Canada is a great place to move to because it has nice people, amazing scenery, and a strong economy. Little wonder, many people from other countries choose to come here every year. Moreover, Canada is friendly to immigrants and is a good option for those wanting a fresh start. In fact, the government expects 1.2 million immigrants by 2024, so now is a good time to consider it. Are you thinking about moving to Canada in 2024? You may have heard how challenging the process is and how it may take a while, but there are ways to make the process smoother. In this article, we would be showing you 10 new ways to travel to Canada among other relevant information.
10 New Ways to Travel to Canada
- Express Entry
Let’s start with the Express Entry Program, which is like Canada’s special ticket for skilled workers. Since it started in 2015, the Express Entry System has become really popular because it’s a straightforward way for skilled workers to move to Canada in less than six months. It’s considered the easiest way to get Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. It’s an online system designed to help people with specific job skills find a way to move to Canada faster. This system manages applications for various immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. If you think you make a good fit, you need to have work experience, be good at English or French, and have a decent education. Then, you create a profile and join the pool of candidates. The higher your score on the Comprehensive Ranking System, the quicker you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR Visa.
For the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), you need to score at least 67 out of 100 on your assessment grid to qualify. For the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer for at least one year, along with a certificate of qualification in a trade occupation. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for people who have worked in Canada for at least a year and are skilled workers aiming to stay in the country.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Every province and territory in Canada, except Quebec, has its own Provincial Nominee Program or Class , offering unique immigration pathways. This is great if you have a particular province in mind! To qualify, you need to get nominated by a province, usually based on your skills or a job offer specific to that province. After that, you can apply for federal immigration. Keep in mind that PNPs offer a personalized approach to immigration and each province has its own PNP tailored to its specific labour market needs. These programs aim to help immigrants settle in a particular region of Canada.
Different provinces have different requirements, so it’s crucial to carefully review the criteria of the province you’re interested in to avoid any issues down the line. To be eligible for a PNP, you must have the skills, education, and work experience that align with the province’s economic needs. PNP routes are becoming more popular for immigrating to Canada. Provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia have their own programs, often leading to a faster process. However, most PNPs require applicants to live in the respective provinces after arriving in Canada and often necessitate a job offer from a Canadian employer.
There are two main ways to get nominated: through the Express Entry or by directly applying to the province. After selection, candidates receive 600 bonus points in the Express Entry system. PNPs are especially useful for those who don’t meet the requirements of the Express Entry system. It’s considered one of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada.
- Family Sponsorship Program
Family is incredibly important, and Canada makes an effort to support family reunification. That’s why the Family Sponsorship program was introduced to the immigration system in the first place. If you have family members who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada, they can sponsor you to come and live with them. This includes parents, grandparents, spouses, dependent children, and even conjugal partners. It’s a great opportunity if you have family in Canada willing to sponsor you, but there’s a catch. The sponsor needs to show that they have enough money to support you without any help from the government, so make sure they’re ready for the financial commitment to avoid any problems along the way.
It must also be noted that a sponsor can sponsor their spouse and children under 22 (with some exceptions), but sponsoring parents or grandparents is not currently an option. However, they can come to Canada under the Super Visa Category, which allows them to stay for extended periods. On the other hand, whether it’s your spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they could potentially sponsor you to come to Canada.
- Education
Canada offers top-notch education with a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on learning for all fields. That’s why it’s a preferred destination for migration. It’s definitely worth considering taking advantage of the opportunity to further your education and secure permanent residency in Canada. Canada offers this golden chance to international students through study permits. You start by getting a study permit, provided you have an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution in Canada, proof of enough money to cover your tuition and living expenses, and a clean criminal record. To get a study visa for Canada, you also need to submit a Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendation, essays about your interest in the course, along with your certificates and degrees.
Once accepted by the university, you can start the process of applying for a student permit, which you can do on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website. Attach the university’s acceptance letter and fulfill all other visa requirements. After you finish your studies, you could apply for a work permit and eventually become a permanent resident. Then, you’re all set to transition to permanent resident status, especially with programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Job Offer
Securing a job in Canada is one of the easiest ways to immigrate in 2024, especially for those with in-demand skills. Canada offers immigration through work permits, building on the traditional idea of moving for work welfare and allowing immigrants to live and work in Canada for a set time. To qualify, you need a valid job offer from a Canadian employer who will secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), meet job requirements, and show you’ll leave Canada when the permit ends. This could lead to permanent residency. Bear in mind that the employer needs to prove your necessity for the job through an LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). You’ll also need to show how you’ll contribute to Canada’s economy with your education and work experience.
