Being a permanent resident grants you most of the same rights as Canadian citizens except the right to vote. There are over 60 programs that lead to permanent residence and the main ones are explained here.Being a permanent resident grants you most of the samerights as Canadian citizens except the right to vote. There are over 60 programs that lead to permanent residence and the main ones are explained here.

Federal Skilled Workers

This program is to become a Canadian Permanent Resident and live in any province, except in Quebec. Through this category, the Canadian Government wants to meet acute skill shortages by attracting professionals with working experience in an occupation in demand. Applicants with other occupations must have a valid job offer in Canada in order to qualify.

Prospective applicants are assessed under six major factors and several sub-factors providing up to 100 points, with a passing mark of 67. The main factors are education, language, experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability.

Quebec Skilled Workers

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec. This program has no restrictions but it does prioritize a number of professions. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, more points are given for a good knowledge of French and for people under 36 years of age.

If your profession is listed here, you may qualify under a fast-track Federal or Quebec skilled worker program.

Family Class

If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent child (including adopted child), your parents or grandparents to become a permanent resident in Canada. Family members can be sponsored from inside Canada, as well as from outside.

Provincial Nominees

This program is in accordance with the Agreements signed between the provincial governments and the Federal Government of Canada. These agreements grant the provinces the right to select their immigrants based on the economic needs of the local market. Each province has its own selection criteria, requirements and immigration programs.

Business Immigrants – Investors

For immigrants who may not qualify under the other categories but have had success in the financial world may immigrate to Canada if they have at least 1.6 million dollars legally obtained and are willing to deposit $800,000 in a fund guaranteed by the Canadian government for five years.

Business Immigrants – Entrepreneurs

For those who have business experience with their own business – owned alone or shared – and who have net assets of at least $300,000. There are different entrepreneur programs for all provinces and for the federal government but most require to have at least two years of experience managing a qualifying business and evaluate the potential of the business you intend to create or buy in Canada.

Business Immigrants – Self-employed persons

In the province of Quebec the requirement is to have assets of at least $100,000 and demonstrate the ability to become self-employed in the province. Under the federal self-employed persons program, candidates must have experience either as world class artists or sports professionals, or be successful farmers.

To see under which program you qualify please fill out the free assessment.