Canada has always recognised the importance of immigration on its society, economy and future. Immigration has allowed the government to directly address labour shortages and to add growth to their workforce.

Considering the recent pandemic, Canada announced their plan to increase the number of permanent visas being applied for. To do this, they have not only increased quotas on already existing visas, but have introduced an additional 6 limited-time pathways directed at health care workers, essential workers, international students and French speakers from those categories to assist in the fight against the pandemic.

There are different pathways by which Canadian permanent residency (PR) are obtained. These are the most common pathways.

Express Entry

The Federal Express Entry program evaluates applicants based on points, where the highest point scorers receive an invitation to apply for PR. Some factors that points are awarded for include (but are not limited to):

• Age
• Education
• Language skills (English and/or French)
• Canadian work experience
• Commitment to Canada
• Job offer

Individuals who wish to migrate to a specific province or region in Canada, can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program in the province or territory where they want to settle.  The provinces then pick candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet their province-specific labour market needs. The Canadian provinces that applicants can apply to are:

This program is aimed towards foreigners who have worked in Canada recently and are now ready to settle down on a permanent basis. Some eligibility criteria include:

• Skilled work experience (worked minimum 12 months, full-time, in past 3 years)
• Language skills (English and/or French)

Canada acknowledges the importance of families being together, so this category allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their family member to live with them, permanently. Avenues available to applicants include sponsoring their:

This program was designed for business people who want to experience new opportunities and challenges in the industry, and are looking to manage and/or invest in a new or established business in Canada. Start-up business applications are assessed on a pass/fail basis of these main criteria:

• Qualifying business
• Language skills (English and/or French)
• Financial capacity

There is also a visa stream for those who are self-employed.

In addition to the above, 6 limited-time pathways are available to new-comers.

Below is a list of 40 occupations that is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as eligible “health-related occupations”. If you are a French speaking health care worker, you should apply under the “French Speaking Health Care Workers” stream which has NO intake caps.

Below is a list of 95 occupations that is used by IRCC as “other eligible essential occupations” from the major unit group, minor unit group and specific 4 digit group. If you are a French speaking essential worker, you should apply under the “French-Speaking Essential Workers” stream which has NO intake caps.

Below is a list of 40 occupations that is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as eligible “health-related occupations”. If you are a French speaking health care worker, you should apply under the “French Speaking Health Care Workers” stream which has NO intake cap

Recently graduated international students who wish to stay in Canada after completion of their studies and enter the workforce, may do so under this stream once it is re-opened. If you are a French speaking graduate, you should apply under the French stream, which has NO intake caps. Some factors that applicants are assessed on include:

• Institution where academic credentials were obtained
• Occupation
• Language skills (English and/or French)

There are many benefits that you can look forward to when beginning your new life in Canada.

The Canada PR process can be time consuming, complex, and challenging. The process steps vary from pathway to pathway, but it generally requires the determining of your eligibility, meeting set requirements of a particular stream, completing a valid online application, and ensuring all the correct documents have been submitted.