Canada is one of the most popular countries among immigrants all over the world, especially India. Thousands of immigrants migrate to Canada each year making it their new home. It is one of the few countries in the world where you can directly apply for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa. A Canadian Permanent Resident Visa is equivalent to the coveted US Green Card. Lately, getting a US Green Card has become very difficult with wait times adding up to several years. However, that is not the case with the Canada Permanent Resident Visa.
What are the benefits of the Canada PR Visa?
The Canada Permanent Resident Visa comes with numerous benefits making it extremely popular. The key benefits of the Canada PR Visa are:
- You can live and work in any place of your choice in Canada
- You get access to free world-class Canadian healthcare
- Your children get access to free education till they turn 18
- You can sponsor your relatives for a Canada PR Visa
- You are one step short of becoming a Canadian citizen
- You are protected by Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom
How long is your Canada PR Visa valid?
Your Canada Permanent Resident Visa is valid for a period of 5 years. Upon completing 3 years of stay on the PR Visa, you become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
How can you apply for a Canada PR Visa?
India is one of the major source countries of skilled immigrants in Canada. There are several routes through which you can apply for a Canada PR Visa from India. They are:
- Express Entry Program
- Business Investor Program
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Immigration Program
- Family Class Immigration
Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is the most popular and the primary source of skilled immigrants in Canada. The program follows a point-based approach where the highest-scoring candidates are invited by the Canadian Govt. to apply for permanent residence of Canada. Eligible candidates can score points on various parameters like age, qualification, English proficiency, work experience, Canadian education, Canadian work experience etc.
To apply under the Express Entry Program, you must first complete an online profile. You must meet the eligibility requirements of any one of the sub-categories of the Express Entry Program, which are:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates meeting the eligibility requirement are placed in the Express Entry Pool where each candidate is ranked according to their scores. Canada conducts periodic draws where eligible candidates receive invitations to apply for the Canada PR Visa.
Provincial Nominee Program
Each of the provinces in Canada has its own unique immigration programs suited to the labour market needs of the province. It is called the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The Provincial Nominee Programs have become immensely popular in the last couple of years, especially among candidates who do not have a high score. If you earn a provincial nomination, you can add 600 points to your score in the Express Entry Pool. The added points ensure that you get an invitation to apply for Canada PR Visa in the next invitation round.
Quebec Immigration Program
Quebec is an exception, as it does not have a PNP but admits immigrants through the Quebec Immigration Program.
Business Investor Program
If you are an entrepreneur and would like to set up and run your own business in Canada, then you may apply under the Business Investor Program.
What are the costs involved in the Canada Permanent Resident Visa process?
You will need to pay the fees as per the stage of your Canada PR Visa process. Here is a gist of the fee involved:
- Educational Credential Assessment: 227 to 322 CAD
- IELTS: Approximately INR 14,000
- Medicals: Approximately 70 CAD per person
- Police Clearance Certificate: Approximately INR 500 per person
- Application processing fee: 825 CAD per person
- Right to Permanent Residence Fee: 500 CAD per person
- Fee for dependent children: 225 CAD per child
- Biometric fee: 85 CAD per person
- Proof of funds: For a single applicant you need to have funds equivalent to 12, 960 CAD. For each additional applicant, you will need to show extra funds.
What are the steps involved in the Canada PR process?
These are the steps involved in the Canada PR process:
1. Get your Educational Credential Assessment done
2. Complete your IELTS
3. Create your Express Entry Profile
4. Apply for PNP (optional)
5. Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)
6. Submit your Medicals and PCC
7. IRCC reviews your PR Visa application
8. Receive a request for fingerprints and biometrics
9. Submit your passport for visa stamping
If you are interested in applying for a Canada Permanent Residence Visa, reach out to Nationwide Visas. Nationwide Visas is one of the best immigration consultancies in India for Canada PR since 2007. It is ICCRC registered and has a track record of thousands of successful Canada PR applications over the years.