Canada aims to welcome over 500,000 applicants by 2025. Each year, almost 120,000 Indians gain permanent resident status in Canada. Thus, the country is home to one of the largest diasporas in the world. Due to numerous factors, like work experience, English proficiency, education level, etc., Indians are well-positioned to immigrate to Canada. According to IRCC data, the number of people who immigrate to Canada from India & achieve permanent resident status has increased from 32,828 to 118,095. This is a significant increase of 260%. Immigrating to Canada can take some months & in some cases, years! Therefore, it is vital to note the alternatives and then determine the pathways you must opt for, which will optimize your chances of immigrating successfully. There are numerous ways to immigrate to Canada from India & this article outlines some skilled worker options. Take a look!
Federal Skilled Workers Program
As an international applicant, the Federal Skilled Workers Program might be a good alternative. The program enables candidates with apt work experience to apply for permanent accommodation, even if they have no connection/ link to Canada!
The program targets skilled professionals who can utilize their work experience, language skills, education, and other human capital factors to become successful in the country.
However, applicants are required to fulfill the following criteria:
- One year of continuous full-time paid work experience in the last ten years under NOC, i.e., National Occupational Classification TEER category 0, 1, 2, & 3.
- Validates language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark in French or English across all abilities.
- Show that you have enough funds for you & your family to reside in Canada.
- Have a Canadian educational credential or foreign credential along with an ECA report.
- FSWP applicants must obtain at least 67 points on the six immigration selection factors of IRCC.
The FSWP is one of the top programs managed under the government of Canada’s Express Entry application system. In addition, once you upload the Express Entry Profile on the IRCC website, you will obtain a CRS score based on numerous factors like age, education, language capabilities, work experience, etc.
Moreover, IRCC will send ITAs for permanent residence to the applicants who scored the highest!
IRCC has recently declared the launch of a new category-based selection that will open different pathways to immigrate to Canada from India. This will be done via Express Entry.
Express Entry applicants will be eligible under these new draw categories if they have work experience in:
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Trades
- Agriculture/ Agri-Food
- Transport
- Have a strong French language proficiency.
Furthermore, these targeted draws will probably begin this summer!
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
PNP, i.e., Provincial Nominee Program, is another major pathway to help you immigrate to Canada from India.
The nation has ten provinces & three territories, the majority of which have PNP, except Nunavut & Quebec. These draws enable the provinces/ territories to design immigration pathways depending on their demographic needs & economic labor markets.
Through PNP, provinces & territories can nominate skilled worker applicants for immigration to nominating regions/ provinces. Each province will have separate eligibility criteria that an applicant must meet!
Applicants in the Express Entry Pool might also be invited for nomination by the province. If an applicant is nominated via Express Entry, they will obtain extra 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA for permanent residence.
Study In Canada
Canada is among the topmost destinations for international applicants due to numerous factors, like high-quality education, work opportunities, affordability, etc. Another benefit of studying in Canada is that foreign students who complete post-secondary education might have some opportunities to extend their stay and finally transition to permanent residence.
After completing your education, you can get Canadian work experience by acquiring PGWP. This depends on your academic program, thus enabling you to work in Canada for up to 3 years.
Moreover, your education can benefit you when it comes to applying for permanent accommodation. Well, this is because the federal & provincial immigration programs value applicants with Canadian work experience & education.
So, if you are from India & wish to reside in Canada, then there are numerous immigration pathways available. However, it is recommended to consult with a professional immigration lawyer who can help outline the programs available, thus guiding you through the application process.