What is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada?
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Canada offers several programs for immigrants that lead up to obtaining citizenship. The most popular program for those who wish to immigrate and live permanently in Canada is the Skilled Worker Program (SWP). The Canadian immigration system is fair, impartial, and efficient. As an applicant, you should know what to expect from the process to plan accordingly.
Immigration points system and your chances of becoming a Permanent Resident
Canada’s points system for immigration is based on many factors. You could receive 20 points for a job offer from an employer or 15 points for having a sibling who lives in Canada. The government also grants 10 points for completing the Canadian Language Benchmark exam. The number of points you need to become a permanent resident will depend on how many points you have so far. If you have more than 67, then you are eligible to apply for citizenship and live in Canada permanently.
The eligibility of candidates is determined in terms of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. The score considers the already mentioned factors and weighs each of them in the following categories:
- Core/Human Capital factors – You are allotted scores based on your age, educational qualifications (equated against Canadian levels), language assessment, and Canadian work experience.
- Spouse factors – If you have an accompanying spouse, they will be scored for each of the abovementioned factors. Canada promotes the idea that couples apply together and get higher CRS scores.
- Skill transferability – Your education credentials and work experience are weighted compared to the domestic requirements in Canada.
- Additional points include extra scores for your application if you have a provincial nomination, job offer, Canadian education, Canadian family members, or French language proficiency.
Fastest ways to immigrate to Canada
Immigrating to Canada can be a daunting process. There are many rules, steps, and processes to consider before deciding to move. We list out the fastest ways for you to immigrate to Canada:
- Express Entry (EE)
- Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP)
- Business Immigration
- Sponsorship
1. Express Entry
The Express Entry system is Canada’s fastest, newest, and most popular immigration program. With a high selection rate, it has been designed to be more efficient and faster than the previous system. Express Entry is a points-based system (Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS) that awards applicants who can demonstrate they have the skills and experience deemed valuable by the Canadian government. The following streams within Express Entry system are going to invite close to 240,000 individuals looking to immigrate to Canada:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – Individuals who received their education qualifications and work experience (at least one year) in a foreign country can apply under this stream. The candidates must have work experience in management, technical or professional roles. Management roles (NOC – 0) include restaurant managers, shore captains, and mining managers. Professional jobs (NOC – A) like doctors, dentists, and architects are preferred. Technical jobs (NOC – B) include those of electricians, plumbers, and chefs. All these roles are covered under National Occupation Codes (NOC) 0, A, and B.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – Individuals who may not have a specific education qualification but may be skilled at their trade qualify under this stream. They need to have at least two years of experience. Work experience with NOC – B is preferred. You do need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
- Canadian Experience Class – Individuals who already may have a work permit and have worked for at least one year in Canada. NOC – 0, A, and B are eligible.
Once a case is picked up from the pool basis of its score merits, they are invited to apply (ITA). The cost to immigrate via the Express Entry system is about $2,300 CAD for an individual.
2. Provincial Nominee Programs Canada
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are another fast and efficient way to immigrate to Canada. Canada welcomes around 84,000 new immigrants via the PNPs. Canadian provinces and territories offer these programs to attract skilled workers, skilled tradespeople, and international students. The federal government has laid down a point system for assessing applicants to make the selection process fair regarding education, work experience, or other factors.
The provincial government can select immigrant applications per their local needs through a Provincial Nomination Program. These programs can lead to a Permanent Residency or PR status for the applicant. The benefits of a PNP over federal programs are:
- Most of the time, the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS scores are much lower than those of federal programs.
- Applicants not eligible to meet the minimum criteria to qualify under the federal program can still be considered via PNP Canada.
- As each province has distinct requirements, selection varies depending on the applicant’s situation and background.
Being an applicant living outside of Canada, you should consider the following PNP programs:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
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Business Immigration
The Canadian government issues Canada Business Visa to drive Canada’s economic growth and create new job opportunities for Canadians. These visas come with special incentives: low taxes and operation costs, access to business consultants, international networking and business expansion, permanent residency, social benefits, and more. As an entrepreneur, there are endless unique business opportunities for you and your family in Canada. Below is an introduction to each of the Canada business visas available to you:
- The Start-Up Visa
- Self-Employed Persons Program
The Start-Up Visa
Canada’s Start-Up Visa is aimed at business owners or part-owners with at least 3 years of experience in running a successful business. This Canadian business visa does not have minimum investment and net worth requirements, but you do need to have settlement funds. If you qualify for the Start-Up visa, you can live anywhere in Canada, become a PR, and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.
Self-Employed Persons Program
Canada has created a self-employed program that might be right for you. It is aimed at people who want to immigrate to Canada as self-employed and will allow the freedom of being your own boss! You ought to have two years of relevant experience, prove your intent to become self-employed in Canada, and meet other requirements. If you qualify, you’ll be able to become a permanent resident with the ability to bring your family with you.
4. Sponsorship (Inland or Outland)
Going by its literal meaning, “Inland Sponsorship” means that the person applying for the visa must be present in Canada when they apply. Further, the spouse, partner, or family member is already present in Canada as a temporary resident. They could have a visitor, student, or work visa. For inland sponsorship, the applicant can apply for an “Open work permit” as soon as they submit their PR application. Hence the applicant can stay with their citizen or PR family member and legally work in Canada for 12 months. This period coincides with the average inland sponsorship processing times.
“Outland sponsorship” pertains to an application for PR submitted by a person who resides outside Canada. They receive sponsorship from a Canadian citizen or PR. Suppose the applicant wants to visit their family in Canada. They will need to apply separately for a visitor visa. This in no way affects the outland sponsorship processing times. If they visit Canada, they are not entitled to work until their status changes to permanent resident status.
Is there a maximum age for immigration to Canada?
None of the immigration programs introduced by the government of Canada have a minimum or a maximum age for application. However, in the immigration pathways related to economic migration, an applicant can receive a maximum of 25 to 30 points for their age. Although older applicants will receive lower points for their age, they can certainly compensate for the same with more work experience. They can boost their points tally through:
- high scores in language proficiency tests
- present connections to close family members already residing in Canada as citizens or PR
- Higher scores for their higher education
- Last but not least, a job offer from a Canadian employer
Moreover, if you are applying to immigrate to Canada on humanitarian grounds, as a refugee, or with family sponsorship, you do not need to go through the ranking system. Hence age is never an issue in such cases.
