Canada, the “Great White North,” has become the nation of choice for numerous immigrants due to its flourishing economy, political stability, superior healthcare, and education.

However, while relocating to Canada may seem like a fantasy come true, the process can be lengthy and laborious.

Table of Contents

Express Entry – What It Is and Is NOT

The Canadian government began implementing EE in January 2015. At the time, it radically altered the reception and processing of permanent residency applications for foreign skilled employees.

Prior to the EE, Canada’s permanent residence (PR) application procedure was first-come, first served. Upon satisfying the eligibility criteria for a Permanent Residency (PR) category, an individual is required to furnish the pertinent paper application forms, documents, and processing fees. If all prerequisites are met, as well as medical and security checks, the applicants will be handed a PR visa, allowing them to travel to Canada to be granted a PR.

As you may expect, this resulted in a large backlog, and approving a single file took many years. As a result, the government resolved to clear the backlog by closing all unfinished FSW applications and refunding processing expenses. The FSW and CEC programs, also no longer accept paper submissions.

In favor of the previous system, EE was implemented. It was intended to make the immigration selection system more sensitive to economic requirements, cut processing periods, and provide provinces with another option for selecting their own immigrants.

The government uses the EE system to choose or invite candidates to participate in the EE process. It should be noted that EE is not an immigration program to Canada. It is instead the way that the government keeps track of and accepts PR forms for the programs already stated. The fact that you have created an EE profile does not imply that you have applied for a Permanent Residency. Your EE profile is your statement to Canada that you want to immigrate and that you possess certain criteria that qualify you. Creating an EE profile does not cost anything, as admission does not require an application.

How It Works

Step 1: Determining Your Eligibility

The process of immigrating to Canada begins with determining eligibility; if you are ineligible for immigration, there is no sense in squandering time and money.

To determine your eligibility, you should compile a list of the Canadian government’s immigration requirements. There is a possibility that you will not be permitted to immigrate if you have any of the following:

A history of committing crimes or violating human or international rights
A history of having medical conditions
An inadmissible member of the applicant’s family
A violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which was passed in 1996.
Not enough money available

Step 2: Selecting Your Preferred Method of Immigration

There are various legal admission points for entering Canada. When planning your immigration, it is essential to consider only the legal routes, as anything else could result in deportation and a prohibition.

Before you proceed, you must choose between:

Express Entry: Often regarded as the quickest method for new immigrants to enter Canada, the express entry route is also an excellent path to permanent residency in Canada. To be eligible to apply through this channel, you will need to have a high ranking in the express entrance ballot. The present ballot employs the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers various factors such as age, educational attainment, duration of professional experience, Canadian affiliation, and proficiency in either English or French language.

You may wish to consider the Federal qualified employees (FSW) Program, which is designed for qualified employees with advanced degrees. In contrast, it is noteworthy that the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program does not mandate any formal educational prerequisites. However, it is observed that individuals possessing secondary or post-secondary education tend to exhibit superior Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ratings.

Work Permit: With the use of a work permit, individuals such as students, entrepreneurs, and temporary employees are able to work in Canada for a limited amount of time. This is a straightforward option for immigrants seeking to migrate to Canada. By choosing this route, you have the option to opt for either an unrestricted work permit or a work permit that is specific to an employer.

In order to qualify for immigration via this route, it is necessary to possess a job offer from a reputable Canadian employer.

The Provincial Nominee Program: is an immigration scheme that is managed by various provinces and territories in Canada. Through the Provincial Nominee Program, provinces facilitate the immigration of individuals who have expressed an interest in establishing in their province. If you choose this path, the only province in which you can eventually set down roots is the one you pick.
Family Sponsorship: Immigrants who have family members over the age of 18 who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada can have those family members sponsor them to migrate to Canada as long as the sponsoring family member can demonstrate financial support for the immigrant.
Startup Visa: Entrepreneurs with original company ideas can come to Canada on a work permit and apply for permanent residency after establishing their businesses if they qualify for Canada’s Startup Visa.
Study Visa: Upon completion of your studies, you may seek to obtain a work permit as a means of prolonging your residency within the country you are studying.

Consider also the Rural and Northern Pilot immigration program as well as the caregiver immigration program.

Step 3. Begin Application

You can easily start the application process for your preferred immigration program on the Canadian immigration website by ensuring that you have all the necessary documents. After that, you may need to pay the application fee, which can range anywhere from CAD500 to CAD1500 according to the type of visa you are applying for.

Step 4. Visa

It is advisable to plan ahead of time as the response time for your application may extend up to six months. If you are rejected, you may reapply if your position changes, but this decision cannot be appealed.

Step 5. Prepping

Once your visa is approved, you can begin the process of migrating to Canada. Begin by assembling the necessary paperwork for acceptance into Canada:

Your Canadian immigrant visas
Documentation demonstrating Permanent Residence status is required for all accompanying family members during travel.
Each member of your entire family must possess legitimate travel documents, including a valid passport.
It is recommended to prepare two comprehensive inventories, containing a detailed list of all the personal belongings and household items that are in your possession.
Two copies of potential future arrivals and their estimated value.

Following this, you would need to make accommodations. Thankfully, it is now possible to virtually tour residences, making the selection process simpler. As an alternative, you can come by a month before your big move to do a physical walk-through.

Step 6. Health Insurance

While Canada provides free health care to its residents and citizens, new immigrants must acquire private health insurance for up to three months from the time they arrive. These insurances differ according to province.

Conclusion

Since the reason people move to a new country is typically in search of a better life, you ought to make getting Canadian citizenship your ultimate objective. After obtaining permanent residency in Canada for a period of four years, you may submit an application to become a citizen of Canada on the condition that you have resided in Canada for a period of three out of the previous five years.

In order to be eligible for citizenship in Canada, you must be at least 18 years old, have a good command of English or French, be familiar with Canadian social norms, and demonstrate that you can pass a test on Canadian government and politics.

After finishing all of the requirements, you will be eligible for legal citizenship in Canada and will get an invitation to a citizenship ceremony.