How to move to Canada as a skilled worker or a businessperson

Many workers and professionals seeking a change are wondering how to move to Canada. If you’re considering moving to the Great White North, Canada’s friendly welcome and strong economy make it a top destination for those ready to bring their skills or business ideas.

What are the ways to move to Canada?

There are different ways to move to Canada, either temporarily or permanently:

• as a visitor (who may or may not need a visa)
• as a skilled worker
• as a businessperson
• as a student
• as a sponsored family member

Each pathway comes with its own set of requirements. This article will cover how skilled workers and businesspeople can move to Canada. To start off, here’s a video that shows all the possible methods to move to Canada:

Consult with the best immigration lawyers in Canada to know what method is suitable for you and your family if you want to move to Canada.

Moving to Canada as a skilled worker

Skilled workers, professionals, and businesspeople have several options when moving to Canada, such as by applying for a work permit through the:

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Express Entry and the PNP are two different programs that encourage foreign nationals to work in Canada by applying through any of their program streams. Applications for the PNP can also be submitted through the Express Entry process.

Express Entry for skilled workers

In the Express Entry, a skilled worker may move to Canada by applying in either of the following programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): for skilled workers who already have one year of Canadian work experience in the three years before application
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): for skilled workers with foreign work experience who will meet certain criteria (such as education, skilled work experience, and English or French proficiency)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade of a certain sector (such as culinary, transportation, natural resources, agriculture, processing, and manufacturing)

Provincial Nominee Program for skilled workers

For the PNP, it is more appropriate to check with the specific province you're interested in and the “streams” that they currently offer.

For example, you may apply to live and work in Ontario through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Skilled workers can apply through the following streams of the OINP:

• Human Capital Priorities
• Skilled Trades
• French-Speaking Skilled Worker

Alternatively, a PNP nominee can also apply through the FSTP (Express Entry), as the process is similar. However, if you apply through a specific province’s PNP, you will need to live and work in that province.

You may also apply to a province’s PNP through its non-Express Entry process, which can be found on the province’s website.

Exceptions for Québec and Nunavut

Québec and Nunavut do not have a PNP and have their own separate immigration programs. These may be different from the PNP or the Express Entry, although they may have a similar concept and application process:

• Québec:
  • as a skilled worker: apply through its Skilled Worker Selection Program, Regular Skilled Worker Program, Québec Experience Program, or International Mobility Program Plus
  • as a businessperson: immigrate through its Investor Program
• Nunavut: you must first obtain permanent residency through a federal program (e.g., Express Entry) before moving to the territory

Moving to Canada as a businessperson

You can move to Canada as a businessperson or as a self-employed individual if you want to establish a business in the country. After deciding which province or territory you want to move to, you can apply through either the:

• provincial entrepreneur programs within the PNP of that province or territory
• federal government’s Start-up Visa Program

Start-up Visa Program

If you’re an individual or part of a group of up to five owners, you can apply for a start-up visa with the following eligibility:

1. Have a qualifying business, where:
   1. each applicant holds 10 percent or more of the total voting rights
   2. applicants and the designated organization together hold more than 50 percent of the total voting rights
2. Be supported by a designated organization by directly contacting one and getting a letter of support from them
3. Achieve a CLB 5 for English or French

Once eligible, you can apply for the start-up visa through the federal government’s Permanent Residence Portal, under the Start-Up Business Class.

What are the requirements and steps to move to Canada as a skilled or businessperson?

There are several steps you need to take if you want to move to Canada as a skilled worker or a businessperson. We’ll discuss them below. In any case, reaching out to an immigration lawyer in Canada would help you a great deal, since they can check which option is appropriate for your case.

Common requirements

To apply for the Express Entry and the PNP, you should have:

• a ready passport from your country of origin
• proof of funds to show that you can support yourself after arriving in Canada

Eligibility for Express Entry and PNP

The eligibility under the Express Entry would depend on which program you’re specifically applying for.

For language eligibility, you must take an approved language test in English or French, where you’ll know your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score. These will then depend on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) and Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories of the job you’re planning for.

Similarly, if you’re eligible for any of these programs, you can also apply for the PNP through Express Entry.

This is a simplified version of the eligibility requirements under the Express Entry. For more information, it is best to reach out to an immigration lawyer.

Applying with the Express Entry

The Express Entry works by pooling all applicants, ranking them through a point system, and inviting those who have the highest scores to apply and work in Canada. However, being invited does not mean automatic approval, since your application will still be reviewed afterwards.

Here are the steps if you want to apply for the Express Entry:

1. Create an Express Entry profile
2. Apply for permanent residence
3. Travel to Canada once approved

These steps are discussed below.

1. Create an Express Entry profile

Watch this video to learn how to create your own Express Entry profile:

You can reach out to the Lexpert-ranked best immigration law firms in Canada if you want to know more about moving to Canada as a businessperson or skilled professional.

2. Apply for permanent residence

After creating your profile, it will be included in the rounds of invitations. If you’re one of the highest-ranking candidates from the pool during that round, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Within 60 days from the invitation, you’ll have to:

• fill out your application form
• upload the required documents
• get an immigration medical exam
• pay the different fees

3. Travel to Canada once approved

If you’re eligible for the program and are admissible to Canada, a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a permanent resident (PR) visa will be emailed to you. You’ll then have to travel to Canada before the expiration of your COPR.

Applying with the PNP

To apply for the PNP, you can use the following steps as your guide:

1. Use the Express Entry process:
   1. Find a province or territory that you want to work in
   2. Be eligible for:
      1. your preferred province or territory’s PNP
      2. any of the Express Entry’s CEC, FSWP, or FSTP
   3. Either get a nomination from the province or territory by contacting them, or create an Express Entry profile and select the provinces and territories you wish to work in
   4. Update your Express Entry profile after you get a nomination
   5. Apply for permanent residence if you’re invited by the province or territory
2. Non-Express Entry process: apply directly through the province or territory by:
   1. Contacting the province or territory where you want to apply
   2. Getting a nomination from any of their PNP application streams for skilled workers or businesspeople
   3. Applying for permanent residence if invited

Briefcase and baggage: How to move to Canada as a skilled worker and a businessperson

Building a new life in Canada as a skilled worker or businessperson means more than completing paperwork. It’s about choosing a country where talents and fresh ideas have room to thrive. As a skilled worker or businessperson, you have many options, such as the Express Entry and business immigration streams, making the process clear when you're ready to take the leap. With the Great White North waiting, reaching out to an immigration lawyer is a smart first step when you're ready to move to Canada.

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