Canada is a country that welcomes immigrants from all over the world, and there are plenty of ways to immigrate to Canada. In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about immigration in Canada, including how long it takes for most people. We’ve also included information about every type of visa available in Canada from student visas to work permits and more!
As Canada’s population grows, so will its aging population. In 2023, the number of Canadians aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 5.8 million in 2018 to 6.4 million in 2030. By comparison, the total number of people aged 14 and under is estimated at about 25 million by 2031 meaning that nearly one-third (32%) of all Canadians will be over 65 years old by next year!
Canada Immigration Process
Canada immigration is a process that can take months or years depending on your situation. This guide will give you an overview of Canada immigration and the different options.
Canada immigration is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! If you want to move to Canada, there are many ways for you to do so.
You can also apply for permanent residency through a family member who has been living in Canada for more than seven years under an employer sponsorship program (EPSP). This allows them to sponsor their spouse or partner after five years of marriage without becoming an immigrant themselves.
Different Immigration Pathway for You
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s main immigration selection system. It was created in 2015 and replaced the previous CIC Occupations List, which was used to select skilled immigrants who were eligible for employment-based visas.
Express Entry is a points-based system that helps identify candidates with the skills required by Canadian employers and organizations to fill their needs. Express Entry also helps Canadians find jobs abroad as well as help them transition into permanent resident status in Canada when they’re ready to settle down permanently here.
The Express Entry program uses five factors: age; language ability; education attainment; work experience; and whether or not you have family ties living here already (or have been granted permanent resident status).
The Federal Skilled Worker Class requires applicants who are at least 18 years old but less than 55 years old (they don’t need any work experience), while Federal Skilled Trades Class requires applicants who are at least 18 years old but less than 65 years old (with at least two years of full-time postsecondary study completed)
Refugee Protection (asylum)
If you are a refugee in your home country and have been forced to leave, there is a chance that Canada will offer you protection.
You can apply for refugee protection in Canada if:
- You are already in Canada or at a port of entry;
- You are outside of your country of origin and fear persecution based on race, religion or political opinion; or
- You have family members (including parents) who were persecuted because they were part of this group.
Spousal Sponsorship
Spousal sponsorship is a way to get a visa to Canada. The two main types of spousal sponsorship include:
- Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) – This type of spousal sponsorship is for married or common-law partners, and it’s an option you can choose when you apply for your permanent residence card. If you want to apply under this category, it will take longer than other types because no one has applied before in this way until now!
- Application For Permanent Residence By Sponsorship – This type is less common than PRVs but could be available if there are no other applicants who meet the requirements set out by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). However, if all other options fail then this may be your only option!
Parents and GrandParents Program
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a 10-year multiple-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents to visit their children and grandchildren in Canada for up to 2 years at a time.
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa may also be granted if you are the parent or grandparent of an adult Canadian citizen, who has been living in Canada as your dependent since before January 1st, 2020. In this case you can apply for this special immigration program if they have lived with you continuously since January 1st 2020 until the date your application is submitted (which could be up to 5 years after January 1st 2020).
student visa program (study permit)
The student visa program is a way to allow international students who are enrolled in a Canadian educational institution and have secured funding to study in Canada. This is done through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
To be eligible for this type of visa, you must meet these requirements:
- You must be enrolled full-time at an accredited public or private school located within Canada; and
- Your course of study must be valid for at least one year from when your application was submitted.
Work Permit in Canada (Temporary Work Permits)
A work permit is a document issued by the Canadian government that allows you to work in Canada. You can apply for a work permit from inside or outside of Canada. If you are already in Canada, your employer must apply for and obtain your employer-issued temporary resident visa before the duration of your employment begins.
If you wish to stay permanently in Canada after your temporary residency period expires, there are many ways that this can happen:
- Entering into marriage with an individual who has been granted permanent residency through family reunification (through sponsorship)
- Having children born under Canadian Citizenship (this also gives them citizenship themselves)
Start-up Visa Program (Business Immigration)
The Start-up Visa Program is a new program introduced by the Government of Canada to attract entrepreneurs to Canada. The Start-up Visa allows entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada and settle in any province or territory of Canada, including Quebec.
- Get support for your business idea from a Canadian designated organization (DSO) that is part of the Start-up Visa Program;
- You must be accepted as a candidate by one of the following: a venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator in Canada;
- You and any family member immigrating with you must meet the requirements of the medical exam, criminal and background check.
Live-In Caregiver Program
The Live-In Caregiver Program is a temporary work permit program that allows caregivers to live and work in Canada.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (or eligible for citizenship) at the time you apply for your LCP. If you were born outside Canada, your parents are required to have been permanent residents of Canada at the time of their birth. They must also have lived in the country for two years immediately before applying for this visa.
