In the last ten years, Indian immigration to Canada has more than tripled. International students and skilled workers have flooded the country, bringing skills and expertise with them. This is partly due to Trump's anti-immigration policies, which worked to tighten restrictions around the H-1B visa program.
In stark contrast, Canada has welcomed immigrants. The current Liberal government recognizes foreign-born talent's value to the country and has kept its doors wide open. As more and more immigrants move to Canada, Canada needs ways to facilitate the process.
So, in 2015, it implemented the Canada Express Entry program. With a focus on highly skilled workers, the program aims to bring in immigrants who can contribute to Canada’s economy, responding to Canada's economic and demographic needs.
As a result, India has grown to become Canada’s largest source of immigration in recent years. From 2016 to 2022, Indian nationals comprised 18.6% of recent immigrants to Canada and the largest source of professionals immigrating to OECD countries. This is the first time such a high percentage of immigrants from one country of origin have immigrated to Canada since 1971.
This is all to say that Canada is well-versed in handling immigration from Indian nationals. However, the process can still be stressful. So, if you’re Indian and interested in settling down in Canada, you might be wondering how to navigate Canada's immigration programs. Let’s get into it.
Start Your Immigration to Canada from India
The first thing you need to do is research. Take some time to explore the various ways you can immigrate to Canada and the requirements. You can take several routes, such as the Express Entry program, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Family Sponsorship. You may also qualify for an open work permit under the recently announced H1-B visa program.
But don’t worry; we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of each of these programs in a bit. For now, add research to your to-do list. Use this article as a jumping-off point and plan to conduct further research to make sure you know the ins and outs of immigrating to Canada from India.
Look into the nuances of applying for a job in Canada, finding a home, and any cultural differences. Understand the working conditions and salary expectations as well as how you and your family will benefit from the move. It’s no secret that moving across the world is a big deal, requiring as much foresight as possible.
There’s so much about your experience that you won’t be able to anticipate, so do your best to equip yourself as much as possible.
Identify Which Program(s) You Qualify For
To familiarize yourself with the process of immigrating to Canada from India, you need to understand the various routes you can take. Each immigration program has its own set of requirements. So, choosing the program that makes sense for you is essential.
Let’s get into the nuances of the Canada Express Entry program, which is designed for foreign workers. Though there are many other immigration programs, the Canada Express Entry program is currently the most popular one for skilled workers. So, understanding the ins and outs of it is beneficial, especially if you’re a skilled worker. Let’s dive in.
Express Entry
This program is all about letting skilled workers into Canada to bolster the nation's economy. It relies on an online system, which offers three programs within the overarching Express Entry program:
Keep in mind that for each program within the Express Entry program, you need to be admissible to Canada. You also need to plan to settle outside of Quebec, as it has its own provincial program geared toward skilled workers. There are other throughlines between the programs; however, these are two of the most important to consider.
Before getting into other requirements and details surrounding these programs, it’s essential to consider the following temporary program, especially if you’re an Indian physician.
New Temporary Public Policy for Physicians
Canada recently introduced a temporary public policy for foreign national physicians who:
- Were invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023, and applied.
- Have a job offer or work experience in providing publicly funded medical services in Canada (such as fee-for-service work).
Under this public policy, more flexible criteria exist to assess if candidates are eligible for the following:
- The Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- Points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) are used to evaluate and score your profile, determine your rank in the Express Entry pool for Canadian work experience and arranged employment.
Canadian Experience Class
You should consider applying for this program if you’re a skilled worker with Canadian work experience. You need to have gained the experience within the last three years before applying and need to meet the following requirements.
Minimum Requirements
Language Proficiency: Meet the language levels for reading, writing, listening, and speaking based on the job category (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
Skilled Work Experience
Before applying, you must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within three years. The work experience must be in Canada while under temporary resident status and paid for. You need to fit your work experience into the categories set out by the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), defined as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job categories.
TEER 0 - Management Occupations
- Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers
- Financial managers
TEER 1 - Occupations that Usually Require a University Degree
- Financial advisors
- Software engineers
TEER 2 - Occupations that Usually Require
- A college diploma
- Apprenticeship training of 2 or more years
- Supervisory occupations
- Computer network and web technicians
- Medical laboratory technologists
TEER 3 - Occupations that Usually Require
- A college diploma
- Apprenticeship training of fewer than two years
- More than six months of on-the-job training
- Bakers
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
Remember that self-employment, volunteer work, internships, and work experience as a full-time student, including co-op work terms, don't count, even if they fit into the categories above. Work experience needs to be paid work and can be full-time, part-time, or many jobs as long as it meets the following criteria.
