Canada offers several permanent residence programs for skilled immigrants and for immigrants in certain occupations. Odyssey Law represents clients from all over the world in these applications. We ensure that applicants meet the requirements for the pathway to which they are applying, and we do a thorough review of all documentation to ensure applicants are submitting complete and detailed information to support their applications. We assist with Express Entry Profiles and Permanent Residence Applications, Provincial Nominee Program Applications, Cultural or Athletics based Self- Employed Applications, and Permanent Residence for Caregivers Applications. Please see below for further information.
Please note that the information contained on this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, please call Odyssey Law for a consultation.
Express Entry is an online system that manages applications made through Canada’s skilled worker programs. Skilled work is determined by occupation as listed in the national occupation classification (TEER code) system.
There are three skilled worker programs that use the Express Entry system:
- Canadian Experience Class– for skilled workers who have one year of Canadian work experience in the last three years before application
- Federal Skilled Worker Program– for skilled workers that have one year of foreign (or Canadian) work experience in the last ten years before application, and meet criteria for education and other factors
- Federal Skilled Trades Program– for skilled workers that have two years of work experience in the five years before application in a skilled trade, and have either a valid job offer OR a certificate of qualification
A person must meet the minimum requirements for at least one of the three programs above, and they can then create a profile for entry into the Express Entry pool. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) then picks candidates from the Express Entry pool. Express Entry is based on a points system. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which assesses four primary factors:
- Age;
- Level of education;
- English and/or French language ability; and
- Work experience, both Canadian and foreign
The higher the points a person receives in the Express Entry pool, the greater the chance the person has of being selected in an Express Entry draw and receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. IRCC posts express entry draw results, including the number of candidates drawn and the lowest ranked candidate who received an ITA in that draw. Certain occupations may receive priority in draws.
If a person is eligible for one of the above programs, they may also be able to apply through Express Entry for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or they may be able to use a provincial nomination to obtain additional points in the Express Entry pool. Please see our section below for more information on Provincial Nominee Programs.
In Canada, most immigration programs are managed through the Canadian Federal Government. However, Canadian provinces or territories also have their own immigration programs, referred to as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). A person may be able to receive permanent residence by receiving a positive “nomination” through their province of choice.
The province or territory assesses candidates based on the economic or labour market needs of that province/territory. To receive a provincial nomination, a person must intend to settle in that province or territory. Provinces/territories have several different PNP streams within their programs, and a person must meet the skill, education, and work experience requirements necessary for the stream to which they apply.
If a person receives a positive provincial nomination, the next step is to apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within the time period on the nomination certificate. Application for permanent residence may be through the Express Entry system or another application process.
The Alberta Provincial Nomination Program (“AINP”) has streams for both workers and entrepreneurs in their program:
- Alberta Opportunity Stream– for qualified workers who are already working full-time in Alberta and have a job offer from an Alberta employer in an eligible occupation.
- Alberta Express Entry Stream– qualified candidates with an Express Entry profile are invited by the AINP to apply for nomination for permanent residence. In this stream, candidates may be selected for expedited processing if they have a job offer with an Alberta-based technology industry employer in an eligible occupation, or are in other in-demand occupations in Alberta.
- Tourism and Hospitality Stream– for qualified workers who live and work in Alberta and have a full-time job offer with an Alberta tourism and hospitality sector employer.
- Rural Renewal Stream– Foreign workers who have a job offer, or refugees who qualify under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, can apply for an AAIP nomination in a designated rural community.
- Self-Employed Farmer Stream– for experienced farmers who plan to buy or start a farm in Alberta.
- Rural Entrepreneur Stream, Graduate Entrepreneur Stream or Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream– these three streams offer different opportunities for entrepreneurs to start or buy an existing business in Alberta.
The Self-employed Persons Program is a specific program for those who intend to be self-employed in Canada in cultural activities or athletics.
Persons in this category must be willing and able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada and have relevant experience. Relevant experience that is considered is previous self-employment in cultural activities or athletics, or experience in cultural activities or athletics at a world class level. An applicant must also reach a minimum level of points in the areas of experience, education, age, ability in English or French and adaptability, to qualify.
There have been several caregiver programs in the recent past that led to permanent residence in Canada including the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP), Caring for Children Program, Caring for People with High Medical Needs Program and the Interim Pathway for Caregivers. Unless a person has already applied to one of these programs or have/had an LCP work permit, these programs are closed for further applications.
The caregiver programs that are currently open to applications are the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot. These two streams allow applicants to obtain an occupation specific work permit (not tied to one employer) and gain Canadian work experience that can then be used to qualify for permanent residence. There is currently a limit on the number of applications that are accepted into these streams per year.
To qualify under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot a person must have either previous experience, or a job offer. The potential applicant also has to meet other criteria such as showing they have the past experience or training necessary to do the job (where applicable), meeting certain English or French language levels and an education requirement.
Family members, such as a partner or spouse and dependant children, are also eligible to come to Canada with the applicant and can get a study or work permit.
Please contact us regarding the below programs for more information:
- Permanent residence pathways for specific countries or regions- Hong Kong, Ukraine, resettled Yazidis and survivors of Daesh
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Atlantic Immigration Program
