Want to wake up in Canada every morning? Many Pakistanis want to get permanent residency in Canada for a new life. Here you will find an exhaustive guide to permanent residency in Canada, covering the application processes and procedures to the most powerful practices for achieving success. Now, let’s dive into steps and strategies to help you on your journey.
What is Permanent Residency in Canada?
During your stay in Canada, permanent residency assures you the right to live, work, and study anywhere inside the country. Nearly all the benefits a citizen of Canada would enjoy are also available to you as a permanent resident. These include health and access to social services plus the added benefit of applying for Canadian citizenship after a stipulated period.
Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada
- Healthcare: You must have access to Canada’s universal healthcare system.
- Education: You can have your children study in Canadian schools, and also further your own educational career in any Canadian institutions.
- Employment: You are free to work for any employer of choice and not restricted under job-specific work permits.
- Social Services: There are multiple extra social services and benefits available for the resident.
Pathways to Permanent Residency in Canada
There are a number of ways to be granted permanent residency in Canada. Each has different requirements and steps to follow. Some of the popular options include:
Express Entry
It is an online system for processing immigration applications. Applications for permanent residency in Canada under this category are solicited from skilled workers. Candidates are ranked against each other, using a points-based system based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): It is for skilled workers who hold foreign work experience.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Participants who are eligible for a skillful trade
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): It is for those who have the experience of working in Canadian
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The PNP allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate people for permanent residency in Canada based on various skills, work experience, and the likelihood of contributing to the local economy. Each province has its own requirements and streams.
Family Sponsorship
You can be sponsored for permanent residency in Canada if you have a close relative who is either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This relationship includes spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
Start-Up Visa
The Start-Up Visa Program is a permanent residency opportunity for entrepreneurs with a cutting-edge business idea. You will be required to have a qualifying business, letters of support from a designated organization, and meet language and financial requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Certain eligibility criteria need to be compiled in order to gain permanent residence in Canada, and it may differ for various pathways selected by the individual in applying for permanent residence. Some common types of
Work Experience
You must have relevant work experience in a skilled occupation. For the Express Entry system, this usually means at least one year of continuous full-time, or the equivalent part-time, paid work experience.
Language Proficiency
You will be required to have proficiency in either English or French. You are supposed to take an approved language proficiency test—like IELTS for English or TEF for French—and attain the corresponding scores.
Education
You would need a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree; foreign credential can also be presented along with the Educational Credential Assessment report showing your foreign education is equivalent to Canadian educational standards.
Other Factors
- Age: has a positive relationship with point awarding in the Express Entry
- Adaptability: Your spouse speaking either language, your relatives living in Canada, etc.
- Job Offer: This is not mandatory, but having a valid employment offer in Canada from an employer will boost your chances considerably.
How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada
Step 1: Choose Your Pathway
Choose from the immigration options suitable for your skills and conditions. This selection dictates your requirements and consequent actions to be taken accordingly.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Apply Early: Gather all set of documents that might be required during the application process, including passport, results of language test, ECA report, proof of work experience, and so on. And the documents should be gathered well in advance in order to avoid delays.
Step 3: Create Your Profile
In case of an Express Entry, you need to create an online profile, in that, you need to fill in detailed information about you. This will include the skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information, which you may have.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If you are eligible for the program and obtain a high score in the points system, then you will be issued an ITA for the permanent residency. The application should be submitted in the time that is given.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
An application for a permanent residence needs to be submitted with every required document for the application process. Also, one has to pay the fees required to be paid for the application process and undergo a medical test and police clearance.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Improve Your Language Skills
Language test scores tremendously increase your overall points in the Express Entry system. Take language classes or take the test again to perform better.
Gain More Work Experience
Additional skilled work experience, especially in occupations in high demand in Canada, can help increase your points.
Pursue Further Education
More education qualifications can significantly contribute toward points. Get further certifications or licenses that will enhance your qualifications.
Secure a Job Offer
It may be highly complementary to your application if you receive a rightful job offer from a Canadian employer. It is thus worth networking and job searching in Canada.
Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Apply to PNPs where you best fit the criteria based on your skills and work experience. Applying under a nomination by a province means that many points will get added to your application, so get researching and applying.
Common Questions About Permanent Residency in Canada
How Much Does It Cost to Apply?
These will include language tests, ECA fees, medical examination tests, and application fees. The total amount could therefore range from CAD 2,000 to CAD 3,000 or more, depending on a number of factors including the pathway and the nature of an individual’s case.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Processing times vary depending on the pathway, but also on the completeness of your application. Express Entry applications are generally processed in six months, while some other pathways take a little longer.
What Happens If My Application is Denied?
In case your application is refused, you will be informed of the many reasons. If you correct the issues or increase your qualifications, you can reapply. It will also be good if you seek the services of an immigration advisor so that you know your options clearly.
Conclusion
Permanent residency can be termed a great opportunity for most individuals in Pakistan. Understanding the different ways through which this status can be achieved, meeting the eligibility requirements, and carefully following application steps can increase your chances of succeeding. Canada provides many opportunities and a bright future: upbeat and out of the ordinary. Permanent residence ushers one into a new life in this great country.
Be it better career prospects, higher education, or an improved quality of life, Canada is the answer. Start your journey today and take the first step to turning a Canadian dream into reality.
