Canadian Visa Programs
There are several Canadian visa programs available for people who want to move to Canada, such as the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Family Sponsorship Program
- Caregiver Program
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a points-based Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers who have at least one year of full-time paid work experience during the past 10 years in one of the dozens of high-demand jobs in Canada categorized at Skill Level 0, A or B by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and who also receive at least 67 out of 100 points possible for different factors and meet other criteria. Most of these occupations require a university education or other specialized training and include several occupations in such career fields as: business, education, financial, healthcare, management and technology. Points are given for your English and/or French language skills, education level, work experience in an eligible occupation (i.e., NOC Skill Level 0, A or B), age, qualifying offer of Canadian employment, and adaptability. Foreign professionals who qualify for the FSWP may be able to apply for Express Entry to Canada. To read more about the FSWP, click here!
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
There is a strong need all across Canada for skilled foreign tradespeople in numerous occupations, so the Canadian government created the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) to help fill thousands of high-demand jobs in Canada. Many of these trades are in the construction industry, natural resources sector or technical field and include such occupations as carpenters, crane operators, electricians, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, plumbers, power engineers and power system operators, sheet metal workers, supervisors in the forestry and logging sector, supervisors in mining and quarrying, telecommunications installation and repair workers, and welders – among many others. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma plus whatever training is required for the eligible trade (this may include completion of a vocational school program, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training – depending on the skilled trade and the Canadian criteria for the trade). A minimum of two years of full-time paid work experience during the past five years in the eligible skilled trade is necessary, plus there are other eligibility criteria. If you meet the qualifications for the FSTP, you could also be eligible for the Express Entry Canadian immigration system. To learn more about the FSTP click here!
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Most of Canada’s provinces and territories have established their own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), in collaboration with the Canadian national government, for qualified skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada and settle in their specific province or territory. Each Canadian province or territory that participates in the PNP develops its own eligibility criteria, but there is usually a two-step procedure involved. A skilled foreign worker first applies to the Provincial Nominee Program of a particular Canadian province or territory and if they receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate, they can then apply to the Canadian national government for a permanent resident visa to Canada. To read more about the PNP, click here!
Family Sponsorship Program
One of the many benefits of being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is the option to sponsor eligible family members for immigration to Canada through the Family Sponsorship Canadian visa program. In addition to joining you to live in Canada as permanent residents, your sponsored family members may also be able to apply for Canadian citizenship once they meet the eligibility criteria.
Caregiver Program
All across Canada, there is a strong demand for qualified caregivers to take care of children, the elderly or people with disabilities in the home setting without supervision. The Caregiver Program is a special Canadian immigration program that was created in order to bring qualified caregivers from abroad to Canada to meet the growing demand of Canadian families for full-time assistance at home. Applicants must possess adequate English or French language skills, have adequate education and/or experience, obtain a written contract from their employer that follows certain Canadian governmental standards, and meet other eligibility criteria.