The Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada This Year

JAN 17, 2023

WESLEY ALLAN

Are you planning to move to Canada in 2023? With the right strategies and tactics, you can make your Canadian immigration dreams a reality. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about Canadian immigration in 2023, including the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs, Family Sponsorship Programs, Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Programs, and tips for a successful Canadian immigration application.

The Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is the primary path toward Canadian permanent residence in 2023. The system was started in 2015 to allow skilled foreign workers and their families to get permanent residence in Canada in six months. This immigration program is facilitated by an online platform used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence through three programs. The programs are as follows:

If you are unsure which program is right for you, here is a full breakdown of how to pick the perfect Express Entry program.

To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet specific criteria, such as:

having a valid job offer,
a valid language test result,
at least one year of work experience in a skilled trade or profession.

Applicants must create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. When applicants create this profile, they must enter details such as:

Age
Marital Status
Level of Education
Work Experience
Links to Canada

Once the applicant has filled in their details, the details are taken into account and ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to produce a CRS score. All scores are entered into the Express Entry pool. The IRCC conducts Express Entry draws every two weeks, presenting the highest-ranking applicants from the pool with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

Suppose you are invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. You must submit a complete application package with all the required documents, including your language test results, proof of funds, and a job offer letter.

The application processing time varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on the chosen program and the number of applications the IRCC is processing.

In June 2022, the IRCC stated that there would be a slight change in the selection criteria for ITA’s. While an applicant’s CRS score will remain a major focus in selection criteria, a huge amount of attention will also go to the type of occupation the applicant works in. If the applicant works in an occupation that is one of Canada’s in-demand occupations, they will rank higher than those who do not.

Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are immigration programs run by Canada's provinces and territories to give permanent residency to skilled foreign workers who can fill the gaps in the province’s labour market. Each PNP has its unique criteria and selection process, but they all have one thing in common: they all lead to permanent residence in Canada.

The PNPs target specific skills and occupations that the provinces need, such as health care professionals, engineers, and IT specialists. To be eligible for a PNP, you must meet the criteria of the chosen program and have a valid job offer from an employer in the province or territory you are applying to.

Once a province or territory has nominated you, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to the IRCC either on paper or as part of your Express Entry application by sending off an Expression of Interest (EOI) to your chosen province. The processing time for PNP applications varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on the program and the number of applications the IRCC is processing.

If you think a PNP could be the next step in your move to Canada, you could greatly benefit from certified and experienced immigration professionals. At MDC, we work with Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have years of experience helping hundreds of hopeful applicants get their visas and permanent residencies in Canada.

An RCIC can help you find the PNP that's best for you, make your EOI, fill out your application forms, help you acquire and verify your necessary documents and provide you with the help and support you need through every step of your application process.

Family Sponsorship Programs

The Family Sponsorship Programs are immigration programs that allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members who want to become permanent residents of Canada. To be eligible to sponsor a family member, you must be over the age of 18 and be able to provide financial support for your family member and any dependents for the duration of the sponsorship period.

The family members you can sponsor include your:

spouse,
common-law partner,
conjugal partner,
dependent child,
adopted child,
and parent or grandparent.

To account for the different relationships contained under this program, there are four family sponsorship streams.

Spousal and Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

This stream will allow applicants, who are Canadian permanent residents or citizens, to sponsor their common-law or conjugal partner to move to Canada as permanent residents. Applicants may sponsor their non-Canadian partner whether the partner is living in Canada or another country.

Good to Know

Same-sex relationships are also considered by the Immigration Refugee Canadian Citizenship (IRCC).

Parents' and Grandparents' Sponsorship

Through this stream, applicants can sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Please be aware that applicants will be held responsible for financially supporting those they sponsor as they will not receive any assistance from the government.

Good to Know

Applicants and sponsors will need to submit their documents as soon as possible because the IRCC only invites 10,000 people for this program.

Dependent Child Sponsorship

Applicants can sponsor both their adopted and natural-born children. A person qualifies as a child if they are under the age of 22 and they do not have a common-law partner or spouse.

Orphaned Family Members and Other Siblings

Applicants can sponsor their orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if they are of blood relation to the applicant and are under the age of 18 years.

To apply for a Family Sponsorship Program, you'll need to submit an application package with all the required documents, such as proof of your relationship to the family member you are sponsoring, proof of your financial status, and a police clearance certificate.

The processing time for Family Sponsorship Program applications varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on the number of applications the IRCC is processing.

