In 2022, the Canadian government declared that it will be open to new immigrants until 2024. The number of immigrants expected to immigrate within this short window is 1.3 million. However, there are different pathways to Canadian immigration and there is no one easy route to take. All the pathways involved have their own share of rigorous activities and as an immigrant, you are expected to put in the time, money, and effort as the race for immigration is very competitive.
In order to have a quick and smooth immigration journey immigrants should have met the eligibility requirements and have to meet the priorities and goals, you set for themselves. Due to a lack of workforce in the economy, the Canadian government has opened up numerous pathways to bring in foreign nationals to help boost their country’s economy. The pathways are opened to different foreign nationals from all works of life from the skilled professionals, students, business investors, entrepreneurs, etc; no one is left out. To this effect, the immigration laws have eased down which leads to good immigration solutions for aspiring migrants making it easier for immigrants now.
Below are pathways to immigrate to Canada.
1) Express Entry
Ever since the inception of the Express Entry System which has been introduced in 2015, it has gradually and steadily become an immensely popular immigration stream. This express entry pathway is known to be the fastest pathway for skilled workers to migrate to Canada in under six months only.
Over the next three years, Canada plans to invite over 240,000 newcomers through three streams of Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW);
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
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What is an Express Entry?
The Express Entry system involves submitting an online profile that is scored by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To submit an Express Entry profile, you must first be eligible under one of Canada’s above three federal streams. The Canadian government then issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.
The Express Entry pool is divided into a number of classes, based on the skills that are sought by Canada. The classes range from Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked according to their score on the CRS and are then invited to apply for permanent residence in one of the three streams.
What are the eligibility requirements for Express Entry?
To be eligible for Express Entry, you must first be an immigrant who is:
- A landed immigrant, which means that you have arrived in Canada as a permanent resident, refugee claimant, or as a person in removal proceedings; or,
- A foreign national who has been granted asylum;
- A foreign national who is a member of the Canadian Forces or an RCMP officer in good standing, or a foreign national with permanent resident status who has been employed in Canada for at least one year in an occupation that is listed on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) table in regulations made under paragraph 41(1)(f); or;
- A foreign national who has invested at least $2 million in a business enterprise that is carried on by someone else through a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
How do I apply for Express Entry?
If you are eligible, you can apply online at express-entry.ca or by calling 1-800-959-8281. Once you have registered, you will be able to start the application process and provide your CRS score and other required information.
What is the processing time for an Express Entry application?
The processing time for an Express Entry application is six months.
What are the requirements for submitting an Express Entry application?
You must provide your CRS score and other required information.
What are the benefits of being accepted into Express Entry?
The benefits of being accepted into Express Entry include:
- Faster processing time;
- A chance to immigrate to Canada sooner;
- A reduced application fee;
- More opportunities for Canadian immigration than through the regular immigration process.
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How do I find out if I am eligible for Express Entry?
You can check your eligibility online at express-entry.ca or by calling 1-800-959-8281.
In as much as getting nominated by the government may prove difficult in the express entry, just by being in the pool you can be nominated by the province. The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is typically about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This does not include the settlement funds that must also be shown as part of the eligibility requirement, which will vary by family size.
Under, the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), candidates who secure a minimum point score of 67 out of 100 on their assessment grid are considered a fit to migrate. For the Federal Skilled Trades program, it is mandatory to show a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. It should be for full-time employment for a minimum of one year. Along with this, the certificate of qualification in a trader’s occupation is mandatory too.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration model for applicants who have worked in Canada for at least one year. This model focuses on talented and skilled workers who are efficiently working in Canada and desire to make skilled candidates in the country.
2) Provincial Nominee Programs
Provincial nomination programs are also an option for Express Entry. If you’re nominated by a province, you don’t need to apply through the Express Entry system. However, if you are not nominated by a province and would like to be, you will need to apply through the Express Entry system. The cost of applying through the Express Entry system is $1,000.
Once you have submitted your Express Entry application and received an invitation to apply for permanent residence, you will need to provide proof of your eligibility. This can be done through the following:
Proof of income: You must provide evidence that you have sufficient income to support yourself while living in Canada. This could include a copy of your latest tax return, pay stubs, or bank statements.
Evidence of residency: You must also show evidence that you are currently living in Canada. This could include a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or registration card.
Proof of language proficiency: You must provide evidence that you are capable of speaking and understanding English well enough to be able to live in Canada. This could include a copy of your diploma or certificate from an English-speaking school or a test score from the Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA).
Once you have submitted all of the required documents, you will need to attend an interview.
