Comprising ten provinces and three territories, Canada is the world’s second-largest country by area. Reportedly one of the world’s least corrupt nations, it ranks among the top ten trading countries globally. It has always been an attractive destination for immigrants because of various reasons.

Despite its large area, it is home to only 39 million people. Since most people in this North American country are aging, it needs immigrants badly to shore up its workforce. The government also needs foreign nationals to help revive its economy, which took a beating due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Canada had set 2022-24 immigration targets to welcome more than 1.3 million new permanent residents (PRs) during this period to bring back its economy to the existing levels before the pandemic struck. The country has to contend with an aging population as well because of its dwindling birth rate.

As per the target figures, Canada will be looking to attract high numbers of immigrants, exceeding 400,000 new permanent residents each year from 2022 to 2024.

Options for permanent residency (PR)

Canada offers several immigration programs to welcome PRs Into Canada. The most popular immigration programs in Canada are the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Express Entry program, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), etc. However, for professionals, the Express Entry program is the most desired one.

*Check your eligibility for Canada through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator 

Eligibility criteria for immigration

For each of the immigration programs in Canada, the eligibility criteria vary. But central to all programs are specific basic minimum requirements.

Eligible for any one of them are applicants aged above 18, having minimum educational credentials that are on par with Canada’s higher secondary education, performing reasonably well in language proficiency tests such as IELTS or equivalent for English and Niveaux de compétence Linguistique Canadien (NCLC) or equivalent for French if they wish to migrate to territories or provinces where French is predominantly spoken. They also have to have work experience of at least one year. If visa applicants have a job offer from a Canada-based employer, it will fast-track their immigration process.

Opportunities to work in Canada 

This nation has numerous employment opportunities as it is a highly developed economy with various verticals. Also, since the working-age population in Canada has not been growing at the rate required to fill in the vacancies in the workforce, it has to look at immigrants to power its growth. In fact, the future of the Canadian economy is totally dependent on foreign employees.

The sectors where the job opportunities will be significant in the next decade include healthcare, business and finance, engineering, technology, legal, and Community and social service.

All people who want to work in Canada, even temporarily, need to have a work visa. It is known as a work permit in Canada. You can apply for a work permit if you have a job offer from a Canadian employer.

*Need assistance to search jobs in Canada? Get expert guidance from Y-Axis professionals.

Work permits are of two types – open work permits and employer-specific work permits. An open work permit allows you to work with all employers who comply with the labor requirements of the country. With an open work permit, you can work for any Canadian-based company. On the other hand, an employer-specific work permit lets you work only with employers with whom you had entered into a contract before arriving in Canada.

Migrating as a student to Canada

Canada has always been a haven for students looking to pursue quality higher education. Canada is famous for the quality of education imparted. It offers many certificate courses and degrees in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorates for students worldwide. Research professionals can go through various opportunities for research that Canada offers. What’s more, students can work part-time even while pursuing their studies. There are plenty of attractive internship opportunities as well.

International students are eligible to apply for Canadian immigration after completing their courses. After completing their studies, they can apply for a Canada PR visa.

The government of Canada allows international students opportunities to stay in the country after they complete their education to obtain work experience.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) of the Canadian government offers a Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWPP). This program allows graduates from foreign nations to obtain an open work permit that has three years’ validity. With this permit, they are allowed work for any Canadian employer during this period. Those who work under this program will also gain professional work experience, which will help them gain PR visas much more easily.

Canada pathways for PR visas include: 

• Express Entry,
• Quebec Selected Workers Program,
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP),
• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP),
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP),
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP),
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP),
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP),
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP),
• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP),
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP),
• Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (NTNP),
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), and
• Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).

Canada also offers visas under Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIPP), Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFP), and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), and also for entrepreneurs/self-employed persons, families, and investors.

If you are currently looking for an overseas career and plan to migrate to Canada, contact Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Overseas Immigration Consultant.

If you liked what you read, please check the following as well.

All you need to know about Canada’s Super Visa for Parents and Grand Parents