How does one obtain a Permanent Resident (PR) visa?

To get a PR visa, you will have to go through an application process. The

applications go through elaborate scrutiny. The eligibility for a Canada PR visa is
through a points-based system. The applicants are assessed on various points such
as age, language, education and work experience.
Canada offers different immigration programs through which you can apply for
permanent residency status. Among these the most popular are:
- Express Entry Program
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Business Immigration Program
- Family class Immigration
- Experience class Immigration
How do I use the Express Entry system for a PR visa?
A candidate applying for the PR visa through the Express Entry program will have to
go through a points-based selection system. The Express Entry System basically
consists of three sub-categories:
- Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you are a skilled worker, you can apply for a PR visa under the Federal Skilled
Workers Program. This was initiated by the Canadian government in 2015 to encourage
skilled workers to come and settle in the country. To qualify under this program,
you should be able to get 67 points out of 100 in the eligibility factors given
below:
- Age: Those between 18-35 years get maximum points. Those above 35 get lesser
points while the maximum age to qualify is 45 years.
- Education: Under this category, your educational qualification must be equal to
higher secondary education under Canadian standards.
- Work experience: For minimum points, you should have at least one-year of full-
time work experience. More years of work experience means more points. Your
occupation must be listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National
Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Language ability: You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS test and the score
must be less than 2 years old. You get extra points if you are proficient in
French.
- Adaptability: If your spouse or common-law partner is willing to migrate with you
to Canada, you are entitled to 10 extra points for adaptability.
Arranged employment: You can gain a maximum of 10 points if you have a valid offer
from a Canadian employer.
What happens if I qualify for a PR visa through the Express Entry program?
If you are lucky enough to qualify for a PR visa through the Express Entry program,
you can be selected from a pool of eligible candidates based on your Express Entry
profile. You will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR status. If you get
your ITA you can start the documentation process for your PR visa.
The ITA is similar to a response sent by the IRCC to Express Entry applicants. It
is sent to those who have the highest CRS score in a particular Express Entry draw
which is usually held ona monthly basis.
Once you receive your ITA, you are given 60 days (dati 90) to submit documents that
support the information you had provided to create your Express Entry profile.
The ITA will let you know which program you have been selected to apply for your PR
visa- CEC or any other Express Entry program. If you check the Express Entry
portal, you will find a list of documents that is specific to the program you have
applied for. You will alsohave to submit these documents with your application.
Here are some of the common documents you will be required to submit:
- Documents supporting your English language test results
- Civil status documents such as your birth certificate
- Documents in proof of your education achievements
- Documents in proof of your work experience
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of funds
- Photos
You will also have to provide a medical certificate from a doctor approved by the
IRCC.
The next step is to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photos). In case you
have to give your biometrics, you can go to the nearest biometric collection
center.
After you have completed your medical tests, biometrics and the required documents,
you can submit your application.
Processing times can differ, but approximately it will take six months for your PR
visa to be processed.
You may have to attend a short interview if the IRCC feels the need, before giving
the final decision on your application.
If your application is accepted, you will receive the Confirmation of Permanent
Residence (COPR) by mail from IRCC. Approval means that as an applicant youand the
family members accompanying you will get visas that will allow them to travel to a
Canadian Port of Entry (POE) to obtain their official permanent resident documents.
Provincial Nominee Program
Canada offers nearly 80 different Provincial Nominee Program or PNP which have
their individual eligibility requirements. The PNP program allows provinces to meet
their individual immigration needs by helping them fill jobs that are in demand and
meet labor shortages in their province.
Most PNPs require applicants to have some connection to the province. They should
have either worked earlier in that province or studied there. Or they should have a
job offer from an employer in the province for a job visa.
However, there are some PNPs which require no previous connection to the province
you are applying for, you can apply directly to the PNP program of that province.
Some of the popular PNP programs are:
- Saskatchewan PNP
- Manitoba PNP
- Alberta PNP
- Ontario PNP
- New Brunswick PNP
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- British Columbia
Eligibility criteria for the PNP:
An applicant must score a minimum number of points to be able to apply for a PR
visa. Here are the various criteria under which you can score points to meet the
eligibility requirement:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language ability
- Adaptability
- Arranged employment
Application for a PR visa through the PNP program requires the applicants to have
some connection to the province. You can be either working in that province or have
studied there. You can be eligible if you have a job offer from an employer in the
province.
The criteria for evaluating the PR application can differ for each province.
The PNP is an option you can choose if your CRS points score is not high enough and
you still get your provincial nomination. When making your PNP application you can
choose a province from where it will be easy to get a nomination based on your
profile.
There are two ways to apply for the PNP-Non-Express Entry method and Express Entry
method.
In the non-Express Entry method, you will apply directly to the province or
territory where you want to work. You will need to send a Notice of Interest (NOI)
to the province, and will receive an ITA for permanent residence if chosen. This
process could take 15 to 19 months.
In the Express Entry method, you will have to create an online Express Entry
Profile, during which you will be asked to indicate the province or territory in
which you are interested. Then you will either have to apply directly for
nomination depending on the province or territory, or you will be selected and
notified by the province.