Canada PR visa is a popular choice for those looking to migrate to Canada. And why not? The immigrant-friendly policies of Canada and the government’s encouragement of migrants to come and settle here have motivated many to try and migrate here
Apart from this, settling down in Canada holds the promise of a comfortable lifestyle and the right living conditions. There are numerous job opportunities and the promise of personal freedom.
One of the options to migrate to Canada is to obtain a Permanent Resident (PR) visa. With a PR visa, you will be given permanent resident status. The validity of a PR visa is five years which can later be renewed.
The PR visa does not make you a citizen of Canada; you are still a citizen of your native country. As a PR visa holder, you can enjoy the following benefits:
Can apply for Canadian citizenship in the future
Can live, work and study anywhere in Canada
Eligible for healthcare and other social benefits enjoyed by Canadian citizens
Protection under Canadian law
You will have to exclusively apply for the PR visa if you are a student or a worker from a foreign country, it does not automatically make you a permanent resident of the country. Refugees from another country do not automatically become permanent residents. Their status as a refugee must be approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Subsequent to this, they can apply for and obtain a PR status.
How does one obtain a Permanent Resident (PR) visa?
To get a PR visa, you will have to go through an application process. The applications go through elaborate scrutiny. The eligibility for a Canada PR visa is through a points-based system. The applicants are assessed on various points such as age, language, education and work experience.
Canada offers different immigration programs through which you can apply for permanent residency status. Among these the most popular are:
Express Entry Program
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Business Immigration Program
Family class Immigration
Experience class Immigration
How do I use the Express Entry system for a PR visa?
A candidate applying for the PR visa through the Express Entry program will have to go through a points-based selection system. The Express Entry System basically consists of three sub-categories:
1. Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you are a skilled worker, you can apply for a PR visa under the Federal Skilled Workers Program. This was initiated by the Canadian government in 2015 to encourage skilled workers to come and settle in the country. To qualify under this program, you should be able to get 67 points out of 100 in the eligibility factors given below:
1. Age: Those between 18-35 years get maximum points. Those above 35 get lesser points while the maximum age to qualify is 45 years.
2. Education: Under this category, your educational qualification must be equal to higher secondary education under Canadian standards.
3. Work experience: For minimum points, you should have at least one-year of full-time work experience. More years of work experience means more points. Your occupation must be listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
4. Language ability: You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS test and the score must be less than 2 years old. You get extra points if you are proficient in French.
5. Adaptability: If your spouse or common-law partner is willing to migrate with you to Canada, you are entitled to 10 extra points for adaptability.
6. Arranged employment: You can gain a maximum of 10 points if you have a valid offer from a Canadian employer.
What happens if I qualify for a PR visa through the Express Entry program?
If you are lucky enough to qualify for a PR visa through the Express Entry program, you can be selected from a pool of eligible candidates based on your Express Entry profile. You will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR status. If you get your ITA you can start the documentation process for your PR visa.
The ITA is similar to a response sent by the IRCC to Express Entry applicants. It is sent to those who have the highest CRS score in a particular Express Entry draw which is usually held ona monthly basis.
Once you receive your ITA, you are given 90 days to submit documents that support the information you had provided to create your Express Entry profile.
The ITA will let you know which program you have been selected to apply for your PR visa- CEC or any other Express Entry program. If you check the Express Entry portal, you will find a list of documents that is specific to the program you have applied for. You will alsohave to submit these documents with your application. Here are some of the common documents you will be required to submit:
Documents supporting your English language test results
Civil status documents such as your birth certificate
Documents in proof of your education achievements
Documents in proof of your work experience
Medical certificate
Police clearance certificate
Proof of funds
Photos
