Canada, with its diverse culture, strong economy, and stunning natural landscapes, is a sought-after destination for immigrants worldwide. The country’s impressive public healthcare and transportation system is among the best in the world making it one of the top choices for migrants seeking greener pastures.
As the nation’s native population continues to age, Canada is seeking more vibrant young people from other countries to join its workforce and help keep its economy alive.
The Canadian government announced in 2023, that it is now looking to welcome up to 500,000 people into the country each year under its Immigration Levels Plans.
In this comprehensive guide, we will be exploring the various Canadian visa pathways to help you identify the best option that will make your immigration to Canada smooth and hitch free.
Whether you’re a skilled worker, entrepreneur, or student, there are several easy and reliable pathways you can leverage to make Canada your new home.
1- Canadian Express Entry Visa
The Canadian Express Entry visa pathway is a unique system that manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs namely: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. To apply for this, you will be required to create an online profile and that will be ranked based on a points system that considers factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability.
From time to time, the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws. The processing time for Express Entry applications is usually six months or less.
To be eligible for a Canadian Express Entry Visa, you must meet the criteria for one of the three federal programs under Express Entry. Other specific requirements include;
- A valid job offer from an employer in Canada (if applicable).
- Proof of work experience.
- Language proficiency (English or French).
- Education credentials assessment.
- Sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
2- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
This is a program that allows provinces and territories in Canada to nominate applicants who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to their economic development and meet their specific labour market needs. Each province and territory has its own streams and criteria for nomination, and some of them are aligned with the Express Entry system.
To begin the process, you must first apply to the province or territory of your choice, and then to the federal government for permanent residence. The processing time for provincial nominee applications depends on the province or territory as well as the federal stage.
3- Canadian Start-up Visa
The Canadian start-up visa is a program intentionally developed to allow immigrant entrepreneurs to establish innovative businesses in Canada and apply for permanent residence. To be eligible for this program, you need to:
1- Have a qualifying business idea that is supported by a designated organization, such as a venture capital fund, an angel investor group, or a business incubator. You will also need to get a letter of support from them and secure a minimum investment amount, depending on the type of organization.
2- Meet the language requirements in either English or French by taking a language test from an approved agency and score at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all four abilities (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
3- Have enough money to settle and live in Canada. You need to show proof of funds that can cover your living expenses for at least one year. The required amount will depend on the size of your family and is updated annually.
Applicants who meet all of these requirements, can apply online for the start-up visa program. You will be required to fill out several forms, upload supporting documents, pay the processing fees, and submit your biometrics.
The processing time for this program is usually six months or less. You can also apply for a temporary work permit while you wait for your permanent residence application to be processed, if you can show that your business will provide a significant economic benefit to Canada.
4- Family Sponsorship Visa
A Canadian family sponsorship visa is a type of immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible relatives, such as spouses, partners, children, parents, grandparents, and others, to come to Canada and apply for permanent residence. The sponsors must meet certain income and other requirements, and sign an undertaking to support their sponsored relatives financially for a specified period of time.
The processing time for family sponsorship applications varies depending on the relationship and the country of origin of the sponsored person. To apply for a family sponsorship visa, you need to follow these steps:
1- Check if you are eligible to sponsor your relatives: You must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, or a permanent resident of Canada. You must also have enough income to support your relatives and not receive social assistance for reasons other than disability.
2- Check who you can sponsor: You can sponsor your spouse, partner, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and some other relatives, such as siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren who are orphaned and under 18 years old. You however, cannot sponsor relatives who are inadmissible to Canada for security, criminal, medical, or other reasons.
3- Apply to sponsor your relatives: You will need to fill out and submit the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application for your relatives at the same time. After that, the next step involves paying the processing fees and providing supporting documents, such as proof of income, proof of relationship, and identity documents. You can apply online or by mail, depending on the type of relationship.
4- Wait for the decision on your application: After completing the steps above, you will receive a confirmation letter from the Canadian government. You will also be notified if you need to provide additional information, such as biometrics, medical exams, or police certificates. You can check the status of your Canadian family sponsored visa application online or by contacting the visa office. The processing time for your application depends on the type of relationship and the country of origin of the sponsored person.
5- Prepare for the arrival of your relatives. Once your application is approved, your relatives will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a visa (if needed) to travel to Canada. They must arrive in Canada before their COPR and visa expire. Additionally, you must meet them at the port of entry and provide them with accommodation, basic needs, and settlement support.
5- Caregivers Program
A Canadian caregiver visa is a type of immigration program that allows foreign workers who have experience in providing care for children, the elderly, or people with medical needs to come to Canada and apply for permanent residence.
There are different pathways for caregivers, depending on their qualifications and circumstances. Some of the main ones are:
1- Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot: These are pilot programs that let qualified caregivers come to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents. They need to have a job offer or Canadian work experience in one of these occupations, meet the education, language, and admissibility requirements, and have a settlement plan. They can also bring their family members with them and change employers more easily.
