Step one requires potential candidates to submit an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by uploading an electronic profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The profiles of eligible candidates are placed in the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked according to a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Step two involves the Government of Canada selecting the highest-ranked candidates on a priority basis through draws from the pool. Candidates selected by IRCC will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Canadian permanent resident visa, at which point they will have 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application.

As a client of our law firm, we will work with you to:

- Quickly submit an accurate Express Entry profile and avoid misrepresentation (the penalty for misrepresentation is a ban of up to five years from applying for Canadian permanent residence);

- Assist you in submitting a profile and/or application, under any Express Entry-aligned PNP for which you are eligible;

- Guide you in obtaining required documentation, such as language test results and educational credential assessments, that are needed to submit an Express Entry profile;

- Review your work history and credentials, so that you may claim all the CRS points to which you are entitled;

- Take steps towards increasing your CRS score;

- Prepare supporting documents in advance so you can react quickly if you receive an ITA (candidates only have 60 days to apply once they receive an ITA);

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA  {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

Eligibility to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

On this page:

• Minimum requirements
• Skilled work experience
• Education
• Language ability
• Proof of funds
• Admissibility
• Where you can live in Canada
• Be assessed by your province or territory
• Next steps

This is 1 of the 3 federal programs managed through Express Entry, our online application system for skilled workers.

Choose another program.

Minimum requirements

To be eligible, you must

• meet the required language levelsfor each language ability
  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking
• have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply
• meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification
• have a
  • valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or
  • certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority

Skilled work experience

Skilled trades for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these groups of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

• Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
• Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
• Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
• Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
• Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

The major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations, and they are all skill type B.

You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

If you do not show that your experience meets the description in the NOC, we won’t accept your application.

Find the NOC code, title and skill type or level for your job.

Federal Skilled Trades Program applications must be made based on the 2016 version of the NOC.

Education

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. But, if you want to improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, there are 2 ways you can do this.

• If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution
• or
   
• If you have foreign education, you can get points for a completed educational credential, if you have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution

Language ability

You must

• meet the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing
• take approved language tests for
  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking
• enter the test results in your Express Entry profile

Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settlein Canada, unless you

• are currently able to legally work in Canada and
• have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Where you can live in Canada

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

Get assessed by the province or territory

You’ll likely have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for your trade. You may also need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training.

To learn more about getting assessed, you should go to the website of the body that governs trades for the province/territory where you would like to live and work. The process is different, depending on where you want to go.

Each website has more details about certificates of qualification to work in that province or territory in a specific skilled trade, and what you have to do to get one.

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 

Provincial nomination offers a valuable route to Canadian permanent residence.

The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province.

Each Canadian province and territory (except Nunavut and quebec has its own unique Provincial Nominee Program. Each PNP has at least one immigration stream that is aligned with the federal express entry immigration selection system. 

Provincial nominations issued under these Express Entry-aligned streams are known as  ENHANCED NOMINATIONS  Entry candidates an additional 600 CRS points.

With more than 80 provincial immigration streams, discovering the Canadian immigration pathway that best suits you may be challenging. The CANADA PNP FINDER is designed to help you discover the right immigration pathway to Canadian permanent residence, and track the latest Canada PNP updates.

Learn more about Canada's PNPs by clicking on the provinces below. 

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)

Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Applying for Canadian Permanent Residence with a Provincial Nomination

Provincial Nominee Programs across Canada are actively seeking and retaining eligible foreign nationals by making the process of applying for Canadian permanent residence more accessible. 

Whether a provincial nomination certificate is issued via Express Entry or outside the selection system, a nominee is still required to submit a separate application for Permanent Resident (PR) status to IRCC. 

The Northern Canada territory of Nunavut does not currently have a PNP and QUEBEC does not participate in the federal government's PNP. Instead, the Governments of Quebec and Canada have entered into a series of agreements which enables the province of Quebec to establish its own SELECTION CRITERIA for economic immigration. 

