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Canada PR Visa provides an excellent opportunity for Indians looking to live, work and settle in Canada permanently. Canada has a friendly immigration policy that favors Indians who have a solid educational background, work experience, and language proficiency. This article will discuss the steps to apply for Canada PR Visa from India.
Canada PR Visa From India
Overview of the application process for Indians
There are over 80 immigration programs under the Canadian immigration process. Each of these immigration programs has a different application process.
Here are some of the significant Canadian immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Express Entry Program
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP)
There are also other immigration programs. They have their own set of requirements and eligibility criteria. To quickly navigate through the immigration process, you must hire an experienced immigration consultant.
Eligibility Criteria from India
An applicant from India must meet specific requirements to be eligible for Canada PR Visa. These requirements are based on age, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Let’s look into the factors in more detail:
Age:
Canada prefers to welcome young immigrants who can contribute to its economy for extended periods. Applicants between 20 and 29 years of age get the maximum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in the express entry program. Other immigration programs like Business Immigration even allow applicants around 65 to apply for a Canada PR Visa.
Education:
Canada places great importance on education and, therefore, gives extra points to applicants who have completed their post-secondary education. Level, field, and location of study all play a role in determining the CRS points awarded in this category for Canada PR Visa.
Work Experience:
Skilled workers in Canada who can contribute massively to its economy are in high demand. Indians with skilled work experience in Canada or abroad receive additional points. The nature of the job, the length of the job, and the job title all play a part in determining the points awarded in this category.
Language Proficiency:
Canada is a bilingual language with English and French as its official language. Applicants must take a language test and prove their proficiency in either or both languages. The higher the score in language tests, the higher the chances of getting a Canada PR Visa.
Adaptability:
Canada prefers applicants who can quickly adapt to daily life in the country. Applicants with Canadian work or study experience or relatives living in Canada get extra points in their PR Visa application.
Apart from all these factors, some basic requirements exist to be eligible for a Canada PR Visa. They must have a clear criminal record, be in good health and have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada.
FSW Program 2023
This immigration program is designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to move to Canada permanently. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has minimum requirements for the following:
- Skilled Work Experience
- Language Ability
- Education
Candidates from India must meet all the following requirements to be eligible:
- One year of continuous work experience in the last ten years in a skilled occupation categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Must get at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in four abilities – Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking, in a recognized language test.
- Score at least 67 points in the FSW point assessment grid.
PR Visa Process from India
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
The first step is for candidates to ensure they meet the requirements mentioned above for FSWP. These requirements range from proving language proficiency in English or French to work experience in a skilled occupation.
Step 2: Create an online profile
After meeting the requirements, candidates can create an online profile on the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Candidates must provide information about their work experience, education, language proficiency, and other personal details.
Step 3: Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Certificate
Candidates need to get an ECA certificate that verifies the validity of foreign education credentials and compares them with Canadian education standards.
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
After creating an online profile, the candidate needs to submit an EOI. EOI means the candidate has declared their intention to immigrate to Canada and apply for a Canada PR Visa through FSWP.
Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
After a candidate’s EOI is accepted, they may receive an ITA for permanent residency. ITA will provide instructions on how to apply for a Canada PR Visa and a deadline for applying.
Step 6: Apply for Canada PR Visa
Candidates must submit their application for a Canada PR Visa to the IRCC within 60 days of getting an ITA with all the required documents.
Step 7: Medical and Security Clearance
After applying, the candidate will undergo a medical examination and obtain a security clearance.
Step 8: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR)
If the Canada PR Visa application is successful, the candidate will receive a COPR. It is proof that the candidate has been granted permanent residency in Canada.
CEC Eligibility Criteria
CEC allows skilled workers with Canadian work experience to apply for a Canada PR Visa.
Here are the eligibility criteria for CEC:
Work Experience:
Candidates need at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years. The occupation must fall under NOC skill level O, A, or B.
Language Proficiency:
Must meet the minimum language requirements in either English or French. Candidates must take a recognized language test by the Canadian government, like IELTS or CELPIP.
Education:
While education is not a must-have requirement for this immigration program, having a post-secondary degree or diploma from a Canadian educational institution can improve the chances of being selected.
