Canada aims to admit large numbers of permanent residents as part of its Immigration Levels Plan. The goal is to attract 465,000 new permanent residents by the end of 2023 and to increase this number to 500,000 by 2025.
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In 2022, Canada welcomed over 437,000 new permanent residents. China was the second largest source country of immigrants, with Canada welcoming 31,815 new Chinese permanent residents. In 2022, Chinese immigrants accounted for 7.2% of Canada’s total permanent residency population.
According to Statistics Canada, there are nearly 1.8 million Chinese immigrants in Canada, most of whom live in Vancouver or Toronto.
Canada is a popular destination for Chinese immigrants due to its diverse employment and economic opportunities, quality education, universal healthcare and diverse multicultural population.
The federal skilled workers program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a popular option for overseas applicants looking to immigrate to Canada. The FSWP is ideal for candidates who have not lived in Canada and are not skilled trades professionals. It allows candidates with no connection to Canada or no job offer to apply for permanent residency.
The FSWP is one of three programs administered by Express Entry, the Government of Canada’s application system, which also manages the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
To be eligible for the FSWP, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the last 10 years in a qualified occupation classified in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
- Validated language skills corresponding to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French for all abilities (reading, writing, listening and speaking); And
- A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma or degree) or a foreign educational credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- At least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
- Enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.
A candidate can apply for the FSWP through Express Entry by uploading their profile to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. They are then given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on human capital factors such as age, education, work experience and language skills.
IRCC recently launched category-based draws for Express Entry candidates. Candidates will be selected who have a good knowledge of French or have professional experience in the following professions:
- Healthcare
- STEM careers
- Professions such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- transport
- Agriculture and food
The Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another immigration option for Chinese foreigners. Each province and territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) has created its own immigration pathway through the PNP by focusing on its labor and labor market needs.
If candidates are eligible based on the program’s criteria, they can apply directly through the PNP. If elected, the province or territory nominates candidates to immigrate to their respective jurisdiction.
A candidate can also apply to the PNP through Express Entry. In this way, candidates are selected by a province or territory that selected them from the Express Entry pool. If nominated by a province or territory through Express Entry, the candidate will receive 600 CRS points, essentially guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an upcoming Express Entry draw.
Work permits
A foreign national can enter Canada by obtaining a Canadian work permit. Work permits in Canada are divided into two programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The difference between the two programs is that the TFWP requires a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), whereas the IMP does not.
The purpose of an LMIA is to demonstrate that the hiring of a foreign worker will have either a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labor market.
If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer, you can apply for a work permit. Before you can apply for a work permit, a job offer is usually required. However, there are situations where candidates can apply for an open work permit, which means the candidate is not tied to a specific employer and can work almost anywhere in Canada.
Start-up visa
The Start-up Visa Program grants permanent residency to immigrant entrepreneurs. The purpose of the program is to recruit innovative national entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and drive economic growth in Canada.
To be eligible, startup visa applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the minimum language requirements in English or French (CLB 5 in all skills);
- have sufficient resources to settle in Canada;
- Are you planning to settle in a province other than the Province of Quebec;
- Pass Canadian safety and medical clearance;
- Prove that your company is supported by a specific organization. And
- Show that your company meets the ownership requirements.
Study permits
In 2022, Canada welcomed a record number of international students: 551,405 out of 184 students. In 2023, 15,655 Chinese international students received study permits for an educational program in Canada.
Canadian study permits are popular due to the high quality of education, affordability and the ability to work in Canada while studying. Additionally, a Canadian study permit offers the possibility of permanent residency upon graduation, as many Canadian immigration programs value candidates with Canadian study and work experience.
To apply for a study permit, a potential international student must obtain a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
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