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA  {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

Canada Owner Operator Program

An indirect permanent residence pathway for foreign skilled workers, entrepreneurs, self-employed persons and businesspersons. Purchase an existing business or establish a new business in Canada to get a temporary work permit, and subsequently apply for PR.

Benefits

•No minimum investment requirement

•LMIA exemptions for less time-consuming process 

•Freedom to move anywhere within Canada •Short processing time – obtain work permit within six months •Less competition – no Expression of Interest system or approval quota

•Additional Express Entry points to enhance eligibility for PR •Work and study permits for spouse and children 

•Health insurance cover by provincial government 

Eligibility

•Sufficient funds to either set up a new business in Canada or purchase majority controlling share in an existing Canadian business 

•Intention to actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business in Canada 

•The business should create employment for at least one Canadian citizen/PR holder 

•The business should make an economic, social or cultural contribution to Canada 

•Prior experience in owning and operating a business •Provide a complete business plan •Adequate English/French language skills.

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA  {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

Start-Up Visa ProgramLast Updated on June 17, 2020 The Start-Up Visa program grants Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with the Canadian private sector businesses, (angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators) and facilitate the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.

Find out if u qualify for the start up visa  ;Successful candidates will receive a letter of support from a government-designated entity (angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubator). The government designated entity is primarily responsible to determine the viability of the applicant’s intended business and present an approved project along with a Commitment Certificate to immigration authorities. Applications are assessed under a pass-fail basis.Applicants to Canada’s Start-Up Visa program must meet four basic eligibility requirements:

1. Have a qualifying business
2. Obtain a commitment from a designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support;
3. Have sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds (amounts updated each year);
4. Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5) ;

The required commitment from a designated entity must meet the following criteria:

• A designated angel investor group must confirm that it is investing at least $75,000 CAD into the qualifying business, or two or more commitments from designated angel investor groups totaling $75,000 CAD; OR
• A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 CAD into the qualifying business or two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totaling $200,000 CAD; OR
• A designated business incubator must confirm that it is accepting the applicant into its business incubator Program.

In order to qualify, the intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada at the time the commitment is made and:

• The applicant owns a least 10% of the voting rights in the corporation; AND
• No other person holds 50% or more of the total amount of voting rights in the corporation.

Up to five applicants may have their application for permanent residence supported by the same business investment. However, certain applicants may be designated essential to the intended business. If any of the essential applicants withdraw their application or are refused for other reasons, all other applicants under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.Applicants who have secured a Commitment Certificate from a designated entity, and who wish to begin working in the business during the processing of their permanent residence application may apply for a short term work permit on the basis of their Commitment Certificate if the designated entity supports such a request.To receive a work permit, an applicant must provide:

• A letter of support from the designated entity; and
• Proof they have sufficient funds to meet the low-income cut-off (LICO) for their family size, for one year.

To receive permanent residence, the following criteria must be met:

• Applicants must be actively involved in the management of the business within Canada;
• The operations of the business, or an essential part, must take place in Canada; and
• The business must be incorporated in Canada.

Canada’s Start-Up Visa program does not apply to applicants who intend to reside in the province of Quebec.Designated entities that may support an application under the Start-Up Visa program are: Designated venture capital funds Designated angel investor groups Designated business incubators.

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA  {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

Almost all Canadian work permits require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), formerly called a Labor Market Opinion (LMO), in order hire a temporary foreign worker.

What is a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

An LMIA is a labor market verification process whereby Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) assesses an offer of employment to ensure that the employment of a foreign worker will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market. Employers will be required to provide a variety of information about the position for which they want to hire a foreign worker, including the number of Canadians who applied for the position, the number of Canadians who were interviewed, and detailed explanations for why the Canadian workers considered were not hired.

In their analysis of the offer of employment, ESDC will consider the following elements:

1. Is the salary offered to the foreign worker consistent with the average for the occupation in the area the position is located?
    