- Full-Time at One Job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
- Equivalent Amount in Part-Time Work: For instance, 15 hours a week for 24 months equates to 1 year of full-time employment or 1,560 hours. Please note you can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
- Full-Time Work at More Than 1 Job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
Education Requirements
There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. However, Canadian education or a foreign credential assessment can help improve your Express Entry ranking.
Language Ability
You need to take approved language tests for writing, reading, listening, and speaking. This helps determine if you meet the minimum language level based on the job category laid out by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
- Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs.
Language test results are valid for two years from the test date and must be valid when applying for permanent residence.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience, also referred to as economic class programs. Applicants must meet educational and other specified criteria.
Experience Required for Skilled Workers
Your work experience must be in one of these categories:
- TEER 0
- TEER 1
- TEER 2
- TEER 3
Also, within the last ten years, you must have engaged in paid work for at least one year, equivalent to 30 hours per week or an equal amount of part-time hours.
Student Work Experience
If you gained work experience while studying, it may count towards the minimum requirements if:
- Wages or commissions paid it.
- There were no gaps in employment.
- It meets all the other requirements of the program.
Language Ability
To be eligible, you must take approved English or French language tests for writing, reading, listening, and speaking. It’s also necessary to achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 in all four abilities. Keep in mind that language test results are valid for two years.
Education
You need to meet the following criteria surrounding education.
- Canadian education: certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
- Foreign education: completed credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization.
Selection Factors
Your eligibility depends on several factors, including age, education, work experience, job offer, language skills, and adaptability. You need to get a minimum score of 67 points out of 100. To understand how these points are assessed, refer to the Canadian government's six selection factors for this program.
Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate that you have enough money to settle in Canada unless you’re eligible for certain exceptions.
Place of Residence
If you’re Provincial Nominee Program, nominees must settle in the nominating province or territory.
Ranking
Candidates ranked separately in the Express Entry pool to invite top candidates to become permanent residents.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for skilled workers seeking permanent residency based on their qualifications in a skilled trade.
Skilled Work Experience
You need at least two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years. Remember that work experience must be paid, meaning that volunteer work or unpaid internships are not accepted. You must also have experience working in a skilled trade outlined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC). They are:
- Major Group 72: technical trades and transportation officers and controllers excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
- Major Group 73: general trades
- Major Group 82: supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 83: occupations in natural resources and related production
- Major Group 92: processing, manufacturing and utility supervisors, and utility operators and controllers
- Major Group 93: central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Minor Group 6320: cooks, butchers and bakers
- Unit Group 62200: chefs
You also need to make sure you have a certificate of qualification which a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority has issued.
Education
There is no specific education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, you can boost your rank with the following.
- Canadian Education: certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution
- Foreign Education: assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) equivalent to Canadian education.
Language Ability
To be eligible for this program, you need to meet these minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores:
- 5 for speaking and listening
- 4 for reading and writing
You must also take approved language tests for writing, reading, listening, and speaking and provide the results in your Express Entry profile. Like the other programs, language test results are valid for two years.
Proof of Funds
You need to be able to show sufficient funds for settlement unless you’re eligible for specific exemptions.
Place of Residence
If you’re immigrating via the Provincial Nominee Program, you must settle in the nominating province or territory.
Assessment and Regulation
To be eligible, you’ll likely need an assessment for your trade by the province or territory where you intend to live and work. Check the respective provincial or territorial websites for details on certificates of qualification and requirements for specific skilled trades. If you’re involved in a federally regulated trade, visit the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website to find out the regulating body.
Other Immigration programs
The Canada Express Entry program is just one of many immigration programs available to Indian immigrants to Canada. Though it is the fastest and most popular, other options exist. Make sure to look at them all carefully to find one that suits your needs.
- Provincial Nomination
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Start-up Visa Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway
- Francophone Immigration
- Family Sponsorship
- Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers
- Caregivers
- Self-Employed
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Work Permits for H1-B Visa Holders
To make an informed decision, take a look at these programs. You never know, one of them might be the right fit for you.
8 Steps To Boost Your Chances of Immigrating to Canada
Now that you have insight into the requirements surrounding immigrating to Canada, it’s time to work towards meeting them if you don’t already.
