Is it worth moving to Canada from India in 2024? – Countrywide Visas (2024)

Considering relocating to Canada? Canada has emerged as a sought-after destination for immigrants globally, including individuals from India. As per Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, the count of Indians receiving permanent residency in Canada has been on the rise.

A Canadian permanent resident is an individual who has relocated to Canada for employment reasons and has been granted permanent residency status. Upon acquiring PR status, those aspiring to obtain Canadian citizenship must fulfill specific requirements, including meeting the residency obligation.

Canada provides diverse pathways for obtaining permanent residency, such as Business Immigration, Sponsorship, Economic Immigration, and Refugee or Humanitarian programs. Following immigration from India to Canada, individuals can submit applications for Canadian PR.

Here are the benefits associated with securing Permanent Resident status in Canada:

1. Authorization to reside, study, and work anywhere in Canada.

2. Access to high-quality healthcare and social services within the country.

3. Entitlement to protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian law.

4. Possession of the Canadian Permanent Resident card or permanent resident travel documents, enabling entry and exit from Canada’s borders.

Obtaining PR in Canada marks the initial step towards Canadian citizenship, with eligibility to apply for citizenship arising after holding permanent resident status for a minimum of 3 out of 5 years.

Your journey to Canada, a country known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultures, requires thorough preparation for the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. To facilitate a smooth transition and mitigate unforeseen difficulties, here is a comprehensive checklist to assist you throughout the process.

Weather Readiness: Canada’s climate can be unpredictable, encompassing scorching summers and frigid winters. Pack appropriately, ensuring you have a balanced selection of warm and cold weather attire, including waterproof shoes and jackets.

Vital Documents: Keep your passport and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) readily accessible. Additionally, carry copies of your educational credentials, employment records, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (if applicable), passport-size photographs, job offer letter (if applicable), driving license extract, and vaccination booklet for your baby (if applicable).

Financial Planning: Carry a combination of Canadian dollars and travel cards to ensure access to funds upon arrival. Consider opening a Canadian bank account promptly to effectively manage your finances.

Strategic Packing: Develop a comprehensive packing list to avoid last-minute hassles. Opt for duffel bags instead of suitcases for easier maneuverability. Roll your clothes to save space and contemplate using vacuum bags for further compression.

Kitchen Essentials: Pack basic utensils such as a saucepan, bowls, glasses, spoons, and steel plates to set up your kitchen in your new home.

Health Insurance: Upon arrival in Canada, enroll in a health insurance plan, as it is mandatory for all permanent residents. This will protect you against unexpected medical expenses.

Miscellaneous Items: Ensure you pack chargers, power plug connectors, your laptop, bedsheets, a comforter, flip flops, essential medicines, toiletries, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a nail cutter, scissors, and baby supplies if you are traveling with a child.

• Consistently ranking among the top countries globally for quality of life, Canada boasts a robust economy, a well-established social safety net, and exceptional healthcare services, ensuring a high standard of living for its residents.

Canada has consistently been a favored destination for Indian nationals, evidenced by the increasing number of Indians becoming permanent residents in recent years. In 2024, a substantial number of new Canadian permanent residents, reaching lakhs, hailed from India.

While Indian skilled workers may face extensive wait times for permanent residence in the US, Canada’s immigration system allows qualified individuals to directly apply for permanent residence. Successful applicants gain the right to live and work anywhere in Canada, along with access to universal healthcare and social services.

Here are four of the most accessible routes for Indian nationals to secure Canadian permanent residency:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) stream targets individuals with a minimum of one year of skilled work experience. It employs the Comprehensive Ranking System, a points-based scoring system, making it highly competitive. Only the most competitive applicants receive invitations for immigration.

In 2023, over 50% of all Express Entry invitations went to Indian nationals, primarily under the Federal Skilled Worker stream.

• Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories operates unique immigration programs known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs are tailored to fit the specific economic and demographic needs of each province, making them a popular option for candidates lacking sufficient CRS points for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

PNPs constitute a significant portion of Canada’s economic immigration, with 80,800 spots reserved for Provincial Nominee Programs out of a total of 232,500 economic immigrants targeted for 2024.

• For those with qualifying relatives residing in Canada, Family Class sponsorship provides an opportunity for immigration. Various immigration programs allow Canadians to sponsor their family members from India to Canada.