Did you know that in 2022, 58% of immigrants settled in Canada through economic pathways? This large number highlights the importance of immigration practitioners staying up-to-date with this ever-evolving sector of the Canadian immigration system. The following blog article will explore some of Canada’s main economic immigration programs.
What is Economic Immigration to Canada?
Canada's immigration system aims to select immigrants who can contribute to the country’s economy by filling gaps in the labour force, building a business, or creating employment. The selection criteria are based on important factors such as age, income, language skills in English or French, education level, eligible work experience, and relatives in Canada. The importance of these criteria differs by program. Candidates must also be admissible to Canada by passing a medical exam and background check and must ensure continuous legal status in Canada. For most programs, proof of funds is required unless you can legally work in Canada or have received a valid job offer. Ashton's online certificate course in Permanent Resident Programs: Economic Classes (CIEC) will explore the following Canadian immigration programs in addition to any other federal economic immigration pathways:
Express Entry Streams
Express Entry is an online system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers planning to live outside Quebec in the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates eligible for at least one of the three programs submit their profile, which will be ranked against other profiles in the pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) with a maximum of 1200 points. To be invited to apply for permanent residency, a candidate needs to have a score equal to or above the minimum points for the present round of invitations. Eligible individuals can also apply to Express Entry and a Provincial Nominee Program simultaneously, boosting their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency. IRCC aims to process most complete applications in 6 months or less.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for skilled workers with work experience from inside or outside Canada. Eligible candidates must demonstrate skilled, paid work experience in the TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the last ten years. It must consist of at least one year or 1,560 hours of continuous work and can include skilled work experience gained while studying. Candidates must also demonstrate minimum language skills and provide proof of eligible Canadian or foreign education. If all minimum requirements are met, a candidate’s eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be assessed based on age, education, work experience, whether they have a valid job offer, language level, and adaptability. Based on their performance, IRCC will assign candidates an overall score out of 100 with a current pass mark of 67 points. This score is not to be confused with the CRS score ranking of a profile once it enters the Express Entry pool.
Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers who have gained at least one year or 1,560 hours of paid Canadian work experience within the last three years. Candidates must have gained experience by working in Canada as temporary residents in one or more TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories. For example, the program is popular among previous international students who have gained work experience on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Candidates also must fulfill specific language requirements. While there is no education requirement, individuals can significantly improve their CRS score by providing proof of eligible Canadian or foreign education. Individuals who are self-employed, full-time students in Canada or refugee claimants in Canada do not qualify for the Canadian experience class.
Federal Skilled Trades
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for those qualified in a skilled trade. To be eligible, candidates must have at least two years of paid, full-time work experience or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years. Their work experience must belong to one of the occupation groups listed here. Additionally, individuals must have a valid job offer of full-time employment for at least one year or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade from a Canadian, provincial, territorial, or federal authority. Candidates must also take an approved language test and achieve the minimum required score. Although there is no education requirement, individuals can significantly improve their CRS score by providing proof of eligible Canadian or foreign education.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who wish to settle in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces. This program promotes economic growth by facilitating permanent immigration and employment opportunities for skilled workers. To be eligible, candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer, and the eligibility requirements vary depending on whether the candidate has completed post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada. If a candidate has not completed qualifying education, they must have at least one year of paid, full-time work experience in the TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the past five years, either in Canada or abroad. However, individuals with a 2+ year credential from a recognized post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, who have maintained full-time student status and resided in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months during the two years before graduating, are exempt from these requirements. Education and language requirements for a candidate's job offer depend on the TEER category.
Economic Mobility Pathways Program
This program is designed to help skilled refugees and other displaced people immigrate to Canada through an economic immigration program. To prove their status, applicants must provide the proper documents, such as a positive Refugee Status Determination from the United Nations. Under the Federal EMPP, applicants can either apply to the Job-Offer or No-Job-Offer Stream. For the former, an applicant must have a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer for a job listed in any TEER category. Applicants also must have proof of at least 1,560 hours of work experience within any time frame. The education and work experience requirements will depend on the job offer’s TEER level, and proof of sufficient official language skills is required. For the no-job-offer stream, an applicant must have 1,560 hours of work experience gained within the last three years in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. Applicants must have a Canadian or foreign secondary school credential and fulfill all language requirements. To apply through the Regional EMPP, applicants must be eligible for one of Canada’s regional permanent immigration programs.
Start-Up Business Class
Canada’s Start-up Business Class may grant permanent residency to immigrant entrepreneurs with the potential to build successful businesses in Canada. To be considered, applicants need an innovative business that creates jobs for Canadians and can compete globally. They also need a letter of support from a designated organization to meet the language requirements and to provide proof of sufficient funds. Applicants must hold 10% or more of the total voting rights, while combined with the designated organization, they must hold over 50%. Beyond the minimum requirements, they will also be evaluated on previously mentioned factors such as age, language skills, and education level. Applicants can apply individually or as part of a group of up to five. They are required to incorporate their business in Canada and ensure that an essential part of operations is carried out from within the country. This program has been capped as of April 30, 2024.
Need a Refresher in Canada’s Economic Immigration Programs?
While this article provides a quick overview of select economic immigration programs, you can dive deeper by registering for our CIEC Certificate. The course is designed for licensed immigration professionals seeking an update on processing practices and procedures related to these programs. You will learn more about the above-outlined programs and others, such as the Northern and Rural Immigration Pilot Program, The Agri-Food Pilot, The Caregiver Class, and the Self-Employed Persons Program. The course will also provide an overview of the relevant sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), and Ministerial Instructions relating to the Economic Classes. Learn more here.
The post Permanent Resident Programs: Economic Classes appeared first on Ashton College.