how to go to Canada as an immigrant
This article is a complete guide for immigration to Canada in 2021, the article has been prepared using the most accurate and up-to-date information and statistics from reliable sources. Canada is a developed and immigrant country. According to Canada Statistics; By 2021, about 8.5 million out of 38 million Canadians are immigrants. Due to the low population and the need for skilled labor in Canada there are a lot of applicants who want to migrate to Canada. In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 ways/methods to immigrate to Canada. However, it should be noted that, there are more than 70 ways to immigrate to this country; In this article we have mentioned only the most important and common ones.
Many of the people who want to immigrate abroad, don’t know which immigration method is right for them at the beginning of this process and they don’t know how they can apply for a residence permit in Canada.
We will help you to choose the best way to immigrate and choose the right path according to your circumstances.
According to the official news of the Immigration and citizenship website; Canada plans to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.
This means that more than 1.2 million people will be able to immigrate to Canada in the next three years through various immigration programs, and 60% of immigrants will enter Canada through Economic Class.
Economic Class includes Express Entry immigration programs as well as Quebec skilled worker programs.
For whatever reason it is that you want to immigrate abroad, Canada is one of the best destinations for you. World-renowned universities, high levels of social welfare and diverse cultures make Canada one of the best countries to study and live in. Also, a strong and stable economy, high levels of employment, low inflation rate and a variety of job opportunities have made Canada one of the best countries to work and live in. In the next sections we will talk about how to immigrate to Canada and the available immigration methods. By contacting the Malekpour Law Firm (MIE Austria) you can benefit from a free consultation in this regard.
In the Comments section, you can also ask your questions and answer them in a short time.
Topics reviewed in this article:
How to immigrate to Canada through investment or entrepreneurship:
The growing economy and diverse investment opportunities have made Canada one of the best countries for investment. Among the immigrants who enter Canada, some of them are investors and entrepreneurs. In fact, Canada is killing two birds with one stone; One of them is attracting immigrants and the other is developing its economic system and labor market. There are several methods to invest in Canada: Entrepreneurship, Startup, Provincial Investment, and buying a business. Depending on the amount of capital and the circumstances you have, you can choose one of the investment methods and get a residence permit in Canada through investment.
Each one of the investment methods in Canada has its own terms and conditions. Also Some of the Canadian provinces have their own conditions for accepting immigrants through work and investment. For this reason, one of the ways to invest in Canada is provincial investments (Canada Provincial Investor Programs).
If you migrate through investment, you and your family members can obtain a permanent residence permit by investing in Canada without the need for having a special degree, which currently it can only be applied for through Quebec (its only available in Quebec, Canada).
Of course, in order to immigrate to Canada in a similar way, you can choose other options such as Federal Entrepreneur Program and Provincial Entrepreneur Programs, startup visa programs, owner operator and self-employed person program.
One of the best ways to invest in Canada is to get a residence permit in Canada through New Brunswick Entrepreneurship, which is currently the only entrepreneurship program through which you will receive a permanent residence permit before entering Canada.
Please note that; Your contract will be valid only if the party to your contract is the official Canadian Immigration Lawyer (approved by the government) and only he/she must sign the contract, not a representative, not an airline agency, not a lawyer, not ….
The cost of immigrating to Canada through investment
Type of provincial program | Net Worth (CAD) | Minimum investment (CAD) | Conditions and the minimum level of experience in managing / owning a job |
British Columbia | $600,000 | $200,000 | 3 years of work experience and creating a full-time job position for a Canadian citizen |
Manitoba | $500,000 | $250,000 | 3 years of work experience |
New Brunswick | $600,000 | $250,000 | 3 years of work experience |
Northwest Territories | $500,000 | $300,000 | 3 years of work experience |
Nova Scotia | $600,000 | $150,000 | 3 years of work experience |
Ontario | $800,000 | $600,000 | Creating full-time job opportunities for two Canadians |
Prince Edward | $600,000 | – | – |
Quebec | $900,000 | $200,000 | – |
Saskatchewan | $500,000 | $75,000 | 3 years of work experience |
How to immigrate to Canada by registering a company or owner operator:
If you are thinking about registering a company or establishing your own company abroad, Canada is one of the best options for you. Applicants can choose one of the following 4 types of companies to register in Canada:
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Corporation
Cooperative
In order to register a company in Canada, you must apply through one of these two methods: federal company registration or provincial company registration.
In the provincial registration, due to the fact that a specific province is selected to register a company, the conditions and requirements of each province are different. The requirements for registering a company in Canada vary depending on the type of company, the province in question, and so on. But in general, the most important requirements for registering a company in Canada are:
The most important requirements for registering a company in Canada | |
Having a strong business plan | Choose the right name and determine the type of ownership |
Selecting the investor | Provide the address of the company that you want to register in Canada |
Paying company registration fees |
The good thing about this immigration program is that, unlike provincial entrepreneurship programs, it does not require a certain amount of capital.
Process of migrating to Canada through company registration program or owner operator
First step: Your situation/conditions must be evaluated by the institution.
Second step: collecting documents and holding briefings.
Third step: researching about Market in Canada to start a business.
Fourth step: The applicant must prepare a business plan based on his/her profile and the city in which he/she wants to do business in.
Fifth step: Registering with the Canadian Immigration Service with defense letter from an immigration lawyer.
Sixth step: the confirmation of the Labor Office for the applicant to get a work visa (positive LMIA).
Seventh step: Obtain a Canadian work visa.
How to immigrate to Canada through Startup Visa program
Due to the need for workforce and the economic growth in Canada there is a great variety of opportunities for businesses and startups to start in this country. According to the ranking provided by CEOWORLD Magazine: In 2021, Canada is the third best country for starting a business.
One of the best advantages of starting a business in Canada is the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit in this country. This residence permit will be issued to the applicant and his/her family.
There are 3 general requirements for a Canadian startup visa:
Prove that you have a successful business and have an Innovative Business Plan.
Prove that your business plan can create jobs opportunities for Canadian citizens.
Prove that your business plan can compete in a global scale.
Other requirements for a Canadian startup include:
The most important requirements for obtaining a startup visa in Canada | |
English or French language certificate | CLB 5 for all skills |
Obtaining a letter of support for a business plan | From a Canadian approved investor
(Ventures Capitals, Investors and Incubators) |
Financial means | 13 thousand to 35 thousand dollars depending on the number of family members |
Immigrating to Canada through buying a business
Buying a business is also one of the ways to get a residence permit in Canada and invest in this country. This way the applicant can obtain a visa and a work permit in Canada by buying a business in Canada. After obtaining this visa and start working, the applicant can also apply for a permanent residence in Canada.
One of the ways to buy a business in Canada is the Owner / Operator program. The Owner / Operator program is not an immigration method itself. Rather, it is a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). In fact, this method would allow immigrants to obtain a Canadian work visa without an LMIA letter.
_This Program (buying a business) was closed in April 1, 2021 by the Immigration, Citizenship and Asylum Office of Canada.
How to immigrate to Canada through self-employed person program
If you have relevant experience in cultural activities, arts and sports (if you are an artist or athlete), you can immigrate to Canada through the Self-employed person program.
Some of the qualifying Activities for Self-Employed Person program:
Occupations related to sports | Occupations in Art _ Culture |
Athlete | Designer |
Coach | Author (writer) |
Referee | Painter |
Sports programs guide and coach | Musician |
— | Photographer |
Please note that these were just a few examples of the eligible occupations. Here are some of the requirements for a Canadian self-employment program:
Having at least 2 years of experience in professional occupations related to culture and art in the last 5 years
Having interest and ability to actively participate in sports, or cultural and artistic programs in Canada
Earn at least 35 points out of 100 points in the self-employed program’s point-based system
Having sufficient financial means to pay for your living expenses in Canada for at least 6 months
Self-employed person program in Canada is one of the most attractive programs for athletes, artists and people who do cultural or artistic activists. If you have expertise and skills in these areas, you can use this program to obtain a permanent residence permit in Canada.
How to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry system
As the name implies the Express Entry means fast entry. Due to the complexity of immigration process and the long waiting time for visas, Canada launched the express entry system in As the name implies the Express Entry means fast entry. Due to the complexity of immigration process and the long waiting time for visas, Canada launched the express entry system in 2015.
The main purpose of this system was to issue permanent residence permits to skilled workers in the shortest possible time. In this system, applicants are ranked according to Comprehensive Ranking System Criteria:2015.
The main purpose of this system was to issue permanent residence permits to skilled workers in the shortest possible time. In this system, applicants are ranked according to Comprehensive Ranking System Criteria:
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Criteria – Express Entry | ||
Age | Level of education | Work experience |
English/French language proficiency | Level of adaptability | Having a job offer |
Those with the highest scores can obtain a Canadian visa and immigrate to Canada. Many immigrants now enter Canada through the Express Entry.
Express Entry has 4 programs for immigrants:
Federal Skilled Worker Class
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Skilled worker class is for workers and skilled labor in occupations 0, A and B (those with NOC Skill Type 0, A or B). Skilled Trades is for technical jobs and skilled trades and is for occupations in group B. Canadian experience class is for people with work experience in Canada and the provincial nominee programs are for working and living in a Canadian province.
Express Entry is the best way to immigrate to Canada through professional occupation.
_ How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry System
If you are eligible to apply for the Express Entry System, then you must prove that you have enough money (funds) to support yourself and your family members that you bring to Canada with you. Here you can see the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada.