2. Are the working conditions consistent with labor laws and/or collective bargaining agreements?
    
3. Is there a labor shortage for that occupation in the area the position is located?
    
4. Is there an ongoing labor dispute in the company and/or industry?
    
5. Has the Canadian employer undertaken recruitment efforts in order to find a Canadian to fill the position?
    
6. Will the foreign worker be able to transfer unique skills or expertise to Canadians?
    
7. Will hiring the foreign worker help to create or retain jobs for Canadians?
    
8. Will the foreign worker be the employee of the Canadian employer, whereby the foreign worker is expected to work on a full-time basis at a pre-determined wage?
    

Generally speaking, for jobs located in one of Canada’s major cities, the more specialized the position and the higher the salary offered, the higher the chances of obtaining a positive LMIA will be. In less populated cities and regions, this is still true but generally obtaining an LMIA may be easier.

LMIA Based Work Permits:

Typically, foreign workers and employers must go through a two-step process in order to receive a Canadian work permit. First, the applicant must submit an application to ESDC for a Labor Market Impact Assessment, followed by a second application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the actual work permit. The LMIA is issued by ESDC who, after considering numerous protective labour market factors, authorizes the Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker.

In June 2014, it was announced that work permits for foreign workers who require a LMIA will only be granted for a period of 1 year for all low-wage occupations.

 FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA  {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

ED-SEAL EXAM TRADES PROGRAM (RSTP)

The Red Seal Trades program is an exam and job pathway program for skilled trade workers, technicians, supervisors, managers, some engineers, and firm owners to achieve Work Permit(WP) and or Permanent Residency (PR) status in Canada. This program allows for you to demonstrate your technical knowledge and convert it into work permit and or Permanent Residency in Canada. This process involves your past technical hands-on experiences being reviewed and put to an exam, before receiving the nationally recognized title of Journeyman which is called Certificate of Qualification (C of Q).

To help assist our clients we offer guidance and support to maximize success. All clients wishing to achieve a red seal qualification, or a certificate of qualification will be taught how to prepare and given practice materials and trainings. These materials and trainings include mock test, trade guidebooks and other prep work that will help a candidate succeed.

Program Eligibility

• A Minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of Speaking: 5, Reading: 3.5, Writing: 4 and Listening: 5. However higher scores or IELTS 6 plus are encouraged.

• At least two years of full-time experience in a skilled related trade. This includes experience for technicians, supervisors, managers, engineers* or firm owners, within the last five years.

• At least two years of Past technical hands-on experiences is must

The Red Seal or Provincial Qualification Exam

Obtaining a red seal qualification or provincial qualification allows a worker to obtain a good-paying job anywhere in Canada. In order to achieve this, a worker must pass the Qualification Exam. The Exam follows the format listed below: 

• There are 100 to 150 questions per exam, depending on the specific trade.

• All questions are multiple-choice A, B, C and D or True – False (Some trades also require a practical).

• The exam questions your specific trade knowledge in your discipline.

• The maximum time allowed for writing is 4 hours.

• The pass mark is 70 Percent.

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

The Entrepreneur Immigration Stream: Opportunities in B.C. and Ontario

Canada has many immigration opportunities for those with a wide range of experiences, including those with a dream of starting their own business. Business Immigration offers PR for the complete family including dependents up to the age of 22. And therefore presents a lucrative opportunity to enter Canada along with your loved ones. This includes two popular business-oriented immigration programs in some of the most populous provinces, Ontario and B.C. Ontario has the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream, which has undergone several changes recently. Meanwhile, on the west coast in British Columbia, there is the B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration Stream. 

British Columbia’s Entrepreneur Immigration Stream

The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Stream encourages potential business owners to settle in British Columbia and start their own business. It works in tandem with the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) to provide the entrepreneurs with the opportunity to qualify for provincial nominations. For entrepreneurs, these provincial nominations allow them to pursue Canadian permanent residence. After gaining the nomination certificate from the province, they apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The provincial nomination is usually given once an applicant meets all conditions of the performance agreement (signed with the province). The period is usually 20 months after the start of the business.