Intention to reside:
Candidate must intend to live in any province in Canada except Quebec. Quebec has its immigration program.
Temporary Resident status:
Candidates must have a valid temporary resident status at the time of application. This means they must have a valid work permit or be authorized to work in Canada.
Admissibility:
The candidate must be admissible.
It is important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria for CEC does not guarantee that the candidate will be selected for permanent residency. Candidates need to get a better CRS score to get an ITA. Hiring an immigration consultant can help you increase your chances of getting a Canada PR Visa from India.
PR Visa through PNP
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of the popular immigration programs to apply for a Canada PR Visa. Every province & territory in Canada has its PNP that helps them nominate skilled workers that meet their labor market demands and help in the region’s economic development.
These PNPs have their requirements specially designed to meet the specific demands of the respective province and territory.
Here are the steps to apply for a Canada PR Visa through the Provincial Nominee Program:
Step 1: Check the eligibility
As discussed earlier, every PNP must meet its local labour market demands. Candidates must check whether they can meet those demands and apply for the provincial nominee program.
Step 2: Submit an EOI
Once candidates determine their PNP eligibility, they need to submit an EOI for the particular program. The process varies depending on the program, but generally, it involves submitting an application form, submitting documents, and paying an application fee.
Step 3: Receive an Invitation To Apply(ITA)
After a successful EOI, candidates may get an ITA to submit their application for a Canada PR Visa to the IRCC. The application must be submitted within 60 days of getting an ITA with all the required documents.
Fastest Way to Canada PR Visa From India
The express entry program is the fastest way to get a Canada PR Visa from India. It takes 6 to 8 months to process a PR Visa application. It is a system that manages the applications of the immigrants who have applied for Canada PR Visa through – FSW, CEC, and FST.
Ideal Express entry candidate would meet the following requirements:
- Be under 30 years of age.
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
- Be able to show language proficiency in either English or French.
- Have at least three years of work experience in the last ten years.
Once the candidate has determined their eligibility for the Express Entry program, they can begin the application process. The first step is to create an express entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. This profile will include the candidate’s education, work experience, language skills, and other personal details.
After creating the profile, the profile will receive a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score based on the information provided. CRS score will determine the rank in the Express Entry pool. The higher the CRS score, the more likely they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Candidates will then have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including all necessary documents and fees.
Documents Requirement For Indian
Candidates from India, do not need to upload documents when creating an online profile, but they may need information from some of these documents requirements:
- Travel documents like passport
- Language test results
- Proof of Canadian education or an ECA certificate
- Provincial Nomination (If any)
- Written job offer from a Canadian employer (if any)
- Proof of funds
Once the candidate gets an ITA, they’ll need to upload copies of the following documents:
- Police certificates
- Medical exams
- Proof of funds
- Birth certificate
- Work experience documents
Candidates can be asked to provide other documents depending on the immigration program they have applied through for Canada PR Visa.
Post PR Visa
- Check the status of your application: Candidates can check the status of their PR visa application online. It is essential to regularly monitor the status of the application to ensure any updates or requests for additional information.
- Respond to any request for information: It is essential to respond to requests promptly and provide all requested information to ensure that the request is processed as quickly as possible.
- Prepare for arrival in Canada: While waiting for the application to be processed, it is a good idea to start preparing for arrival in Canada. This may include researching the city or province where to plan to live, researching housing options, and exploring job opportunities.
- Prepare for landing interview: Once the Canada PR Visa application has been approved, candidates must attend a disembarkation interview at a Canadian port of entry. This interview is designed to confirm identity, verify documents and ensure to meet all program eligibility requirements. It is essential to prepare for this interview by bringing all the necessary documents and answering the questions with sincerity and precision.
Indian citizens can apply for Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry program or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Indian citizens need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and a minimum CRS score requirement.
The processing time for Canada PR Visa application varies depending on the program and other factors. Generally, it takes around 6 to 12 months.
Yes, Indian citizens can apply for Canada PR Visa without a job offer through the Express Entry program if they have enough CRS points. However, having a job offer can add points to an applicant’s CRS score.
