Canada wants more immigrants-make your move now

Canada is the world's second-largest country. It has become a popular destination for people looking to relocate to another country through the years. Because of its natural scenic beauty, wide unpopulated areas, vibrant towns, multicultural atmosphere, and diverse job options for a young and competent workforce, the country is a popular choice.

 Furthermore, Canada has a strong history of embracing immigrants and assisting them in assimilating into society.

Canada intends to keep its policy of welcoming newcomers while also appreciating their contribution to the country's economic development.

The Canadian government is encouraging immigrants to come and settle in the country because it requires skilled individuals to fill skill shortages in its businesses.

Immigration routes to migrate to Canada

There are several immigration pathways under which you can apply to migrate to Canada which include:

• Express Entry Program
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Family Sponsorship Program
• Business Immigration Program

1. Express Entry program

The Express Entry program follows a points-based system. An applicant must score a minimum number of points to gain the eligibility to apply for a PR visa. The applicants score points on various criteria such as age, language, education and work experience.

You need to have a minimum of 67 points out of 100 to enter the Express Entry pool.

You will be given points under the following criteria:

Age	Maximum 12 points	Those between 18-35 years get maximum points. Those above 35 get lesser points while the maximum age to qualify is 45 years.
Education	Maximum 25 points	Applicant’s educational qualification must be equal to higher secondary education under Canadian standards.
Language Proficiency	Maximum 28 points (English and/or French)	Applicants must have at least 6 bands in IELTS. They get extra points if proficient in French.
Work Experience	Work Experience Maximum 15 points	For minimum points applicants should have at least one-year of full-time work experience. More years of work experience means more points.
Adaptability	Maximum of 10 points	If the spouse or common law partner of the applicant is willing to migrate to Canada, he is entitled to 10 extra points for adaptability.
Arranged employment	Additional 10 points (not mandatory).	A maximum of 10 points if applicants have a valid offer from a Canadian employer.

Using the Canada points calculator, you can know whether you are eligible to apply.

Express Entry manages Canada PR applications for 3 programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Here are the steps you should follow to apply under the Express Entry program.

Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile

To create your Express Entry profile, you should include your details such as age, work experience, education, language skills, and so on.

Step 2: Complete your ECA

You should complete an Educational Credentials Assessment, or ECA, if you received your education outside of Canada. This is to demonstrate that your educational credentials are comparable to those granted by the Canadian educational system.

Step 3: Complete your language ability tests

Next, you should take the English language competence examinations that are required. A score of 6 bands on the IELTS is required. At the time of application, your test score should be less than two years old.

If you know French, you can take a French language test, such as the Test de assessment de Francians, to demonstrate your ability in the language (TEF).

Step 5: Get your CRS score

The profiles in the Express Entry pool are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The assessment fields for the score include:

• Skills
• Education
• Language ability
• Work experience
• Other factors

Your profile gets selected for the Express Entry draw if you have the required CRS score for that draw.

 Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your profile is chosen from the Express Entry pool, and you meet the Express Entry draw's minimum score requirements, you will receive an ITA from the Canadian government, which will allow you to begin the paperwork for your Canada PR visa.

The Express Entry program has streamlined the immigration process and made it more transparent.

• There is no application deadline and the program is open all year.
• Successful applicants are allowed to bring their family members to the country.