The American residents who wish to immigrate to Canada can choose from a hundred immigration pathways available.
Canadians are more than welcoming of immigrants. Every year Canada grows its population by 1 percent through immigration. There are many factors due to which immigrants receive such a warm welcome in Canada, such as labor shortage and reduced birth rate. Therefore, the Canadian government needs to welcome more immigrants each year.
In 2022, Canada targets to welcome over 431,000 newcomers. However, this number will only increase in the next two years.
Even though the pandemic disrupted the entire immigration system, Mr. Fraser had claimed that the standard processing would resume toward the latter part of the Calendar year.
As far as the Express Entry is concerned, it will also resume on July 6, 2022, to invite skilled workers. The new applicants can get their applications processed within the standard timeframe of six months.
Take a quick look at Canada’s most prominent economic pathways and details about Family Sponsorship.
Express Entry
Express Entry is responsible for managing the immigration application process through three primary economic programs: FSTP (Federal Skilled Trade Program), FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program), and CEC (Canadian Experience Class).
Express Entry was introduced to speed up immigration progress as compared to the paper-based application process which was used previously. Although over 80 percent of applicants might get their applications processed within 6 months, those who applied amidst the pandemic will need to wait longer. The Canadian Experience Class applies to candidates already living in Canada. The eligibility for this program calls for the candidates to hold a minimum of one year of experience in a specific skilled occupation.
Canadian work experience largely contributes to the Express Entry system yet it isn’t held compulsory for Federal Skilled Worker Program.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program will require you to qualify for the following:
- Continuous work experience of 1 year as a skilled worker.
- Need to achieve the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) minimum score of 7 in either French or English.
- The candidate will also have to attain 67 out of 100 based on the FSWP score grid. This grid is different from the Comprehensive Ranking System.
- A job offer isn’t compulsory.
The Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) applies to candidates with at least two years of work experience in an occupation for which they are eligible.
Other criteria for FSTP are as follows:
- A valid job offer of one year in Canada.
- A qualification certificate issued by authorities-Federal, Provincial, or territorial in a specific skilled trade.
Only candidates attaining superior ranks will be able to receive the ITA for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry. It is impossible to apply for permanent residency status without an invitation. These ITAs are sent by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as it conducts regular invitation draws. In the case of not being able to receive a high CRS score, you will be able to apply through the provincial nomination in support of your Express Entry application.
Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Programs are of two types: Enhanced and Base PNPs. These operate separately from the Express Entry system.
Almost all provinces and territories have a PNP excluding Nunavut and Quebec.
Enhanced PNPs fetch the candidates from the Express Entry pool and if a candidate is given a provincial nomination through Enhanced PNPs then they will get an additional 600 CRS points.
This enhanced score will allow you to stay at the top of the Express Entry pool and will also ensure an ITA in the upcoming Express Entry draw.
Base PNPs work differently than the Enhanced PNPs and serve as an appropriate alternative for those who are not eligible for the Express Entry.
Immigration through a Base PNP implies applying directly to a province and receiving the nomination, if eligible. Once you receive the certificate, you will need to apply for permanent residence with the government.
Family Class Sponsorship
The citizens of Canada can allow, and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner, parents, children, and grandparents.
Only under certain conditions, Canadians are supposed to sponsor their aunts, uncles, or siblings. If they want to sponsor any of their relatives, they must not have any criminal record and must be medically fit.
They can sponsor the spouse or common-law partner either from within the country or from a different country. The eligibility criteria imply being older than 18 years, having an authentic relationship with a Canadian, and being financially capable of supporting the sponsored party or their children.
If you are a Canadian citizen, you can sponsor people from outside the country but if you hold permanent residency then you will need to reside in the country to do so. Suppose you and your spouse or common-law partner need to wait for the final decision then you both can also opt for a Spousal Open Work Permit. Parents and grandparents of Canadians have an option of getting permanent residency through the Parents Grandparents Program (PGP).
The PGP operates similarly to the lottery system under which IRCC sponsors form by accepting interests. IRCC further invites the candidates to apply for PR. Super Visa is yet another alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program to remain in Canada for at least two years at once.
There is also the option of sponsoring children, either biological or adopted, who are below 22 years of age.
