Known for its enormous land space, high quality of living, standard educational system and numerous job opportunities, Canada is ranked one of the best countries in the world. Little wonder, many people desire to immigrate to Canada. If you are seeking to move to Canada, then you may have heard that the Canadian immigration process is a daunting and lengthy one and this conception may have left you confused.
But do you know there are easy ways to migrate to Canada? Certainly! There are several legal alternatives to move to Canada and you can qualify for more than one of them. In this article, we will be exposing 11 easy ways to immigrate to Canada whether as a student, worker or with family.
So keep reading!
What are the 11 Easy Ways to Migrate to Canada?
Below are 11 easy ways to immigrate to Canada that would save you time and make your immigration process easier. Bear in mind that the success of these methods depends on your profile. They include:
1. Express Entry System
Express Entry System is one of the commonest and easiest ways to immigrate to Canada. Through the Express Entry program, you can kickstart your immigration process from anywhere in the world. In as little as 6 months you can immigrate to Canada through the visa application process. You may go through any of the three programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen category, then you would need to complete your online profile (which is once for the whole year) and then you may get a score through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is a point grading system. The following factors play a role in getting your CRS points: education, work experience, language, job offer, adaptability and age. After this, you would be accepted into a pool of candidates and if you are part of those who get the highest points, you would receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. Bear in mind that you have only 90 days to submit your application for PR. The Express Entry program costs CAD 2300 for a sole applicant and CAD 4500 for a couple.
2. Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is one of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada. The application process lasts for just 6 months and you can now apply for work permits. The AIP was specifically created to facilitate immigration processes into Atlantic Canada which comprises Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia through any of the following programs:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program;
Requirements:
- Your qualification must be from a publicly financed institution in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
- You must provide proof of residency in the province for at least 16 months during the two years preceding qualification.
- You must provide proof that you can support yourself and any of your dependents financially.
- You must provide results of language tests demonstrating English or French proficiency.
Atlantic High-skilled Program
Requirements:
- You must have had at least one year of management, professional, or skilled work experience.
- You must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for a foreign degree or certificate.
- You must provide results of language tests demonstrating English or French language proficiency in order to live and work in Canada.
- You must provide evidence of your ability to support yourself and any dependents, whether or not they decide to immigrate to Canada.
- Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program
Requirements:
- You must have a high school diploma that is equivalent to a Canadian credential— Educational Credential Assessment (ECA report).
- You must have at least one year of experience in a job that requires a job-specific training or high school education.
- You must provide results of language tests demonstrating English or French proficiency in order to live and work in Canada.
- You must provide evidence of your ability to support yourself and any dependents, whether or not they decide Io immigrate to Canada.
3. Family Sponsorship
Canada strongly upholds the unity of families and so family reunification is one of its immigration policies. Hence, the country embraces new permanent residents through this medium. As a result, if your family member is already a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, they can sponsor you to reside in Canada permanently. This usually costs about CAD 1135 excluding some additional fees if your sponsor is in Quebec. The Family Sponsorship Program is divided into four categories which shall be briefly discussed below:
- Dependent Child Sponsorship
Children regarded as qualified dependents are unmarried persons under the age of 22. These children may either be adopted or biological children. Note instructively that their sponsorship is subject to the approval of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC).
- Spousal and Common-law Partner Sponsorship
If your spouse or common-law partner is a permanent Canadian citizen, then they can sponsor you for PR through this program. A common-law partner is a couple that has cohabited together for at least one year.
- Orphaned Family Members
If you are orphaned and you have a relative( whether brother, sister, uncle, aunty etc) who is a Canadian resident, then he or she can sponsor you to live in Canada.
- Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
A Canadian citizen can also sponsor his or her parents or grandparents to live in Canada provided that they can support them financially. Only 10000 immigrants are welcomed every year through this program.
4. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another easy way to migrate to Canada. Canadian provinces offer various nominee programs with different eligibility requirements. The Provincial Nominee Programs include:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
However, there is one nominee program that is faster than the others — BC PNP! This is because of some factors which the other programs don’t have. Also, compared to the Express Entry, the BC PNP has more regular draws.
5. Job Offer
Getting a job offer from a legitimate company could facilitate your immigration process to Canada. Note that your employer must not be an embassy, consulate or high commission in Canada amongst others as they are tagged ineligible employers for this process. Additionally, your job offer must be supported by an LMIA – Labour Market Impact Assessment.
