From Work Permit to PR in Canada in 5 Easy Steps

If you are a skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada, you can apply for permanent residency (PR) in Canada through a variety of immigration programs. With over 100 different immigration pathways to choose from, Canada welcomes foreign nationals with open arms.

According to the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to welcome 431,645 newcomers in 2022, resulting in more job opportunities in Canada for foreigners.

In 2023, we can expect 447,055 newcomers while 2024 is predicted to see 451,000 foreign nationals fill the Canadian labour market.

Are you a skilled worker with in demand skills in Canada? You can add value to the Canadian labour market with your skillset. We will be looking at the various ways of getting a work permit in Canada that will lead to PR in Canada in 5 easy steps.

You can start applying for permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system which comprises three immigration programs. These are:

1. Canadian Experience Class
2. Federal Skilled Program
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program

Let us take a look at the requirements and how each of these programs work.

Canadian Experience Class:

This program is ideal for skilled workers who are interested in applying for permanent residency in Canada. You will be assessed on your Canadian work experience which should have been gained in the three years before applying.

Minimum Requirements For Canadian Experience Class

• Candidates will be tested on their proficiency in writing, reading, listening and speaking. The approved language test will either be in English or French.

 

• The skilled worker should have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. Note that the Canadian government deems skilled work as any work that you have done in your area of expertise which you have been paid for. Work done as a volunteer or an unpaid intern will not be recognized as skilled work. Self-employment and work experience gained as a full-time student will not be classified as skilled work.

 

• Education: This program has no specific educational requirement. The Express Entry system is driven by a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that enables eligible skilled workers to improve their rank in the Express Entry pool. This can be achieved if: You went to a school in Canada and obtained a qualification from a Canadian secondary institution; or a post-secondary institution; or if the skilled worker has a foreign credential from a designated institution that is the equivalent of a Canadian credential.

 

• Regional settlement: You must have the intention to live outside of Quebec. Should you decide to live in Quebec, make sure that you check the process for Quebec selected skilled workers.

 

Federal Skilled Program:

If you are a foreign national applying for PR in Canada, you should be a skilled worker with foreign work experience. Candidates are selected based on the number of points they can score. High-ranking candidates will get an Invitation To Apply (ITA) to the program for PR in Canada.

Minimum Requirements For Federal Skilled Program

• For your skilled work experience, you would have to show that you have worked in your occupation and carried out most of the duties relevant to your occupation. You should have gained experience in the primary occupation that you applied with on your immigration application.

 

• Paid work experience is classified as work experience and this experience should have been gained within the last 10 years.

 

• Student work experience will be recognized as valid work experience.

 

• There will be a language ability test in reading, writing, listening and speaking for either French or English.

 

• Education: If you went to a school in Canada, you should be able to present a qualification from a Canadian school in Canada. Alternatively, if you have a foreign credential, you should have obtained it from a designated institution that is the equivalent of a Canadian qualification.

 

• Prove that you can take care of yourself and your family if you settle in Canada.

 

• Regional settlement: You must have the intention to live outside of Quebec. Should you decide to live in Quebec, make sure that you check the process for Quebec-selected skilled workers.

 

Federal Skilled Trades Program:

If you are qualified in a skilled trade and you are a skilled worker who is getting a work permit in Canada, then this program is for you. Skilled workers applying for PR in Canada under this program must have a valid job offer or a credential that shows that they are qualified in the trade.

 

Minimum Requirements For Federal Skilled Trades Program

• Candidates applying for permanent residency in Canada under this program will undergo a language level test in either English or French.

 

• Applicants must have at least two years experience in a skilled trade within five years before applying to the program. While the Federal Skilled Program recognizes student work experience as valid, this program does not recognize volunteer work or unpaid internships as valid work experience.

 

• All skilled workers should meet the job requirements for the skilled trade which are set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

 

• Work experience in a skilled trade is only recognized once the skilled worker has acquired experience after being qualified to practice on their own.

 

• There is no education required under this program. Like the Canadian Experience Class, you should have gone to a school in Canada and obtained a qualification from a Canadian secondary institution or a post-secondary institution. Alternatively, the skilled worker can have a foreign credential from a designated institution that is the equivalent of a Canadian credential.

 

• Regional settlement: You must have intention to live outside of Quebec. Should you decide to live in Quebec, make sure that you check the process for Quebec-selected skilled workers.

