Canada immigration is the process of individuals moving to the country to become permanent residents or citizens. Canada offers various immigration pathways for skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs to settle and contribute to its economy and culture. In 2023, at least 139,780 Indians got their PR visas through various immigration pathways. Globally, as many as 471,771 permanent residents have made Canada their home in 2023.
Immigrants settle in Canada due to affordable healthcare and education, high living standards, and a stable and peaceful life. On the other hand, Canada is a country plagued by an aging and retiring population. Thus, it heavily relies on and invites skilled immigrants to support its ever-growing economy and meet its labor force requirements.
Canada Immigration: Overview
- Canada Immigration Programs
- Eligibility
- Canada Immigration Points Calculator
- Documents Required
- Canada Immigration Process
- Cost of Canada Immigration
- Processing time
- Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026
- Immigration vs Citizenship
- Benefits of Canada Immigration
- Best Canada Immigration Consultants
Canada Immigration Programs
There are ten main immigration programs for skilled workers, students, and business persons. The immigration or PR pathways are grouped into four categories:
- Economic
- Family
- Refugees and Protected persons
- Humanitarian and Others
| Immigration Category | Programs |
|---|---|
| Economic | Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Atlantic Immigration Program Caregiver Agri-Food Pilot Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Start-up Visa Program Self-Employed Persons Program |
| Family | Family Sponsorship |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | – |
| Humanitarian and Others | – |
1. Express Entry – The most popular program for Canada immigration
The Express Entry system manages three economic immigration programs. You must be eligible for any one of the following:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Applicants can create an Express Entry profile if they are eligible for one of the above programs. They will get a CRS score out of 1200 points according to the information provided while creating their profile. They can receive an ITA in the Express Entry draws if their score is equal to or more than the cut-off. After getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they can apply to IRCC for Canada PR within 60 days or two months.
The ultimate Express Entry Guide
2. Provincial Nominee Program or PNP
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows the Canadian provinces and territories to nominate eligible skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs. Each province has its own nomination program and sub-categories dedicated to workers, students, and businesspersons. The PNP program for each Canadian province is given below.
Canada Immigration through the Provincial Nominee Program includes the following main steps:
- Select the province in which you want to work and settle.
- Choose the PNP program of that particular province
- Determine your eligibility
- Submit an application
- Get a provincial nomination certificate if the application is approved
- Apply for Canada PR within 6 months or 180 days.
If a provincial nominee applies for Canada PR through the Express Entry system, they get additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS calculator.
3. Quebec Selected Skilled Workers
Even though Quebec is a Canadian province, it has its own rules to invite skilled workers, students, and businesspersons. To be eligible to immigrate to Quebec, you must get a Quebec Selected Certificate or CSQ. As a skilled worker, you can apply for a CSQ through one of the following programs offered by Quebec:
- Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
- Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
- Workers in Food Processing Pilot
- Orderlies Pilot Program
- Pilot Program for Workers in Artificial Intelligence, Information Technologies and Visual Effect Sectors
Once you get a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), apply for Canada PR through the Quebec Selected Skilled Worker Program.
4. Atlantic Immigration Program
You can immigrate to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program if you want to work and live in any one of the four Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. To be eligible you must:
- Be an eligible skilled worker or international graduate with a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
- Get a provincial endorsement certificate
5. Family Sponsorship
You can immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident if an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsors you. To be eligible for this pathway,
- You must have a family member such as a spouse, parent, grandparent, or children sponsor you to immigrate to Canada.
- The sponsor should be at least 18 years old
- They must either be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada.
- They must have sufficient funds to support you financially
Once your sponsor signs and fills the sponsorship form, you can apply for Canada immigration through the Family Sponsorship Program.
6. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot invites eligible skilled workers to work and live in participating rural communities. Meet the following eligibility requirements to immigrate to Canada through the RNIP pathway.
- Meet the community-specific requirements
- Have at least one year of work experience in the last three years. International students are exempted from this requirement if they have completed a 2 year (or longer) academic course in one of the rural communities.
- Get a job offer from an employer from one of the communities
- Get a recommendation from one of the participating rural communities.
