Are you considering immigrating to Canada in 2022? Have you already made up your mind and decided this major life decision is the right one for you? Well, this is a great time to begin considering applying for permanent residence in Canada. Here, our Ottawa and Orleans immigration physicians explain more.
2021 was a historic year for Canadian immigration programs. At the beginning of the year, Canada's federal government set a goal to invite 401,000 new permanent residents to the country through its various immigration programs. And this goal was handily achieved, marking last year as the highest immigration rate in Canada in over 100 years. And in 2022, the federal government has set their eye on an even greater number of new Canadians as their goal.
So, from a numbers perspective, you are more likely to be invited into Canada this year than ever before!
But, how do you apply to immigrate to Canada? What are the easiest methods of applying for permanent residence and being invited to the country? Here, we explain some of the most common pathways to Canadian permanence residence as well as what you generally need in order to set yourself up for success in your application.
How to Immigrate To Canada
There are a number of programs that you can use to apply for Canadian permanent citizenship. The following are three of the most common avenues that people interested in immigrating to Canada use for applying for permanent residence:
Express Entry
Express Entry is by far the most popular avenue for people to apply to become permanent residents in Canada. This immigration program prioritizes work experience and skills, considering how you could add to the Canadian economy as a permanent resident. This program was developed relatively recently to help to ensure that deserving candidates who may have been overlooked under the old immigration system will be properly recognized.
The Express Entry program is actually an umbrella, with 3 streams within it: The Federal Skilled Workers Program, The Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Each of these streams are designed to accommodate applicants with different qualifications and experiences, so make sure you know which one applies o you if you are planning on applying for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry program.
Relative Sponsorship
The second most common immigration program for people interested in living in Canada as permanent residents is through the sponsorship of immediate or extended family members. This program is intended to help families assist one another to be together in Canada. Individuals are able to sponsor their parents, spouses, children, grandparents or other extended family members for permanent residence through this program, but immediate family members are often given priority.
This method of application requires a sponsor to be a permanent resident or Citizen of Canada and asks that both the sponsor and potential immigrant to Canada fill out separate applications. As part of this application, the sponsor must be able to prove that they can financially support their relative without relying on social assistance from the government.
Provincial Nominations
Over the past 5 years or so, a number of provinces have launched extensive programs for sponsoring deserving candidates for permanent residence that they think would add to the economy and communities of their province. These programs are called Provincial Nominee Programs (or PNP).
Each of Canada's ten provinces and three territories offer nomination programs and each of them have different requirements for considering candidates, including highlighting specific needed skills in that province or specific needs or hardships that a province or territory's governing body would like to counteract. Many of these programs look for connections in candidates to the province, including family already living there or previous temporary work there - and most look for a candidate's intent to live in their province or territory long-term once they become permanent residents.
If you receive a provincial nomination, you will still have to apply through an appropriate federal immigration program though. Because of this, these programs can be a great way to strengthen your candidacy for permanent residency as long as you fulfill their eligibility requirements
What Path To Immigration to Canada is Easiest?
While the above three paths to permanent residence in Canada are generally considered to be some of the easiest, there is no 'easy' way to apply and earn Canadian permanent residency. The application process always requires time, funds and emotional investment - in addition to close attention to detail to ensure you have fulfilled the requirements of each stage of the application process.
The application process for Canadian permanent residency can take months or even years depending on the best method for your unique case and the specific year that you are applying in.
Because of this, the best way to immigrate to Canada is through the program that is best suited to your situation. Make sure you visit the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada website to learn more about what program best suits you.
And, while 2022 looks to be another landmark year for Canadian immigration, it's important to keep in mind that this doesn't mean the process will be easy. As with any big life change, it will require effort and attention.
What are the requirements for permanent residence?
There are different specific requirements for each of the different permanent residence programs in Canada. However, there are a number of documents and certifications that are required by most or all Canadian permanent resident visas, including:
- A completed language test, such as the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with proof of your score
- Proof of sufficient funds to support your applications
- Any educational degrees, certificates or diplomas you have earned
- Proof of age and identity such as a birth certificate
- Documents related to a Canadian job, including a job offer, a letter from your future employer, and proof of previous employment that you have claimed
- Medical Immigration Certification
- Police Clearance Certification
- Any travel documents, including your passport
