PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Permanent residence in Canada is a significant legal status that grants individuals the privilege of residing in Canada indefinitely. Permanent Residents of Canada have the same rights as Canadian Citizens except voting rights. It is a critical milestone  to reach Canadian Citizenship. It signifies a commitment to contribute to Canada's cultural and economic landscape on a long-term basis. Canada offers several pathways to permanent residency, each with its own eligibility criteria and requirements. These include the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), family sponsorship, and various humanitarian and compassionate programs. Selecting the most appropriate pathway demands careful consideration of your specific circumstances and aspirations.

Express Entry

Express Entry (EE) is the most popular Canadian Immigration Program for Skilled Workers. It serves as Canada's comprehensive system for managing applications of permanent residency, specifically designed for skilled workers encompassing three distinct immigration programs.

The process involves two key steps : initially, eligible candidates create a profile and enter the EE pool .They are ranked with EE CRS - Comprehensive Ranking Scores based on criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language skills; Individuals with highest ranking are selected to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency. Then they can apply to PR with EE ITA received.

Regular draws are conducted by the Canadian government to invite those with the highest scores to proceed with their permanent residence application. Notably, the entire Express Entry process boasts a processing time of approximately 6-8 months.


EE is an online application management system for Skilled Workers. Immigration programs encompassed by Express Entry include: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each stream is tailored to individuals with specific qualifications and experience. Below, you can find the highlights of specific requirements for each stream.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

for skilled workers with Canadian work experience

  • Applicants must have at least 12 months of full-time, Canadian skilled work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work experience) in one or more TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations within the 36 months before the date the application is received

  • Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count toward the minimum requirements for this program.

  • Language Requirements: CLB7 for NOC TEER 0 or 1 and CLB5 for NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations.

  • Tests accepted : IELTs or CELPIP General Test ; TEF Canada and TCF Canada

  • Job Offer and Education: Not Required

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

for skilled workers with foreign work experience

  • One year continuous work experience within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation)

  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is essential to demonstrate foreign credential

  • show language proficiency matching Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French for all language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking)

  • Tests accepted : IELTs or CELPIP General Test ; TEF Canada and TCF Canada

  • Job Offer and Education: Not Required

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade

  • need either a valid job offer (NOC 72,73;82,83;92,93; 932, 6320; 62200 or a qualification certificate

  • have acquired two years of full-time employment (or an equivalent duration of part-time work) in the skilled trade within the five years prior to the application

  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing is required

  • Education : Not Required


Family Sponsorships

Family sponsorship programs provide avenues for individuals to sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada. There is a variety of sponsorship categories that involves the spouses, partners, parents, grandparents and children of Canadian sponsors. Sponsorship is permitted under specific circumstances, and some key requirements for both sponsors and the sponsored family members are outlined below.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years of age

  • a person that is not incarcerated, bankrupt, facing a removal order (for permanent residents), or accused of a serious offense

  • OR a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act

  • NOTE: In some cases, the sponsor must meet a minimum income requirement or financial proof is required.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

  • Spouse: The marriage must be legally recognized both in the country where it occurred and in accordance with Canadian federal law.

  • Common-law partner: The applicants must cohabit continuously for a minimum of one year.

  • Conjugal partner: The applicants have maintained a mutually dependent relationship for at least 1 year, exhibiting a commitment comparable to that of a marriage or common-law union.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

  • Dependent child

    If younger than 22 years of age: not a spouse or common-law partner;

    If aged 22 or older: having relied significantly on parental financial support since before turning 22 and facing challenges in achieving financial independence due to a physical or mental condition.

  • Parents & Grandparents: Family Class Sponsorhip and Super Visa Sponsorship options available. Proof of income and financial support is necessary.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are a collection of immigration pathways offered by individual provinces and territories across the country. These programs allow provincial governments to select candidates who possess the skills, work experience, and connections needed to contribute to their specific regional economies.

Each province and territory has its own unique streams and criteria tailored to address its distinct economic and labor market needs. PNPs offer a dynamic way for individuals with a desire to settle in a particular province to gain permanent residency. Successfully nominated candidates receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate, which accelerates their permanent residency application processing through the Express Entry system or the paper-based process.

PNPs are an excellent option for individuals with specific ties or aspirations to a particular region within Canada, offering a strategic path to achieving permanent residency in their chosen province or territory.

Business Immigration Programs

The point of Business Immigration Programs are to attract experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from around the world who wish to establish or expand their businesses in Canada. These programs offer a pathway to permanent residency by creating economic opportunities and contributing to the country's growth.

Business immigrants can choose from various streams, such as the Start-Up Visa Program, the Provincial Nominee Program's Business Stream, and the Quebec Investor Program, each catering to different types of business activities and investment levels.