Canada has recently been ranked as the no.1 country in the world for immigrants, based on the quality of life parameter – a key attraction for skilled professionals all over the world.
Moreover, the Canadian immigration Process is more open, flexible, and user-friendly when compared to the immigration process of other developed countries such as the USA and the UK. Therefore it’s easier to qualify. Canada also provides robust healthcare, public education, and social welfare system which is one of the best in the world and at a very low cost.
This flexible immigration process, welcoming culture, and immense life opportunities make it worth moving to Canada as a Permanent Resident. Canada offers a lot of benefits to its Permanent Residents, which are nearly as same as its citizens (check our last article on relocating to Canada). For anyone looking for a better living standard and a boost in their career graph, then opting for PR in Canada is a viable choice.
A person can move to Canada permanently through different pathways, among which the most popular ones are, Express Entry Program and Provincial Nominee Program (read more on how to relocate to Canada from Nigeria 1).
Every year, the Canadian government welcomes millions of newcomers from different countries for permanent residency majorly through the Express Entry pathway.
How to apply for Canadian PR
The applicant must carefully complete these processes within the given time frame:
Step 1 – Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): An applicant has to get Educational Credential Assessment or ECA to prove that their foreign education is on par with the Canadian level.
Step 2 – Language Proficiency Report: The candidate needs a language expertise report with the IELTS score. This demonstrates if the English skills of the applicant are at par with the Canadian Government Benchmark Level (CLB) or not.
Step 3 – Express Entry Application: Once the candidate has both the documents, they can create an online profile in the Express Entry System profile.
Express Entry Eligibility Points Requirement
Applicant needs to secure a minimum of 67 out of 100 points to qualify. Applicants are evaluated on the following factors:
| Age | Maximum 12 points
(Best Age range for best point is 25-35) |
| Education | Maximum 25 points |
| Language Proficiency | Maximum 28 points (English and/or French) |
| Work Experience | Maximum 15 points |
| Adaptability | Maximum of 10 points |
| Arranged employment | Additional 10 points (not mandatory). |
Step 4 – Express Entry Draw & CRS Score: The candidate receives a score after filling the application form, which serves as a cut-off to assess applications. If you have the required CRS score, you become eligible for the Canada PR visa. After that, the applicant must wait for the Express Entry Pool draw, held at regular intervals (every 2 weeks). Successful candidates get an invitation for PR.
Step 5 – Invitation To Apply (ITA): If you are above the rank, you will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA). After receiving it, you have 60 days to apply for PR. In the case of the Express Entry System, once the invitation is issued, you can apply for PR in Canada, whereas, other PNP programs issue a certificate, i.e. Provincial Nomination Certificate. This certificate helps the applicant in acquiring a permanent residency in Canada.
Step 6: Final PR Application: You can send in the final PR application with the required documents. The authorities aim to process a majority of these applications within six months. If you get approved, you will receive your PR authorization.
Other Express Entry Process Requirements
Apart from scoring minimum eligibility points, you need to meet the below criteria as well:
Sufficient Funds: To apply through this immigration program, you should have sufficient funds in your bank account to financially support you and your family members (if any) in Canada. Check our article on relocating to Canada 2 to learn more.
Medical Certificate: You are also required to complete your medical examination for proving that you and your family members are in good health condition. This should be done via a medical professional listed on the Canadian Physicians Panel.
Security Clearance: Another step is to get your security clearance document, also known as a PC (Police Clearance) Certificate.
Work Experience: You should have at least one year of full-time employment, work experience for applying under this program. Volunteer work or any unpaid internship will not be accepted.
Documents required to apply for PR visas in Canada?
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): to provide language test results
- ECA( Education Credential Assessment)- If you apply through the Federal Skilled Workers Program (Express Entry).
- Proof of funds: Sufficient funds to support your application.
- Educational degrees or certificates, diploma degrees, sponsor certificates.
- Original copies and officially translated documents supporting the application.
- Proof of Age: such as birth certificate
- Employment documents- a Job offer, reference letter, payslips
- Medical and Police Clearance Certificate
- Travel document- your passport.
An Important Note:
If your point score or CRS Score is not high enough, you can apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). If you apply in the Express Entry aligned stream of a PNP and get the provincial nomination, you become eligible to get up to 600 additional CRS points based on the same. Some popular Provincial nominee programs of Canada are Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), etc.
The Provincial Nominee Program is one of the easiest pathways to get a PR visa in Canada.
Hire an expert Agent or Consultant
Despite all the quality information shared in this article, it is still very important you hire a genuine and registered Visa Consultancy Service for Canada. A reputed consultant can guide you in the right direction and can help you in interpreting and fast-tracking the process requirements.