Canada immigration programs

Learn about the popular Canada immigration programs

For anybody to leave their home country, and move and settle in altogether a different country such as Canada is not always an easy task. It takes some serious effort, not only to move there, but to integrate with the economic and social life of the land. However, that comes later. The first thing of course is securing your Canada PR, for which there are enough of programs you can choose from. The selection of an immigration program will always depend largely on the reason why you want to go to Canada. Whether to work for a limited time, to study there or to settle there as a permanent resident to eventually become a Canadian citizen. Once, you choose a program, the second crucial thing is, checking if you are eligible to apply for Canada PR through that program.

Federal Government’s Express Entry Program

This is the most popular pathway for Canada immigration. Introduced in the year 2015 by the federal government of Canada, Express Entry in 5 years since its introduction, has become the face of Canada immigration. Anybody who thinks Canada, thinks Express Entry first and then anything else. Express entry was introduced to make the Canada immigration program, a transparent and efficient and it can be said confidently that it has been really successful in achieving the aim. Express Entry has three economic immigration programs, which are as follows:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

  • Canadian Experience Class

Among these, the Federal Skilled Worker Program has special significance as this program has been devised to attract skilled labour from foreign countries, and it is this program for which the maximum number of applications are received because foreign nationals look to move to Canada seeking a job in the country.

The popularity of the Express Entry is such that the famous provincial nominee programs (PNPs) also have Express Entry linked immigration streams.

How exactly does Express Entry work?

The first thing you have to do, is check your eligibility for the program. If you are eligible, you can create an Express Entry profile. With that profile, you enter the pool of eligible candidates. This pool is known as the Express Entry pool.

Now, coming down to how you will be ranked in the Express Entry tool, the answer to that is – Express Entry follows a points-based system known as Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), you should have a competitive CRS score to be invited to apply for Canada PR.

For this purpose, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds Express Entry draws, usually twice every month. If you rank amongst the highest ranking candidates in the pool, at the time of a draw, you will receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA), that will open the door for your Canada Express Entry. Once you receive your ITA, you have to submit the required documents to get your Canada PR Visa. If everything goes good, you get your Canada PR Visa in 3-4 months. This is Canada PR process for the Express Entry program.


Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Now, that we know about the most popular Canada immigration pathway, let us briefly talk about the other popular pathway, that is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). I would rather call it a great alternative to Express Entry, because not everybody is lucky enough to secure Canada PR through the Express Entry. For such candidates, PNP comes as a rescue – first by offering relaxed eligibility criteria, such as low IELTS score requirement, little or no work experience requirement, etc. Second by offering Express Entry linked immigration streams, which makes your entry into Canada as equally good as directly through the Express Entry program.


Who is an ideal candidate for Canada PR?

The ideal candidates for Canada PR are those:

  • who currently are working in Canada or have worked in the past.

  • who have been offered a job by a Canadian employer.

  • who have a connection to a Canadian province in the form of study or work experience.

  • who have a family member living in Canada already.

  • who have entered the Express Entry pool already.

Quebec immigration

Quebec is one of the autonomous Canadian provinces. The province has a majority of French speaking people. Language proficiency in the French language is the requirement to move to the province. It has great control over its immigration programs and policies. For an example, the province does not have a PNP. It rather has a different program as per an agreement with the Canadian government. If you are interested in immigrating to the Quebec province in Canada, you can apply directly for one of the following programs with the Government of Quebec:

  • Quebec skilled worker program

  • Quebec experience class

  • Quebec business immigration

For these immigration programs, a 2-way process is followed. First, you need to choose the program for your Immigration and apply for it with the Government of Quebec. If they find you eligible, they will issue you a Quebec Selection Certificate, abbreviated CSQ as per its French translation. In the second step, you will need to apply with IRCC for Canada PR with the help of your CSQ.


Pathway for students

If you are studying in Canada and about to finish your higher studies, it’s a great opportunity for you apply for Canada PR. Having already fulfilled certain requirements for living and studying on Canada, it will be easier for you to get permanent residency in the country. If you have got work experience while studying, it will be an added advantage.


Canadian family sponsorship

This is one of the most popular pathways to obtain permanent residence in Canada. In this arrangement, you can as a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, sponsor your spouse, children or a close relative in Canada, offering them an easy pathway to Canada. For this, the sponsor has to be an adult and documents to prove a genuine relationship between the sponsor and the person being sponsored will be required.


These are the popular pathways to Canada immigration. If you are ready to apply for Canada PR or have any questions, give us an opportunity to help you. Call Nationwide Visas now for free consultation at +91 92 92 92 92 81. One of our immigration experts will be able to answer all your questions and address your concerns. You can also write to us at info@natiowidevisas.com and get a guaranteed response within 24 working hours.