Immigrating to Canada in 2022-23 may be difficult. There are many options available, you can improve your chances of success and avoid disappointments, frustrations, and delays if you understand the options that suit you.
People hoping to immigrate to Canada in 2022-23 will be able to take advantage of the five immigration options to gain their permanent residence once Covid-19 border restrictions are finally lifted.
Canada has shown its willingness to boost immigration levels in 2022-23.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government increased its immigration targets for the next three years. In late October, it announced it would be receiving 401,000 new immigrants in 2022-23, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.
Before the global pandemic, the previous plan set targets of 351,000 in 2022-23 and 361,000 in 2022.
In its bid to meet those higher immigration targets in the next three years, Canada has modified some immigration programs and struck new deals with other nations.
“Canada is innovating immigration during the pandemic to accelerate our economic recovery and reunite more families,” tweeted Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in early December.
During the outbreak, Ottawa undertook several measures to improve the access foreign nationals have to its immigration programs.
In late October, the country re-opened its borders to foreign students attending approved universities and colleges under new exemptions to coronavirus travel restrictions.
To be allowed into Canada, foreign students approved for a study permit only now have to show they are attending a Designated Learning Institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their provincial government.
Throughout 2020, Canada has continued to roll out Invitations to Apply (ITAs) via the Express Entry system despite the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19, making it a record year with the issuance of more than 100,000 invitations to prospective skilled worker immigrants.
As the new year gets underway, foreign nationals will have five options for immigrating to Canada in 2022-23 to seek permanent residence.
Express Entry
Under the Express Entry system, Canada receives immigration applications online. Candidates who meet eligibility requirements lodges an online profile known as an Expression of interest (EOI), under one of three main federal immigration programs or a participating provincial immigration streams linked to the Express Entry Pool.
Candidates’ profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates are considered for an invitation for Canadian permanent residence. Those receiving an invitation must quickly lodge a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of Ninety (90)-days.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Under a shared jurisdiction between federal government and the provinces, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for highly skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.
Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s provinces and territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial nomination can then apply for permanent residence through the IRCC.
Family Class Sponsorship
Family Reunification remains a priority of Canada’s immigration policy. Families in Canada can sponsor their relatives to come to Canada on a permanent basis. In order to qualify to sponsor your relative, you have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Also who you can sponsor is: your spouse and children under the age of twenty -two (22) (there are some exceptions to this). Sponsoring your parents or grandparents is no longer an option at this time. However, you can bring them to Canada under the Super Visa Category.
LMIA Work Visa
Many applicants for Canadian immigration first get Canadian job offers, apply for a work visa, and then on that basis, immigrate to Canada. The LMIA involves securing a Canadian job offer, having the Canadian employer apply for an LMIA through Service Canada, and then the applicant applying for the work permit after the LMIA is approved. This is a very involved process but can lead to Canadian permanent residence.
Post Graduation Work Permit
The valuable work experience gained while an international grad works in Canada under a Post-Graduation Work Permit can count towards a permanent residence application through Canada Express Entry system.
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry system programs, applicants for immigration are assigned points based on:
- Skills;
- Work experience;
- Language ability;
- Language ability and education of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner;
- Possession of a job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment;
- Possession of a provincial government nomination for permanent residence, and;
- Certain combinations of language skills, education, and work experience that result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed (skill transferability).