If you want to ensure that you or your family members are eligible for a Family Sponsorship program, our detailed eligibility assessments include family and spouses at no cost, so finding a pathway for yourself and your family has never been easier.

Pilot Programs

Outside of the Express Entry and PNP systems, a major means of gaining permanent residence in Canada is via one of Canada’s pilot programs. These programs were primarily designed to give foreign workers in certain professions the opportunity to gain permanent residence quickly

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is a job-focused immigration program designed to attract skilled workers and international graduates to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) provinces.

To be eligible for the AIP, you must have:

a valid job offer from an employer in one of the provinces,
a valid language test result, and
at least one year of work experience in the occupation you are applying for.

Once a province has nominated you, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to the IRCC.

Learn more about the different AIP streams, their eligibility requirements and how you can apply here.

Rural and Northern Immigration Program

The Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP) is designed to provide permanent residence to skilled workers and international graduates working in rural and northern communities in Canada. This is specifically designed to build up Canada’s smaller communities, as most immigrants prefer to settle in large cities like Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto.

This pilot is primarily focused on the following industries:

Steel Manufacturing
Forestry
Information Technology
Aviation and Aerospace
Medicine
Education
Policing
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Construction
Food processing
Finance
Dental
Nursing
Meat processing

To be eligible for the RNIP, you must have a valid job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities, a valid language test result, and at least one year of work experience in the occupation you are applying for.

Once a participating community has nominated you, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to the IRCC. The participating communities are currently as follows:

The Current Participating Communities
Community	Website
North Bay, Ontario	northbayrnip.ca
Sudbury, Ontario	investsudbury.ca
Timmins, Ontario	timminsedc.com
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario	welcometossm.com
Thunder Bay, Ontario	gotothunderbay.ca
Brandon, Manitoba	economicdevelopmentbrandon.com
Altona/Rhineland, Manitobaseedrgpa.com	seedrgpa.com
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan	moosejawrnip.ca
Claresholm, Alberta	claresholm.ca
Vernon, British Columbia	rnip-vernon-northok.ca
West Kootenay(trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), British Columbia	wk-rnip.ca

Each program has its eligibility criteria and application process so you should check the website for your chosen community.

The processing time for RNIP applications varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on the number of applications the IRCC is processing.

If you feel one of these programs is the perfect way for you to start your journey to Canada, it would be best to utilize the services of a certified immigration professional to ensure you choose the right program and that the application process goes smoothly.

One of our RCICs can help evaluate you to find you the perfect program and provide you with the support you need to ensure your application is successful.

Tips for a Successful Canadian Immigration Application

If you want to ensure a successful Canadian immigration application in 2023, there are a few tips you should ensure you do throughout your application :

Check the eligibility criteria for the immigration chosen program.
Submit a complete application package with all the required documents.
Ensure you have the necessary language ability and work experience for the chosen program.
Have a valid job offer from an employer in your chosen province or territory.
Have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents for your stay in Canada.
Submit your application before the deadline.
Utilise an experienced and certified professional like an RCIC to ensure you do everything correctly.

FAQs

What is the Processing Time for Canadian Immigration Applications in 2023?

The processing time for Canadian immigration applications varies from 6 to 12 months, depending on the program and the number of applications the IRCC is processing.

Learn more about the different IRCC processing times here.

What If I Am Not Eligible For Any Of These Programs?

Canada has dozens of visa and permanent residency programs to choose from. If you are not eligible for any of the aforementioned programs, you may be eligible for a different visa or PR program.

Consult an RCIC and they can help you find the perfect program for you.

Why Should I Move to Canada in 2023?

Canada is a fantastic place to live and work. It is great for raising a family, as it offers excellent education, healthcare, and job opportunities.

It's also one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a welcoming attitude toward newcomers. Canada also offers excellent economic opportunities, with a growing economy and a high standard of living.

Build a Beautiful Future in Canada

Moving to Canada in 2023 is an exciting opportunity, and with the right strategies and tactics, you can make your dreams a reality.

Now that you have a better understanding of the Canadian immigration process and the various programs available, you can start preparing your application and prepare for a successful move to Canada in 2023.

If you need help with your Canadian immigration application, you can always contact an RCIC for assistance. Our RCICs can fill out your application forms, create your Express Entry Profile, keep track of your progress, help you source and validate your documentation, represent you with certain immigration authorities and provide you with the help and support you need throughout your application process.