Immigrating to Canada from India can prove quite beneficial for many people. There could be several reasons to move to Canada, from looking to be exposed to a high number of job opportunities to finding good educational opportunities for children. The reasons may be endless but we have tried to list some in this blog. Along with that, we will also discuss:
- eligibility requirements to immigrate to Canada
- documents required for Canada immigration, and
- how to immigrate to Canada from India
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Why Immigrate to Canada from India
The reasons why you should immigrate to Canada from India are:
- High Employment Opportunities
Canada has been in need of skilled workers and semi-skilled workers in almost every field since the pandemic. Employment is one of the top reasons why Indians immigrate to Canada. If you are looking forward to settling down in the country, these are some in-demand occupations to work in- tech, healthcare, agriculture, STEM, transport, etc.
- Better Healthcare System
The Canadian public healthcare system, or Medicare, provides medical services for free or at a very low cost to Canadian PRs and citizens with a health card. Under the Canada Health Act, the provinces and territories are required to fund the medical services and the federal government assists as well. When you immigrate to Canada from India, make sure that you know how to apply for a health card or a care card so you can avail the health services at the time of need.
- Top-notch Education System
The education system of Canada is brilliant. These educational institutions are operated in both English and French languages and every province and territory has their own school system. Hence, if you are an international student studying in Canada, Canada’s education institutions will provide you with knowledge of both languages.
- Higher Quality of Life
Canada provides a higher quality of life as the environment of Canada is relatively cleaner than other countries. Canada has a rich culture and that’s why Canada feels like a heaven to live in for many immigrants.
- Inclusive and Diverse Environment
The government of Canada is inclusive and values diversity. You will find people belonging to various sexual and gender orientations, ethnicities, and religious and cultural environments living together peacefully.
Eligibility Requirements to Immigrate to Canada from India
Here are the general eligibility requirements to meet to be eligible for Canadian immigration from India.
- Age
- Work Experience
- Language Proficiency
- Education
- Job Offer
- Adaptability
1. Age plays a huge role, as those who are in the age group of 20-29 are favored the most as Canada requires young workers, and hence people of this age criteria are likely to immigrate to Canada sooner.
2. Work experience is one of the determining factors when it comes to whether or not you can immigrate to Canada. The years of work experience you require depend on the immigration pathway you choose. For instance, if you are immigrating via the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you require at least two years of work experience. Whereas, for the Canadian Experience Class, candidates require only one year of Canadian work experience.
3. Language proficiency is also necessary for Canadian immigration. Canada has two official languages, English and French, and candidates need to have a strong command over at least one of these languages and know the other one to some extent.
4. Education is one of the main factors that provide the candidate with essential points. The higher one’s education is, the more likely they are to immigrate to Canada.
5. If the candidate has a job offer from Canada, they will get points or are favored by the immigration pathway.
6. Adaptability is another factor that is kept in mind when allowing a candidate to immigrate to Canada from India. For the candidate’s spouse/family member/relative living in Canada, the main candidate will be rewarded points.
Documents Required to Immigrate to Canada
The following are the documents for Canada immigration from India:
- Passport or travel documents
- Birth certificate
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- Language test results
- Job Offer
- Provincial Nomination (if required)
- Photo
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Medical Exam
Canada Immigration Programs
Here is the list of immigration programs that you may use to immigrate to Canada from India:
1. Express Entry
Express Entry offers three immigration programs that Indians can use to immigrate to Canada. These programs are- Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Express Entry is the federal government immigration pathway that selects qualified skilled workers from across the world and gives them a chance to immigrate to Canada.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Each of Canada’s provinces and territories has its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that calls for immigrants for Canada PR on a lower PR points requirement.
The province/territory decides how many immigrants would be invited/nominated in which industries and on what basis. IRCC allotts a particular number of immigrants that a province can invite. Only Quebec decides its own number of immigrants, in accordance with the Canada-Quebec agreement.
3. Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program
The Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program selects candidates on the basis of labor requirements and candidates eligibility. Quebec also scores its candidates using a points system, and then invites certain candidates to apply for permanent residency.
4. Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program lets eligible candidates immigrate to any one of the four Atlantic provinces of Canada. These provinces are- Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Those who have recently graduated from a post-graduation institution in the Atlantic region and international workers can apply for immigration to Canada from India if they receive a job offer from a designated AIP employer.
