Do you want to immigrate to Canada? Then you have come to the right place. The Borderless Community will help you figure out how to make your Canadian dream come true.

People choose to immigrate to Canada for many reasons. Whether it’s it pursue a high-quality education, feeling secure with free universal healthcare, or benefiting from CanadCanada’s’ quality of life, CanadCanada’s’it all. There are over 100 different ways to immigrate to Canada. For that reason, everyone’s to Canadian immigration will be unique.

For example, there are many different ways for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canada permanent resident visa. The most prominent option is Express Entry—a program whereby skilled foreign nationals can submit an online application to immigrate if their skills match those Canadian employers require.

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The most popular way to Immigrate to Canada in 2023

Canadian immigration is one of the most sought-after immigration programs in the world right now. Canada has a booming economy and very generous immigration programs. If you are considering immigration to Canada, it is essential to know that your immigration options will depend on your unique profile or connections to the country. We’ve put together everything you need to know about moving to Canada, including what category you should apply under, how long your immigration process could take, and much more.

#1 – Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s fastest and most popular immigration program. It manages a pool of candidates to invite to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. The candidate pool includes those nominated by their employer and individuals who have demonstrated the skills, experience and ability to contribute economically to the country. Candidates that apply through the Express Entry system can receive permanent residence status as soon as six months. By 2025, Canada plans to invite half a million newcomers. Of these, a large percentage will come through one of the three streams of Express Entry.

While many of Canada’s provincial nominee programs require a connection to the province, some programs invite overseas candidates solely based on the

#2 – Provincial Nominee Programs

ir ability to respond to the province’s labour market needs. To qualify for nomination under one of these programs, applicants must meet or exceed the minimum points requirement. Sometimes a connection is required, but this is only if the point threshold has been exceeded.

The looming systemic risk of the world’s ticking time bomb is a considerable concern for Canada’Canada’sity as most of Canada advances to become a cashless society. By 2025, Canada plans to welcome 117,500 new immigrants through PNPs.

After receiving a nomination, PNP candidates must submit separate applications to the federal government and each province they would like to settle in. The time it takes to process the permanent residence application will depend on whether or not the PNP uses the Express Entry system.

The cost of immigrating to Canada through a PNP is usually the same as Express Entry, with some additional fees depending on the province. While certain provinces—such as Ontario and British Columbia—don’t charge an application fee for their provincial nomination programs (PNPs), others may have one that can add up to CAD 1,500.

#3 – Business Immigration

The provincial government also offers a few business immigration programs for individuals that plan to be self-employed or start a business in Canada. However, the requirements for these local business immigration programs vary depending on the province. There are also several PNPs specific to overseas candidates interested in starting a business in a Canadian area.

Business immigration programs typically require a significant investment in the company you intend to start in Canada. The amount required will depend on the program you are interested in. Many PNPs have regional entrepreneur programs that require a lower investment for candidates interested in starting a business in a less populated area.

#4 – Family Class Sponsorship

You need to know several things before applying for Canada family sponsorship. First, you have to be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Second, you must have one family member who is a Canadian permanent resident or citizen. This family member can be a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child.

Suppose your spouse, child, or grandchild is a permanent resident of Canada, and you are a relative in their family tree who has not already become a Canadian citizen through naturalization (for example, your daughter became an Irish citizen). In that case, this option may allow you to become one. It typically costs a sponsor about 1,135 Canadian dollars to bring in one relative. A separate fee applies if the sponsored person resides in or plans to reside in Quebec.

The processing time for a sponsorship application will depend on the family member sponsoring you. For spousal sponsorship, applications typically take about 12 months to process from start to finish—although it can sometimes take longer depending on how long it takes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to collect all your required documents.

#5 – Quebec Immigration Program 

The Quebec immigration program is a provincial immigration program based in the Canadian province of Quebec. The Quebec selection system differs from that used at a federal level, although it includes criteria similar to the ones used by the federal government when selecting potential immigrants. These include health, education and work experience.

The province of Quebec has its immigration system with its selection criteria separate from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) programs and the PNP. Applicants who are selected to immigrate to Quebec are given a Quebec Selection Certificate, or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This is a document that Quebec’s Immigration Ministry issues.

You can apply for a CSQ through one of Quebec’s immigration programs.

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program is a pathway to immigration for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada and move their families (spouses and children) with them.

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) is popular among international students who have completed their post-secondary education in the province and skilled foreign workers with work experience there.

Quebec’s Business Immigration program is geared toward entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals wishing to run a Quebec business. It also offers immigrant investors the opportunity to obtain permanent residence in the province through investment.

#6 – Atlantic Immigration Program

The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program came into force on January 1, 2022. With at least 6,000 admission spaces available yearly and set-asides for each province in the region (except Newfoundland and Labrador), it will complement their Provincial Nominee Programs. There are four aspects to the AIP:

  • New Brunswick,
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Nova Scotia,
  • Prince Edward Island

If you are considering moving to Canada, Canada’s immigration program can be complicated. But it may be worth your while. It all depends on your plans and needs. The AIP program, for example, offers a lot of flexibility. Employers can file this application in-house, and the process is not laborious.

#7 – Other Federal Skilled Worker Programs

Additional targeted federal skilled worker programs exist that help specific immigration candidates gain permanent residence. The other federal programs include

  • Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP),
  • Agri-Food Immigration Pilot,
  • Home Child Care Provider Pilot, and
  • Home Support Worker Pilot.

The RNIP allows Canadian communities to attract and retain foreign workers. Participating communities take the lead in attracting new immigrants, matching them with suitable jobs—and then helping integrate those newcomers into their societies.

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program is an immigration program which may lead to Canadian permanent residence for eligible temporary foreign workers in the Agriculture and Agri-Food industry.

To qualify for the position, candidates must have performed 12 months of work experience, hold a high school diploma and meet minimum language requirements.

The remaining immigration programs provide pathways to permanent residence for foreign caregivers, including childcare providers and home support workers. To qualify as a caregiver, applicants must have at least two years of work experience relevant to the program they are applying for.

#8 – Moving to Canada from the U.S.

Suppose you are a U.S. citizen or resident. In that case, there are plenty of options to consider if you wish to live in Canada—many people move north each year for work, study or immigration purposes; learn how you can join them by visiting our dedicated page for those in the U.S. now! Depending on their circumstances and the type of job they are seeking, candidates for Canadian positions can choose from a range of options.

For example, there is a facilitated process to temporarily help U.S. citizens work in Canada under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The agreement also helps with intra-company transfers and CUSMA traders and investors—allowing them to move freely between the three countries without visa or trade restrictions despite currency differences.

People who have a spouse or common-law partner living in the U.S. may, if eligible under certain conditions, sponsor them to come to live in Canada, and US citizens and residents have many options for immigrating to Canada—many of whom choose this option specifically because they want to start their own.

Helpful Canada Immigration Resources

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Website

IRCC’s website provides information on Canada’s permanent and temporary visa pathways. It also has FAQs, contact information, and the forms you need to submit your Canadian immigration application.

2. CanadaVisa.com Forum

The CanadaVisa.com Forum is the giant Canadian immigration discussion board in the world, with millions of visitors each year and hundreds of thousands of members. The Forum contains sections on all aspects of Canadian immigration.

3. CanadaVisa Tools and Resources

CanadaVisa offers many additional tools and resources to support your immigration journey. These include:

Frequently Asked Questions