How to Immigrate to Canada: 3 Best Ways
Canada’s immigrant population continues to rise as people from all parts of the world come here to set up roots. However, in order to keep up with the immigrant population, Canadian immigration laws and policies have to be constantly revised. Sometimes new immigration pathways are introduced, and sometimes immigration pathways are capped or discontinued. As of June 2024, there are the three best ways to immigrate to Canada if you are looking to set up permanent roots for yourself and your family.
1. Express Entry
In simple terms, Express Entry is a Canadian immigration program for people who are trying to take up permanent residency in Canada. The system is set up like a lottery, where you make an online profile and share details about your skills, education, work experience, and more, after which the government gives you a score based on your responses. You can get your score for free using this tool. Every so often, the government of Canada selects the people with the highest scores and sends them an invitation to apply for permanent residency. If you get invited, you are required to send in all the necessary paperwork and wait for the government to decide whether you are allowed to be a permanent resident of Canada.
Pros
Direct Pathway to Permanent Residency- If your Express Entry application is successful, your permanent residency is all but guaranteed.
Transparent Criteria- Since this is a points-based system, you always know exactly where you stand since you are aware of the amount of points you have from the beginning.
Family Inclusion- Successful applicants can include their spouse and dependent children.
No Cap on Applications- Unlike most Canadian immigration programs, the express entry system does not limit the number of accepted applications.
Opportunity for Improvement- Applicants can always improve the amount of points they have or reapply if they are not initially selected.
Cons
High Competition- the pool of applicants for this program is substantially large which unfortunately makes it very competitive.
Job Offer Requirement- Applicants with Canadian job offers are offered extra points which makes it difficult for those without employment connections.
Younger Applicants Preferred- Older applicants may struggle due to the set-up of the points system. As you increase in age group, less points are allocated to you.
Cost– While there is no cost to open your express entry profile and calculate your CRS score, if you get an invitation to apply for permanent residency then the cost starts to build up. You will need to pay for your permanent residency application, credential assessment, medical, biometrics and language test.
2. Study Permit
Coming to Canada to study does not guarantee that you will get permanent residency, instead, this route opens up many opportunities for you to qualify for different immigration pathways. When international students complete their program of study, they are eligible for a Post-Graduate work permit. The duration of this work permit depends on the length of study, the longer the program of study, the longer the validity of the post-graduate work permit. Work experience gained through a post-graduate work permit make international students eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class, which is a part of the express entry system.
Pros
High-Quality Education- international students in Canada have access to some of the world’s best educational institutions.
Post-Graduation Work Opportunities- this allows graduates to gain essential work experience in Canada, which is especially important when applying for permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Programs- specific streams for international graduates make it easier to gain provincial nominations, leading to permanent residency
Cons
Costs– the fees for international students are significantly higher than the fees for permanent residents and Canadian citizens.
Uncertainty– many international students get stressed out because there are many steps involved with transitioning from student to permanent resident and there is no guarantee that you will be successful.
Competitive Job Market- depending on your location, there can be a lot of competition for finding a job
3. Family Sponsorship
This applies to individuals who have relatives in Canada who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If this applies to you, your family member may be eligible to sponsor your stay in Canada. However, only specific family members can be brought as permanent residents such as spouses or common-law partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents. It is also possible to sponsor an orphaned brother, sister nephew, niece or grandchild depending on the circumstances.
Pros
Family Reunification- this provides support for both the sponsor and the sponsored family member
Pathway to Permanent Residency- The path to permanent residency through family sponsorship is more or less straight forward. Also, sponsored family members who become permanent residents have access to benefits like healthcare, education, etc.
Streamlined Applications- The process may be more straightforward for immediate family members such as spouses, dependent children or partners.
Eligibility for Citizenship- Permanent residents can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship which gives applicants full rights and privileges of being Canadian.
Cons
Financial Commitment- Sponsors must commit to financially supporting their sponsored family members.
Income Requirements- Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements. It is important to note that if the sponsor receives social assistance, they are not eligible to sponsor a family member to come to Canada.
Long Processing Times– While the process for family sponsorship is somewhat streamlined, there can still be long delays, especially for categories like parents and grandparents which can take years due to caps and lotteries.
There are various options for those seeking to make Canada their home permanently. Each pathway has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and it is important to stay informed about the pathway you choose as well as the laws and policies that you must adhere to. At Berhan immigration, we are committed to helping you achieve your goals of moving to Canada and we offer comprehensive, all-rounded support for anyone who needs it. Book your consultation to find out how you can move to Canada!
Quality: What we do, we do well—and at a fair price. Integrity: Be honest and fair, without exception.
Start Your Canadian Immigration Journey with Berhan Immigration Today!
For Online Consultations
For In-Person Consultations
Call us at +1 (519)868-4352
