Canada is considered one of the best countries you can live in right now. It has one of the best education systems in the world and great job opportunities. And let’s not forget the healthcare system, which is amongst the top 10 in the world and completely free for residents. Each year, the Canadian government invites around 500k immigrants to start a new life in the North American country.
There are over 100 programs available right now for people who want to immigrate to Canada and start a new life. Would you like to be amongst those that get this opportunity?
We’ve made a list of the 5 best ones that give you the best chance of being accepted.
1. The Express Train: Express Entry Program
The Express Entry System is probably the best way to obtain a permanent residence in Canada. This system was created specifically to bring skilled workers to Canada.
So, if you own a degree and have some working experience, this is your way into the North American country.
For this program, you only need to create a profile once, and you will be eligible for all the draws that will take place in the next 12 months (drawings are biweekly).
On average, skilled workers have to wait for 6 months before they are selected.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t be selected in your first draw. If a year passes without being drawn, you’ll have to create your profile again.
Based on your age, education, experience, and language ability, you can choose between any of the 3 programs available in the Express Entry System:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – the main program created for skilled workers.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – for immigrants with work experience in eligible trade occupations.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – this program was established for those who already worked in Canada on a temporary visa (read more below).
2. The HiTech-ish: British Columbia Provincial Program
Almost all of the Canadian Provinces have their very own immigration programs for skilled workers. These are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and are not linked to the Express Entry System.
Out of all, the British Columbia PNP (BC PNP) is probably the best. Why? Because it’s the only one that accepts online applications.
Moreover, it has more draws than the Express Entry system, meaning that the waiting period is much shorter.
Each Canadian Province has certain in-demand occupations. In the case of British Columbia, technology workers are the most sought-after.
On average, an IT professional applying for permanent residence through the BC PNP is accepted in just 2 or 3 months.
3. The Rural: Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The pilot was launched in 2017 to attract new workers to Atlantic Canada. For those who don’t know, Atlantic Canada comprises the Eastern provinces located on the Atlantic coast (except Quebec): New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
The pilot is also divided into 3 programmes:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program
- Atlantic High-skilled Program
- Atlantic Intermediate-skilled Program
Like with the Express Entry System, you just have to create a profile and wait to be selected.
The waiting period is, on average, just half a year. The more in-demand your occupation is, the higher the chances of being accepted much sooner.
In general, people who work in healthcare, agriculture, aquaculture, technology, and transportation have a higher chance of immigrating through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. In fact, compared to Express Entry and most PNP’s, you are accepted much faster.
4. Immigration Hack #1: Temporary Working Visa
Unlike the previous programs, the temporary working visa, or temporary foreign work permit, only allows you to stay and work in Canada for a short period of time, usually a couple of years.
Depending on your education, experience, and the sector you work in, you can receive your temporary work permit in as little as half a year.
Once you have at least 6 months of working experience in Canada, you can apply for a permanent residence through any available programs. Your best option is the Canadian Experience Class, although for this one you will need at least one year of working experience in the country.
5. Immigration Hack #2: Student Visa
You don’t have to be a skilled worker to get quick access to Canada. You can also do it via a study permit.
To come to Canada as a student, you must first be accepted to one of the recognized universities.
Once you have a letter of acceptance from any of them, you can begin your application process on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
If you decide you want to stay once you’ve arrived in Canada as a student, you have several options. You can apply for permanent residency through any of the available programs, as long as you are eligible.
You can also apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit. This is a temporary work Visa created specifically for international students who study in Canada.
After you graduate, you can stay and work for up to 3 years through this program. During this time, if you decide you want to remain in Canada, you have the option of applying for permanent residency.
In fact, you’ll probably have a higher chance of being accepted than you would if you applied straight after graduation.