Canada is a land of many opportunities, and exceptional quality of life, and thousands and millions of people have chosen it as a destination to establish their permanent residency. With its diverse opportunities and welcoming immigration policies, it is no surprise that many people around the world aspire to call Canada their home. If you are one of these people, then no doubt you will want to know how you can become a permanent resident in Canada, and get entitled to what Canadians enjoy as citizens. This blog post will guide you through the various ways you can obtain permanent residence and how you can apply for it successfully.

How to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada

It is important to understand that there are various ways you can obtain permanent residency in Canada. The requirements and steps of obtaining residency depend on which path you want to take so it is important to understand ad better still speak with an immigration professional to guide you through the best path that would be suitable for you.

you should however know that permanent residency is available to anyone in Canada but it is only those who the immigration officials deem to be qualified that will only be accepted. There are certain criteria that can be used to determine your eligibility, some of which are:

  • Age
  • Qualification/ level of education
  • English/French language proficiency
  • Canadian work experience, etc.

Main Pathways to Apply for Canada Permanent Residency

There are five main pathways through which you can become a permanent resident in Canada. These include:

Express Entry

The Canada Express Entry program is an electronic immigration system launched by the Canadian government to offer express entry to intending immigrants based on their skills and qualifications. It is a program designed to manage applications for permanent residence in Canada. It allows individuals to create their online profiles stating their skills, educational qualification, employment history, etc. to gain points through a calculator, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) designed by the immigration board of the government of Canada. The applicants are therefore ranked through various criteria to get points. Applicants with the highest points are sent invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence during regular draws conducted by the Canadian government. Applicants that are sent ITA can then apply for permanent residence, and if approved, they can move to Canada and enjoy all benefits that legal citizens have access to.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs managed by individual Canadian territories and provinces. These programs enable provinces to nominate candidates who possess the skills and qualifications required in their individual labor markets. Each Canadian Province except Nunavut and Quebec has their own individual Provincial Nominee Programs and each province has at least one stream that is connected with Canada’s Express Entry system.

Generally, to be eligible for nomination through PNPs, a candidate must first express their interest in a province or territory. If the candidate qualifies and is selected, he/ she will receive the nomination to that particular province. Once nominated, the candidate can proceed to apply for permanent residence online through the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

3.         Family Class Sponsorship

The Family Class Sponsorship enables Canadian citizens and foreigners with permanent residence to sponsor their close family members who want to immigrate to Canada for permanent residence.  This method actually makes the immigration application process simpler. However, both the sponsor and their family members must meet certain requirements in order to qualify for the sponsorship program.

Eligible sponsors can sponsor their spouses (or common-law partners), children, parents, or grandparents. The sponsors must demonstrate their ability to financially cater to their sponsored family members and must also meet other requirements to prove the authenticity of their relationship.

The sponsorship application process includes submitting both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application for the sponsored family members.

4.         Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a category within the Express Entry system; it is designed for foreigners who have been working in Canada as temporary workers and have gained the necessary skills and work experience, and want to become permanent residents. To be eligible, the candidate must have been working in Canada for at least 1 year as a full-time or 3 years as a part-time employee. They must also meet the language proficiency requirements and plan to reside outside Quebec, as Quebec has its own immigration programs. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can then create an Express Entry profile and potentially receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

5.         Start-up Visa Program

The Start-Up Visa Program is another pathway to becoming a permanent resident in Canada. It is aimed at attracting foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish innovative businesses in Canada. To qualify for this program, applicants must have a business idea or venture, and have the support of a designated organization (such as angel investors, venture capital fund, etc.). They must also meet the language and financial requirements. Successful candidates will receive a letter of support from a designated organization, which will include their application for permanent residence. Once their application is received and approved, such entrepreneurs can establish and operate their businesses in Canada, and become legal permanent residents in Canada.

Conclusion

The process of applying for permanent residence in Canada starts with knowing which route you want to use in applying for PR. There are various pathways through which you can choose, but they all depend on your circumstance. Each pathway has its own requirements and eligibility criteria. It is therefore important that you carefully determine the appropriate category for your situation, gather all necessary documents, pay the required fees, and submit your application on time. The application process can be quite time-consuming, so you need to exercise patience during the processing period. Once your application is successful and approved, you become a legal permanent resident in Canada, and can henceforth enjoy the benefits that come with being a Canadian permanent resident.