For clarity purposes, a valid job offer comprises:
- Offer of employment
- Remuneration and benefits
- Job duties
- Reporting Manager’s title and name
Your job offer must also be recent and include relevant details.
When creating your Express Entry profile, put in your LMIA number to show that you have a valid job offer.
6. Home Care Provider Pilots
If you are a home care provider, then this option is for you. Canada provides two schemes under this program for home care providers to immigrate to the country. They include:
1. Home Support Worker Provider Pilot (NOC 4412)
- Personal care attendant
- Respite worker
- Housekeeper
- Live-in caregiver for seniors
- Personal aide
- Doula
- Family caregiver
- Home support worker
- Home visitor
- At-home attendant for disabled persons
2. Home Child Care Provider Pilot (NOC 4411)
- Parent’s helper
- Babysitter
- Au pair
- Live-in child caregiver
- Private home child caregiver
- Nanny
7. Education
This is another way to immigrate to Canada and qualify for permanent residency. However, to be successful in this process, you must meet the study permit requirements throughout your education so as not to negatively affect your immigration process.
One downside is that you may need to have skilled work experience and this may affect international students. But as a solution, you can go through the post-graduation work permit. This would enable you to work in Canada and then get the experience you need.
As an international student graduate, you may go through the following programs to make your PR process easier:
- Post-Graduation Work Permits
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Immigration Options
- Canadian Experience Class
8. Business Immigration Programs
Canada welcomes immigrants that can contribute to the economy. Hence, if you have a business or managing a business, then this may be your best bet. You would need to invest greatly in the business that you want to start through the Business immigration program. The amount of investment depends on the PNP regional entrepreneur program you choose.
9. Startup Visa Program
Another easy way to migrate to Canada is the Startup Visa program. If you want to start a business in Canada then you can come under this visa on a work permit and apply for a PR visa future. However, this work permit must be supported by reputable Canada-based investors.
To be eligible for the Startup Visa program, you would need to fulfil the following conditions:
- You must have a valid business.
- Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support from a designated entity indicating that business is supported.
- Language proficiency (English or French).
- Enough funds for settling in Canada.
10. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) fuses refugee resettlement and economic immigration. If you are a skilled refugee desiring to immigrate to Canada through existing economic schemes, then this option is for you. The EMPP provides eligible employers with a pool of qualified candidates for job opportunities. The EMPP will enable you to apply to certain economic immigration programs by making it easier for you to:
- Be qualified for an economic immigration scheme.
- Commence and submit the application process.
- Continue your life’s journey in Canada.
To be eligible for the EMPP, you must fulfil the following:
- You are from a country of asylum refugees or a convention.
- You are not in Canada and your country of persecution.
- You do not have a lasting solution in another country.
- You are fit to immigrate to Canada.
You must have any of these documents:
- A valid and positive Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from a state that hosts refugees or the UNHCR.
- A valid document that shows you are a registered asylum seeker abroad.
- A “person of concern” letter issued by the UNHCR for EMPP (not available currently).
11. The Agri-Food Pilot
The Agri-Food pilot is another means to immigrate to Canada. The pilot tackles the labour challenges of the agri-food sector in Canada. Set to run until May 2023, the pilot opens the door for experienced workers in various industries and occupations seeking permanent residency.
If you want to apply for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, you would require the following:
- Qualified Canadian work experience in any of the eligible industries and occupations.
- Non-seasonal and full-time employment offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible industries and occupations (this must be outside of Quebec).
- Meet the language proficiency requirements.
- Meet the educational requirements.
- Have enough funds to settle in Canada (as applicable).
Below are the some eligible industries for the Agri-Food pilot program:
- meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production(NAICS 1114)
- animal production, excluding aquaculture
- cattle ranching and farming (NAICS 1121)
- hog and pig farming (NAICS 1122)
- poultry and egg production (NAICS 1123)
- sheep and goat farming (NAICS 1124)
- other animal production (NAICS 1129)
Some eligible occupations in their categories for the Agri-Food pilot are listed below:
Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers
- NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers
- NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers
Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
- NOC C 8431 – General farm workers
- NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers
Conclusion
Canada is one of the most sought-after countries to immigrate to in the world. Even if the immigration process may seem tough, several methods can help you fast-track the process and make things easier for you. This article has just shown you 11 easy options to immigrate to Canada. Assess them with the resources available to you. You may even qualify for more than one method!