2- Temporary work permit for caregivers: This is an option for caregivers who do not meet the requirements for permanent residence, or cannot apply under the pilot programs. They need to have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). They can work in Canada for a limited period of time, but they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence later, if they meet the criteria of another immigration program..
6- Self-employed Program:
The Canadian self-employed visa program is a type of immigration program that allows individuals who have relevant experience and skills in cultural activities or athletics to come to Canada and apply for permanent residence. They must be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. They must also meet the language, education, and financial requirements, and pass the medical and security checks. The processing time for this program is usually six months or less.
To apply for the Canadian self-employed visa program, you need to follow these steps:
1- Check if you are eligible to apply. You must have at least two years of experience in your field of activity, either as a self-employed person or as a participant at a world-class level. You must also have a viable business plan that shows how you will support yourself and your family in Canada.
2- Complete and submit the application forms and documents. You need to fill out the application forms online or by mail, and provide the supporting documents, such as proof of experience, proof of language ability, proof of funds, and identity documents. You also need to pay the processing fees and submit your biometrics.
3- Wait for the decision on your application. You will receive a confirmation letter when your application is received. You will also be notified if you need to provide additional information, such as medical exams or police certificates. You can check the status of your application online or by contacting the Canadian visa office.
4- Prepare for your arrival in Canada. Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a visa (if needed) to travel to Canada. You must ensure you arrive in Canada before your COPR and visa expire. In addition, you must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada.
7- Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The Canadian Atlantic Immigration Pilot visa program is a type of immigration program that allows employers in the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) to hire foreign workers and international graduates who want to live and work in the region. The applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer, meet the education, work experience, and language requirements, and have a settlement plan. The processing time for this program is usually six months or less.
To apply for this program, you need to follow these steps:
1- Confirm your eligibility- You must have at least one year of full-time work experience in the last three years, or have graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in the Atlantic region. In addition, you must also have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces.
2- Complete and submit the application documents- You will need to fill out the application forms online or by mail, and provide the supporting documents, such as proof of work experience, proof of language ability, proof of education, and identity documents. After that, the next step is to pay the processing fees and submit your biometrics.
3- Wait for the decision on your application- After submitting your documents the Canadian visa office will send you a confirmation letter confirming receipt. You will also be notified if you need to provide additional information, such as medical exams or police certificates. You can check the status of your application online or by contacting the visa office.
4- Prepare for your arrival in Canada- Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a visa (if needed) to travel to Canada. You must arrive in Canada before your COPR and visa expire. You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada.
8- Quebec-selected Skilled Workers Visa Program
The Quebec-selected skilled workers visa program is an immigration program for people who want to live and work in Quebec, Canada. The requirements for Quebec-selected skilled workers are different for the provincial and federal stages of the application process.
For the provincial stage, you need to meet the following criteria:
1- Have a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the Government of Quebec, which shows that you have been selected as a skilled worker by the province. To get a CSQ, you need to submit an expression of interest and wait for an invitation to apply. You also need to have training and professional skills that will facilitate your job integration in Quebec, as well as other factors such as language proficiency, age, spouse’s characteristics, and presence of children.
2- Have a valid job offer from an employer in Quebec, or be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family for the first three months of your stay in Quebec. The amount of funds required depends on the size of your family and the exchange rate.
For the federal stage, you need to meet the following criteria:
1- Have a valid passport and travel documents, and plan to live in Quebec as a permanent resident.
2- Pass the medical examination and the required security and criminal checks. You may also need to give your biometrics as part of your application.
3- Meet the minimum language requirements in French or English by taking a standardized test approved by the Government of Canada. The minimum level required depends on your occupation and the type of test you take.
How long does it take to process a Canadian visa?
After choosing your preferred pathway, the next logical thing to consider is the length of time you need to wait for approval. The processing time for a Canadian visa can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for and your individual circumstances.
Here are some general guidelines on Canadian visa processing duration:
1- Visitor Visa: Generally, the processing times for a Canadian Visitor Visa typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months for foreigners who wish to come and explore the wonderful sights and monuments in Canada.
Various factors such as the volume of applications, your country of residence, and any additional documentation required can either extend or reduce the visitor visa processing timeline. You can check the specific processing time for your location on the official Canadian government website.
2- Visitor Extension: For those already in Canada seeking to extend their stay, the processing time for a visitor extension can be around 3 to 4 months. It’s essential to apply well before your current status expires to avoid any gaps in your legal stay.
3- Super Visa: The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit for an extended period. Processing times can vary, but it’s advisable to apply at least several months in advance.
4- Study Permits & Work Permits: Study permits and work permits have their own processing times, which can range from a few weeks to several months. A lot of factors can affect the application duration including the type of program, whether you’re applying from inside or outside Canada, and any additional requirements.
5- Biometrics and Medical Examinations: Keep in mind that biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are usually required for most visa applications. The time to complete biometrics can vary. If you need a medical examination, factor in additional time for scheduling and processing.
6- Application Refusals or Delays: Sometimes applications may face delays due to incomplete documentation or other issues. If your application is refused, you can reapply, but it’s essential to address any concerns raised by the immigration authorities.
