Top 5 Pathways for Skilled Professionals to Immigrate to Canada from India

With the latest Canada Immigration level plan 2026- 2028, Canada has set its annual target of 3,80,000 applications to be accepted for the Canada permanent residency visa, Canada has established itself as the top global leader amongst prospective immigrants. 

As the immigration plan unfolds, Canada is all set to welcome 2,39,800 applications set under the economic immigration target, a total of 64% of the total target. These number of targets ignite new possibilities amongst prospective immigrants who aspire to move abroad in search of better employment opportunities, higher education, luxurious lifestyle, work life balance and highest-paying job profiles available in the international labour market. 

Well, if you are also a skilled professional in India and exploring ways to move to Canada, understanding the most viable immigration pathways is crucial. Let us explore what are the top 5 immigration pathways, which can be used by the skilled professionals so as to obtain Canada PR. 

1. Express Entry Program

The Express Entry program is considered to be one of the safest and fastest immigration pathways for skilled professionals seeking Canada PR visa. It is a point-based system, also known as Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The program, managed by IRCC, is designed to assess, rank, and select candidates based on their ability to contribute to Canada’s economy. 

Prospective immigrants who desire to immigrate to Canada and obtain Canada PR can assess their applications under the Express Entry program federal economic immigration programs as: 

❖  FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program) -- applicable for candidates who have foreign work experience

❖  FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades Program) -- applicable for candidates who have experience in specific trade occupations

❖  CEC (Canadian Experience Class) -- applicable for candidates who have Canadian work experience 

Eligibility

Skilled professionals who wish to immigrate have to assess their applications and to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, they are required to score at least 67 out of 100 points based on six selection factors: 

●    Age

●    Education

●    Work experience

●    Language proficiency (English and/or French)

●    Adaptability

●    Arranged employment in Canada (optional) 

Eligible candidates who wish to move abroad, have to submit their application in the Express Entry pool, making them accountable for the CRS score which is evaluated out of 1200 points. This means, higher CRS scores, the higher the receiving a positive Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

Why Choose Express Entry

Well, there are numerous reasons why Express Entry is regarded the best amongst other immigration pathways. So let us explore which reasons set Express Entry program apart: 

Faster Processing Times: Applications processed under the Express Entry program are being processed within 6 to 12 months, making it the fastest PR pathway. 

No Job Offer Required: Applicants applying Canada PR under the Express Entry program do not necessarily require a prior job offer. Although it increases the CRS score on the visa application, it is not considered mandatory. 

Highly Transparent System: Regular draw schedules and CRS cut-off updates makes Express Entry program the safest and easiest process to track visa application progress. 

Tips to Improve CRS Score:

However, skilled professionals can also take a note on how they can increase their CRS scores required for Canada PR visa application. Some of the tips are: 

Improve your language proficiency scores such as IELTS or CELPIP scores

Obtain a higher educational credential (ECA evaluated)

Gain additional work experience

Secure a provincial nomination (adds 600 CRS points) 

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Provincial Nominee Program is regarded as the second most popular and reliable immigration pathway for skilled professionals who seek Canada permanent residency while residing in the provinces of Canada. This program allows Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate individuals who have skills, education, and work experience so as to elevate the province's economy. Individuals who wish to settle in a specific province based on regional labour market needs are required to apply Canada PR under the Provincial Nominee Program. 

Each Canadian province has its own unique PNP streams, employing workers in sectors experiencing labour shortages in the country such as healthcare, technology, agriculture, and finance. Some of the popular PNP streams through which applicants can obtain Canada PR are as follows: 

❖  Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

❖  British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)

❖  Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

❖  Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) 

Why Choose PNP

Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs) are considered a preferred choice amongst professionals and let us see why PNPs are preferred: 

Flexible Eligibility Criteria: Many PNP streams have lower CRS scores requirements, fewer competition levels, making applicants inclined towards PNPs. 

Occupation-Specific Streams: PNPs often accept applications for occupations which are in high-demand in Canada's economic sectors. 

Regional Opportunities: Allocation of professionals in the provinces helps equal distribution of immigration benefits across Canada and supports economic settlement in areas beyond major cities. 

3. Canada Start Up Visa Program

The Canada Start-up Visa Program also known as the SUV program is a unique immigration pathway for entrepreneurs who have a viable business idea, skills, and potential to build a business which helps in contributing to Canada's innovation economy.This pathway is ideal for individuals with strong entrepreneurial skills, have globally innovative yet job creating competitive business ideas. 

