Moving to a new country demands careful planning, and Canada is one of the most popular destinations for people seeking better opportunities and a higher quality of life. There are different ways to settle in Canada, and each of these pathways has its specific requirements and advantages. Some individuals enter through the skilled worker streams, while others come through family reunification, education, or opportunities offered by different provinces.
Canada appreciates immigrants who want to settle here and contribute to the community and the economy, and that is why there are so many ways available to make the process favorable. Familiarizing yourself with the various options available to you is very important for selecting the immigration route that best aligns with your circumstances and objectives. With the right preparation, settling in Canada can become a realistic and rewarding journey.
Requirements for Settling in Canada
Eligibility requirements vary by Canadian immigration program. Before submitting an application, confirm that you are eligible for the particular program of interest. Some examples of the general requirements are:
- Economic immigration programs need applicants to be at least 18 years old.
- The highest points are awarded to those who are 25 to 35 years old.
- Fluency in either French or English, depending on where you want to live.
- A senior secondary education as a minimum.
- A year or more of relevant job experience is required for economic programs. More may be needed for certain programs.
- Get the required minimum number of points on the CRS.
- A minimum of 13,757 CAD in settlement funds for a single Express Entry Program candidate.
Different Pathways to Settle in Canada
- Express Entry System
The most common immigration route for skilled professionals in Canada is the Express Entry method. Through the Express Entry system, more than 100,000 foreign workers are granted permanent residency in Canada each year. It is a point-based system that awards foreign applicants based on key selection factors, including age, education, employment history, and language proficiency. The EE system consists of three immigration program streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program: For proficient workers who fulfill certain standards in terms of education, work experience, and language.
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program: for experienced tradespeople who have job offers in Canada or hold an appropriate certificate and certifications.
- Canadian Experience Class: for those who have worked in Canada for at least three years.
The Canada Express Entry System Requirements and Qualifications
You can upload your credentials and create an online EE profile if you fit the requirements for any of these streams. Your profile will be evaluated by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool, which will then give you a score. Every two weeks, the lottery will be held to choose the top-scoring applicants from the EE pool. Every draw’s qualification score is set by the IRCC.
​Each of the chosen applicants will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA), which they must use to make their application for permanent residence. You have six months to get your Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry process. You can still be nominated for a PNP nomination even if you are not eligible for the draws.
- Family Sponsorship
Permanent residents and citizens who are 18 years of age or older are permitted to sponsor their dependent family members to Canada as part of the country’s family reunification policy. As a result, family sponsorship is among the simplest routes to immigration to Canada. Sponsorship is available to the following family members:
- Spouse or common-law partner.
- Parents and grandparents.
- Unmarried conjugal partner.
- Orphaned siblings and close relatives.
- Children over 22 who are financially reliant because of a mental or physical impairment.
Immigrating to Canada through the family sponsorship pathway can be the quickest option if you have any family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. You must, however, offer adequate evidence of your affiliation with the sponsored family member. The approximate cost of moving to Canada under family sponsorship is CAD 1,365. If a family member lives in Quebec, there may be additional costs. It may take a year to process a family sponsorship visa.
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- Business Immigration
This could be the easiest immigration route for you if you own a business or have expertise operating one. For investors, business owners, and freelance workers, Canada provides a number of federal and proevincial business immigration schemes. These programs offer permanent residency to overseas investors and entrepreneurs who wish to establish businesses in Canada and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
A start-up visa requires you to demonstrate that your idea is creative, competitive on a global scale, and will create jobs for Canadians. You must have the necessary capital to launch your firm and have the backing of an authorized, recognized organization. Programs range in the amount of investment needed. Generally speaking, regional entrepreneur initiatives require less capital than federal programs.
- Provincial Nominee Programs
Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territory has a different population and need for workers. Therefore, in order to meet the labor demands in the region, each province is permitted to nominate competent foreign workers for permanent residency. One of the most common ways to immigrate to Canada is through the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program.) Also, for people with low CRS scores, it is a simpler migration path.
Many PNPs are available in each province, each with unique qualifying criteria and models that are determined by the labor market and Occupation in Demand (OID) standards. Using this method to obtain PR requires you to live and work in the province where you were nominated. There are currently Provincial Nominee Programs available in the following provinces and territories:
- Yukon
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Northwest Territories
- Manitoba
- British Columbia
- Saskatchewan
- Newfoundland and Labrador
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- LMIA Work Route
Another simple approach to immigrating to Canada is to accept a job offer from a Canadian company. If you receive a job offer in Canada, you can apply for a work visa. For your employment offer to be accepted, though, your Canadian company needs to receive a favorable Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). An LMIA evaluates the effects of employing a foreign national to cover a post in Canada. A positive LMIA result supports your job offer and demonstrates that your employment was required. A legitimate Canadian work offer will also improve your Express Entry CRS points.
Who is Not Eligible to Immigrate to Canada?
According to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, certain individuals are prohibited from entering Canada because they are deemed “inadmissible.” IRPA may declare you ineligible, deny you a visa, or prevent you from entering Canada for a variety of reasons, such as:
- human or international rights violations
- criminality
- security concerns
- organized criminality
- health grounds
- misrepresentation
- financial reasons
- non-compliance with the IRPA
- having an inadmissible family member
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Canada?
The average cost of immigration to Canada is approximately $4,500 CAD for a couple and $2,300 CAD for a single candidate. This sum excludes the settlement money that many applicants must show in order to be granted Canadian immigration; the amount depends on the size of the family.
However, it starts at $13,000 CAD for all single applicants. Additional costs can be incurred if a candidate applies through a provincial program. For applicants applying under the Canadian Experience Class or with a Canadian work offer, proof of settlement funds is not necessary.
Significant financial investment in Canada is necessary for all types of business immigration. Applicants may be required to have made investments in Canadian businesses or to have lent money to the federal or provincial governments at no interest. Typically, you don’t give financial details to sponsor a dependent child or spouse. To be qualified to apply, you must meet a financial criterion if you are sponsoring other family members, such as a parent or grandmother.​
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Conclusion
Settling in Canada is an exciting step toward building a new life filled with opportunity. Choosing the right pathway is key to making the transition smooth and successful. Whether through work, study, family, or provincial programs, each route offers unique advantages. With thorough research, one can confidently navigate the process and create a solid foundation for your future in Canada. The journey begins with understanding your best option.