How to become a Canadian Citizen

How to Become a Canadian Citizen and Get Permanent Residency

There are a lot of misconceptions about how to become a Canadian citizen and get permanent residency in Canada.

Canada encourages applications for PR from people with skills, education and professional work experience that will contribute to the economy of Canada.

What is Canadian Permanent Residency?

Canadian Permanent residence is a status that allows someone to live in Canada indefinitely. It does not include citizenship, but it functions as an alternative for people who cannot become citizens or do not want to become citizens of Canada.

Requirements for Canadian Permanent Residency

A point-based system is used to assess eligibility for permanent residency. It takes into account various factors such as age, language skills, education and work experience.

Also, you must be able to provide proof that you have enough money for your living expenses and medical needs. Or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

It is important to note that you need to have been living in Canada permanently and legally since your arrival.

You should also have a clean criminal record and not be convicted of an offence related to the PR card.

There is a two-year waiting period before the person can apply as long as they meet all of these requirements.

Click here to register for immigration to Canada.

How to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency

Create an account with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada by following the instructions on their site or at any of their offices across the country.

Once you are registered as a candidate for Permanent Residence (PR) status, create profiles within the Express Entry Pool System so that CIC can match those who have skills needed in today’s economy with employers looking for qualified workers.

Express Entry is a way to get permanent residency in Canada. Your score can be calculated through the CRS system by adding up all of your points from different categories such as age, education level, proficiency with an official language (either French or English), and work experience in Canada.

You can calculate your CRS score here at the official Canadian Government CRS site: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

The next step is to submit an application for PR status, which can be done online or on paper by following the instructions in one of these formats: C82E; Application for Canadian Citizenship Made Outside Canada (CIT 0001); and Form IMM 000A are all accepted submission methods.

How to boost your CRS Score

There are many ways to increase your CRS score. Some include gaining more experience in the field you work in, applying through available Provincial Nominee Programs.

You could also complete another educational program and/or apply for a job within Canada or get an offer from any Canadian employer.

If you have a Canadian partner, then they may be able to contribute to your citizenship status and help raise your CRS score.

Improving your IELTS score to pass Band 7 will also help.

If you need even more points, take your French-language test too (see below for more info).

Click here to find out how you can achieve a band 7 and above in IELTS.

Changes as of October 2020 (points for French language skills)

If you can speak French fluently and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on the new NCLC test (more 7), then this will count for more points.

You will get 25 additional points if your English language skill is below CLB 4.

You get 50 additional points if you scored CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills

This is in addition to the points you get for official languages.

You can take any of these approved language tests:

• CELPIP- General Test (General-LS test is not accepted for Express Entry).
• IELTS General Test (most popular). Academic IELTS is not accepted for Express Entry.
• TEF Canada Test d’évaluation de français.
• TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français,

After getting your scores you need to check their equivalence to the Canadian system.

For English convert them according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

For French convert them to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).

Click here to find out everything you need to know about IELTS.

Unfortunately, your test results can expire 🙁

Your Express Entry profile is only valid for 12 months.

If your test results expire soon, you should update them with the appropriate new ones so that they will be up-to-date and ready to go when the time comes.

Documents Required when applying for Canadian Permanent Residency

• IELTS scorecard with a valid score.
• Valid passport.
• Proof of ID (which shows your age).
• Official certificates to support your educational qualifications.
• Certificates to prove medical health and fitness.
• Police clearance certificate.

How to move to Canada from India

Express entry is the fastest way to enter Canada, and it can be used for three economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program.
• Canadian Experience Class program.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program.

How does the Canadian immigration system work?

This system manages PR applications by prioritizing candidates who score higher based on a point-based grid with criteria such as age; language skills (English or French); education level; work experience in an occupation that matches a skill shortage need in Canada.”

Applicants scoring equal to or above the cut-off are awarded an invitation to application (ITA).

Although it is not mandatory, having a job offer from a Canadian employer increases points.

Provinces can also draw from the Express Entry pool. Having a provincial nomination also increases points (see below).

Provincial Nominee Programs:

These programs are designed for those who want to live in a specific province or territory.

Candidates with skills, education and work experience that the province has a shortage of will be welcomed.

There is also an online process where you can apply through Express Entry which itself has its own stream of applicants like business people, skilled workers and students among others.

You can apply in two ways. You can either send your application via a paper-based process or via the online Express Entry process.

The following regions provide PNP:

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

Although they seem to be in the “in the sticks” and quite remote, I’d definitely consider these regions.

Mainly because I believe they would be less competitive than other spots such as Toronto, Calgary etc.

Starting a business in Canada?

The Startup Visa Program is for immigrants who are starting a business in Canada.

Requirements include having started your qualifying Canadian-based venture within three years or less from when you first immigrated here; being proficient in either English or French so that communication isn’t an issue during critical phases such as pitching investors, and demonstrating that there has been some support by way of investment funds.

Technology or social entrepreneurship are preferred.

Family in Canada?

Family sponsorship is a great way for your loved ones to come and live in Canada with you.

You need to have a family member in Canada who already has Canadian PR and is over 18, and has lived in Canada for over 12 months before applying.

This member can sponsor a spouse, parents, grandparents, dependent children under 19 living permanently outside of Canada and even adopted children.

Other relatives are also allowed to be sponsored, but the criteria are best checked by an immigration visa specialist.

Study Permit / Visa to Canada

Canada welcomes foreign nationals from all over the world to study. However, in order for this privilege to be granted, you must have a valid document called a “study permit” which is not the equivalent of PR.

To enter you will need electronic travel authorization (eTA), or a visitor visa.

Your study visa allows you to partake in educational activities without any hindrance whatsoever, and you can stay for 90 days after finishing the program.

Study Permit via Student Direct Stream (faster)

This is available for students living in the following countries:

• China
• India 
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Senegal
• Vietnam

SDS applications are often processed in around 20 days!