Eligibility Criteria:

Let us explore who are eligible under the Canada start up visa program: 

Qualifying Business: Applicants must have a qualifying business idea with applicants having at least 10% and more than 50% of total voting rights. 

Letter of Support: Applicants must secure a letter of support from a designated organisation  (venture capital funds, angel investor groups, or business incubators). 

Language Requirements: Entrepreneurs who desire to migrate to Canada with the Canada start up program are required to secure minimum CLB 5 in either English or French language proficiency requirements. 

Settlement Funds: Individuals are also required to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their respective families in the country. At present, an individual applying for the Canada start up program is required to hold at least CAN $ 15,263 for a single applicant. 

Why Choose the Start-up Visa?

Canada's start up visa program enables individuals with skills and business ideas to stay in the country without much eligibility requirements and complex procedures. Let us see why the start up visa program is one of the best choice amongst professionals: 

Direct Pathway to Permanent Residency: Canada Start up visa pathway is regarded as the direct route to Canada permanent residency without the need for CRS score and employer nomination. 

No Minimum Investment Required: With the Canada startup visa program, individuals do not require minimum investment to be done before applying for the visa.  

4. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway that allows skilled workers and international graduates from Canadian institutions to immigrate to Canada and live in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

The AIP helps to fill labour shortages in these four provinces by hiring some of the most talented and skilled professionals all across the globe when local talent is insufficient to fulfill its labour needs. 

Eligibility

There are certain eligibility requirements set up by IRCC, for professionals who wish to migrate to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program are: 

Work Experience: Applicants must have a qualifying work experience of at least 5 years before applying for the AIP program 

Educational Qualifications: Applicants must be an international graduate of a recognised post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada. 

Language Requirements: Applicants must have a language proficiency test either for English (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE) or French (TEF Canada or TCF Canada). 

Funds Requirements: Applicants are also required to have a minimum financial requirement of CAD $ 3,815 for a single applicant.   

Why Choose AIP?

Let us see why Atlantic Immigration Program is considered for professionals and internationals students who wish to immigrate to one of the four provinces of Canada: 

Lower Eligibility Requirements: AIP pathways accepts candidates with relatively lower education and work experience. 

Fast Track to PR: Applications placed under the AIP program are processed faster than expected and more streamlined. 

Employer-Driven Program: Strong employer involvement ensures job security and smoother settlement. 

5. Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a unique immigration route specifically for those who want to settle in Quebec, the predominantly French-speaking province of Canada. Quebec operates its immigration system independently of IRCC’s Express Entry. 

Eligibility:

QSWP holds certain requirements to be duly filled before immigrating to Canada through the QSWP pathway. Let us explore the eligibility requirements set by the government of Quebec. 

Points Criteria: Applicants are evaluated on certain factors such as education, work experience, age, language proficiency, family situation, and job offers in Quebec. 

Job Offer: Job offer is not considered mandatory but it enhances applicant's score. 

EOI : Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Arrima portal. 

Why Choose QSWP?

QSWP, an immigration pathway that permits applicants to stay in Quebec and look for better employment opportunities. Here is a list of reasons that justify the applicant's choice over QSWP. 

No CRS Competition: QSWP pathway does not hold any CRS requirements as it offers unique eligibility opportunities. 

French Proficiency Advantage: QSWP pathway enables applicants with strong French language skills

to immigrate to the country without much hustle. 

Lower Competition: Due to French language requirements, the applicant pool is relatively smaller than the expected other immigration pools. 

Immigrating to Canada is not at all a complex process but if applied in a detailed and structured manner, prospective immigrants can apply for permanent residency in Canada. However, prospective immigrants can take some measures to increase their chances of receiving a positive response from the Canadian Immigration department. Some of the measures are: 

●    Detailed eligibility assessments

●    CRS score improvement strategies

●    End-to-end documentation support

●    Guidance on job offers, provincial nominations, and visa interviews

Well, these are the designated top 5 immigration pathways for skilled professionals who aspire to immigrate to Canada from India and later settle as Canada permanent residents. 

Settle in Canada with Province Immigration

Now you can turn your dream of residing in Canada as Canada permanent resident into reality with Province immigration. Our dedicated and experienced immigration consultants suggest prospective immigrants the best suitable pathway according to their profile, educational qualifications, age, and work experience. Stay updated always with Province Immigration or call us at: +919896196762