One last tidbit regarding Express Entry – If you’re looking to relocate to Quebec, you’re going to want to disregard this section (and the next, for that matter). Express Entry allows you to apply for immigration to all provinces except for Quebec.
The next method of immigration that we will discuss is the Provincial Nominee Program. If you don’t qualify for Express Entry or if you’d just like to score some extra points to increase your odds of getting selected, PNP might be the program for you!
With the exception of Nunavut and Quebec, all Canadian provinces have a PNP. Each provincial and territorial government tailors these programs to fit their own economic and population growth strategies.
The PNP immigration process consists of two steps: First you apply to the province or territory, then (if you get a nomination) you can apply to the federal government. PNPs are also broken down into two categories: enhanced PNPs and base PNPs. Enhanced PNPs draw candidates from the Express Entry pool, and base PNPs operate independently from Express Entry.
Receiving a provincial nomination through an enhanced PNP can seriously boost your Express Entry score – you’ll receive an automatic 600 points! This will elevate your profile to the top of the pool and primes you to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
If you have connections to one province in particular but are not eligible for Express Entry, a base PNP might be your best bet. Since they are more focused on recruiting to support regional economic and population growth strategies, any local study or work experience will increase your eligibility. You might also be eligible if you are a worker whose professional experience falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC), skill levels C and D.
Now, we will move on to immigration to Quebec immigration. The federal government may get the final say on who gets permanent residency, but unlike other regions, this primarily French-speaking province has its very own immigration program.
In order to immigrate to Quebec, you need a a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This is administered by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). The following list includes a few immigration programs that you can apply to in order to obtain a CSQ, along with their eligibility requirements.
- Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program – For French-speaking foreign workers in skilled occupations.
- Quebec Experience Program – Popular amongst French-speaking international student graduates from Quebec institutions, as well as skilled workers
- Quebec Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs – For food processing workers, orderlies, and tech workers in certain occupations.
Using one of these programs, you can apply for your CSQ. Once you get it, it confirms to the federal government that Quebec has selected you for Immigration. Then, you can use it to apply for permanent residence to IRCC.
The last method of immigration that we will discuss in this article is Family Sponsorship. This method requires you to have a family member that currently resides in Canada.
Current residents of Canada are able to sponsor their common-law partners or spouses, adult relatives or children, and parents or grandparents. If you fall outside of these Categories, though, you may still be able to obtain a family sponsorship. In some cases, Canadians are eligible to sponsor other family members, too.
In order to sponsor a family member, the Canadian resident may first have to prove that they are able to financially support both of you. You, as the applicant, must pass criminal and medical admissibility criteria. You will also both need to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine. This is particularly applicable in the case of spouses. In other words, don’t get married solely for the purpose of immigration – they will look further into your relationship to prove its legitimacy!
Hopefully, reading this article has given you a general understanding of a few different ways to obtain Canadian residency. It’s time for you to choose the best fit and begin your journey to the Great White North!
