Emigrating to Canada: 5 Ways To Get Your Permanent Residence
By: Sheri M. Spunt
Tags: Law, Canada Immigration, Canada, Emigrate To Canada, Immigration

Untouched nature, wild animals and colorful metropolises: Canada has a lot to offer and is a popular destination for emigrants for a lot of reasons. Before you can realize your dream of a new life abroad, you have to go through some organizational work. But with a little luck and the right set of rules to follow, emigrating to Canada is not that unrealistic.

Before you can start planning your move, you need to clarify whether you are even eligible for a permanent visa. If you are an EU citizen, for instance, you are only allowed to stay in Canada for six months without a visa.

As experienced Quebec Immigration lawyers, we have some insights to share. The good news here is that specialists from certain areas are also urgently needed and supported with immigration. Let’s start with that first!

1. The points system for skilled workers from abroad

With the ‘Skilled Workers and Professionals’ program, the Canadian immigration authority supports skilled workers from abroad. New citizens with sought-after skills should have an easy time immigrating.

Sought-after professions in Canada can be found in the medical sector, for example, but architects, skilled electrical workers and skilled workers from the mining industry are also in great demand.

Anyone who wants to be included in the so-called express entry pool must first complete a language test. Then the applicants create a profile, which is rated by employees of the authority according to points.

Points are awarded for:

• Education

• Work experience

• Knowledge of English and/or French

• Age

• Adaptability

• Employment in Canada

At least 67 points are required for ‘Permanent Residence’ Status. Besides, as a potential immigrant, you must meet some basic conditions :

• Clean Police Clearance Certificate

• At least one year of work experience in a sought-after job

• Job offer in Canada

• Passed health check-up

• Financial reserves of CAD 10,000 (Canadian dollars) for an individual or $ 19,000 for a family of four.

If you can tick off all the points, in the best case scenario you will be invited to apply for a permanent visa. You have 90 days from the date of the invitation to submit all the necessary documents.

But even if you are not selected for the quick trial, there is hope. There are several other options, the most popular among them being the funding program.

2. Funding programs in Canadian provinces

In Canada, individual provinces offer different programs through which funding is given to the professional groups that are needed in the region. These can be academicians and managers, but also unskilled workers or service staff with a knowledge of French (especially in Quebec).

If you are not restricted to a certain area, you may well have chances as a ‘Provincial Nominee’ if you do not have a job that is sought by the national immigration authorities.

3. Emigrate to Canada as a self-employed entrepreneur

Emigrants who want to start their own business or invest in a company in Canada also have good chances of permanent residence. The Federal Business Immigration program is aimed at entrepreneurs, investors and the self-employed.

Again, points are awarded and some requirements must be met.

• Sufficient capital

• Intent to create jobs in Canada

• Business experience

• Willingness to take on non-profit activities

• A minimum score of 35 in the entrepreneurship point system

4. Family reunification visa

Another option for getting a permanent residency is family reunification. A spouse, parent, grandparent, or child of a Canadian citizen living in Canada may immigrate as long as the family member vouches for them. To do this, the surety has to prove a certain income, which he could use to support you if necessary, and which he has to commit to for ten years.

5. Migrating to Canada as a Pensioner — Is There an Age Limit?

There is no age limit for emigrating to Canada. However, anyone over 49 years of age is given zero points in the “Age” category in the point system. Also, applicants must pass the health check.

Even if there is no age limit, retirees are limited in their ability to immigrate to Canada. If you are not ready to work there, there is little chance of being selected for one of the programs.

But retirees also have some options:

• Immigration through family reunification

• If your partner is still working and is eligible for one of the programs, you have the option of accompanying him or her

• If you have sufficient capital, you could enter as an investor

Detailed information and a collection of links for applicants can be found at the Federal Administration Office or in English on the website of the Canadian Immigration Service.