Once you are recommended by the community, you can apply for Canada PR through the RNIP or the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Note: The rural communities can recommend eligible candidates till 31 July 2024. The last date for candidates to apply for Canada PR is 31 August 2024.
7. Agri-Food Pilot
Agri-Food Pilot invites eligible skilled workers to support the labor requirements of the Canadian agri-food industry. This immigration program will continue to accept applications till 14 May 2025. To be eligible for this pilot program the applicant must:
- Have a job offer in one of the eligible agri-food industries.
- Have completed high school (If you live in Canada, you can either have a job offer or meet the academic requirements)
- Score CLB or NCLC 4 on the language proficiency test
- Have the required proof of funds
If you are eligible, apply for a PR visa through the Agri-Food Pilot. If your application is approved, you will be able to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident.
8. Caregivers Program
There are two pathways under the Caregivers Program – Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker. Both pathways enable eligible caregivers to immigrate to Canada and permanently settle as permanent residents.
To be eligible for the Home Child Care Provider you must:
- Have at least one year of work experience in the last 36 months in the NOC code 44100.
- You must have cared for children in either your home or in your employer’s home. Child care in institutions such as daycare does not count.
To be eligible for Home support worker you must:
- Have a qualifying one-year work experience in the last three years in NOC 44101.
- Should be caring for someone in the employer’s private home. Institutional care is not considered as eligible work experience.
9. Start-Up Visa
You can immigrate to Canada through the Start-Up Visa program if:
- You can establish an innovative and successful start-up that is successful and creates jobs for Canadians
- Have a letter of support from an approved designated organization that invests in start-ups.
- Score at least CLB/NCLC 5 on the language proficiency test
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
Note: IRCC has made significant changes to the Start-Up Visa Program. Until 31 December 2026, each designated organization will accept only 10 group applications. Acceptance will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
10. Self Employed Program
This immigration program allows experienced applicants to settle in Canada as a self-employed individual. To be eligible you must:
- Have two years of relevant experience within the last 5 years in cultural or athletic activities.
- Must have participated in cultural or athletic activities at a world-class level
- Score at least 35 out of 100 points in the selection grid.
Note: The Self-Employed Program has been paused and is not accepting new applications till January 2027.
Eligibility Requirements for Canada Immigration
Before applying to any of the Canada immigration programs, you must make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements of that particular pathway.
Here is the list of Eligibility Requirements for Canada Immigration:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- Must pass the medical examination and be of sound mind and body.
- All applicants undergo a background check. They must not have a criminal record. This is ensured by the Police Clearance Certificate or the PCC.
- Availability of sufficient funds. Most immigration pathways for Canada mandate the demonstration of sufficient funds. In other words, you must be able to establish that you have enough legal and liquid money to sustain yourself and your family (if applicable)
- You must have at least CLB/NCLC 4 in English or French. IRCC accepts PTE-Core, IELTS, and CELPIP tests for English language proficiency. It accepts TEF and TCF for French language proficiency. The language test must not be older than 2 years.
- You must be admissible in Canada
- Compliance with Canadian immigration laws is mandatory
Note: Although there is no age limit for Canada Immigration, applicants in the age groups 25-45 years are preferred by most of the immigration programs.
Read: The age limit for Canada PR
Canada Immigration Points Calculator
Canada immigration points calculator popularly refers to the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS score calculator that scores Express Entry profiles out of 1200 points. These points are assigned as follows:
- Core or Human Capital Factors (age, education, language proficiency, etc) – 500 points
- Transferability Factors – 100 points
- Additional Factors (Provincial Nomination, Canadian education, etc) – 600 points
While the CRS or Canada immigration points calculator is exclusively for Express Entry, many PNP pathways have their own assessment grids to score applicants. The higher the score, the better the chances of getting an ITA or Invitation to Apply in the various PNP draws.
Documents Checklist for Canada Immigration
Although each immigration program has its own set of paperwork, some documents are generally required in all. Before immigrating to Canada, one must be prepared with the following documents:
- Medical Tests: If you plan to immigrate to Canada, you must show the government that you’re in good health and pose no biological threat to the Canadian population. This ensures you won’t harm the country’s resources but contribute to its progress. Your medical tests will confirm your stable health and ability to support yourself in Canada.
