Many people are running out of time as their work permits are expiring. The question is, what other options are there to obtain a Permanent Residency?
An internal memo indicates that there will be no Express Entry draws for Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Workers for at least the first six months of 2022. Also, the immigration targets can be decreased by more than 50%. This means that the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)score cut-offs will rise significantly, most likely above 500 points.
The first thought is Provincial Nominee Program. Every province offers various pathways for immigrants to become permanent residents. Provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score and allows you to achieve a competitive score to receive an invitation to apply. However, many PNP programs are not linked to Express Entry and allow you to apply for permanent residence as a provincial nominee without going through the Express Entry system.
As of January 2022, there is a new pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in 1 of Canada’s 4 Atlantic provinces. This Atlantic Immigration Program replaces the Atlantic Immigration Pilot closed in December 2021.
The Family sponsorship programs allow Canadian permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their relatives to become permanent residents of Canada.
The Agri-Food Pilot is an option for experienced, non-seasonal workers in agriculture and food processing industries to apply for permanent residence after completing a minimum of 1 year of non-seasonal, full-time work in an eligible sector through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven program. It’s designed for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities. The candidate must meet both the IRCC and the community-specific eligibility requirements. You can apply for permanent residence if you have a job offer and recommendation from the community.
The Home Support Worker Pilot provides in-home caregivers with the opportunity to become permanent residents once they have two years of eligible work experience in Canada. It also lets their family members come to Canada to work or study while they get work experience.
The Home Child Care Provider Pilot is closed to new applications on Monday, January 17, 2022, when IRCC received at least 2,750 applications.
The Self-employed Persons Program allows people with relevant experience in cultural or athletic activities who are willing and able to make a significant contribution to Canada’s cultural or athletic life to immigrate to Canada permanently as self-employed persons.
The Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada.