There are multiple pathways to permanent residency in Canada largely under two classes: Family Class and Economic Class.
Family Class and Spouse and Common-Law Partner in Canada Class
If you are a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may be eligible to sponsor a family member to become a Permanent Resident of Canada. Sponsorship processes have varying criteria depending on who is being sponsored (e.g., spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, children of spouse/partner, sibling, parent, adopted child, or other relative), and the circumstances surrounding each case can be very unique based on the family relationship, economic profile, nationalities, and other relevant factors. We advise, prepare, and represent clients in sponsorship cases.
As well, if and when these family members can be sponsored depends on who is being sponsored: Supervisas (Temporary Resident Visas) for parents and grandparents are more commonplace and in recent years the Government of Canada has relied on a quota-based random selection system for eligibility to apply for some family sponsorship relationships.
Wood Consulting Canadian Immigration Services can help you plan ahead and navigate family class sponsorship applications.
Economic Migrants (Skills-Based and Entrepreneurial)
Economic Migrants are people who try to immigrate to Canada based on their potential to contribute economically to Canada, either as entrepreneurs or through their skill sets. There are a series of Federal and Provincial Programs for entrepreneurs, highly skilled workers and tradespeople, and lower-skilled workers in key industries. Canadian work experience and accessing Canada’s work permit program can be advantageous to candidates, but it is not always a requirement in order to start a pathway to permanent residency.
Depending on your skills and abilities, experiences, age, available capital (for entrepreneurs), and intended region of settlement you may be eligible for nomination. Increasingly, the Federal government offers pilot projects to help match regional economic priorities with suitable candidates.
International Students with Canadian post-secondary studies can be in an advantageous situation to become Permanent Residents through skills-based economic immigration. If you are an international student or recent graduate on a Postgraduate Work Permit, or you have been an International Student and have left Canada for other opportunities, there may be options for you to become a Permanent Resident, either immediately or through following a set of strategies.
Many economic immigration applicants use Express Entry, the mode of selecting candidates from a suite of mostly skills-based federal immigration programs. These candidates must first be assessed as members of a class, then enter the pool of candidates in order to have the opportunity to receive an Invitation to Apply . Express Entry does not guarantee an invitation to apply as candidates nor does it penalize candidates for not accepting an invitation. If you are not sure of your plans but still have interest in Canada, Express Entry may be a useful option you can explore with Wood Consulting. If you are very interested in becoming a Permanent Resident, we welcome you to contact us to start your immigration strategy.