Do you dream of moving to Canada? Permanent residency in Canada would be a leap toward fulfilling this dream for many Pakistanis. Here is an all-inclusive guide on how to get permanent residency in Canada, covering vividly all the important points so that the entire process becomes easy to understand and achieve.
Understanding Permanent Residency in Canada
Permanent residency in Canada gives one the power to live and work anywhere, accredited by both the provinces and Canadian territory. Permanent residents enjoy many benefits similar to those of the citizens of Canada. These are inclusive of access to healthcare and social services, working in any province, and applying for Canadian citizenship after a stipulated amount of time.
Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada
Healthcare: Permanent residency in Canada gives access to Canada’s universal healthcare system, unless one chooses otherwise.
Education: You and your children can get access to Canada’s education system.
Employment: You may freely work for any employer in Canada. You do not have to necessitate an LMIA or specific work permit.
Social Services: You are entitled to a number of social services and benefits extended to the residents.
Pathway to Citizenship: You have the possibility of obtaining Canadian citizenship after fulfillment of the residency period.
Pathways to Permanent Residency in Canada
There are many ways to gain permanent residence into Canada, all of which require specific requirements and steps to take. Here are the popular options:
Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is an online platform developed by the Immigration and Refugee Council of Canada for the intake and management of applications of skilled workers. Through express entry, one’s profile is assessed on the basis of parameters such as age, educational background, work experience, and language skills and is further ranked.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Skilled workers with foreign work experience fall under this category.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This is the category for skilled workers with qualifications in a skilled trade.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For people with Canadian work experience.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
PNP allows any province or territory in Canada to nominate eligible persons for permanent residence based on the skills and potential of illegals to contribute to the building up of the local economies. At this juncture, what is important to know is that each province has its requirements and streams. Additional research means should be made on the requirements for your preferred province.
Family Sponsorship
If you have a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for permanent residency. You can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
Start-Up Visa Program
The Start-Up Visa Program: This program offers permanent residence to entrepreneurs with an original business idea. You would be required to have a qualifying business, a letter of support from a designated organization, and meet language and financial requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
There are certain eligibility requirements that a person needs to meet in order to reside in Canada permanently. These requirements vary as per your chosen pathway. Follow these some of the basic or common ones:
Work Experience
You must have recent work experience in a skilled occupation. For Express Entry, this typically refers to at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A, or B job.
Language Proficiency
Either English or French language proficiency is a requirement. You are required to take an approved language proficiency test — IELTS for English or TEF for French — in both official languages, and attain the minimum scores in both. A higher language proficiency score can otherwise significantly boost your Express Entry points.
Education
You must have a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, or foreign credential that has already obtained the Educational Credential Assessment report indicating it has equivalency to Canadian education.
Other Factors
- Age: The Express Entry System grants more points for younger applicants.
- Adaptability: You can get points if you have a spouse who speaks English or French, or if one of your family members already lives in Canada.
- Job Offer: While, again, it is not a very essential point, but getting a valid offer from a confirmed employer in Canada may change everything.
How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada
Step 1: Choose Your Pathway
Choose the pathway splitting better according to your qualification and your circumstances. This will give way to various requirements and steps as per the appropriateness of the case.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Get all your documents ready, such as a valid passport, your language test results, an ECA report, proof of work experience, or any other form of supporting documents. You are required to get these documents in advance to avoid eleventh-hour hassles.
Step 3: Create Your Profile
If you are applying via Express Entry, then you will need to create an online profile where you will give detailed information about yourself. This may include skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information. You will receive a score for that information provided.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If you are eligible, have enough points to pass the threshold in the points system, an ITA will be issued for permanent residence. You will need to apply within the allotted time frame .
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Submit a complete permanent residency in Canada application, including all supporting documents. Apply for deferral of the application fees, undergo medical examination and background check in full. Processing time is approximately six months.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Improve Your Language Skills
Better test results can significantly improve your total score. Take language classes or take the test again.
Gain More Work Experience
Skilled work experience will also add more points, especially those occupations that are in high demand in Canada.
Pursue Further Education
More and higher qualifications in education can add crucial points. Additional certifications or degrees should be considered.
Secure a Job Offer
A valid offer from a Canadian employment can maximum boost your points. Networking and job searching in Canada shall prove fruitful.
Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
This means looking for PNPs that correspond to your skill level or related work experience. Since a nomination from a province can give an application a massive point boost, typically 600,
Common Questions About Permanent Residency in Canada
How Much Does It Cost to Apply?
Such costs include language tests, ECA fees, medical examinations, and, of course, the cost of the application. The estimate in total would hover anywhere from CAD 2,000 to CAD 3,000-plus, depending on the pathway and individual conditions.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The different pathways will hold different processing times, as well as the completeness of your application. Typically, Express Entry applications take six months to process, while others can go beyond that timeframe.
What Happens If My Application is Denied?
If your application gets turned down, you will be told why. You can reapply if the issues identified are addressed or if your qualifications improve. You should also seek professional immigration advice to fully understand your options.
Conclusion
This is what most Pakistanis want: permanent residency in Canada. You should have a clear understanding of the various routes to permanent residency in Canada, the eligibility criteria for all of them, and the steps involved in applying so that your chances of success increase. Canada has a bright future with many opportunities ahead, and permanent residency can be seen to be your way into a new life in this country.
Be it an improved career prospect, higher education, or better standards of living, Canada opens up its doors to you. Make a difference today. Begin your journey for fulfilling your Canadian dream with the best consultant nearby.
