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Canada is well known for being a welcoming country, especially for immigrants looking to make a fresh start. If you’re considering moving to Canada, there are several ways to apply for permanent residency. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the most popular Canadian immigration programs, including new options launching in 2025.

Express Entry

Express Entry (EE) is one of the quickest ways for skilled workers to apply for permanent residency in Canada. It’s based on a point system where applicants with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score are invited to apply for PR.

There are three main programs under Express Entry:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: For people with work experience outside Canada in jobs that are in demand in the Canadian job market.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: This program is for professionals like electricians, plumbers, or carpenters.
• Canadian Experience Class: For individuals already working in Canada with at least one year of experience in a skilled occupation.

To qualify for EE, you’ll need to meet certain language, education, and work experience requirements, and pay the necessary fees.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Each province on Canada has its own Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) and this allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals that meet their local labor market needs. If your skills and experience feature in a specific province’s needs, those who come from overseas have an edge in terms of applying for permanent residency. Usually, PNP points systems are determined by age, work experience, education qualifications, and language ability.

Family Class Sponsorship

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, children, parents, or other close family members who live abroad to come to Canada. This program is all about reuniting families, and it’s a great option for people with loved ones who are outside Canada.

Start-Up Visa Program

The Start-Up Visa Program is the best choice for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Canada. If you come up with an innovative business model that creates employment and adds wealth to this country, you may be eligible for Canadian citizenship.

New Canadian Immigration Pathways in 2025

Canada is launching some new immigration pathways in 2025, focusing on specific needs in the labour market.

• Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs: This new pathway aims to attract more caregivers, including childcare workers and home support workers. Successful applicants will receive permanent residency.
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot: This program targets skilled workers willing to live and work in smaller communities across Canada. There’s a high demand for workers in these areas.
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: Aimed at French-speaking professionals who want to settle in small communities outside Quebec.
• Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative Pilot: This program focuses on attracting skilled workers to Manitoba’s West Central region to meet labor demands.

Conclusion

Canada has many ways for people to immigrate, whether you are a skilled worker or hope to start your own business. There are also caregiver, provincial nominee, and family reunion programs as well as others coming in 2025 which may be just right. Contact Swift Immigration to guide you through the process and find the best pathway for you!

In 2024, Canada saw a record number of foreign workers applying for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). With so many applications, processing times for PNP decisions increased, leaving many workers with expired work permits before getting a decision. When this happens, applicants often lose their eligibility for PNP nomination.

To fix this, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created a temporary policy with three provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon. This policy allows certain PNP candidates to apply for an open work permit (OWP) while waiting for their PNP decision. The open work permit helps them stay legally in Canada and keep working.

Who Can Apply for the Open Work Permit?

Not everyone who applied to the PNP can use this policy. Only candidates with a support letter from their province are eligible. Provinces decide which candidates to support based on their specific criteria.

This policy applies to workers living in Alberta, Manitoba, or Yukon whose work permits are expiring between May 7 and December 31, 2024, and who:

• Have applied to the PNP but are waiting for a decision.
• Had a valid work permit on or after May 7, 2024 (expired permits are allowed if the candidate is eligible to restore their status).

How Provinces Issue Support Letters

Eligible candidates don’t need to request a support letter—the province will contact them. Provinces review applications to see who still lives and works there and who cannot renew their work permits through other means. If chosen, candidates will receive a support letter to use in their open work permit application.

Steps to Apply for the Open Work Permit

If you get a support letter, follow these steps to apply:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Gather these items:

• Provincial support letter.
• Employment letter from your current job.
• Valid passport.
• Proof of fee payment.
• Passport-sized photo.

Step 2: Pay the Fees

Be ready to pay:

• Work permit fee: CA$155
• Open work permit holder fee: CA$100
• Restoration fee (if applicable): CA$229

Step 3: Complete the Application

Apply online using form IMM 5710 (Extend Your Stay as a Worker).

• In the “Details of intended work in Canada” section, choose Open Work Permit.
• Enter the correct provincial code based on your letter of support:
  • Alberta: ABEOI2024
  • Manitoba: MBEOI2024
  • Yukon: YKEOI2024

Why This Policy is Important

This policy is great news for foreign workers whose work permits are about to expire. It lets them stay in Canada legally and continue working while waiting for their PNP results. Provinces also benefit by keeping skilled workers in their local economy. Employers get to retain valuable employees without interruptions, helping industries stay strong.

If you qualify, act fast! This policy ends on December 31, 2024, and could be revoked at any time. Swift Immigration can guide you through the application process, so you don’t miss this opportunity.

For more information or assistance, contact Swift Immigration today!

On November 15, 2024, Canada held its Express Entry draw #324, inviting 800 French-speaking candidates to apply for Permanent Residency (PR). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw dropped to 478, creating a fantastic opportunity for French-speaking professionals to live and work in one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world.

Key Details of Express Entry Draw #324

• Date: November 15, 2024
• Invitations Issued: 800
• Minimum CRS Score: 478

Why French-Speaking Candidates Are in Demand

Canada is prioritizing French-speaking immigrants to strengthen Francophone communities. These efforts align with the government’s goal of fostering cultural diversity and addressing labor shortages in various industries. French-speaking professionals also bring bilingualism, which is a key asset in many sectors of Canada’s economy, such as healthcare, education, and public services.

Targeted Immigration Through Category-Based Selection

This draw is part of Canada’s category-based Express Entry rounds, designed to address specific labor market needs and streamline immigration pathways for high-demand professions. In 2024, the following categories are prioritized:

1. French Language Proficiency
2. Healthcare Professionals
3. Skilled Trades
4. Technology Workers
5. Agricultural Workers
6. Early Childhood Educators

These categories aim to fill critical job vacancies and support the country’s economic growth. French-speaking candidates, in particular, play an important role in ensuring Canada meets its long-term goals for cultural and linguistic diversity.

Canada’s Focus on French-Speaking Immigrants

Canada’s Immigration Plan for 2025-2027 outlines clear targets to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants each year:

• 2025: 8.5% of all PR admissions
• 2026: 9.5% of all PR admissions
• 2027: 10% of all PR admissions

This gradual increase reflects Canada’s dedication to enriching its Francophone communities, promoting bilingualism, and supporting its labor force.

Tips to Improve Your Chances in Future Draws

If you weren’t selected in this draw, there are still many ways to improve your eligibility for future rounds:

• Enhance Language Proficiency: Boost your French and English skills to earn more CRS points.
• Gain More Experience: Work experience in a high-demand field can strengthen your profile.
• Apply for Provincial Nomination: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer additional CRS points and increase your chances of selection.
• Pursue Further Education: Higher qualifications can significantly boost your CRS score.

A Gateway to Opportunity

The Express Entry system continues to provide a pathway for skilled professionals to establish themselves in Canada. With a thriving economy, excellent quality of life, and welcoming communities, Canada remains a top destination for immigrants worldwide.

The recent draw highlights Canada’s proactive approach to immigration by targeting labor market needs and fostering diversity. With a reduced CRS score of 478, this is a golden opportunity for French-speaking professionals to turn their dream of living in Canada into reality.

For tailored guidance, connect with our experts at Swift Immigration and take the first step toward building a brighter future in Canada.