Thousands of people from all over the world apply each year to live and work in Canada. Apart from being one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful countries, Canada is also a preferred destination for education and career opportunities. Traditionally, the country has welcomed immigrants for:
- Social reasons like family reunification
- Humanitarian reasons like refugee status
- Economic reasons where immigrants can contribute to the country’s growth and prosperity
Today, immigrants choose to migrate to Canada for a host of other reasons. They include:
- Canada remains the biggest immigration delivery hub in the world
- Eligibility for citizenship within 4 years of arrival and permanent resident status
- Several attractive, dynamic options for immigrants and non-immigrants
- Highly-subsidized health and social security benefits
- Vast job opportunities for skilled workers
- Good working conditions and salary benefits
- Canadian passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to major countries
- Free choice for religion, race, culture, language etc
- Excellent opportunities for growth and wealth accumulation
- Dual citizenship allowed
- Safe and secure living environment
- Excellent education and government educational grants
Immigration Process
In general, those who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for permanent residency in Canada. The country has one of the most forward-looking, liberal immigration policies in the world. Immigration projections look at admitting about 200,000 immigrants every year.
There is a large requirement for skilled workers to contribute to its economy and growth. There are also very attractive options for skilled workers, self-employed, entrepreneurs, investors, work-permit holders, students etc.
The immigration process can be challenging even for those from friendly countries. Standards of eligibility are quite high across the board. The rules and policies undergo frequent changes, amendments, revocations etc. It’s important that you pick the right category and program under which to apply, or your application could be rejected.
What Is Express Entry?
Launched in January 2015, this is a refurbished selection process system to facilitate quicker entry of skilled workers into Canada. Being completely electronic, this process is a multi-pronged one, and involves the federal government, provincial governments and Canadian employers. It links people and employers, cuts down paperwork and speeds up the entire process.
As far as employers are concerned, they get access to a pool of skilled international candidates and gets them into the country faster. This enables faster economic growth.
Express Entry facilitates the immigration of:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Class
- Canadian Experience Class
- Portions of the Provincial Nominee Programs
How It Works
The IRCC (Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada) aims to process these applications within six months of the date of submission. It transforms the earlier first-come first-served, supply-driven process to an invitation based, demand-driven process. This process is successfully working in Australia and New Zealand. The main aim is to fast track the immigration of skilled workers, most deemed likely to succeed, into Canada.
- Applicants first make an EOI (Expression of Interest) in immigration.
- This includes creating an Express Entry on-line profile that gives relevant information about your skills, qualifications, education, language skills etc.
- If you don’t have a job offer waiting, you need to register with the Canadian Job Bank.
- If they’re eligible for one of the programs mentioned earlier, they are given entry into the Express Entry Pool.
- Federal and provincial governments are provided access to this pool of data from which they can select suitable candidates.
- The highest-ranking candidates in the pool will be invited to apply for permanent residence.
- These candidates are given an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for immigration under the designated program.
- You have to respond to the ITA within 90 days. Your application will be processed within 6 months.
Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer?
When potential immigrants to Canada approach an immigration consultant or immigration lawyer, one of the questions that looms large in their minds is “Is this really necessary?”
Many successful immigrants have handled and processed the complex paperwork themselves. However, larger numbers of people have applied alone and faced failure or delays. Since this is a life-changing step that your entire family has a stake in, it’s important to ensure that it goes smoothly and quickly.
Being an expensive and highly time-consuming process, not everyone can afford to re-apply, appeal, argue, process their claims again etc. It’s wiser to get it right the first time.
Immigration lawyers can vastly improve your chances since they keep abreast of the latest rulings and regulations. These are subject to frequent changes depending on the aims of the government in power.
Immigration officers have immense discretionary powers which are concisely and meticulously adhered to. Clear and focused applications, based on the right category, stand a better chance of faster and more successful processing.
Though there are no rules saying that you need an immigration lawyer, studies have shown that there are higher approval rates for those applications processed with the help of an experienced, skilled and knowledgeable lawyer. Obviously, no lawyer can offer guarantees, but what they can do is ensure that your application is processed and filed accurately, within time-limits. Immigration lawyers can also make sure that you don’t face problems down the line.
How We Can Help
We have the necessary experience, expertise and knowledge of processes, laws and eligibility criteria. We give you a swift, genuine and comprehensive assessment of putting up a successful application. It helps you understand the entire process, paperwork, fees, time taken and chances of success.
We respect your privacy and confidentiality. We can represent you in all stages of the process, including at tribunals and federal courts.