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
Number of
family members |
12,960 | 1 |
16,135 | 2 |
19,836 | 3 |
24,083 | 4 |
27,315 | 5 |
30,806 | 6 |
34,299 | 7 |
3,492 | For each additional family member |
In addition to the fees mentioned above, there are fees which must be paid by the applicants at each stage of the admission process in Express Entry System. These fees are as follows:
Updated fees, April 30, 2021 (in Canadian dollars) | |
1,325 | Your application: Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee |
825 | Your application without right of permanent residence fee |
1,325 | In case of having a companion: Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee |
825 | In case of having a companion: without right of permanent residence fee |
$ 225 per child | In cases of having children |
500 | Right of permanent residence fee
(it may change in the future) |
Immigrating to Canada through a job offer
If a Canadian employer who is eligible to hire a foreigner offers you a job offer, and simply proves to the Canadian Immigration Service that he or she needs you and he/she has not found someone like you in Canada (there is no Canadian citizen who can do the job), then you can apply to immigrate to Canada with a valid job offer and LMIA.
How to immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
Every province in Canada, except Quebec, which has a different immigration system, has special requirements for accepting immigrants according to their needs. To participate in these immigration programs, which is one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada, it is better to apply through the same Express Entry.
For example, in the nova scotia nominee program (NSNP), Nova Scotia sends invitations to educated people who have more than a year of work experience and have earned the highest scores, in this province there is no need for the employer to send an invitation to the applicant. It is also one of the popular immigration methods and can be registered in the Express Entry system in a short period of time.
There are many details to be worked out about immigrating through the Provincial Nominee Programs and a professional Canadian lawyer can choose the best immigration method according to each person’s profile/case.
How to immigrate to Canada through a sponsorship?
People who are permanent residents of Canada or a Canadian citizen can sponsor their parents or spouse through sponsorship so that they can all immigrate to Canada.
To immigrate to Canada through this method, you must have a close relative (a first-degree relative) who lives in Canada and who has the ability to make a commitment to the government to support you. It should be noted that in this method, your relative must take care of all of your expenses and the government has no obligation for your living and housing expenses.
How to immigrate to Canada through education?
One of the most common ways to immigrate to Canada is to study at a Canadian educational institution and then receive a permanent residence permit in this country. Studying in this country makes it a lot easier to migrate to Canada and increases your chances of obtaining a permanent residence permit in Canada.
26 of the universities in this country are among the world’s top and high-ranked universities, so Canada has one of the most desirable educational systems in the world. If you want to get a permanent residence permit in Canada after finishing your studies, you can apply to immigrate to Canada through work or investment, or you can apply for certain provinces and occupations which need not work experience.
In order to get admission from Canada you do not need to have a high GPA and high scores in your courses, the good news is that to study in most of the Canadian educational centers you are not required to have a language certificate neither (of course keep in mind that currently having an IELTS language certificate with a score of 6.5 will greatly increase the chances of a getting a student visa for Canada).
You must also have sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses.
It should be noted that in some Canadian provinces, it is possible to immigrate through education even without having a language certificate, this way you must take a language preparatory course in Canada and then apply for a student visa.
If you be careful about choosing your field of study and the educational center(university), you can easily start working in Canada after graduation. You better study in a field of study which is needed in the province in which you are studying, this way you will have a better chance of finding a job after graduation. The next point is that whether you are allowed to work after graduation and passing this course or not.
Now the question is why the process of applying for a student visa should be done by an immigration lawyer?
A good immigration lawyer can help you a lot in writing your study plan, and according to your circumstances he/she can choose a field of study which suits you the best with the experience he/she has. An immigration lawyer will increase both your chances of getting a Canadian student visa and your chances of finding a job after graduation.
How to immigrate to Canada through marriage?
Immigrating to Canada through marriage is one of the easiest ways to immigrate to this country. But not as simple as you might think! The IRCC has clearly stated that people who think that a fake marriage is their ticket to enter Canada are sorely mistaken.
In 2019, Canada rejected 1,700 spousal applications for marriage because they were fake and fraud.
The most important conditions for migrating to Canada through marriage are:
Your spouse must be a legal citizen of Canada
Your spouse must have sufficient financial means to support you financially during your stay
Your marriage must be legal, provable and you must have valid and verified documents
The following conditions can make your marriage look fake:
If applicants have met their spouse or partner shortly before submitting their application
or have recently gotten married just before applying for a visa
You will be expelled from Canada immediately if the Government of Canada finds out that your marriage was fake and that you only did it to obtain a Canadian visa. You should also know that; If you marry a Canadian citizen, you will not be granted citizenship immediately.
You must enter the country with the sponsorship of your Canadian spouse and live in Canada for at least 3 years. You can become a permanent resident of Canada after 3 years.
How to immigrate to Canada through the birth of a child?
