In the last few years, becoming Canada permanent resident is one option that many are considering. While it looks like a tough process, it is achievable. There are several routes but we will focus this write-up on the Federal Skilled Worker route under the Express Entry (EE) program. This post is assuming you are currently living outside Canada.
The starting point is to simulate your CRS score. This will help you to decide if you should proceed with the journey or seek alternate route to immigrate to Canada. You can do this by visiting the CRS tool webpage. Once you have an idea of what your CRS score would look like, you can compare it with the score for latest Express Entry invitation draw. The draw takes place almost every two weeks.
If you decide to go on this immigration to Canada journey, you will need to exhibit 3 traits. These include:
- Preparation
- Patience
- Perseverance
The preparation phase is very key to the success of any endeavor. This same applies to Canada Permanent resident and immigration application process. You will find below the steps you need to take to become a Canada permanent resident via the federal direct entry route.
Steps To Becoming Canada Permanent Resident
Step 1: Read the background on how to become a permanent resident in Canada at www.cic.gc.ca Click English/French which ever is applicable to you. Next click on “immigrate”.
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Note 1. if you are married, we will recommend that both spouse should write the language test.
Writing IELTS
Step 2: Visit British Council’s website to register for the IELTS exam. You will need to write the IELTS General exam. Also, you can write the French Language test and this will give you more points.
- Note 1.The minimum score set by IRCC is Listening 6, Writing 6, Reading 6 & Speaking 6. I will suggest you go for higher score.
- Note 2. You can boost your point if you write the French language exam but it is not compulsory.
- Note 3. You must prepare well for the language assessment. I can’t say this enough. Push yourself hard and make the sacrifice. If you need help, check out our tips on how to prepare for IELTS exam.
Credential Evaluation
Step 3- As part of the requirements, you need to have your education credential assessed (ECAs) by authorized Canadian body. These organizations for ECAs are CES, ICAS, WES, IQAS, ICES (for all professions except Medicine and Pharmacy), MCC for Doctors and PEBC for Pharmacists.
- Note 1. For Education Credential Assessment (ECA), it is recommended that the Principal Applicant (PA) and the Spouse evaluate their educational credentials.
- Note 2. You must evaluate all your academic credentials. However, if you are having any issue to get your education institution to send your documents to the evaluating body, focus on your highest level of education.
- Note 3. ECA reports take minimum of 6 to 8 weeks to be delivered to you and could also take several months. So, you need to be on top of this.
Steps 1-3 are very critical to your Canada immigration journey. Without achieving them, you cannot move forward.
You don’t need to upload documents to submit a profile, but you may need information from some or all of these documents:
- passport or travel document
- language test results
- education credential assessment report if
- you are applying through the Federal Skilled Workers program, or
- you want to get points for the education you got outside Canada
- provincial nomination (if you have one)
- written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one)
Get Into The Canada PR Pool
Step 5. Now is the time to go into the express entry pool via MYCIC. There are 3 options:
- Direct route based on high CRS Points (this allows you to live in any province in Canada)
- Nomination by Province (PNP): For some of the provinces (like Manitoba and Saskatchwen), you will need to create a profile on their website and submit your application. If selected and nominated, this will automatically give you 600 points.
- Job offer
Invitation To Apply?
Step 6. If you are selected in the pool, you will receive “Invitation To Apply” (ITA) from IRCC. You must either accept or decline the ITA within 90 days.
Step 7. If you accept the ITA, you will need to go for your Medicals at any of the designated medical centres in Nigeria. You then need to be ready to upload all your supporting documents online via MYCIC portal.
Step 9. With your COPR, it is time to prepare for your landing procedure in Canada. This is the steps that leads to you becoming Permanent Resident (PR).
Note:
Please note that all the Canada Permanent resident applications are different. Mr A’s application processing time might be 2 months while that of Mrs. B might take several months
If your Express Entry point is low, you can still nominated by any of the provinces as long as you meet their criteria. Do visit the links below to know more about what each province has to offer:
- Alberta Alberta Nominee Program
- Manitoba http://www.immigratemanitoba.com
- British Columbia http://www.welcomebc.ca/pnp
- The Newfoundland and Labrador http://www.nlpnp.ca
- Northwest Territories http://www.immigratenwt.ca/en/nominee-program
- Nova Scotia http://novascotiaimmigration.com
- Ontario http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/index.htm
- Prince Edward Island http://www.gov.pe.ca/immigration/index.php3?number=1014385&lang=E
- Saskatchewan http://www.economy.gov.sk.ca/immigration
- Yukon http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/YNP.html
Additional Resources
Finally, as part of your immigration journey, you will find the resources below useful. So, bookmark this page and refer to it as often as possible.
- Licensing bodies for regulated professions in Canada
- How to assess your foreign credentials as a social worker
- Everything you need to know about Nova Scotia Nomination Program
- How to get a driver’s license in Canada
- How to register for healthcare service in Canada
- Things to do before you arrive in Canada as a new immigrant – part 1
- Things to do before you arrive in Canada as a new immigrant – part 2
- How to prepare financially before you arrive in Canada
- Job search strategies for new immigrants
- How to migrate to Canada via Startup Visa Route
- How To Migrate to Canada Through the Atlantic Immigration Nomination Program
- Everything you need to know about the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program
- How to migrate to Canada as an ICT worker
- Get help before you arrive in Canada
- Settlement organizations for new immigrants
- Job search resources for new immigrants
- Things to do in your first week in Canada as a new immigrant
All the best in your application process.
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