Are you guaranteed Permanent Residence when immigrating to Canada as a foreign worker or business person?

If you’re exploring your Canadian immigration options, it’s important to keep in mind your final goal. Are you looking to relocate to Canada on a temporary basis to study or work? Or are you looking to settle in Canada for the long haul? Your immigration goals will dictate the pathway you will choose and the requirements of your application.

Let’s explore the ins and outs of obtaining Canadian permanent residence. 

Immigrating to Canada on a work permit

There are a few ways you can relocate to Canada on a work permit; either as an employee who has secured a validated job offer with a Canadian employer or as a business person looking to own and operate a business in Canada. Regardless of your circumstances, entering Canada on a work permit does not provide a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence. 

While a Canadian work permit will grant you permission to move to Canada, if you want to stay permanently you’ll have to undertake a second step which involves applying for an immigration program through the Express Entry system or any other suitable immigration program. If you meet the requirements of the program you apply to, your PR may be granted. However, you are by no means guaranteed PR simply by virtue of having secured a work permit. 

Applying for PR through Express Entry

While a Canadian work permit is no guarantee of permanent residence, it does place you in an advantageous position compared to other candidates who may be striving to obtain PR from outside the country. With a year of Canadian work experience, you can significantly boost your eligibility for permanent residence. 

First of all, you may meet the requirement for the Canadian Experience Class stream of Canada’s Express Entry system, which is one of the most common ways foreign nationals apply for PR when the Canadian experience is acquired in an occupation requiring a professional or technical diploma. While Express Entry is a popular choice, it is also highly competitive. This is why having Canadian work experience can be so valuable, not only because it grants you eligibility to apply through more immigration programs, but also because work experience can boost your CRS score by as much as 250 points. Since your score will be compared to others applying via the same immigration program, the higher your score, the more likely your chances to be invited to apply for PR.

What is my likelihood of being selected for Canadian PR?

The minimum CRS score cut-off is calculated based on several different factors and changes regularly. However, with a year of Canadian work experience, your likelihood of qualifying for the Canadian Experience Class or any other is high, more so if you started your own business in which you have been working in a managerial position. 

If you don’t receive an invitation to apply for PR right away, you’ll need to wait for the next Express Entry draw. In the meantime, you will need to continue honoring the conditions of your work permit in order to maintain your status. Eventually, you will likely reach a high enough score to be selected. 

Although this pathway does not guarantee PR, we can assure you that the road to Canadian PR often starts with obtaining a work permit first. Having a Canadian job offer and building up your Canadian work experience can greatly improve your eligibility for a Canadian Permanent Residency.