Note: I’ve followed the same steps to file my PR application and I’d like to share it so you can benefit from it should you decide to become Canadian permanent resident.

8 simple steps to become Canadian Permanent resident in 2021

Lets get started;

Step 1: 

Get your educational credentials assessed by the Canadian authority to get canadian equivalency of your education. Commonly known as educational credential assessment (ECA) is done by many registered companies such as WES, IQAS etc. You can find the list of evaluation companies here. Processing times vary company by company but approximately it takes around 7 to 10 weeks and cost around 200 CAD.

Step 2: 

Take IELTS (general training) and aim for 8777 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking respectively, which is canadian language benchmark CLB 9. Why you should aim for CLB 9 ? Because it boosts your points by almost 50 points in language proficiency.

Nowadays people also taking CELPIP English language test recognized by the Canadian immigration instead of IELTS. There is a speculation that CELPIP is easier than the IELTS, honestly, it all depends on your ability and hard work more than anything else. IELTS test will cost you around 319 CAD, and validity is two years.

Step 3: 

Once you have completed your ECA and IELTS, you are ready to create an express entry profile online to enter in the draw. Before you start, you need to find out your eligibility here. If eligible, create your express entry profile on Government of Canada official website.

By creating express entry profile you will enter in the draw of the candidates waiting to get invitation to apply (ITA). Draw happens every 2 weeks mostly on Wednesday, and candidates have 60 days after receiving ITA to submit documents.

Step 4: 

Once express entry profile is created, you’ll need to wait for the draw (rounds of invitation or ROI), which happens every 2 weeks as mentioned above. If your CRS score is equivalent or above the minimum threshold for the particular draw, you’ll receive ITA and will be notified by an email.

The important thing to note here is that one cannot make changes in the express entry profile after receiving ITA, therefore, double check that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 5: 

After receiving ITA, applicants have 60 days to submit all the required documents for which they have claimed points in their express entry profile, all required documents mentioned below;

• Travel Document such as passport scans of all applicants
• Passport size photo with white background of all applicants
• Proof of Employment such as experience letters from current and previous employers with duties and hours mentioned, otherwise, your application will be delayed for months
• Proof of Funds (POF) of primary applicant plus accompanying spouse and dependent children. Latest requirements as per family members can be found here
• Proof of Medical of all the applicants. Medical test fee vary country to country.
• Proof of Education such as educational transcripts and WES report & IELTS test report
• Police Clearance Certificate/PCC (From all countries where you have lived for 6 months or more) of all applicants except children under 18 years of age
• Last but not least, candidates need to pay Canadian PR fee of CAD 825 each for the primary applicant and accompanying spouse. Dependent child fee is CAD 225 per child. Additionally, candidates will also need to pay right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), which is 500 CAD each for the primary applicant and spouse, and 225 CAD for each dependent child. Canadian PR application fee was increased recently, and updated list of fees can be found here.

Step 6: 

Once the application is submitted, and all documents verified by the canadian authority (IRCC), applicants will be notified about their application status via email. If application is successful, candidates will be asked to submit their passport for visa stamping and CoPR (known as passport request/PPR).

However, if application is incomplete or some documents are unverifiable, IRCC will ask for additional documents (ADR) before they can issue confirmation of PR (CoPR).

In worst case scenario, an application can be refused if case analyst officer is not satisfied for any reason. Therefore, it is advised to submit all relevant documents to avoid any delay.

Processing time vary case to case, but normally it takes 6-8 months from submitting an application to receiving PR. Nowadays, its taking more than 8 months due to Covid-19. One thing to note here is that candidates will receive single entry visa, stamped on passport, along with 2 copies of CoPR, which is valid for a year.

One needs to travel to Canada on this visa within the stipulated time period, and apply for the PR card after landing in Canada.

Step 7: 

After landing at the airport, immigration officers will verify information provided in your CoPR. Most importantly, one copy of the CoPR will be collected by the immigration officer, and other will be stamped and given back to you .

This process confirms that the candidate have landed within the time-frame and your PR card processing gets initiated. You’ll then be asked to go in the induction room where they’ll ask if your circumstances have changed i.e. if you are married or divorced or if you have become father/mother etc.

After completing all these formalities, you’ll then be provided a welcome kit to answer some of your basic questions such as opening a bank account, applying for social security number (SSN) and registering with a doctor. Now you are free to go and enjoy your time in Canada.

Step 8: 

After successful landing in Canada, processing of your PR card will start immediately and it will be sent to your home address provided during landing (address has to be a canadian address). It normally takes around 60 days for a PR card to get processed and mailed to your address.

It is valid for 5 years, and in order to continue PR status, one has to physically live in Canada for minimum 730 days during 5 years time. However, if you stay in Canada for 1095 days or more in consecutive 5 years time, you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Useful tips to improve your CRS score:

• Improve you language skills i.e. try to get CLB 10 in your IELTS, it will increase your score by 10 points
• Ask your spouse to take IELTS as it can boost your score by maximum of 20 points (depends on your IELTS score)
• Get more work experience, 3 years of foreign work experience can get you maximum 50 CRS points
• If you are applying with your spouse, you need to carefully decide who is going to be the primary applicant. An experienced person with a higher degree, and CLB 9 language proficiency, is ideal to become primary applicant. If you cannot decide, always check your CRS score using this tool and decide.

If you want more info regarding the immigration process of Canada then you can contact me here