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Permanent Resident Pathways
Express entry
This is an online system used by Canadian immigration which allows skilled immigrants to become permanent residents of Canada.
There are three pathways under this category:
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
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Federal Skilled Worker Program
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Federal Skilled Trade Program
Canadian Experience Class as the name suggests is for skilled workers who have gained a minimum of 1 year (1560 hours) or an equal amount of part-time Canadian work experience within three years of applying. This experience needs to be gained on a valid temporary resident status when authorized to work. Self-employment and work experience during studies does not count as work experience for this class (exemption for physicians under temporary public policy). Your job should fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories of the National Occupation Classification (NOC). To be eligible under this category, the applicant need to show that they performed all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed in the lead statement of the NOC.
Federal skilled worker program is a program for foreign skilled workers (who have foreign work experience) who wish to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. This program has following steps:
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You need to meet the minimum requirements for skilled work experience, education, and language proficiency to be eligible under this category.
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After meeting the minimum requirements in all three category the application is then assessed based on various factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, job offer, and adaptability. Currently you need to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 to qualify under Federal skilled Worker Program. After the qualification you can submit your application to an express entry pool where they use a different system, Comprehensive ranking system (CRS) to rank your profile.
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You need to show proof of funds which means you have enough money to settle in Canada. This does not apply to applicants who are currently working in Canada, or who have the job offer from an employer in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trade Program allows people who are trained in skilled trade and have a job offer or have a certificate of qualification to apply as a permanent resident in Canada. To be eligible under this program the candidate needs to meet the following minimum requirements:
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CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing to meet language requirements.
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Have a minimum of 2 years full time (or equal part-time) work experience in a skilled trade in the last 5 years. Work experience must be for paid work.
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Meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in NOC.
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Show that they have performed all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed in the lead statement of the NOC description.
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Have a valid job offer (minimum 1 year) or a certificate of qualification.
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There is no requirement for education under this program but if you went to school in Canada or have foreign education credential assessment report these things can help in improving your ranking.
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Need to show sufficient proof of funds.
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Must be admissible to Canada.
Express Entry operates through a comprehensive online system where candidates create a profile detailing their skills, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other relevant factors. Based on this information, candidates are assigned a CRS score, which ranks them against other applicants in the Express Entry pool.
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Family sponsorship
Canada allows certain family members to live, study, work, and gain permanent residence. Family members who can be sponsored include spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, adopted children, parents and grandparents. You must be either Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act and at least 18 years of age to sponsor your relatives.
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Sponsor your spouse
You can sponsor your spouse, Common-law partner, and dependent children to be permanent residents of Canada if you:
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are at least 18 years of age
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are a Canadian Citizen, Permanent resident, a registered person as Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
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can prove that you are not receiving any social assistance for any reason other than disability
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can prove that you can provide for the basic needs of people you are sponsoring
Permanent residents living abroad cannot sponsor from outside Canada.
Sponsor your parents/grandparents
You can sponsor your own parents and grand parents if you:
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are invited to apply (if you meet the eligibility criteria)
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are at least 18 years of age
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are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act
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have enough money to financially support them - your proof of income, your partner or spouse can co-sign to show combined income for a period of three years
Sponsor an adopted child
You can sponsor your adopted child if you:
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are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
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live in Canada
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are at least 18 years of age
You will not be eligible to sponsor someone, if you:
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do not reside in Canada
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have a removal order
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do not meet the low-income requirement
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are in default of previous undertaking
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are in prison
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Navigating the complexities of immigration law can be daunting, which is why understanding the Canada family sponsorship programs is crucial for anyone seeking to bring their loved ones to Canada.
H&C applications
Pursuant to section 25(1) of the IRPA, Humanitarian & Compassionate applications allow individuals in Canada or to certain individuals outside of Canada to become permanent residents of Canada even if they would normally be ineligible to become one. Also, if a person has removal orders against them, they can apply to stay in Canada on H&C grounds. These applications are an extraordinary measure to provide PR status to otherwise ineligible or inadmissible foreign nationals; therefore, the standard of proof for such applications is very high.
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Factors considered in H&C applications:
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Establishment in Canada
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Ties in Canada
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Best interest of any child affected by your application
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Health considerations
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Family violence
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Consequences of your separation from relative
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Factors in country of origin
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It is the responsibility of the applicant to include all factors in the application that they wish to be considered. Taking help from an immigration expert can help you go through this complex procedure in an effective manner.
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Provincial nominee programs
If you have education, skills, and work experience to contribute to the economy of specific province, want to live in that province and desire to become a permanent resident of Canada then this program is for you. Each province has its own stream and requirements. You can apply under non-express entry process or express entry process whichever suits your profile.
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Alberta Advantage immigration program (AAIP)
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BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
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Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
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New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
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Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
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Northwest Territories Nominee Program
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Nova Scota Nominee Program (NSNP)
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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
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Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
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Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
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Yukon Nominee Program (Foreign worker)
Permanent resident travel document
The Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) serves as a temporary, official verification of your permanent residency status in Canada. It functions to demonstrate to transportation providers that you have permission to enter Canada as a permanent resident, particularly if you do not currently possess a valid Permanent Resident (PR) card.
Who requires a PRTD?
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Individuals who hold permanent residency status outside Canada and lack a valid PR card.
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Those intending to travel to Canada via commercial transportation modes like planes, trains, boats, or buses.
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Individuals in need of renewing or replacing their PR card upon their return to Canada.
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To request a PRTD, you must send a comprehensive application package containing all necessary forms and supporting documents specific to your country. If you opt for the online application, you can upload your application and supporting paperwork through the designated Permanent Residence Portal. Alternatively, if you prefer the traditional paper application method and your country allows it, you can deliver your application to the closest Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Self-employed persons
To be eligible under this category a person needs to have relevant experience in cultural or athletic activities and, is able and willing to make contribution for Canada in these areas.
To immigrate as a self-employed:
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An individual must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the 5 years.
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The application is assessed based on experience, age, education, language ability, and adaptability.
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Must have enough funds.
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Meet medical requirements and have police clearance.
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The self-employed persons pathway is currently paused till end of 2026.
Need help with applying for permanent resident pathways? Contact us at MS Law Offices.