Are you looking to immigrate to Canada, but unsure of the best route to becoming a permanent resident? Below we show you the 6 different ways you could qualify to immigrate to Canada.
The 6 Best Ways to Immigrate To Canada
- Family members in Canada
- Job offer from a Canadian employer
- Skills and work experience that are in demand in Canada
- A high net worth and ability to invest in Quebec
- The intention to start or invest in a business in Canada
- The intention to practice a skill or trade as a self-employed person
- Studying in Canada
With dozens of Canadian immigration programs, the appropriate choice depends on your specific circumstances, including your previous work experience, occupation, language abilities, business expertise, financial capacity, and whether you have relatives in Canada.
The Family Class Sponsorship Program can reunite you with family members who already live in Canada – an adult relative who is a permanent resident or citizen can sponsor your immigration.
If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, previous experience in a skilled occupation or trade, or at least one year of work experience in Canada, you may be eligible to immigrate quickly through the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class programs.
Business people, investors, and self-employed individuals may also apply to the Federal Self-Employed Program or provincial and Quebec-specific business immigrant programs.
In addition, you must consider whether you want to settle in Quebec or another specific province. Each province accepts immigrants through its own Provincial Nominee Program and they may have fewer requirements than federal programs. For example, Quebec offers multiple programs specifically for business investors, self-employed persons, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs – a general requirement is French language proficiency.
Potential Immigration Problems
There are various issues that can cause problems with your immigration application:
- DUI conviction
- Other criminal history
- Lack of documents or incorrect application
If you have any of these issues, you will need to consider getting some help. We have a separate page describing how to go about hiring an immigration attorney.
Certain convictions will render you criminally inadmissible to Canada – this means that an immigration official can deny you entry at the border. It is very common to be turned away due to a DUI or reckless driving conviction, regardless of whether you will be driving in Canada. Other charges that make you inadmissible include theft, drug trafficking or possession, assault, and manslaughter.
Do not lie to immigration officials – you could face a long-term ban if you are caught misrepresenting past charges. Instead, consult an immigration lawyer to see how you can legally enter Canada. In many cases, there are solutions to overcoming inadmissibility: obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit, which allows travel to Canada for valid reasons, or applying for Criminal Rehabilitation, which absolves the crime, for travel purposes.
Lacking full understanding of the application process, or submitting incorrect or incomplete documents can also compromise your chances of immigrating. For example, if you are rejected for Criminal Rehabilitation due to an incorrect application, you could find yourself never being able to travel to Canada again. It is crucial to have the appropriate documents and consult with someone who fully understands the immigration system.
Should You Hire an Attorney to Help with Immigration?
Navigating Canadian immigration processes can be tricky and stressful – it may be difficult to know what program best suits your circumstances. This site is great starting point for information on border crossing and Canadian immigration, but especially when the stakes are high for you and your family, you may want to consider consulting an immigration attorney for expertise.
If you are hoping to travel to Canada, but concerned about your admissibility because of your criminal history, it can be especially helpful to speak with a lawyer. An attorney can help you select the best immigration option to meet your needs, and provide you with peace of mind that your applications are completed correctly. For more information on hiring a lawyer, review our articles on “How to Choose a Good Immigration Attorney”
Canadian Immigration Resources
Ezbordercrossing.com can provide you with a good start to your immigration process, but this is not a comprehensive list of all the information you will need. In addition, the rules on immigration change constantly, so always check official government sources. Below are the primary Canadian agencies that are involved with the immigration process: