There are many options to immigrate to Canada from India. Indian nationals have the highest success rate when applying for Canadian immigration compared to any other country. In this post, we break down the best ways to immigrate to Canada from India today!
India has long been a top source country of Canadian immigrants. The number of Indians who became permanent residents in Canada increased from 39,340 in 2016 to 85,585 in 2019.
What are the pathway for Immigration to Canada?
Canada needs skilled workers and professionals, hence, the IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has designed dedicated programs to invite them on Permanent visa. You can apply for immigration to Canada on PR visa through following popular programs:
1. EXPRESS ENTRY
Express entry is the fastest way to enter Canada. It is used to manage PR applications for three economic class immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
It follows a point-based grading system – including language, education, work experience, age, job offer, and adaptability. Applicants receive the points based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Applicants scoring equal or above cut-off are awarded an invitation to application (ITA). Though a job offer is not compulsory but it increases points.
Provincial governments also pick up from express entry. A provincial nomination also increases points.
First, you must create an Express Entry profile for that following documents are required
- Passport or travel document
- Language test results
- Educational credential assessment report
- Provincial nomination (if you have one)
- Written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one), proof of work experience, certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if you have one)
- Proof of funds
If your Express Entry profile is accepted you get into the pool of candidates. You will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system. Invitation to apply is awarded to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. You will have 90 days to submit your application for permanent residence.
2. PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
It is mainly for those candidates who want to live in a particular province or territory. They must have skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.
Provinces have their own immigration programs that target certain groups also known as “streams”. Like a particular province may target students, business people or skilled workers.
You can apply via paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry.
Under the paper-based process, you have to apply for the province for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. Once nominated, you should submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Under the Express Entry process, one way is that you can directly contact a province and apply for nomination. If you are nominated by province then create an Express Entry profile or update the existing one and show that you are nominated.
Or, you can show the provinces you are interested in your Express Entry profile. If you get a “notification of interest”, you can apply to their Express Entry stream.
In either case, you must fulfill the eligibility requirements of the province and must submit an Express Entry profile. If invited to apply, you can submit an application to IRCC.
Following are the province or territory that provide PNP:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
*Remember, Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. It has its own rules for choosing immigrants i.e. Quebec-selected skilled workers
For this, you must apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate. If you get the certificate, you can apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.
3. FAMILY SPONSORSHIP
Under this, an individual can sponsor his/her family if they are at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Following are the family members who are eligible
- Spouse, partner, or dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
- Adopted child
- Relatives (With certain conditions)
4. STARTUP VISA PROGRAM
It is for those immigrants who are starting a business in Canada. One can come under this visa on a work permit and apply for a PR visa later, but the work permit must be supported by Canada-based investors.
Eligibility
- One must have a qualifying business
- Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support from a designated entity showing that business has support
- Proficiency in language (English or French)
- Sufficient funds for settling in Canada
5. STUDY PERMIT
Canada provides a study permit, a document that allows foreign nationals to study there. You may need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) as a study permit is not a visa. This permit is valid for the length of the study program and extra 90 days.
If you live in China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, or Vietnam, you can apply online through Student Direct Stream and get a study permit faster. Usually, SDS applications are processed within 20 days.
Key Requirements for Immigration to Canada
Although, all the programs mentioned above have different eligibility criteria, however, there are few crucial documents requirement remain common for most immigration programs.
Find below a few common as well as crucial requirements for skilled migration to Canada:
- Minimum required qualification with ECA
- English/French proficiency test result, i.e. IELTS
- Meet the minimum points criteria
- Work experience related documents
- Medical certificate for fitness
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
How We Can Help You to Immigrate to Canada from India:
The most important aspect of the Immigration Program is to provide complete and accurate information/documentation and get an ITA. Without an invitation, you are unable to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry Program or PNP. In order to receive an invitation, you have to be selected from a pool of applicants who are competing for an invitation.
Our job is to make your profile STAND OUT from the crowd. We will assess your case, highlight the best aspects of your application, and make sure that you have obtained the highest eligible score! This way, your chances of getting an invitation are maximized.
