Thinking about moving to the Great White North? Here’s everything you need to know about immigration to Canada, so you can start planning your move. 

Are you interested in moving to Canada? If the answer is yes, then we can demonstrate ways to make that happen. However, there are more than 100 different pathways when it comes to immigrating to Canada. Therefore, this article will only focus on the most popular options.

Work Permit

This immigration status allows immigrants to come to Canada and work for a specified period of time. Additionally, some work permits allow immigrants to change employers and move around the country. However, others are tied to a certain employer in one location. When applying for a work permit in Canada, do your research to understand what sort of work permit you will receive. Here is a quick list of the most popular work permits: 

• International Experience Canada (IEC) — For youth between the ages of 18-30 or 18-35 (depending on the country) from 36 participating countries. This is the simplest work permit option for those who are eligible to apply. 
• Intra-Company Transfer — If you work for a multinational company that has an office in Canada, have your company transfer you to the Canadian location. 
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) — You must obtain a job offer from a Canadian employer first, which can be difficult as the Canadian employer must prove that they couldn’t find a Canadian to fulfill the role. 
• USMCA (also CUSMA) — Workers in certain professions from Canada, the United States, and Mexico can obtain work permits in the other countries. 

Even though a work permit immigration status is temporary, it can act as a stepping-stone towards a permanent status. This can make you a more attractive candidate for the Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry. Both options will be discussed in further detail below. 

Study Permit

Canada is home to some of the world’s top-ranked universities, so it is ideal for post-secondary education. Therefore, coming to Canada as an international student offers many benefits. It allows you to work while studying, and it can make you eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This is essential for international graduates to gain Canadian work experience that can lead to a permanent resident status through a Provincial Nominee Program or Express Entry.

Please note that the expense associated with this type of immigration status is high. International students pay more than their Canadian counterparts. Tuition fees and costs of living can differ depending on where you are in Canada; however, international students must consider their finances when considering this option. 

Express Entry

This is one of the few types of immigration status that offers permanent residence to skilled workers with the knowledge to contribute to the Canadian economy. Three immigration programs align with the Express Entry Canadian immigration system: 

1. Canadian Experience Class — If you have Canadian work experience. 
2. Federal Skilled Trades — If you are a skilled tradesperson with employment or licensing in Canada. 
3. Federal Skilled Worker — If you have foreign work experience.

However, this is highly competitive. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you are provided a score out of 1,200 points due to your level of education, language ability, work experience, connections to Canada, etc. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to submit their applications. 

Family Sponsorship 

This type of immigration status is available to family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This includes a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, dependent child, parents, and grandparents. There may be circumstances where family members outside of these categories are sponsored. For example, if you have no eligible relatives to sponsor, then you may sponsor an orphaned brother or sister, orphaned nephew or niece, or an orphaned grandchild.  

Provincial Nominee Programs

These mini-immigration programs are organized by Canada’s provinces and territories. Provinces can implement immigration programs that meet their specific needs such as: 

• Business/Entrepreneur — Demonstrate business management experience, have a high personal net worth and want to invest in entrepreneurial ventures in the province.
• Connection to the Province — Through previous work experience and/or education.
• In-Demand Occupations — Have work experience in a priority occupation. 
• Job Offer — Receive a job offer from an employer in the province. 

Humanitarian and Refugee Immigration 

Lastly, Canada’s international reputation for accepting new refugees and other immigrants for compassionate and humanitarian reasons means a large portion of Canada’s annual immigration target is committed to admitting refugees. Therefore, it is worth mentioning in this article. 
In conclusion, if these options are not available to you, then do further research. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are over 100 ways to immigrate to Canada.