- Language Tests: You’ll need valid language tests to demonstrate your English or French proficiency. Tests like CELPIP and IELTS for English and TEF and TCF for French are accepted by Canada. A good language score, often a minimum CLB 4, is crucial for Express Entry and other immigration programs.
- Proof of Funds: Moving to and settling in a new country can be expensive. It’s necessary to prove that you’re financially prepared to start anew in Canada without relying on the country’s resources. The minimum required amount varies depending on the immigration program.
- ECA (Educational Credential Assessment): As an international graduate, an ECA validates that your education matches the Canadian standard, supporting your credentials during the immigration process.
- Proof of Identity and Age: Providing birth certificates and identity cards showing your age is essential to confirm your legal adult status and ability to manage responsibilities.
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): A PCC is crucial in most Canadian immigration programs, signifying your clean record and social responsibility. This document identifies any potential inadmissibility issues.
- Passport: Having a valid passport is essential for immigration to Canada. Even after obtaining your PR, a passport is required for travel and identification purposes. It is one of the most important documents on your checklist.
Canada Immigration Process
Immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident includes the following steps.
- Choose a suitable Immigration program from the list of options discussed in the article above.
- Create a profile: In case the immigration program is completely online like Express Entry, make an online profile and submit all the necessary information. In the case of the Provincial Nominee Program, each province has its online profile portal. For instance, in the case of SINP, the online profile portal is called OASIS.
- Confirm your eligibility: All the information you supply to your profile is then assessed and gets you a score. Different immigration programs have different calculators. For example, Express Entry has the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program has SIRS or Skills Immigration Registration System, etc. Invitation to Apply is given to those applicants who get the eligible score to apply to the IRCC for Canada PR.
- Get your documents ready: An Invitation to Apply from any Canadian immigration program implies that you can apply to IRCC for a PR visa through that particular pathway. Once you receive an invitation, get your documents ready. An ITA during the Canadian immigration process must not be confused with a Canada PR. An ITA is only an invitation to apply for Canada PR and is in no way the end of the immigration process.
- Once you have been invited to apply in the Express Entry draw or have received your provincial nomination, create an account in the Permanent Residential Portal.
- Begin a new application
- Select the immigration program you are applying through. In case you are applying through the Express Entry system, you will need to create and apply through your Express Entry profile.
- Pass your medical exam and get PCC and biometrics.
- Upload all the documents and forms required.
- Pay the application fee.
- Sign the declaration
- Submit the PR application
- Once your application is assessed and approved, get a COPR or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
Cost of Canada Immigration
The cost of submitting a Canada PR application is CAN $1,525. This includes the application processing fee of CAN $950 and the right to permanent residence fee of CAN $575. However, the total cost of Canada Immigration is more than the PR application fee. It includes many other expenses such as the expenses incurred in:
- Cost of application submission (depending upon the pathway you are applying through)
- Language proficiency tests like CELPIP, IELTS, TEF, and TCF
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Additional PNP program fee (if applicable)
- Medical Exam
- Work Permit (if applicable)
- Biometrics
- Police Clearance Certificate
Read: Total Cost of Canadian Immigration from India
Processing Time
The processing time for Canadian immigration depends on the pathway you are applying from. For example, if you are applying through the Express Entry pathway, it might take as little as 6 to 9 months. On the other hand, if you are applying through the Provincial Nominee Program, it might take at least 9 months or longer. Submitting a complete and updated application helps IRCC process your application faster. It also reduces the chances of rejection.
| Immigration Programs | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 5 months |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | 5 months |
| Family Sponsorship | 11-34 months |
| Provincial Nominee Program (Non-Express Entry) | 11 months |
| Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) | 6 months |
| Quebec-selected Skilled Workers | 9 months |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 6 months |
| Caregivers | 26-36 months |
| Start-Up Visa Program | 37 months |
| Self-employed program | 51 months |
| Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot | 12-18 months |
| Agri-Food Pilot | Less than 12 months |
Read: Processing time for all Canada Immigration programs
Note: Processing time for Canada immigration might change monthly. This might result in some discrepancies in the data.
