Permanent Residency
Becoming a permanent resident of Canada is a life-changing milestone. Canada offers multiple pathways to PR — from competitive economic programs like Express Entry, to family-based sponsorship applications that reunite loved ones. Below is a plain-language overview of each program, who qualifies, and what the process involves.
Economic Immigration
Express Entry — Canada's Flagship PR System
Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for three of Canada’s main federal economic immigration programs. Candidates create a profile and are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on age, education, language ability, work experience, and other factors. The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws held by IRCC. Express Entry is one of the fastest PR pathways — most applications are processed within 6 months of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — virtually guaranteeing an ITA in the next draw. Combining Express Entry with a PNP is one of the most powerful PR strategies available.
Three Programs Under Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker
For skilled workers outside Canada with foreign work experience in eligible NOC TEER 0–3 occupations who meet minimum language and education thresholds.
Federal Skilled Trades
For workers with qualifying experience in a skilled trade — electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators — with a job offer or certificate of qualification.
Canadian Experience Class
For temporary foreign workers and recent graduates with at least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience in the past 3 years.
General Eligibility Requirements
✓ Skilled work experience in eligible NOC TEER 0–3 occupations
✓ Language proficiency: CLB 7+ (FSW/CEC) or CLB 5+ (FST)
✓ Education: Canadian credential or ECA for foreign education
✓ Sufficient funds to settle (unless already working in Canada)
✓ Admissible to Canada — no criminal or medical bars
Family Sponsorship
Reuniting Families Across Canada
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency. The sponsor takes on a financial commitment to support the sponsored person.
💍 Spousal Sponsorship
For Canadian citizens or PRs sponsoring their legally married spouse for permanent residency. One of the most common and prioritized family sponsorship streams, with dedicated processing times.
- Legally married to a Canadian citizen or PR
- Genuine marriage — not entered for immigration purposes
- Sponsor must be 18+ and f inancially stable
- Sponsor cannot be on social assistance (with exceptions)
- Apply inland (in Canada) or outland
🤝 Common-Law & Conjugal Partner
Common-law partners have cohabited continuously for at least 12 months. Conjugal partners are in a committed relationship but have been unable to live together or marry due to exceptional circumstances such as immigration barriers or legal restrictions in their country.
- Common-law: 12+ months continuous cohabitation
- Conjugal: 12+ months relationship, unable to cohabit or marry
- Must prove genuine, committed relationship
- Sponsor is a Canadian citizen or PR aged 18+
👨👩👧 Parents & Grandparents
Canadian citizens and PRs may sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Access is managed through an annual intake — interested sponsors must first submit an interest to sponsor form when applications open.
- Sponsor is Canadian citizen or PR, 18+
- Sponsor meets minimum necessary income (MNI) for 3 years
- Selected through annual intake process
- Sponsor must commit to f inancial support for 20 years
👶 Adopted Children
Canadian citizens can sponsor a child they have adopted or intend to adopt abroad for permanent residency. The adoption must comply with the laws of both Canada and the child’s home country, and the child’s best interests must be the primary consideration.
- Sponsor is a Canadian citizen (PR sponsors have limited options)
- Adoption complies with laws of both countries
- Child is under 18 at time of application
- Adoption is not primarily for immigration purposes
🧒 Orphaned Relatives
A Canadian citizen or PR may sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild who has lost both parents, is under 18, and is not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Child is under 18 and unmarried
- Both parents are deceased
- Related as sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild of sponsor
- Sponsor is Canadian citizen or PR, 18+
🔗 Other Relatives
In limited circumstances, a Canadian citizen or PR with no other eligible relatives may sponsor one other relative of any age — such as a niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or cousin — if they meet specific conditions under the “lonely Canadian” provision.
- Sponsor has no living spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or other sponsorable relative
- Only one relative may be sponsored under this provision
- Sponsor must be Canadian citizen or PR, 18+
- Relative must be admissible to Canada
How Shally Bothra Immigration Services can help you
At Shally Bothra Immigration Services, we understand that permanent residency is not just an immigration milestone — it is the foundation of your future in Canada. Whether you are pursuing Express Entry and need to maximize your CRS score, or you are sponsoring a loved one and want to ensure your application is complete and compelling, Shally personally reviews every case with the care and attention it deserves. As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Shally will assess your eligibility across all available PR streams, help you build the strongest possible application, and guide you through every stage — from profile creation to landing. For family sponsorships, we handle the entire process sensitively and thoroughly, understanding the emotional weight of reuniting families. We also advise on how to avoid the most common reasons for refusal and delays, so your path to permanent residency is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Your future in Canada is worth protecting — reach out to Shally Bothra Immigration Services today for a personalized consultation.
