Permanent Residency in Canada: Programs and Requirements

Canada Citizenship Immigration Services works alongside the Canadian government. Through various Canada immigration programs, we ensure that the Canadian Immigration process is successful for both the new Canadian residents and for Canada. Canada’s immigration programs are proactively used by the government, ensuring that the application process offers an opportunity to newcomers who meet Canada’s requirements, those of its Provinces, and/or the Canadian Industry.

There are currently several programs available for individuals who wish to immigrate and settle in Canada. Applications must meet requirements, qualifications, and regulations. Through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian government admits over 400,000 immigrants to Canada annually, predominantly under Family Class Programs and Economic Class Programs. Immigration to Canada offers various active programs with different methods of approval.

What is Canada’s Permanent Residency?

The Canadian government grants permanent residency to members of the Family Class and the Economic Class. It is a highly sought-after visa category by skilled professionals abroad. It is a multiple entry visa for five years providing skilled foreign workers an opportunity to work and settle in Canada. You can eventually change your PR status to Canadian citizenship after three years of staying and working in Canada under PR status.

There are several immigration pathways for you to become a Canadian Permanent Resident. The different Canada Immigration Programs, such as Express Entry, Business Immigration, Family Sponsorship, and a study program in Canada, offer several options to get you a PR status.

The Different Canada Immigration Programs

Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage skilled workers’ applications for permanent residency. You must submit your profile through the system, in which the federal government assesses your eligibility. The Express Entry system has the following three programs that provide fast processing (in six months or less) of your application.

  • the Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • the Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • the Canadian Experience Class

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Business immigration is one of Canadas’ most popular immigration programs pursued by Investors, Entrepreneurs, and the Self-Employed worldwide. It seeks to attract business people who can contribute to the economic development of Canada. There are several pathways under the business immigration program. 

Read More to find out.

The Family Sponsorship program promotes the reunion of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives in Canada. It provides them options to bring their relatives to the country with shorter processing timeframes because Canada understands that families should never be separated for long. Certain family members are eligible to become permanent residents of Canada through this immigration pathway.

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Canada welcomes young people from all over the globe and is ready to provide them with student visas. It is for those international students seeking higher education in Canada’s sought-after educational institutions. Canada aims to help talented international students to stay and get work experience in Canada: which can lead to a Canadian permanent residency. 

Read more about studying in Canada as an international student.

Other Canada Immigration Programs

If you wish to immigrate specifically to Quebec, the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is your pathway. You will need to apply to the government of Quebec to get a Quebec Selection Certificate, and Quebec will have to assess your application based on their rules.

You will receive an invitation to submit your application for permanent selection if your profile meets the needed criteria in Quebec. You will be selected if you possess professional skills and training for your job integration in Quebec. Read more about it.

Provincial Nominee Programs

Those who did not make it through the federal program can still apply under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). The following are several attractive options under this program.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) (or Alberta PNP) is one of Canada’s popular immigrant recruitment programs. Skilled foreign workers and entrepreneurs can have a chance of getting their permanent residency through this program. The program has a fast-processing time – as fast as four months only!

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The British Columbia PNP aims to attract immigrants with the necessary skills and experience targeted by the province. It is also for business people and eligible family members who want to settle in BC permanently. 

The BC PNP is one of Canada’s immigration programs with simple and easy requirements and a fast process. You will have to submit your application to the province for nomination. Once you are nominated, you can already apply to the federal government for a Permanent Residency.

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The economic needs of the province of Manitoba dictate its immigration system through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) candidate selection process. You will receive a Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) if you are an immigration applicant with the skills and experience the province is looking for. The Manitoba Provincial Nomination Certificate speeds up the immigration process significantly.

 

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The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in New Brunswick is to facilitate the recruitment of foreign applicants with valuable skills that are in high demand in New Brunswick. Candidates may get a Provincial nomination certificate by filing an Expression of Interest (EOI) form if they do not want to participate in the Express Entry stream. They can then establish a new Express Entry profile by entering their provincial nomination certificate credentials.

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The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is another pathway for your immigration to Canada. The program nominates qualified applicants for Permanent Resident Status. The applicant must meet the province’s established criteria to get a nomination. Newfoundland and Labrador nominates up to 1,050 individuals yearly through the NLPNP.

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The applicant must have the skills and experience targeted by the Northwest Territories to be eligible for this program. An eligible applicant may be able to receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate through the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (NTNP). A Provincial Nomination Certificate will enable the candidate to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.

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Prospective immigrants who have the skills and experience targeted by Nova Scotia may be nominated to immigrate through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). You will be given six months to start your immigration application process once you receive your nomination certificate. You must meet all the NSNP requirements, including your spouse and dependents.

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The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is one of Canada’s immigration programs that has several immigration pathways for foreign nationals to get a chance to become permanent residents in Canada. It is to attract immigrants who can help benefit the province.

The province needs immigrants who are skilled workers, workers in sectors with labor shortages, entrepreneurs, and investors. There are several immigration streams under the OINP. Read More about it.

Those wanting a Canadian permanent residency, specifically in Prince Edward Island, may submit their application through the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the Provincial Immigration Office to get a nomination. The island population is growing. New people are coming and bringing new possibilities to this Canadian island province and contributing to its economy. Rewarding career opportunities, a supportive business community, and first-rate education for students await immigrants in PEI.

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As with the other provincial PNP, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) aims to attract foreign applicants who can fill the province’s labor shortages. It has a set of immigration pathways allowing skilled foreigners to become permanent residents of Canada. The SINP nominates eligible applicants based on the province’s requirements. 

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The Yukon’s Provincial Nominee Program (YPNP) is one of the most straightforward options for foreign workers because of its ease of application and speed. You have to apply first to the federal government before you get a nomination from the Yukon province.

The Yukon province is one of the best destinations in Canada with its low population. Hence, it is eager to welcome newcomers, especially to fill its labor shortages. The mentioned factors resulted in quick and easy immigration to Yukon.

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The Atlantic Immigration Pilot allows employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island — to hire foreign nationals for jobs they have not been able to fill locally. Under this program, all applicants arriving in Canada must have a job offer from a designated employer. They must also have an individualized settlement plan for themselves and their families.

An employer will give you a job offer once they find your profile matches their employment demand and criteria. Under this program, the employer does not have to obtain a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Once you accept the job offer, the employer will connect you to a designated settlement service provider organization for a needs assessment and develop a settlement plan. 

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General Requirements to Qualify for any of the Canada Immigration Programs

Definitely, not all type of profile is eligible for all the programs. Some profiles would stand out and rank higher, and they are the ones who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or a Provincial nomination. The following general qualification, though, is necessary.

  • At least a High School Graduate or equivalent (based on Canada’s educational standard)
  • Demonstrates at least moderate language proficiency in English and/or French 
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • In good health
  • Possess skills that can contribute to Canada’s economic growth

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