Migration pathways from India to Canada.
There are many migration pathways from India to Canada. In this blog we will discuss few of them, which is most common pathways and easy to reach Canada.
As Canada is welcoming near about half a million new immigrants every year all over the world. Every year, over 120,000 Indians gain permanent residents in Canada, which is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world.
Federal Skilled Worker:
As an overseas Indian immigration candidate, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be a good option. The program allows candidates with work experience to apply for permanent residence, even if they have no connection to Canada or no job offer.
The program targets skilled workers who can use their foreign work experience, education, language skills and other human capital factors to become successful in Canada. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3
- Validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
- Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- FSWP applicants must get at least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
- Show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.
The FSWP is one of three programs managed under the Canadian government’s Express Entry application system. Once you upload your Express Entry profile on the IRCC website, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like age, education, work experience, language skills and more.
IRCC will send out Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence to the highest scoring candidates.
IRCC has recently announced the launch of new category-based selection for Express Entry candidates. Express Entry candidates can be eligible under the new draw categories if they have work experience in the follow areas:
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food, or
- Have a strong French language proficiency
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another major option for Indian immigration candidates.
Canada has 10 provinces and three territories, the majority of which have the PNP (except for Quebec and Nunavut), which allows each province and territory to design immigration pathways based on their economic, labour market and demographic needs.
Through the PNP, provinces and territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for immigration to the nominating provinces. Each province will have their own eligibility criteria that a candidate must meet.
Candidates who are also in the Express Entry pool may be invited to apply for nomination by a province. If a candidate is nominated through Express Entry, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
What is an LMIA?
An LMIA is a document that evaluates the impact of hiring a foreign worker on the Canadian labour market. It is designed to protect Canadian jobs and ensure that foreign workers are only hired when there are no Canadians or permanent residents available to fill the position. The LMIA assesses factors such as the job’s wages and working conditions, the employer’s efforts to recruit Canadians for the position, and the potential for the foreign worker to transfer skills and knowledge to Canadian workers.
When is an LMIA required?
In most cases, employers in Canada must obtain an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker. There are some exemptions to this requirement, such as for workers covered by international agreements or for workers in certain professions or industries. However, in general, most employers will need to obtain an LMIA before hiring a foreign worker.
Once you eligible for Permanent Residence, then you can apply either in Express Entry or under Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Study in Canada
Canada is one of the leading destinations for international students due to factors such as the high quality of Canadian education, work opportunities during and after their program, and affordability. In 2022, the top source country of international students already living in Canada and studying by December 31, 2022 were from India, totalling 319,130 students.
Another benefit of studying in Canada is that international students who complete post-secondary education in Canada may have opportunities to extend their stay and ultimately transition to permanent residence.
After completion of your education in Canada, you can get Canadian work experience by obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which depending on your academic program, can enable you to work in Canada for up to three years.
In addition, your Canadian education can put you at an advantage when it comes to pursuing Canadian permanent residence, as many federal and provincial immigration programs value candidates with Canadian education and work experience.
If you are originally from India and wish to settle in Canada, there are many immigration options available to you. It is recommended to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer that can help outline the programs available and guide you through the application process.
Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship in Canada refers to the process by which Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their eligible family members to come and live in Canada as permanent residents. The Canadian government places a strong emphasis on family reunification and provides various sponsorship programs to facilitate the process.
There are several categories of family members who can be sponsored for immigration to Canada:
Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their legally married spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to join them in Canada.
Dependent children: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children, including adopted children, to immigrate to Canada.
Parents and grandparents: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents in Canada through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The program operates through invitation rounds, and sponsors must meet specific income requirements to be eligible.
To sponsor a family member, the sponsor must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old, residing in Canada or intending to reside in Canada once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, and demonstrating the financial ability to support the sponsored family member.
The sponsorship process involves submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with the necessary supporting documents. The application process can vary depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored person, and there are specific forms and requirements for each category of sponsorship.
It’s important to note that the Canadian immigration system is complex, and the sponsorship process can be subject to changes in regulations and policies. It’s advisable to consult the official IRCC website or seek professional advice to ensure accurate and up-to-date information when considering family sponsorship in Canada.
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