Canada has been one of the most popular destinations for Indian immigrants for many years, with close to 100,000 Indian nationals becoming permanent residents in 2021 alone.
Compared to many other countries, like the United States, Canada’s Immigration system gives many options for skilled workers to qualify for permanent residence, with over 80 different Immigration programs offered by the Canadian government.
In this guide, we will look at some of the main pathways to Immigration to help you find out how to immigrate to Canada from India.
How Can I Apply for Immigration to Canada From India?
Express Entry System (Foreign Skilled Workers/Foreign Skilled Trades/Canadian Experience Class)
The Express Entry System is one of the quickest and most competitive pathways. It is designed for those with at least one year of skilled work experience. The system is based on a points system that considers several different factors.
Through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) you can score up to a maximum of 1,200 points and the higher the score, the higher the chances of qualifying for an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Core Factors
The three core factors, age, education and language skills, combine for a maximum of 600 points.
Age: The maximum score in this category is 110 points (or 100 if you are applying with a spouse or common-law partner), awarded to applicants between the ages of 20 and 29. For each year after, you lose points; if you are over 45 (or under 17), you get zero points.
Education: This section considers the highest degree, diploma or certificate you have received in Canada or abroad. 150 points (or 140 if you apply with a spouse or common-law partner) is the maximum you can score for a doctorate or Ph.D. degree. If you earned your degree or diploma outside of Canada, you require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that verifies the validity and is equivalent to the Canadian one.
Language Skills: This factor tests your proficiency in one (or both) of Canada’s official languages: English and French. You must take one of the eligible language tests (IELTS or CELPIP-G for English and TCF or TEF Canada for French) to prove your proficiency in either or both. The maximum score you can achieve is 160 (or 150 if applying with a spouse or common-law partner), based on the four abilities of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Language proficiency is a significant factor that can help you integrate into Canada and find a job, which is why the CRS puts such a high emphasis.
Secondary Factors
Canadian Work Experience: To qualify for points in this category, you must have at least one full year of work experience in Canada. If you have five or more years of Canadian work experience, you are awarded a maximum of 80 points (or 70 if applying with a spouse or common-law partner).
Skill Transferability: Your education, foreign work experience, language skills, and Canadian work experience can bring you up to 100 points for skill transferability. For example, three years of foreign work experience and two or more years of Canadian work experience together can give you 50 points. Or three or more years of foreign work experience coupled with a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) 9 score or higher will also bring 50 points.
Spouse or Common-Law Application: If you file a joint application for Express Entry with your spouse, their education, language skills and Canadian work experience can add up to 25 points to your score.
Additional Factors
Several more factors can add points to your CRS score.
Canadian Post-Secondary Education: If you have completed a one- or two-year diploma or certificate program in Canada, you can earn 15 points. If you have a degree such as a Master’s, Bachelor’s or Ph.D. or a different three-year credential in Canada, you can receive up to 30 points.
Proficiency in the Second Official Language: If you can show your proficiency in both English and French, you can add up to 50 points to your score.
A Provincial Nomination: Receiving a certificate from a Provincial Nominee Program will earn you another 600 points.
A Valid Employment Offer From a Canadian Company: If you receive a job offer from a Canadian company, you may qualify for additional points. How many you can receive depends on the position’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) code. If your job falls into the NOC TEER 0 category, you receive 200 points. For a job falling into the NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3 categories, you will get 50 points.
Sibling Living in Canada: If you have a brother or sister over 18 living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 15 points will be added to your score.
Proof of Funds
Finally, if you have not received a job offer from a Canadian company, you must prove you have enough money to settle in Canada. The amount depends on the size of your family.
Proof of Funds is required for the following:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
Proof of Funds is not required for the:
- Canadian Experience Class, or
- if applying under FSWP or FSTP with (1) a valid job offer and (2) authorization to work in Canada
Even if they might not be coming to Canada with you, you must include your spouse and all dependent children in your proof of funds calculation for an Express Entry.
Please note that any funds submitted as proof must be readily available.
Also Read: Mistakes To Avoid While Applying For Canada Permanent Residency
Provincial Nominee Programs
The Provincial Nominee Programs are an excellent alternative to the Skilled Worker Program.
All thirteen provinces and territories offer their own Immigration programs focused on their specific employment requirements to match their economic and demographic needs.
Especially if you don’t have enough CRS points to qualify for an application under the skilled worker program, the PNP can be a great option, as it is up to each province to set the requirements.
Also Read: What Are the Advantages of the Provincial Nominee Program?