 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

If you meet the requirements for one of the above programs, you can also apply to the PNP under the Express Entry system. The PNP enables workers with the right skills, education and work experience to apply for PR in Canada. This program is ideal for workers who can fill the labour market gap in a specific province or region. The standard and processes will differ from one province to another since each province has different labour force needs.

Like the other programs mentioned under the Express Entry system, applicants who manage to score the highest points under PNP will get an ITA to apply.
 

Ready to Start? Apply Here


We have given you a breakdown of the above programs under the Express Entry system that will enable you to get PR in Canada. Now, let us dive into the 5 easy steps below that will get you PR in Canada. 

Step 1: Check if You Are Eligible For the Program and Check Your CRS Score

You can check for eligibility in two ways:

1. Answer the questions that assess your eligibility: you will be asked about your nationality, age, language ability, family members, education, work experience and details about a potential job offer. The Canadian government will determine which program is suitable for you based on your answers.
2. Make sure that you have read the requirements for each program in depth and then decide which program is suitable for you.

Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile and Fill Out the Online Form

Before you start applying to any of the programs under the Express Entry system, you would need an ITA to do so. First, create an Express Entry profile in order to receive your ITA. To fill out the online form, you need to:

• Create an IRCC secure account and sign in
• Find the link under Express Entry to apply for permanent residence
• Make sure all forms are filled out correctly and that you submit the necessary documents
• Don’t omit required fields as this can interfere with the application process.

Note that the ITA is valid for 60 days and you would have to apply before the expiration of the 60 days. In the meantime, you would have to move onto the next step and start gathering the necessary documents.

Step 3: Make Sure You Have the Necessary Documents at Hand

Documents such as police certificates, medical exams, birth certificates, proof of funds, language test results and any other relevant documents for PR in Canada are important to have at hand. Make sure you have these documents in advance as some documents may take longer to obtain. These documents will need to be scanned and uploaded.

Documents in another language other than English and French may need a translator. You can find more information about a translator for documents here.

Step 4: Receive an ITA

Eligible candidates applying for permanent residency in Canada will receive an ITA to apply to the program. At this point, you should have created your Express Entry profile and filled in your personal information. Bear in mind that you should remain honest when providing your personal information as this would have to be validated later. Thereafter, follow the necessary instructions for submitting your application.

Step 5: Pay Your Fees for the Express Entry System and Submit Your Application

Once you’ve filled in the necessary information and provided the required documents for your application, you will receive a list of fees that need to be paid. Fees such as processing time, biometrics fee and post application fee plays a vital role in the success of your application.

Note that there has been an increase in permanent residence fees since April 30, 2022. You can find out more about this here.

What Happens After my Application for PR in Canada?

Upon completion of your application, you would need to double-check that you have complied with the instructions and filled out all relevant information accurately. Applicants must ensure that they meet the set requirements for the program they are applying to, and that they have provided all supporting documents required.

You can expect to be contacted through your online account. In this communication, you can expect to be informed about:

• your biometrics;
• potential updates on your application status;
• any additional documentation or information (where necessary);
• to set up an interview,
• and inform you about what will happen next.

It is important that candidates applying for permanent residency in Canada remain accurate and truthful in the information they provide. Failure in doing so will result in the refusal of your application, or you could face a bar from applying for PR in Canada for five years.

Explore a Variety of Immigration Pathways that Allows you to Get PR in Canada

With over 100 immigration pathways to choose from, the Canadian government has made PR in Canada accessible to most people. These immigration pathways cater for the various needs and circumstances of individuals.

Avoid all of this unnecessary hassle by getting in contact with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to guide and advise you through the application process.

Do You Qualify? Check Now

FAQs

1. Can I get permanent residency in Canada with a work permit?

Foreign nationals can get permanent residency in Canada through the Express Entry system which has different immigration programs with pathways that lead to permanent residency. Immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Program allows for PR in Canada. Candidates applying for PR in Canada must double-check the requirements for the program before applying.

2. Can I bring my family to Canada on a work permit?

Family members who wish to join you in Canada would also have to undergo the application process and make sure that they are eligible to apply to the program. In some cases, your common-law partner and spouse may apply for an open-work permit that will enable them to work for a Canadian employer.

3. What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?

The easiest way to immigrate to Canada would be through the Express Entry system as it is also the fastest way to immigrate to Canada. The Express Entry system has immigration pathways that cater for different circumstances and immigration needs. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows skilled workers to gain permanent residency in Canada.