By 2025, Canada aspires to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents on an annual basis.
With over 120,000 Indians being granted permanent residency in Canada every year, it has become one of the most popular and dominant destinations for Indians all over the world.
Indians are usually successful in paving their path smoothly through the Canadian Immigration process due to various factors including proficiency in the English language, high level of education and experience on the job front.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that Indians who entered Canada as permanent residents have increased from 32,828 in 2013 to 118,095 in 2022. There has been a 260% growth in 9 years.
It may take several months or even years in the process to immigrate to Canada. Hence it’s crucial to identify the best suitable option according to your eligibility from the various available routes to enter Canada in order to maximize the chances of acceptance of your application.
Most Popular Ways for Indian Skilled Workers to Move to Canada:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is an excellent option for an overseas Indian immigration applicant as it allows a candidate with prior work experience to apply for permanent residency despite having no connection to Canada or no job offer.
This program aims to attract qualified workers who can succeed in Canada by utilizing their educational qualifications, prior work experience, language abilities, and other human capital assets
Qualifying Criteria for the Applicants:
- You must hold at least a year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the last 10 years in any skilled occupation listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- You must clear the language ability tests by obtaining a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all 4 abilities in English or French (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
- You must have a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- FSWP applicants must score 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors
- Age
- Educational Qualification
- Work Experience
- Arranged Employment (Whether you have a valid job offer)
- Validated Language Ability (Proficiency in English and/or French language)
- Adaptability (ability to establish yourself in Canada
- You should be able to provide proof of funds for you and your family to settle in Canada.
The FSWP is one of three programs operated 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 variables like age, education, work experience, language skills and more.
IRCC will send out Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence to the highest scoring applicants.
IRCC has recently launched a 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:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupationsScience, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professions
- Trade occupations such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
These targeted draws are expected to commence this summer.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Another significant option for Indian Immigration applicants is The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Under the Provincial Nominee Program, provinces and territories can nominate individuals for a Canadian Permanent Residency. Canada has 10 provinces and three territories, the majority of which have the PNP (except for Quebec and Nunavut).
To obtain a visa through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the applicant must select the province in which they want to settle and then apply for a nomination.
The selected province then reviews the application based on their economic, labor market and demographic needs and also evaluates the applicant’s inclination to settle in a specific province.
Candidates who are also in the Express Entry pool might get a province’s invitation to submit an application for nomination. A candidate will gain an additional 600 CRS points for being nominated through Express Entry, effectively ensuring they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Study in Canada
Canada is a popular choice for overseas students because of the country’s excellent educational system, plentiful employment prospects both during and after pursuing education, and reasonable costs. With 319,130 students, India was the biggest source nation for international students who were already residing in Canada and enrolled in courses as of December 31, 2022.
International students who complete their post-secondary education in Canada may have the chance to prolong their stay and eventually make the move to permanent residency, which is another advantage of studying there.
You can gain Canadian work experience after completing your studies in Canada by applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which, depending on your academic program, may allow you to stay in the country and work for up to three years.
Additionally, as many federal and provincial immigration programs prioritize applicants with Canadian education and job experience, your Canadian education may provide you an advantage when applying for Canadian permanent residence.
There are numerous immigration possibilities open to you if you are an Indian native and want to live in Canada. It is advised to connect with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer who can guide you through the application procedure and explain the various available options.