IMMIGRATION TO CANADA

There are a number of ways in which an individual can immigrate to Canada. Let us discuss some of the most popular Immigration routes to Canada:

I.FAMILY SPONSORSHIP:

If an individual has a relative in Canada who has attained at least 18 years of age and

• • Is a permanent resident of Canada or
  • A Canadian citizen or
  • Is registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act

Then the relative can sponsor certain members of his/her family to come to Canada.

Eligibility of a spouse to be able to immigrate to Canada:

• The spouse must have attained at least 18 years of age
• The spouse must be legally married to the applicant
• In case where the marriage has taken place outside Canada, it must be valid in eyes of the law where the marriage was held as well as in the eyes of the Canadian law.
• Must possess a marriage certificate
• The spouse must be free from any criminal convictions and offences and must not be suffering from a critical health condition

II.EXPRESS ENTRY SYSTEM:

The express entry system is a system by which the Canadian Government invites skilled workers to apply for Permanent Residency in Canada when there is a shortage of a particular category of workers in the country. Under this system, the applicants are ranked in the express entry pool by way of a point-based system. The score is based on the information provided by the applicant in their profile. Invitations are sent to the applicants with the highest points in the pool. Upon receiving an invitation the applicant must submit his/her application for permanent residency within a span of 60 days.

III. START-UP VISA:

The Canadian Government allows applicants to immigrate to Canada by starting and business in Canada and thereby creating jobs or by assisting already existing innovative entrepreneurs.

To be eligible for the start-up visa program, an individual must:

• Own a qualifying business
• Obtain a support letter from a designated organization
• Fulfil the language criteria
• Prove that they have enough funds to move and settle in Canada

IV.SELF-EMPLOYED PERSON’S PROGRAM:

The Canadian Government has introduced a program under which self-employed people with a proficiency in athletic and/or cultural activities can immigrate to Canada under the self-employed person’s program. Applicants interested in this program must possess the following:

• Becoming eligible for and/or gaining more points under the Skilled Worker/Professional Program for permanent residency in Canada.
• Relevant experience in athletic activities or cultural activities
• Willingness to make a significant contribution to athletic/cultural activities in Canada.

If an applicant wants to apply for this program he/she must:

• Possess relevant experience
• Must be willing and have the ability to be self-employed in Canada
• Should be able to fulfil the selection criteria
• Duly meet the requirements of medical and security conditions

The processing time for this type of visa is generally 35 months including the time for biometrics.

V.HEALTH-CARE WORKERS PATHWAY TO IMMIGRATION:

Under this system, refugee claimants are granted the option to apply for permanent residency in Canada provided that:

• They have worked a minimum numbers of hours in the Canadian healthcare sector during the covid-19 pandemic
• Have provided direct care to the patient as a part of their duty/job

An individual is allowed to apply for PR under this system if:

• The applicant is a pending or failed refugee who made a refugee claim in Canada prior to the dates specified or
• The spouse of common law partner of a refugee eligible under this system

VI.PROVINCIAL NOMINEES:

The provincial nomination program is for people who:

• Possess the skills, qualifications or knowledge to contribute to the economy of a specific province
• Desire to move to and settle in that province
• Wish to become Permanent residents of Canada

Each province comes up with their own streams of people that they want to target and nominate. For instance, a province may target:

• Students
• Entrepreneurs
• Skilled labourers
• Semi-skilled Labourers

As a part of the process, the applicant must pass the medical examination and obtain a police check certificate.