Permanent Residence Canada is a status that offers many rights and benefits, like freedom to work, study, and travel. It also gives you a pathway to citizenship in just a few years.
There are a number of options to apply for Canadian permanent residency, including through family sponsorship or the skilled worker program. These paths require different qualifications and processing steps.
Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship through Permanent Residence Canada is a great option for families who want to immigrate to Canada together. The Canadian government places a high priority on family reunification and is committed to welcoming new immigrants for humanitarian and compassionate reasons.
The program allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, parents, and dependent children. The sponsored person will become a permanent resident of Canada, allowing them to live and work freely in the country. They can apply for citizenship after five years of residency.
As a sponsor, you will need to sign an 'undertaking' that obligates you to financially support your sponsored spouse or partner for a period of three years starting from the date they receive their permanent residence visa. This obligation stays in effect even if you divorce or separate from your sponsored partner.
Your spouse or partner must be over the age of 18 and meet all eligibility requirements. They cannot have any outstanding sponsorship undertakings, immigration debts, court order debts, or other criminal issues such as imprisonment or undeclared bankruptcy.
In addition, your spouse or partner must be in good health and not be subject to a removal order, a detention in prison or default of any previous sponsorship undertakings or payment obligations. They also must not be a declared bankrupt or be in receipt of social assistance, other than for disability reasons.
There are two types of spousal sponsorship applications - one for spouses already living in Canada and a second for those outside of the country. Both have different forms, processing times and associated rights.
Depending on which type of sponsorship you choose, you can be a part of the Express Entry Immigration System. This is the fastest and most direct route to obtaining a Canada PR. It also offers more benefits than the other options, such as open work permits for applicants who are working in Canada before submitting their permanent residence application.
Skilled Worker Program
The Skilled Worker Program through Permanent Residence Canada is one of the country’s most popular immigration pathways. The system enables immigrants to apply for permanent residency based on their skills and work experience in Canada.
The program works through the Express Entry System, a computerized application management system that matches eligible applicants with employers interested in hiring foreign workers. Each Express Entry applicant receives a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the top-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.
Generally, to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must have at least one year of full-time work experience in an occupation that falls under the National Occupation Classification (NOC). You must have had this work experience within 10 years.
You can also earn points if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian organization, and the job must be for at least one year, full-time in a skill level that is on the NOC. This job must have been arranged before you apply to come to Canada as a skilled worker.
Points can also be awarded for language proficiency in English or French. These points are calculated based on your test results from a designated testing agency.
If you plan to live in Quebec, you can qualify for the Regular Skilled Worker Program Quebec (QSWP). This program is specifically designed to attract skilled workers who intend to settle in the province of Quebec.
To qualify, you must be aged 18 to 40 at the time of your application and have a minimum of 1 year of work experience in a skilled occupation. You can also use your age to boost your selection factor score by earning up to 16 points for Quebec’s Age Selection Factor.
You must also have a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial body that confirms your skill in a specific trade. The certificate must be for a period of at least 1 year and must be issued before you apply for permanent residency.
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