Immigrating to Canada as a Permanent Resident means that you will have the same rights and duties as a Canadian citizen, except for two points: you will not be able to vote and to join the army. Apart from that, you will be able to look for a job anywhere in Canada, even in the public sector if you are interested.
With more than 80 immigration programs available, almost everyone’s journey to Canada will be unique.
For example, there is the Federal Skilled Worker program (Express Entry), the Provincial Nominee Programs (more than 70 programs), the Start-up Visa program, the Federal Self-Employed program. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also offers multiple avenues to sponsor your family member to become Permanent Residents, such as your spouse/partner, children, parents and grandparents.
With one year of work experience, you could be eligible to one of the federal programs under the Express Entry system, or to one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). You will have to check that your job falls under the eligible NOC (National Occupational Classification) Skill Type/Level.
If you graduated from a public institution in one of the four Atlantic provinces, you could be eligible to the Atlantic Immigration Program. If you graduated from anywhere else in Canada, you can still be eligible to your province of studies’ Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). If in addition to your studies, you have a skilled professional experience of at least one year, you can apply to Express Entry.
If you have a Canadian job offer that satisfies to the eligibility criteria, you might be eligible to Express Entry. If you have a job offer from a Designated Employer in one of the four Atlantic Provinces, you can be eligible to the Atlantic Immigration Program.
If one of your family members is currently residing in Canada, and is either (i) a Permanent Resident, or (ii) a Canadian citizen, you could be eligible to being sponsored by them under the Family Sponsorship program. If this relative is not eligible to sponsor you, they still can be of help in the Provincial Nominee Programs, as some streams give additional points for family members in the province.
If this is the case, there are lots of opportunities for you. You will have to go through each Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), as each province has its own criteria for minimum investment amount and minimum net worth.
If you have an innovative idea that you want to implement in Canada, you can go for the Start-up Visa program. However, you will need the promise of financing from a Designated Organization (Venture Capital Fund, Angel Investor Group, or a Business Incubator).
If you have at least two years of relevant self-employment experience, you could be eligible to the Self-Employed Persons Program.