To qualify for the BC Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, candidates must make an investment of CAD $200,000 or more into their new business (or an already existing business that they will improve). Their business also needs to create one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The program also requires that the entrepreneur should live close enough to their business which they need to oversee directly 

Ontario’s OINP Entrepreneur Stream

Similar to the British Columbia and PEI Entreprenuer stream, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Entrepreneur Stream is aimed at potential business operators who want to set up shop in Ontario. Like the B.C. program, successful entrepreneurs can potentially obtain a provincial nomination and eventually Canadian permanent residence. Since Ontario is home to some of Canada’s largest cities, including the bustling Toronto and the national capital Ottawa, it is a very promising place to set up a business.

The eligibility for the OINP Entrepreneur Stream has recently been revised to make it more lucrative. It requires applicants to have a minimum net worth, but it is dependant on the location of the business. Applicants are required to have a net worth of $800,000 if they are proposing a business in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). But if they are proposing a business outside of the GTA, their net worth must be at least $400,000. However, if the business owner is proposing digital communications or ICT businesses, the minimum net worth requirement is $400,000 for anywhere in the province.

If they meet the net worth requirements, entrepreneurs then have to invest $600,000 or more if their business is in the GTA. However, outside of the GTA they need to invest at least $200,000 into their business. Regardless of location, they must own a minimum of 33 per cent of the business.  

Qualifications for Ontario Stream

To qualify, the business owner needs to receive a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 or higher. Their business must create two or more full-time jobs for Canadians (either citizens or permanent residents) in the GTA. Or, if the business is outside of the GTA or an ICT/digital communications business, they must create one full-time job. They also must have 24 months of full-time business experience as a senior manager or owner in the past 60 months. Finally, they must live in Ontario after getting the work permit and 75% of their time should be devoted to taking care of and managing their business.

FOR MORE DETAILS : WWW.CIC.GC.CA {SEARCH FOR THE STREAM}

In Canada, each province and territory is in charge of their own education system.

Get more information about schools and the education system:

Schools that teach students up to the grade 12 level are known as primary and secondary schools. Primary usually means grades 1-8 and secondary usually means grades 9-12.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada can enrol international students.

There are special rules for minor children

Post-secondary schools are:

• colleges
• universities
• private career colleges and
• vocational and technical schools.

Each post-secondary school has its own set of rules on how to apply, including the level of English or French you need to be accepted.

Get more information on post-secondary schools:

           Profiles of Canadian universities, We provide a large study programs database and help to plan your university education

• Profiles of colleges and institutes
• Information on getting your past education assessed against Canadian standards
•  Find out about schools that teach trades and vocations

Many schools in Canada teach English or French as a second language. For more information about private language programs.

There are many ways to study in French across Canada.

• FRENCH LANGUAGE EDUCATION has information on schools and institutions that offer courses in French.
• We Have information on university programs in French, English, or both.

Provinces and territories approve (or “designate”) schools that can enrol international students. These schools are known as designated learning institutions (DLI).

If you need a study permit, your acceptance letter must be from a DLI. If it isn’t, we will refuse your application.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are DLIs. You can search of the post-secondary schools, such as colleges and universities, and language schools that have been designated.

Once you choose a school, college or university, you must apply to go there. Every school has different rules on how to apply.

Make sure you apply at least:

• six months in advance if you want to study at a primary or secondary school,
• a year in advance for a post-secondary program at a university, college, etc.

Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. They will give you the list of all the documents you need to send them. Your school will be able to tell you about:

• the cost to apply
• tuition fees
• health insurance
• rent and how much it costs to live in Canada
• language tests.

Fill out the application forms for the school or schools of your choice. Follow their instructions to submit them.

If the school admits you as a student, they will send you an acceptance letter. You need this letter to apply for a study permit.

The Government of Canada doesn’t pay for the medical costs of foreign students.

Health coverage for foreign students is different depending on where you live. Contact the school you are applying to for more information about health insurance.