Canada Immigration vs Citizenship
Canada immigration is the process of settling in the country as a skilled worker or an entrepreneur as a permanent resident. On the other hand, Canadian citizenship makes an individual a legal member of the country. While Canadian permanent residents enjoy many of the benefits enjoyed by the county’s citizens, they cannot vote and hold government administrative positions.
To become a Canadian citizen, you must first become a permanent resident. Citizenship is usually obtained:
- By Birth – People who are born in Canada are Canadian citizens despite the status of their parents.
- By Descent – Children born to Canadian citizens get citizenship even if they are born outside Canada
- By Naturalization – People can get Canadian citizenship if they apply for it and meet eligibility requirements such as permanent residency, admissibility, etc. Not all permanent residents get Canadian citizenship. However, all Canadian citizens by naturalization are permanent residents.
Learn everything about Canadian Citizenship
Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024
On November 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the Canada Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026. According to the plan, the country aims to invite at least 4,85,000 immigrants in the year 2024.
It will also prioritize economic immigration and reunification of families through sponsorships. At the same time, IRCC also aims to increase the number of Francophone immigrants or permanent residents outside Quebec by at least 6% in 2024. Below is an overview of the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024.
| Immigration Program/Category | Target Immigrants (low range) | Target Immigrants (high range) | Overall Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry | 90,000 | 116,000 | 110,770 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 105,500 | 117,000 | 110,000 |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | 4,000 | 9,000 | 6,500 |
| Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed Persons Program | 3,500 | 7,000 | 5,000 |
| Caregivers, Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Economic Mobility Pathways project | 6,500 | 14,500 | 10,875 |
| Sponsorship of Spouses, Partners and Children | 77,000 | 88,000 | 82,000 |
| Sponsorship of parents and grandparents | 27,000 | 36,000 | 32,000 |
| Refugees and protected immigrants | 66,000 | 93,000 | 76,115 |
| Immigration on Humanitarian grounds | 9,000 | 17,500 | 13,750 |
| Overall Immigration target | 430,000 | 532,500 | 485,000 |
Benefits of Canada Immigration
The advantages of immigrating to Canada are numerous and most have a positive impact on your lifestyle and overall quality of life.
- Healthcare: Canadian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to free and universal healthcare and maternity care. The universal healthcare system of Canada is supported by taxes paid by both citizens and permanent residents.
- Education: The Canadian public school system offers free education to PR holders up to the age of 18. In comparison to international students, university tuition fees are also significantly lower for permanent residents.
- Worker benefits: Being a skilled worker in Canada also serves many benefits. Paid public holidays and 2 weeks of paid vacation are provided after you serve 12 months in your job. Additionally, your employers contribute 5.45% of your total salary to your Canadian pension plan.
- Pristine environment: Canada is consistently ranked the cleanest country by the WHO (World Health Organization) mostly because of the territorial and provincial governments constantly working towards the improvement of the environment.
- Quality of life: Canada offers a high-quality life with an excellent work-life balance and premium social facilities. The country boasts of a peaceful society with minimal crime and unrest.
Best Canada Immigration Consultants
Talent Connected Worldwide has recently been awarded the best Canada immigration company in India. This makes us the country’s one of the only award-winning CICC-licensed immigration consultancy firms. In addition to being CICC authorized, founder Rachal Sidhu (R527196) is also a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC R 16157) which is the largest and the only non-profit organization for immigration consultants in Canada.
Talent Connected Worldwide is the best immigration consultant because we:
- Provide complete and transparent information about your application.
- Give you a list of all immigration options with better success chances.
- Boasts of a high success rate in Canada PR through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), and other prominent pathways.
- Help you upload updated and complete paperwork.
- Get your application processed faster.
- Provide you with free IELTS preparation.
- Never make false promises or give guarantees regarding Canada PR.
Thinking of safe and successful Canada immigration? Think Talent Connected Worldwide.
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