Canada has always had a welcoming stance towards immigrants and acknowledge their contribution to its economic growth.
Canada has announced that till 2023 it will welcome 1,233,000 new permanent residents.
The country is set to welcome 60 percent of the immigrants under the economic class program which will include the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee program.
If you want to migrate to Canada from the US, you have the following options:
You have the choice of migrating as a skilled worker, studying or working in Canada, or starting a business in Canada or the family sponsorship scheme as well.
Express entry program
If you want to migrate to Canada as a skilled worker, you can apply through the Express Entry program, which is an economy-class program that selects skilled workers for migration.
The Canada Express Entry Program grades PR applicants using a points-based methodology. Qualifications, experience, Canadian employment status, and provincial/territorial nomination all help applicants receive points. The qualifying points are 67 out of 100. Check your eligibility here. The more points you have, the more likely you are to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. A Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, is used to assign points to applicants.
There are three categories under the Express Entry program
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Canada Experience Class
There will be a minimum cutoff score for each Express Entry draw. All applicants with a CRS score equal to or higher than the cutoff level will receive an ITA. If more than one nominee has a score equal to the cutoff, the one with the longest presence in the Express Entry pool will be granted an ITA.
To apply under the Express Entry system, you do not need an employment offer in Canada. However, depending on the skill level, a job offer in Canada will enhance your CRS points from 50 to 200. Express Entry streams are also available in Canada’s provinces to assist them in selecting talented people from the Express Entry pool.
A provincial nomination boosts the CRS score by 600 points, ensuring an ITA.
The CRS score keeps changing with every Express Entry draw which is held approximately every two weeks by the Canadian government.
Steps to apply under Express Entry system:
Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile
Step 2: Complete your ECA
Step 3: Complete your language ability tests
Step 4: Calculate your CRS score
Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The Express Entry system can be the quickest way to immigrate to Canada considering that your application will be processed within six months on submission.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was established to assist Canada’s provinces and territories in selecting immigration candidates who are willing to reside in a particular province or territory and has the skills and competencies to contribute to the province’s or territory’s economic growth.
If meeting the federal economic requirements appears impossible, you can apply for a PR visa through the PNP program.
Every PNP is tailored to the job market’s specific requirements in each province. You should be able to select a provincial stream that matches your skills.
Startup visa program
The Startup Visa program gives qualifying immigrants who want to start a business in the country a permanent residence visa. This visa scheme is also known as the Startup Class.
Candidates can enter Canada on a work permit funded by a Canadian-based investor under this visa program, and then apply for a PR visa once their firm is established in the nation.
Successful candidates may be able to connect with Canadian private-sector investors for funds and advice on how to run their business. In the private sector, there are three types of investors:
- Venture capital fund
- Business incubator
- Angel investor
Eligibility requirements for the program:
- Have a legitimate business.
- Have proof in the form of a Commitment Certificate and a Letter of Support indicating the business has the required support from a specified body.
- Have the needed English or French language skills.
- Have sufficient funds to relocate to Canada
Work permit
If you get a job offer in Canada, you can move there on a work permit from the US. The sort of work permit required is determined by the nature of the job offer. An intra company transfer permit, for example, can be obtained if you are moving to Canada on a transfer from the same firm.
If you are eligible for specific high-demand IT jobs in Canada, you can apply for the Global Talent Stream and move to Canada in four weeks.
Family sponsorship program
You can opt for family sponsorship if you have relatives above 18 years who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada. They can sponsor their family members for PR status. The following family members are eligible for sponsorship:
- Spouse
- Conjugal partner
- Common-law partner
- Dependent or adopted children
- Parents
- Grandparents
The sponsor and the sponsored relative will sign a sponsorship agreement in which the sponsor pledges to support the relative financially. The individual who becomes a permanent resident shall also make every effort to support himself or herself, according to this agreement.
Migration cost and proof of funds
The funds you will need to relocate to Canada includes both the money you will need to complete your PR application and the money you’ll need to settle in the country.
The Canadian government demands proof that you and your dependents will be able to support yourselves once you arrive in the country. While in the country, you should be able to cover your expenditures until you find job.
Proof of funds: Applicants for immigration must provide proof of funds, sometimes known as settlement funds. Letters from the banks where the funds are held are required as proof.
The amount of money needed will depend on the number of family members the primary PR candidate has.
The funds should be sufficient to meet the living costs for both the applicant and his dependents.