You can find job opportunities through Canada’s job bank, networking, or international job fairs. Once you secure a job offer, permanent residency becomes a feasible goal. One drawback is that the work permit ties you to one job and employer. Hence, changing jobs or positions requires approval from authorities.
- Start-Up Visa
The Start-up Visa Program is for entrepreneurs who want to kickstart a business in Canada. It is Canada’s initiative to attract innovative entrepreneurs from around the world. It’s designed for entrepreneurs who have a promising business idea and the potential to create jobs and contribute to Canada’s economy. To qualify for the Start-Up Visa program, you need to have a qualifying business idea, secure a commitment from a designated organization in Canada (such as venture capital firms, angel investor groups, or business incubators), and meet the language and financial requirements. You also need to meet program requirements, like showing you have enough money to support yourself and your business, and passing a medical exam.
Once accepted into the program, you’ll receive a temporary work permit to launch your business in Canada. If your business proves successful and meets the program’s ongoing requirements, you and your family members may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
- Quebec Selected Skilled Workers
Skilled workers aiming to settle in Quebec and become permanent residents of Canada go through a two-stage process. Quebec, with its unique immigration agreement with the Canadian Government, has its own criteria for selecting immigrants who will adapt well to life in the province.
Here’s how to become a Quebec-selected skilled worker and immigrate to Canada:
1. Apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). The province evaluates your application based on its own rules. If approved, you’ll receive the certificate, indicating Quebec’s endorsement of you as an immigrant.
2. Once Quebec selects you and issues the CSQ, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
If you hold a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec) issued by the Quebec Government, you’re eligible to apply as a Quebec-selected skilled worker. You’ll also need to submit a detailed permanent residence application, including police certificates. To apply, you’ll need to create an account and complete specific forms on the website.
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program aims to bring the benefits of economic immigration to less populated areas by offering skilled foreign workers a pathway to permanent residency in participating communities. This program is mainly led by the community itself.
To apply for permanent residency through this pilot, there are four steps to follow. First, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the specific requirements of the community you’re interested in. Then, find a job with an employer in one of the eligible communities. Once you have a job offer, apply for a recommendation from the community. If the community recommends you, you can then apply for permanent residency. Keep in mind that each community has its own additional requirements, job search process, and application process for community recommendation.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot prioritizes community-driven immigration. Participating communities evaluate candidates based on their economic fit, ensure they have genuine job opportunities aligned with community needs, confirm their intention to live in the community, and recommend eligible candidates for permanent residency to IRCC. They also help newcomers settle in by connecting them with settlement services and mentorship from established community members.
To check your eligibility, answer questions on the website. Remember that each community has its own recommendation process and may require supporting documents. To apply to any community, you need to meet all requirements, have a valid job offer, and apply for permanent residency through an online account on the website.
- Caregiver
As a caregiver, you have the opportunity to either work temporarily or pursue permanent residency in Canada. There are several programs available for caregivers, including Home Child Care Provider, Home Support Worker, Live-in Caregiver, Caring for Children, Caring for People with High Medical Needs, and Interim Pathway for Caregivers. However, let’s focus on the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker programs.
To qualify for permanent residency, you need to meet specific criteria and have a job offer in one of the designated caregiver occupations. Once accepted, you’ll receive an open work permit tailored to your occupation, which doesn’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This permit allows you to gain the necessary work experience for permanent residency in Canada.
If you’ve previously worked as a home childcare provider or support worker, your experience may also contribute to your eligibility for permanent residency. If you don’t meet the criteria for permanent residency as a caregiver, there might be options for temporary work instead.
- The Atlantic Immigration Program
Formerly known as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Atlantic Immigration Program aims to provide a pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from Canadian institutions who want to live and work in any of the four Canadian Atlantic provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The program assists employers in filling job positions that haven’t been filled locally.
To be eligible for the program, you need a job offer from an employer designated by Atlantic Canada. You must either:
– Have recently graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
– Be a skilled worker.
You can apply from outside Canada or while being a temporary resident in Canada. Additionally, certain conditions must be met:
– You need work experience that meets the eligibility criteria, unless you’re an international graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada.
– You must meet or exceed the educational requirements.
– You must meet or exceed the language requirements.
– You must show enough financial resources to support yourself and any dependents upon arrival in Canada. However, if you’re already residing and working in Canada with a valid work permit, you don’t need to provide such proof.
Once you meet these conditions, you can start looking for a job with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
Conclusion
Immigrating to a new country like Canada can be a complex process. However, there are various ways to streamline it. If you have been looking for ways to travel to Canada, then we hope this article has been of tremendous help to you. However, it’s important to be patient and thorough throughout the journey.
