Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada can be achieved through a wide range of programs. Canada has emerged as one of the top destinations for immigration, especially for Indians. In this article, we bring you the top five ways you can immigrate to Canada.
- Permanent Residence: Long-term immigration programs, including economic programs (inclusive of Express Entry) and Family sponsorship, Provincial Nominee Program, Startup visa program, Study Permits.
1. EXPRESS ENTRY
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
It follows a point-based grading system – including language, education, work experience, age, job offer, and adaptability. Applicants receive the points based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Applicants scoring equal or above cut-off are awarded an invitation to application (ITA). Though a job offer is not compulsory but it increases points.
Provincial governments also pick up from express entry. A provincial nomination also increases points.
First, you must create an Express Entry profile for that following documents are required
- Passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Educational credential assessment report
- Provincial nomination (if you have one)
- Written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one), proof of work experience, certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if you have one)
- Proof of funds
If your Express Entry profile is accepted you get into the pool of candidates. You will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system. Invitation to apply is awarded to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. You will have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence.
2. PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
Under the Express Entry process, one way is that you can directly contact a province and apply for nomination. If you are nominated by province then create an Express Entry profile or update the existing one and show that you are nominated.
Or, you can show the provinces you are interested in your Express Entry profile. If you get a “notification of interest”, you can apply to their Express Entry stream.
It is mainly for those candidates who want to live in a particular province or territory. They must have skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.
Provinces have their own immigration programs that target certain groups also known as “streams”. Like a particular province may target students, business people or skilled workers.
You can apply via paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry.
Under the paper-based process, you have to apply for the province for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. Once nominated, you should submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Following are the province or territory that provide PNP:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
*Remember, Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. It has its own rules for choosing immigrants i.e. Quebec-selected skilled workers
For this, you must apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate. If you get the certificate, you can apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.
3. FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
Under this, an individual can sponsor his/her family if they are at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Following are the family members who are eligible
- Spouse, partner, or dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
- Adopted child
- Relatives (With certain conditions)
4. STARTUP VISA PROGRAM
It is for those immigrants who are starting a business in Canada. One can come under this visa on a work permit and apply for a PR visa later, but the work permit must be supported by Canada-based investors.
Eligibility
- One must have a qualifying business
- Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support from a designated entity showing that business has support
- Proficiency in language (English or French)
- Sufficient funds for settling in Canada
5. STUDY PERMIT
Permission to study at approved institutions, with the possibility to work during and after your studies and options to transition to permanent residence.
2021-2023 Multi-Year Levels Plan
Canada will welcome more than 1.2 million new permanent residents over the next three years, a record-setting number. The 2021-2023 Multi-Year Levels Plan was tabled in Parliament on October 30, 2020, with targets of 401,000 permanent residents in 2021; 411,000 in 2022; and 421,000 in 2023.
BENEFITS OF CANADA IMMIGRATION
- Free quality education for children upto 18 years.
- Free world class medical health care.
- Become Canadian citizen in 3 years.
- Travel to more than 150 countries without any visa.
- Live & Work anywhere in Canada.
- World class lifestyle.
- Enjoy all benefits equal to Citizens.
- Can get a job offer prior landing in Canada.
- Right to move to Mexico under NAFTA agreement
CANADA IMMIGRATION PROCESS FROM INDIA
The below mentioned steps will give you an overview on how to apply for Canada Permanent Resident Visa:
ECA stands for Educational Credential Assessment. The purpose of getting ECA done is to know your education’s equivalency to that with Canadian standards. There are different assessing bodies in Canada which assesses your educational degrees depending on the field of study.
IELTS (International English Language Testing Standards) is a language proficiency test. Canadian authorities mandatorily require a language test to know your English language ability w.r.t Speaking, Writing, Reading & Listening. Make sure you score more than CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 8 to be eligible for the next step.
To excel in your IELTS, get professional assistance and study material kit from Talent Connected World Wide.
Filling Express Entry application is an online process. You can file your Express Entry under any of these three streams- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
FSWP is a stream for highly skilled professionals whereas FSTP is for trade personnel (semi-skilled/unskilled labourers). CEC stream is for those candidates who are having a prior experience in Canada or with Canadian firm operating inside Canada.
Know more about Express Entry Streams
A CRS score intakes your credentials such as age, educational qualification, work experience, English French language ability, etc. and gives out points accordingly.
You can apply for a Provincial Nomination Program if you are willing to reside and work in a particular province of Canada. If you manage to get a nomination, then extra CRS of 600 points will be awarded to you. Consequently, your chances of selection for Canada Permanent Residence visa increases.
After submitting your Express Entry Profile, you will reach the Express Entry pool. The pool consists of all other applicants like you who aspire to get a PR visa to Canada. CIC conducts regular draws (every fortnight) and invites applicants from the pool with highest scores.
After being selected from the pool, CIC will issue you an Invitation To Apply (ITA). ITA is a key to the final door of Canada PR visa! Within 60 days post receiving ITA, comply with documentation and get your Permanent Residence Visa to Canada!
A Permanent Resident Visa is valid for a period of 5 years after which it can be renewed. One can also apply for Citizenship of Canada after getting Permanent Resident Status! To become a lawful citizen of Canada, you first need to apply for Permanent Resident Visa. It is only after spending 3 consecutive years in the country; one is able to apply for Citizenship Test.
Note that Permanent Residency/ PR visa is the only way out to be a Citizen of Canada.

Canada Immigration FAQ's
