The Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada This Year

July 14, 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 about Canadian immigration in 2023, including the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs, Family Sponsorship Canada Programs, Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Programs, and tips for a successful Canadian immigration application.

Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada in 2023

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 permanently allow skilled foreign workers and their families to reside in Canada for 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:

Find out how to pick the perfect Express Entry program.

To be eligible for Express Entry Canada, 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, they are considered 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 can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry Canada. 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 labor 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 the provinces need, such as health care professionals, engineers, and IT specialists. To be eligible for a PNP Canada, 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. Learn more about Canada's PNPs.

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 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.

Four family sponsorship Canada streams account for the different relationships contained under this program.

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 they live in Canada or another country. Same-sex relationships are also considered by the Immigration Refugee Canadian Citizenship (IRCC).

Parents' and Grandparents' Sponsorship

This stream allows applicants to 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. Applicants and sponsors must 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 Canada Program, you must 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.

Suppose you want to ensure you or your family members are eligible for a Family Sponsorship program. In that case, 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 Canada and PNP systems, a major means of gaining permanent residence in Canada is via one of the pilot programs in Canada. The pilot programs in Canada 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 to attract skilled workers and international graduates to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) provinces.

To be eligible for AIP Canada, 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 through AIP Canada, you can submit your application for Canadian permanent residence to the IRCC.

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

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. RNIP Canada 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 RNIP Canada, 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, Manitoba	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 RNIP Canada program has its eligibility criteria and application process, so you should check the website for your chosen community.

What is the RNIP processing time?

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

Learn more about the different IRCC processing times.

TR to PR Pathway

The TR to PR Pathway is a ground-breaking initiative by the Canadian government. This transient program was introduced to aid certain temporary residents and their families secure permanent residency status in Canada. The pathway targets roughly 90,000 skilled workers, their dear ones, and foreign graduates who have already made Canada their home. The eligibility criteria for this immigration pathway, TR to PR, are straightforward yet comprehensive. Applicants must reside in Canada with a valid status and should envisage living outside of Quebec.

The application process is designed to be user-friendly; however, it involves meticulous gathering and uploading of the required documentation onto the designated application portal. To ensure an error-free process, applicants must carefully collate and verify all necessary documents before submission. This adds another layer of assurance toward achieving their dream of getting a permanent residency in Canada through the TR to PR pathway. Remembering this opportunity is time-limited; applicants must act swiftly and diligently to make the most of this initiative.

The TR to PR immigration pathways, developed through distinctive public policies, was designed as an innovative response to Canada's economic recovery needs. These paths offer a promising opportunity for temporary workers and international graduates who possess the necessary skills and experience to make significant contributions toward the resurgence of the nation's economy. The public policies' primary goal is to transform foreign nationals and overseas graduates into permanent residents of Canada. By doing so, they will be instrumental in bolstering the country's economic recovery process.

However, it must be noted that the processing times for these applications have been left unspecified in the public policies. This is a crucial aspect that applicants must remember while preparing their requests for the TR to PR routes. It allows candidates to stay prepared for any time-related uncertainties that might arise during their application process. In addition, applicants must provide pertinent documentation, including proof of their entry and status in Canada. This proof is a testament to their legal stay within the country's borders and is a mandatory requirement for progressing with their TR to PR applications.

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.

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.
Utilize an experienced and certified professional like an RCIC to ensure you do everything correctly.

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.

FAQs

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

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

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

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.