Quebec Immigration
Quebec enjoys the most significant provincial autonomy when it comes to Immigration programs. The Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration also operates on a point system to determine the eligibility for an Invitation to Apply.
The factors that Québec Immigration takes into consideration are:
- You should be under 40 years of age.
- You must have a Bachelor’s degree.
- You must have at least two years of work experience.
- You must score at least 50 points.
- You have to prove language proficiency in either English or French.
- You must not have any criminal record.
- You should be in good health.
- Education in Quebec is preferred but not mandatory.
The process is to submit an expression of interest, followed by an invitation to submit a permanent selection application. Once your application has been accepted, you will receive a Certificat de selection (CSQ – Quebec Selection Certificate). Please see here for more details.
You Might Also Like: How to Improve Your CRS Score for Express Entry in 2023
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
Similar to Quebec, the Atlantic provinces also have their specific Immigration pathway. As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador have initiated the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) to fill labour shortages without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The three basic requirements to be able to apply under the AIP are:
- The intent to settle in Atlantic Canada,
- A recently completed graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, or
- Be a skilled worker.
Please note that if you are eligible to apply under the AIP, you must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.
Family Sponsorship
Canada offers several programs to encourage family Immigration to Canada, allowing permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada.
Relatives eligible for this program are:
- Your spouse/common-law or live-in partner
- Your children
- Your parents
To be eligible to apply for the Family Sponsorship program, you have to be:
- A Canadian citizen OR
- A permanent resident of Canada OR
- A person registered in Canada as Indian as per the Canadian Indian Act.
After obtaining Permanent Resident status, your family members and relatives will also be able to
- Work in Canada
- Study and live in Canada
Entrepreneur Programs
Canada also offers programs to entrepreneurs that want to expand their established business to Canada. Suppose you are a high-net-worth investor with significant managerial experience, sufficient funds and intentions to invest in the Canadian economy. In that case, you may be able to establish a new business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Study in Canada
If you are a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree student, you can apply for a study visa. This visa is an excellent opportunity for students seeking higher studies in Canada.
The eligibility requirements for a study visa are:
- Enrolment in a designated learning institution (DLI)
- Proficiency in the English language
- Sufficient financial assets to cover tuition fees
- Sufficient funds to support yourself and potential dependent family members in Canada
- Meet specific health and character requirements.
Also Read: What to Do if Your Canadian Student Visa Gets Rejected in 2024
Key Requirements for Immigration to Canada
Several pathways to Immigration to Canada from India are open, from skilled worker programs and provincial programs to study visas and family sponsorships. Malkus Immigration Consulting can help you from establishing your eligibility for each pathway, including checking for potential express entry, to the documentation and legal process.
We bring knowledge, experience and passion to our work to provide the best Immigration consulting services. With many years of experience interacting with government officials, we have worked with immigrants in the settlement process as social worker and have helped various organizations secure millions of dollars in government funding. This experience is precious when submitting compelling applications to Canadian Immigration authorities on behalf of our clients.
Contact us today at (587) 415-6932 or through our convenient online form to learn how we can help you become a permanent resident of Canada!
Also Read: 4 Easiest Provinces to Get Canadian PR in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you need to immigrate to Canada from India?
If you apply via the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must provide proof of sufficient funds. The amount depends on the size of your family. Please note that even if they might not be coming to Canada with you, you must include your spouse and all dependent children in your proof of funds calculation for an Express Entry.
Please also note that any funds submitted as proof must be readily available.
How can I immigrate to Canada from India without a job offer?
If you don’t have a Canadian company job offer, you can still qualify via the Express Entry program. It is a point-based system for skilled workers where you have to meet a minimum points threshold to be eligible to apply. Factors under consideration are language proficiency, work experience and education.
What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?
The most straightforward Immigration pathway is the Express Entry Canada system. You can apply for permanent residence as long as you meet the minimum score (based on factors such as education, language proficiency, and work experience).
Can we get PR from Canada directly from India?
Yes, you can apply for permanent residence directly in India. Canada offers several Immigration pathways and programs to apply for PR from India. Please see above for more information on the most common programs.
Is it easy for Indians to move to Canada?
Indian nationals are well-positioned to be eligible for Canadian Immigration pathways. They have high English proficiency, work experience, and high levels of education.
What is the best age to migrate to Canada?
As the Skilled Worker program is point-based and, among other factors such as work experience and education, also awards points based on age, the best age to immigrate to Canada is between 20 and 29.