Here Are Most Common Canada Immigration Options

Last Updated On 12 September 2023, 10:10 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Canada is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for people who want to move countries. And, righteously so.

There are so many benefits of living in Canada, including a better lifestyle and education.

So, if you are someone who wants to move to Canada, but are not sure how to, you are in the right place.

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Canada plans to welcome 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 and 485,000 in 2024. Due to its labor shortage, Canada relies heavily on immigration.

Also, in 2021 and 2022, Canada already set a new annual permanent resident record. And, it aims to break the records again in the next couple of years. 

Each person has their own unique profile. So, based on that you should choose the way that best suits you.

There is no one simple way to move to Canada. However, since the immigration targets are higher now, it is the best time to state your immigration journey. 

This article lists all the ways you can move to Canada in 2023.

Express Entry (EE)

Express Entry(EE) is the fastest and most popular way to move to Canada. This program lets skilled foreign nationals live and work in Canada.

If you apply under this program, you can get permanent residence in Canada as soon as six months.

Moreover, by 2025, Canada plans to invite half a million newcomers. Most of these immigrants will be through one of the three streams of Express Entry:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Also, with the recent launch of the new NOCs (2021), 16 new occupations now qualify for Express Entry through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Examples of a few occupations are- truck drivers, nurses, teachers,s and so on. 

To apply under EE you must first be eligible under one of Canada’s above three federal streams. After which, you need to create an online profile.

This profile is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). You get an invitation to apply if you are among the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Meeting the CRS cut-offs can be a little difficult.  However, just by being in the pool of candidates, you could be nominated for permanent residence by a province. 

The cost of immigrating through Express Entry is typically about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant. If you are moving as a couple, it could be around $4,500 CAD.

Targeted Express Entry Draws-Know New Categories Proposed By IRCC

 Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada

Another common way of moving to Canada is through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Canada aims to welcome 117,500 new immigrations through PNPs by 2025. Each province and territory has many nominee programs.

So, the only economic stream bigger than Express Entry in 2023 is the combined force of Canada’s PNPs.

All programs have their own unique eligibility criteria. For instance, some programs need you to have a connection to the province to apply for nomination.

Furthermore, you might need a job offer from a Canadian employer in order to qualify. In some programs, however, overseas candidates are invited if they are able to meet the needs of the province’s labor market.

Listed below are the PNP programs for each province- 

• Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP)
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
• Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
• Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
• Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
• Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Each PNP has its own processing time. Once you receive a nomination, you need to apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

Parts of the PNP also fall under the Express Entry. So, each of the provincial programs mentioned above has specific streams for the federally-operated selection system.

The cost of applying through a PNP is usually the same as Express Entry. However, there might be some additional fees, depending on the province.

Certain provinces don’t charge a fee to process PNP applications But some like, Ontario, can charge up to $1,500 CAD.

Business Immigration

If you own a business or know how to manage a business, you can move here through a federal or provincial business immigration program.

Canada plans to welcome 3,500 newcomers through business programs in 2023. These programs usually require a high investment.

The amount depends on the program you are interested in. listed below are the three common ways you can move to Canada through a business – 

1. Start-up visa: One of the most popular routes to Canada for business-minded individuals is the Start-Up Visa. To apply for this, you need to have a  qualifying business or a business idea.

Then, applicants need a designated angel investor group, venture capital fund, or business incubator to support this.

Lastly, applicants must prove their language ability to live in Canada. Under this visa, you can move to Canada on a work permit.

During this period you can establish your business here. After which, you can apply for permanent residence.

However, you need to be actively involved in the management of the business within Canada. 

2. Provincial Business Programs: Most provinces in Canada have their own entrepreneur programs. These programs fall under the respective Provincial Nominee Programs.

You can check the requirements of these programs and apply under the Provincial Business Program. 

3. Self-Employed Programs: You can also move here through the Self-Employed Programs. The federal Self-Employed program is for people who have some prior self-employment experience.

Moreover, you should want to and be able to make some contribution to the cultural, artistic, or athletic life of Canada. Quebec also has a self-employed program.

As part of this program, applicants create their own jobs by practicing a profession or pursuing a commercial activity.

New Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025

Family Sponsorship

Canada’s immigration policy emphasizes family reunification. Families in Canada are able to sponsor their relatives to come to Canada.

So, if you have a qualifying family member who is a PR or citizen of Canada, this might be the easiest way for you to move to Canada.

The cost of sponsoring a relative is around $1,135 CAD. However, if the sponsor lives in Quebec, additional charges might apply. 

There are many programs that help PRs and citizens to bring their families here. The two major categories under this program are- 

Spouses, Partners, and Children: Canada combines spouses, partners, and children in its Immigration Levels Plan. And aims to welcome 78,000 such newcomers in 2023.

In the spouse and partner stream, you can sponsor your partner from outside or within Canada. This is through the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.

Moreover, while you wait for your application to be processed, you might qualify for a work permit. The applications take about 12 months to process from start to finish.

For a child to be sponsored, they have to generally be under 22. Also, they should not have a partner or spouse of their own.

Children over the age of 22, must prove that they cannot support themselves financially because of a mental or physical condition.

Or, that they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22. 

Parents and Grandparents: Sponsoring parents and grandparents in Canada operate on a lottery system. A sponsor can declare their interest in a pool.

These applications are drawn at random and issued an invitation to apply. This steams has drawn controversy in the past.

This is because it is mostly oversubscribed. This pool has not opened for new sponsors since 2020.

However, three batches of sponsors have been invited to apply since then. IRCC might move to open a new window for the submission of interest to sponsor forms in 2023 soon.

Alternatively, PGP prospective applicants can apply for Super visa to bring parents and grandparents to Canada.

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