1. Brush Up on Your Language Skills
Having a good handle on English will help your chances significantly. Since English is widely spoken throughout India, you’ll likely have an advantage.
However, if you could use a refresher, it’s a good idea to consider taking language tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) to improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
2. Prep for the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Set some time aside to have your educational credentials assessed. It's a mandatory step if you want to claim points for your education in the Express Entry system, and it helps support your application for provincial nomination. It proves that your foreign education is equivalent to Canadian standards and ensures your qualifications will be recognized in Canada.
To get your educational credential assessment (ECA), there are certain steps you need to take.
To start, choose an organization approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to handle your ECA. They will assess your foreign education compared to Canadian standards and provide a report. Here are the designated organizations for ECAs:
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service – British Columbia Institute of Technology
You may need a specific designated organization if you plan to work for a big employer or in a regulated occupation. Check with your employer or the regulatory body for your occupation for more details.
For specialists and family physicians (NOC 31100, NOC 31101, or NOC 31102), obtain your ECA from the Medical Council of Canada. For pharmacists (NOC 31120), use the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada if a license is required. Otherwise, you can choose one of the other designated organizations.
Confirm with the regulatory body in the province where you plan to live if you need a license for your intended occupation. Make sure to hammer down the details well in advance of your immigration application.
3. Make Sure Your Documentation Is Complete and Accurate
You can get everything right, but if your documentation isn’t filled out correctly and completely, your application for immigration can be denied. So make sure to dot your Is and cross your Ts. Take time to ensure you have everything you need well in advance of the deadlines. And, speaking of the deadlines - make sure to hit them. Stay organized, and give yourself enough time to prepare your application.
4. Work on Your Profile
When applying through Express Entry, focus on creating a comprehensive profile. Provide truthful and up-to-date information about your education, work experience, and language proficiency. Make sure to double-check for errors before you submit it and ensure you have supporting documents.
Keep your profile updated with any improvements, as this can increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a permanent residence in Canada.
5. Try to Line up a Job Offer
Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can go a long way in increasing your chances of being selected by the Express Entry or a PNP stream. So, look for job opportunities in Canada, network with potential employers, and customize your resume.
LinkedIn and Indeed can be helpful resources for connecting with employers and checking out the job market in Canada. For example, if you’re an Indian tech professional looking for work in Canada, you can get insight into the tech positions employers are trying to fill.
It’s also a good idea to research labor market needs in the province and region you’re settling in. This can help you narrow down your search as you look for work.
So, be proactive and do your best to secure a job offer in Canada prior to immigrating. It’ll help in boosting your immigration prospects by showing that you plan to contribute to the Canadian workforce.
6. Get Some Expert Help
Consider hiring an authorized immigration consultant, or lawyer experienced in Canadian immigration. They can provide valuable guidance on navigating the whole process and making sure you check every box.
Immigration experts can also communicate with authorities, prep you for interviews, and assist with appeals if needed. Before working with one, just make sure to verify their credentials with ICCRC or the appropriate provincial law society.
7. Make Sure You've Got Enough Money
Ensure you have the funds you need to cover settlement expenses and support yourself and your family during the initial stages in Canada. A financial cushion will help you transition into your new life. You’ll be well-equipped to handle unforeseen circumstances and meet immigration requirements.
It’ll also help you to focus on job searching without financial stress. So, do your best to plan your finances ahead of time for a comfortable and successful start in Canada.
8. Stay in the Know
Stay updated on the latest changes in Canadian immigration rules and policies. Make it a habit to check official government websites and reputable Canadian news sources on a regular basis. Here are some sources you can keep an eye on:
- CBC News: www.cbc.ca
- CTV News: www.ctvnews.ca
- Global News: globalnews.ca
- Toronto Star (www.thestar.com)
- Huffington Post Canada: www.huffingtonpost.ca
- Canadian Immigrant: canadianimmigrant.ca
It’s also helpful to subscribe to newsletters and follow blogs like the one by Borderless for direct updates. Staying informed helps you make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful application.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it. The immigration process can take time and has a lot of moving parts. Just do your best to be patient and stay on top of it. With determination and hard work, you can successfully immigrate from India to Canada.
Disclaimer
Borderless does not provide legal services or legal advice to anyone. This includes customers, contractors, employees, partners, and the general public. We are not lawyers or paralegals. Please read our full disclaimer here.