Canada follows right of the soil (jus soli). This means that every baby born in this country acquires Canadian citizenship. In recent years, this has led to an increase in the number of foreign children who were born in Canada and the emergence of the phenomenon of birth tourism.
You should note that:
The parents of a child who was born in Canada cannot obtain Canadian citizenship, and citizenship is granted to the child himself/herself.
It is possible for parents to obtain Canadian citizenship through the birth of a child when the child has reached the age of 18 and can sponsor his or her parents.
How to immigrate to Canada through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP):
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot was launched in 2019 as a new way to stimulate economic growth and population growth in rural and sparsely populated areas.
There are currently 11 small towns in different Canadian provinces on the list of Canadian Rural Immigration Pilots that are constantly updated. Timmins, Gretna and Moose Jaw are a few of these cities.
This pilot is a work immigration method, and the province in question will approve applicants based on its needs for labor, and after the applicant is approved (needed by the province) he/she can get a Work Permit in Canada
How to immigrate to Canada by having a tourist visa (visitor visa)?
Canada is a beautiful and attractive country, therefore, the tourism industry is booming in this country. According to IRCC statistics; Canada had 22.1 million visitors in 2019.
Of course, a Canadian visitor visa is not just for traveling and leisure purposes. You can apply for tourist visa (visitor visa) to visit your family members or friends, or participate in business meetings and …
There are three general types of visitor visas in Canada:
Single entry visa
This visa allows you to enter Canada only once during its validity and you can stay in Canada for up to 6 months. If you are leaving Canada and want to re-enter Canada later, you will need to apply for a new visa.
Multiple entry visa
This visa allows you to enter Canada for multiply times during its validity and you can stay in this country for up to 6 months each time you enter Canada. The multiple-entry visa is valid for 10 years.
Super Visa Canada (for parents and grandparents)
This visa is specifically designed for the parents and grandparents of immigrant whose children or grandchildren are permanent residents of Canada. With a Canadian Super Visa, these people can stay in Canada for up to 2 years each time they enter Canada and they can stay in Canada for 10 years at last.
You may probably think that a visitor visa is not a way to immigrate to Canada and that your residence is temporary, but travelling to Canada can simplify the conditions for your immigration process.
The required documents for immigrating to Canada
Some of the documents which are required for migrating to Canada vary depending on the type of immigration method. For example, to study in Canada, you must submit your diplomas(degrees), transcripts and university admission letter.
However, there are some general documents which are the same for all of the immigration methods, for example:
A valid passport (original) and a copy of it
A police certificate (certificate of having no criminal records)
Personal documents, the original and copy, (birth certificate, identity card, and etc…)
Valid documents showing work experience and insurance
Proof of sufficient financial means
Having a valid language certificate in English or French (CELPIP, IELTS, TEF, TOEFL)
Photos
For some other immigration methods these documents are also important:
Degrees/qualifications
University Admission Letter
Invitation from Canadian provinces
Job offer confirmation
Marriage or divorce certificate
Having a sponsor or a first-degree relative in Canada
Of course, most of these documents usually need to be translated and verified. during the visa process it is normal to be asked to provide other documents that are not on this list. Completing the relevant forms and submitting a receipt for paying the government visa issuance fees is one of these documents.
Immigration lawyer for migrating to Canada
Immigration is a time-consuming and a challenging process. Having an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant can speed up this process and increase the chances of succeeding in this process. You probably know that there are many things that can cause your visa application to be rejected or you can even be barred from immigrating to Canada for several years.
Choosing the wrong immigration method, flaw in your document, lying, and etc… are among the reason which can cause your case to be rejected. An Immigration Lawyer will guide you through this process by knowing the latest rules and conditions. Based on your circumstances and qualifications, the Canadian Immigration Consultant will suggest the best method for you to migrate to Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
✔️Does Canada still accept immigrants?
There is a shortage of skilled labor in Canada, so yes.
According to Statistics from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada); Canada will accept a total of 1.23 million immigrants in 2021, 2022 and 2023
✔️What is the fastest way (method) to immigrate to Canada?
The Express Entry System is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada. In this system, which is a point based system, the people who score more points can get a residence permit in Canada.
✔️What is the cheapest way to immigrate to Canada?
Immigrating to Canada through Provincial Nominee Immigration Programs, migrating to rural and sparsely populated areas of Canada, and studying are the cheapest methods. Of course, sponsorship and asylum seeking are also the least expensive methods, which each one of them has its own conditions.
✔️What are the requirements for getting a Canadian PR?
The word PR stands for Permanent Residence. In some of the immigration methods, such as the Express Entry System, you can apply for PR from the beginning.
In some other methods, you have to reside in Canada for 3 years in order to be able to apply for PR.
✔️What are language requirements for immigrating to Canada?
IELTS and CELPIP for English and TEF for French are approved and accepted by Canada.
TOEFL is also approved and accepted by Canada for university admission and study immigration.
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