How to Get Permanent Residency in Canada (7 Easy Ways)

The greatest amount of immigrant opportunity can be found in Canada. Tens of thousands of applications for permanent residency in Canada come to the Canadian government every year from people all over the globe. Of course, many of them are also turned down, but a very large percentage are granted approval.

The process of immigrating today is more cumbersome and time-consuming than it was in the past. Foreign nationals who meet the requirements for permanent residency in Canada can apply for PR visas from the Canadian immigration agency. You are eligible to petition for Canadian citizenship after having held the PR for a predetermined amount of time.

Citizenship confers many privileges not available to permanent residents, including the right to vote, candidacy for public office, and employment in sensitive positions. Obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa is a prerequisite to making Canada your permanent home. Learn more about the Canadian immigration process and how to apply for permanent residence below.

Ways To Get Canada Permanent Residence

1. Express Entry

When it comes to immigrating to Canada, Express Entry is your best and quickest bet. Those who use express entry can get permanent residency in as little as six months. More than half a million people are expected to immigrate to Canada by the year 2025.

The majority will enter through one of express entry’s three channels, which are Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades.

With Express Entry, you fill out a web profile that gets ranked using Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System. Before submitting an Express Entry profile, a person must meet the requirements of one of Canada’s three government programs. Those who got the best scores on Express Entry will be asked to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

For people who meet the requirements, using the Express Entry system to send in an application could be the fastest and easiest way to move to Canada.

In the federal draw, it can be challenging to reach the CRS cut-off requirement that is required. But just being a candidate makes it more likely that another province will nominate you for permanent residency.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

During the pandemic, the provinces kept doing what they had always done, which was to recommend foreign workers for permanent residence in Canada.

By 2025, the government thinks that more than 117 thousand new immigrants will come to Canada through different PNPs. There are many different nominee schemes in each of Canada’s 13 provinces and 3 territories.

The requirements to join a particular PNP vary from program to program. In order to be nominated for many PNPs, you must have some sort of tie to the region. However, there are a few programs that actively seek international applicants in order to fill specific positions in the province’s economy.

The time it takes to complete an application varies between PNPs. Candidates for the PNP must then file for permanent residence with the Canadian government after being nominated. How long it takes to finish an application for permanent residence will depend on whether or not the PNP uses the Express Entry system.

3. Business Immigration

If you have run or owned a business before, you may be able to get permanent residency in Canada through a federal or provincial business immigration program. The federal government has immigration programs for people who want to work on their own or start a business in Canada.

Many provinces in Canada offer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for international entrepreneurs. Investment in a new Canadian business is usually a prerequisite for business visa programs. Business immigration is another key option to take toward getting a Canadian permanent residence.

How much money is needed depends on the program. For those who are interested in starting a company in a less densely populated area, many PNPs offer regional entrepreneur programs that have lower investment requirements.

4. Sponsorship

There are a number of immigration programs available to Canadian residents that make it possible to bring their loved ones to Canada. Over 99,000 people are expected to enter Canada permanently through family sponsorship schemes this year.

You may be qualified for family sponsorship if your spouse, child, or grandchild is a Canadian citizen. The average expense for sponsoring a family member is around $1,200 CAD. If the sponsor presently lives in or plans to move to, Quebec, there will be an additional fee.

The sponsoring relative’s availability will determine how quickly your sponsored application is processed. It usually takes between 12 and 13 months to finalize a spouse sponsorship application. This is yet another excellent option for obtaining permanent residence in Canada.

5. Quebec immigration programs

The province of Quebec runs a number of programs that can help people get permanent residency in Canada.

As a result of the federal government’s decision to give the province of Quebec extensive autonomy over immigration policies and processes, Quebec’s immigration programs are often viewed as distinct from those of other provinces.

The French language is the only one recognized as an official language in the Canadian territory of Quebec. Because of this, fluency in French is a requirement for participation in some Quebec immigration initiatives. However, those who aren’t fluent in French but still want to move to the region can do so through alternative channels.

6. Caregiver Programs

The government of Canada acknowledges the significant contribution that caregivers make to their communities. It is these individuals who help those in our society who are in need of care, whether they be young or old.

Canada knows how important it is to have a steady supply of caregivers, so the country has a number of programs to help these people settle in and find work. This is one of the most efficient ways to get permanent residence in Canada.

7. Refugees and Humanitarian Aid

Canada, as a country that values human life, individual liberties, and the right to be safe and secure, has always stood in solidarity with refugees and those in need, ever since it ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees.

People who have a good reason to fear being persecuted because of their race, religion, social group, political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality can get refugee protection (also called an asylum) in Canada.

If your asylum claim is rejected, you will have to leave Canada and go back to your nation of origin. However, those whose applications are turned down can file an appeal with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s Refugee Appeal Section.

Conclusion

Canada’s visa system is highly flexible, with more than 70 possible entry points. To be sure, relocating to a new nation isn’t without its challenges. Qualifications and documentation requirements vary widely between visa programs.

Immigrating to Canada is a long and difficult process, but the payoff is well worth the effort. All the steps outlined above are meant to help you arrive at the best possible conclusion.