Are you interested in immigrating to Canada but aren’t sure where to start? We don’t blame you. With over 70 different immigration programs and visas to choose from, each with its own set of requirements, make the application process quite overwhelming and a stressful task to undertake on your own.
But with a professional at your side, who has personal experience and expertise in Canadian immigration, it doesn’t have to be.
We’ve taken a look at all immigration options and have determined which are the 3 easiest ways to immigrate to Canada in 2020.
The Easy Way
There are many ways to immigrate to Canada, for example, Express Entry is well known as being one of the most simple and efficient ways to move to Canada, processing visa applications in a record time of 6 to 8 months! However, what most people don’t realize is that the success of your application depends on various factors such as your age, education and skillset and the reality is that although it is one of the most successful immigration options it is not necessarily the right option or easiest way to get permanent residency in Canada for everyone.
If you don’t qualify for Express Entry the next option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), however, this can be a lengthy process. You would need to apply directly to the province or territory of your choice, which could take up to 18 months to process unless you apply to an Express Entry-linked PNP program.
Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada in 2020 based on requirements, application process and processing times.
1. Temporary Work Visa
The temporary work visa is an easy way to immigrate to Canada for 2 reasons. The processing time can take a little as 2 weeks and you don’t need a specific Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to qualify. At the moment, you may not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA requires employers to post a job ad for at least 3 months before international applicants can apply for the same position. The great part is that if your work permit expires you can simply renew it 30 days before it expires, which takes about 77 days if you apply online.
Once you have enough work experience you could then apply for permanent residency. This could be anywhere from 6 months, for example through the Saskatchewan Long Haul Truck Driver Program or 1 – 2 years through programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trade Program or the Canada Experience Class, if you receive a permanent job offer.
Requirements
Anyone can apply for a temporary work permit as long as they meet the basic requirements to enter Canada, have sufficient money to support yourself and your dependents, are in good health and do not have a criminal record and can prove that you intend to leave once your permit expires. There are 2 options: an open work permit and an employer-specific work permit.
You will also need:
- Job offer (if applying for an employer-specific permit)
- LMIA(unless exempt)
- Apply online from outside Canada
- Submit a complete application
- Include a medical exam (if needed)
- Include police certificates (if needed)
- Include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French
- Pay the processing fees
- Submit your biometrics results within two weeks of submitting your application (if needed)
Processing Times
The average processing times depend on where you are applying for. It currently ranges anywhere from 5 to 39 weeks, but the average processing time for most countries is 10 weeks (2½ months), which is a lot quicker than the Express Entry system.
2. Temporary Work Visa – Global Skills Strategy
The Global Skills Strategy is another fantastic way to immigrate to Canada easily. It has the quickest processing time of 2 weeks and you don’t need to have a specific CRS score to qualify. To qualify for you will need to qualify for a unique or specialized job position in a managerial (skill type 0) or professional (skill level A). Below is a list of qualifying occupations:
| Global Talent Occupations List | |
|---|---|
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| Sub-set of 2161* | Mathematicians and statisticians * Positions for actuaries or related occupations are excluded from this subset. |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| Sub-set of 5131** | Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game **The position must require a minimum of 3 years of experience in the visual effects, video game or animation industries in 1 or a combination of the following roles: producer, technical director, creative director, artistic director or project manager, senior coordinator, department manager, with 3 years of job experience in at least 1 or more of the following skills relevant to the visual effects, video game or animation industries: surfacing and look development; character or simulation rigging; matte painting; managing budgets or teams; or technical pipeline development and application for visual effects, video games, or animation production. |
| Sub-set of 5241*** | Digital media designers ***The position must require a minimum of 3 years of job experience in at least 1 of the following digital media design skills: 3D modelling, compositing, paint and roto, layout and match move, digital environment and Matte painting, texture, lighting shading, character effects, effects and simulations, design and scenario, rigging, user interface or user experience, responsive design (for gaming), virtual reality, augmented reality, digital media animation, levels editing for digital media design, software editing for digital media design, pipeline software development or applic |
Requirements
To apply for a temporary work visa through the Global Skills strategy 2-week processing you will need a job offer in Canada under one of the above-mentioned occupations and the following:
- LMIA(unless exempt)
- Apply online from outside Canada
- Submit a complete application
- Include a medical exam (if needed)
- Include police certificates (if needed)
- Include certified translations of documents that aren’t in English or French
- Pay the processing fees
- Submit your biometrics results within two weeks of submitting your application (if needed)
Processing Times
As mentioned earlier, processing takes 2 weeks, but that’s not the best part. If you qualify for 2 weeks processing, so does your spouse, common-law partner and dependent children!
3. Student Visa – Post Graduate Work Program
Although studying in Canada is not a way to immigrate to Canada it is an easy way to not only qualify for a program that offers the chance to stay on and get valuable work experience once you’ve graduated and eventually qualify to apply for permanent residency once you have enough work experience.
If you plan to study in Canada for six months or less you won’t need a visa but there are 3 reasons that you should apply for a study permit even though you don’t need one.
1. You will be able to continue studying if you decide to apply for a longer program if you have a student visa.
2. You will be able to work part-time while you’re studying if you have a study permit. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a work permit if don’t and want to work while you study.
3. You can stay and work for longer once you graduate – The Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) will allow you to stay and work in Canada for the same length as your study program, for 8 months to 3 years.
Processing is relatively shorter than immigration programs and can take as little as 3 weeks to process depending on where you apply from.
Requirements – Student Visa
- Proof of identity (passport)
- Proof of acceptance that you are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Proof you have enough money to pay for your – tuition fees/living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and/return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada)
- Police certificate to prove that you don’t have a criminal record
- Medical exam to prove you are in good health
- Letter of explanation or motivation
- Biometrics Language test results (IELTS OR TEF)
- Proof that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires
Processing Times – Student Permit
Processing times for your student visa can take anywhere from 3 to 17 weeks, depending on where you apply from. However, if you’re from any of the following countries you could be eligible to apply through the Student Direct Stream, which processes visas in as little as 20 calendar days.
Requirements – PGWP
- Valid study permit
- Proof of identity (passport)
- Proof of employment in Canada
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate of if family members are accompanying you)
- Other documents should they be requested An interview may also be requested
Processing Times – PGWP
If you’re applying inside Canada it could take up to 77 days. If you have already returned home and are applying from outside of Canada your processing time could range anywhere from 5 to 39 weeks, but the average processing time for most countries is 10 weeks (2½ months).
