Choosing to immigrate to Canada permanently is a big step and may not be an option for some people. Well, what if we told you that all is not lost if you do not qualify for one of Canada’s top immigration programs?
A lot of people choose to migrate to Canada because not only is it easier to qualify for but it will allow you to live and work in Canada and experience Canadian life in person before committing to make the move to Canada permanently.
How are thousands of people taking this indirect route to becoming a permanent resident? Well, let’s take a look at the BEST 3 ways in which foreign workers find a pathway to Canadian permanent residency.
Canadian Migration Options for Foreigners
1. Study in Canada
One of the most popular ways to move to Canada is by getting a Canadian education. Whether you want to study in Canada as an undergraduate or are thinking of furthering your studies abroad, Canada has hundreds of world-class universities and colleges to choose from.
The best part about getting a Canadian qualification (besides getting an incredible education) is the fact that you could be setting yourself up to gain valuable work experience which could help you qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
There are various provincial and territorial graduate programs that offer international students the opportunity to stay and work in Canada (which we’ll touch on later in this article); however, the most popular route for most foreign students is the Post Graduate Work Permit Program.
Post Graduate Work Permit Program )PGWPP)
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows students who have recently graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to stay and work in Canada for up to three years.
The length of your Canadian work visa or permit will depend on the length of your study program. For example, if your study program was eight months long (which is the minimum study program length for the PGWP), your work permit will be valid for eight months. If your study program is two years or longer, you could qualify for a three-year work visa for Canada.
2. Work in Canada
Getting a temporary job in Canada as an immigrant is another great way to get your foot in the door to qualify for permanent residency. Many migrants who land a job offer for Canada end up qualifying to apply to immigrate to Canada through various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Some provinces have occupation-specific programs that allow skilled workers who have been living and working in Canada for a specified length of time, stay permanently.
3. Working Holiday
If you are between the ages of 18 and 30(35) you may be eligible to take a working holiday in Canada. There are three programs that most countries can apply under International Canadian Experience (IEC); Canada’s Working Holiday Visa program.
IEC Categories
- Working Holiday Visa
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op Internship
If you gain at least one year of work experience and have a full-time job offer in Canada you may be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class managed by Canada’s Express Entry System. In fact, the CEC program is currently offering the most opportunities to apply for Canada PR. On February 13, 2021, the CEC invited 27,332 people to apply for permanent residency and on average issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR in Canada’s Express Entry draws so far in 2021.
You will however need to be eligible for Express Entry, which means creating an Express Entry profile. Your profile contains information about your age, language ability, education, work experience as well as your ability to settle in Canada. These factors are then scored and added up to give you what is known as your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Your profile is then entered into the Express Entry draw pool and your CRS score is ranked against other applicants. Those whose scores meet the CRS cut-off score or score higher will receive an ITA.
Important to note: In order for your Canadian work experience to qualify for PR point it has to be paid work and be full-time ( work a 30 week or less) or the part-time equivalent thereof.