5. Agri-food Pilot
The Agri-food Pilot program invites eligible candidates to work in certain agricultural industries that are facing serious labor shortages. The agricultural sector in Canada is in need of non seasonal or permanent workers, and, hence, the Agri-food Pilot aims to allow candidates gain permanent residence in Canada and stay to work in those industries. Through this program, the agricultural sector of Canada is sure to grow!
6. Start-up Visa Program
The Canada Start-up Visa (SUV) program permits aspiring and eligible entrepreneurs to build their own business in Canada. To be eligible, one of the most important things is to have enough finances to set up one’s own business, and meet other requirements.
7. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) lets skilled workers gain permanent residence in smaller communities of Canada that are also a participating community in the RNIP. The pilot boosts the economy of such communities as it helps call for required workers.
8. Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship program lets a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen to sponsor their family member. The family member may then be eligible to apply for Canada permanent residency.
Steps to Immigrate to Canada from India (Express Entry Way)
Follow the steps to immigrate to Canada from India through one of the most popular and fastest immigration pathways, Express Entry.
- Step 1: Get ECA Report
- Step 2: Take Language Proficiency Test
- Step 3: Create Express Entry Profile
- Step 4: Receive CRS Score
- Step 5: Wait for Express Entry Draw
- Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply
- Step 7: Fill out the PR Application
Step 1: Get ECA Report
Getting an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) before you start applying for the Canada immigration process is necessary. An ECA proves that your international education is equivalent to the Canadian level. If you have completed your education in Canada, you may not need to provide an ECA report. In any other case, when you are creating an Express Entry profile, providing the ECA report number is absolutely necessary.
Step 2: Take Language Proficiency Test
Get your language proficiency exams report before you apply for Canada immigration. The language testing organizations approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are:
For English language:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
For French language:
Once you take a language test, make sure that you score at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadien (NCLC) level 5 or above. Further, as the test results are valid for 2 years, make sure that they remain so both at the time of creating the profile and submitting the permanent residency application.
Step 3: Create Express Entry Profile
Now, you can start creating your Express Entry profile online. Create an IRCC account first and log in using the GCKey or Sign In Partner option. When you create a profile on any social media account or mobile application, you are asked to answer questions regarding yourself. Similarly, the Express Entry profile is just a number of questions that you need to truthfully answer.
During this step, you will not need to upload any documents, only provide the information asked.
Step 4: Receive CRS Score
Once you are done creating the profile, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will evaluate your information and then give you a certain score, also known as the CRS score. The system will also assign one of the Express Entry programs that you qualify for.
Keep in mind that you cannot choose which Express Entry program you can immigrate through, it’s the CRS that will determine it.
Step 5: Wait for Express Entry Draw
Once you receive the CRS score and have been assigned the program, the system will place your profile in the Express Entry pool. All the other eligible profiles that haven’t received an ITA in a draw wait in this pool. When IRCC conducts an Express Entry draw, and you meet the eligibility requirements of the round, you may be invited to apply for PR.
If you aren’t invited, your profile will wait in the pool. An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months.
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply
When the draws are conducted, IRCC sends Invitation to Apply (ITA) to selected candidates. If you receive an ITA from the Express Entry draw, you can apply for the Canadian permanent residency.
Step 7: Fill out the PR Application
This is the final step in which you are to fill out the permanent resident application. After approval, your Canadian immigration process will be completed! You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) and a PR visa, if you require it. IRCC will send you a Passport Request (PPR) so they can put the PR visa in your passport.
Is it easy to immigrate to Canada from India?
In order to be eligible for Canada immigration from India, one must have good command over language, have a nice educational background, and some relevant work experience. Indians are usually qualified in all these aspects. Hence, it would be sufficient to say that immigrating to Canada from India is rather easy.
How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada from India?
For a single applicant, the cost of Canada PR from India is about 1,40,000 INR (CAN$2,312).
Can I go to Canada without a job offer?
Yes, it is possible to go to Canada without a job offer. There are several immigration programs available that let you immigrate to Canada without a job offer such as the Family Sponsorship program and some PNPs.
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