Have you been looking into ways to move to Canada in 2023? Canada has ambitious plans to welcome a record 465,000 new immigrants in 2023, in order to address a growing labour shortage.
As someone who has successfully relocated from Nigeria to Canada, I understand firsthand the excitement, challenges, and rewards of doing so. With its world-class education system, thriving economy, and diverse cultural landscape, Canada is an appealing destination for many people looking for a better life.
Here are the comprehensive list of 13 ways you can immigrate to Canada in 2023.
1. Express Entry: In 2023, express entry will still be the most popular way to immigrate to Canada.
The flagship selection system manages applications for the three major federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades.
According to the most recent Immigration Levels Plan, Canada expects to welcome nearly 83,000 Federal High Skilled immigrants in 2023, rising to 109,000 in 2024 and 114,000 in 2025.
2. Provincial Nominee Program: Provincial Nominee Programs are intended to assist provinces and territories in meeting their specific labor market requirements. Except for Quebec, each province and territory has its own PNP, with its own eligibility criteria and application procedures. Many PNPs have Express Entry streams that allow candidates with provincial nominations to receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.
3. Quebec: Quebec is unique, it has complete control over its economic immigration intake. The powerful Quebec provincial government’s push to ensure that all immigrants welcomed into the province are francophone has received a lot of attention.
For candidates who have a qualified job offer, the francophone requirement becomes less important.
With the province suffering from a chronic labor shortage, it remains to be seen how Legault’s policy of continuing to limit immigration plays out.
4. Employer-Driven Pilot Programs: Canada also runs a number of employer-driven pilot programs that target specific sectors of the economy or geographic areas with chronic labour shortages.
The AIP has an allocation of 8,500 spaces for skilled worker and international graduate immigrants in 2023, covering the four Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
All of these programs are employer-driven, which means they cannot be directly applied to. An employer identifies a need, recruits an immigrant to fill that need, and then uses the program to bring that candidate to Canada.
5. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a program for newcomers to the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The program seeks skilled workers and international graduates to fill labor shortages in these provinces. Candidates must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces to be eligible.
6. Start-Up Visa: The Canadian Start-Up Visa is for business-minded individuals, visas have become an important route to Canada immigration.
Candidates with a qualifying business or business idea must have the support of a designated angel investor group, venture capital fund, or business incubator, as well as the necessary settlement funds and language ability, to qualify.
Before qualifying for permanent residence, candidates can move to Canada on a work permit and establish their business. Applicants must be actively involved in the management of the business within Canada to qualify.
Through business programs, Canada intends to welcome 3,500 newcomers in 2023, increasing to 6,000 by 2025. A significant portion of these will be obtained through the Start-Up Visa.
7. Provincial Business Programs: Many of Canada’s provinces run their own entrepreneur programs, which are known as Provincial Nominee Programs.
Each of these programs has its own set of requirements based on the province or territory it serves.
8. Self-Employed Programs: The federal Self-Employed programs are designed for applicants who have relevant self-employment experience, as well as the desire and ability to create their own employment and make a significant contribution to Canada’s cultural, artistic, or athletic life.
9: Caregiver Programs: There are two caregiver immigration programs in Canada: the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot. Both programs require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer as well as at least two years of relevant work experience. After two years of Canadian work experience, successful candidates will be granted a work permit and will be able to apply for permanent residence.
10. Family Sponsorship: Permanent residence can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident’s spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, parents, or grandparents. The sponsor must meet certain income requirements and agree to financially support their sponsored family members.
11. International Student Pathway: International students who complete their post-secondary education in Canada are in a good position to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). They must have one year of skilled work experience in Canada and meet other eligibility requirements such as language proficiency.
12. Business Immigration: Canada has a number of business immigration programs for entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed individuals who can help the country’s economic growth. The Start-Up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, and various provincial business immigration streams are among these programs.
13. International Experience Canada: The International Experience program is designed for young adults aged 18-35 from participating countries who want to travel, work, or gain professional experience in Canada. There are three IEC categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship). Eligible candidates must meet certain criteria, such as being a citizen of a participating country, having a valid passport, and having sufficient funds for their stay in Canada. The IEC program offers an open work permit, allowing participants to work for any employer in Canada, and can be a stepping stone to permanent residency.
14: Global Talent Stream: The Global Talent Stream is a component of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that aims to assist Canadian employers in attracting highly skilled global talent in high-demand occupations such as technology and engineering. Employers can use a fast-track processing system to get LMIA applications and work permits processed in two weeks or less. GTS provides a Category A for employers who work with designated referral partners and a Category B for employers who hire from a list of in-demand occupations. Foreign workers with experience in these in-demand occupations may have an advantage in gaining work experience in Canada and eventually applying for permanent residency.