scores are subject to change every year.
Through Express Entry, Canadians can also help attract high-skilled immigrants through job offers or provincial/territorial nominations. The program has been successful so far with more than 50 percent of those invited eventually accepting their invitations.
How to increase your chances of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residence
There are many ways to improve your chances of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, but the most important is by improving your profile. You can do that by scoring a qualifying score on the points test and by including a valid job offer or provincial/territorial nomination in your profile. To score a qualifying score on the points test, you will need to meet all of the criteria for at least one of the Federal Skilled Worker Classifications (FSWCs) and have enough points for it. Provincial/Territorial Nomination: A provincial or territorial nomination will give you more opportunities to immigrate than a job offer alone. This is because provinces and territories don’t use Express Entry themselves. So if you want to live in Canada permanently, consider applying for a provincial nomination first instead of waiting for an invitation from IRCC!
Spousal sponsorship
As of January 1, 2018, you must live in Canada as a permanent resident for two years out of the last three before applying to sponsor your spouse. This is also known as “conditional” sponsorship. The conditional period includes living together with your spouse or common-law partner for at least one year during this two-year period. You can also apply if you’ve lived apart from your spouse or common-law partner because of employment, studies, or service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Spousal sponsorship is an excellent way to bring over your loved one to Canada, and it’s an easier process than other pathways like Express Entry. That’s because when you’re sponsored through spousal sponsorship, you’re not required to take any additional steps such as studying and then working for a certain amount of time before being eligible.
Family sponsorship
One of the most common ways to immigrate to Canada is through family sponsorship. If you’re a close relative of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and want to live in Canada, this is the right pathway for you.
If you have a close relative that lives in Canada, they can help you immigrate by sponsoring your application. They’ll need to demonstrate their ability to provide financial support while they live with you in Canada, as well as meet other requirements set out by IRCC. The amount of time it will take before your application is processed depends on whether or not your relative is already living in Canada or outside of the country.
If there are any changes to the sponsorship requirements, IRCC will post updates on their website.
Other Pathways for Immigrants to Canada
While the Express Entry program is currently the most popular pathway for newcomers to Canada, there are a number of other options as well.
If you don’t have strong ties to Canada and aren’t eligible for Express Entry, you could still immigrate to Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The CEC is applicable if you have studied or worked at least one year in Canada while the FSWP is more applicable if you have experience working in a skilled position in your home country.
You can also apply based on your family situation which would include: being sponsored by your spouse; being adopted abroad by a Canadian citizen; having parents who are landed immigrants or Canadian citizens; and having a child who has been adopted abroad by a Canadian citizen. You could also apply if you’re joining a spouse or common-law partner who is already living in Canada.
There are many other ways to immigrate to Canada than just through Express Entry, like applying based on your family situation or through the CEC if you studied or worked in Canada at least one year. It’s important to understand all of these pathways before making any decisions about which one is best for you!
Business immigration programs
If you want to start a business in Canada, you’ll need to apply for one of the business immigration programs. These include the Entrepreneur program and the Start-up Visa program.
The Entrepreneur Program is for those who have a job offer from a Canadian employer. You can also apply if you’re an experienced entrepreneur who has successfully started and managed a business outside of Canada.
The Start-up Visa is for those who are looking to pursue innovative technology companies or start their own startup company in Canada. The applicant must already have an established relationship with a designated Canadian institution or organization as well as the financial backing of at least $100,000 CAD.
Conclusion
From a new life in Canada to a new career, the Canadian immigration system can be a great option for newcomers. The Canadian immigration system has various pathways for newcomers—whether you’re looking to sponsor your spouse or family, pursue business opportunities, or immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker.
We hope this article has helped you understand the different pathways and requirements and given you some insight on how to increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
