4 Cheapest Ways to Immigrate to Canada in 2022

With free universal health care, quality education, and abundant employment opportunities, it makes sense why people would want to immigrate to Canada. Whether you are single or want to immigrate with your family, this magnificent country promises a quality, sustainable life. 

According to the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will welcome 431,645 newcomers in 2022, resulting in more job opportunities in Canada for foreign nationals.    

In 2023, we can expect 447,055 newcomers, while 2024 is predicted to see 451,000 foreign nationals fill the Canadian labour market.  

Irrespective of your reasons for immigrating to Canada, you can enjoy several affordable Canadian immigration options. The information below highlights some of the cheapest ways to immigrate to Canada.

1. Family Class Sponsorship and the Express Entry System

Note that you can use an array of affordable Canadian immigration options, depending on your circumstances and needs. However, the Family Class Sponsorship and the Express Entry system are among the easiest, preferred pathways. So let us turn on the switches and find out why. Firstly, we will look at the Family Class Sponsorship.     

Immigrate to Canada through the Family Class Sponsorship

This sponsorship program is aimed at permanent residents or Canadian citizens who are 18 years or older and want to have their relatives join them in Canada. This is one of the cheapest ways to immigrate to Canada since having a relative as a Canadian permanent resident only eases your process going forward.

How Does the Family Class Sponsorship Work?

You need to be a registered Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada who is 18 years or older. Alternatively, you can be registered under the Canadian Indian Act.  

The sponsor should be able to financially support their relative once they decide to settle in Canada. This means that they should be able to provide food, shelter, and clothing, as well as the need for potential social assistance.

Eligibility for Family Class Sponsorship

Both the relative and the sponsor have a set of requirements that must be met. Note that you can sponsor a family member while you are out of Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen who is living abroad temporarily, you should be:        

■ living in Canada or planning to return so you can be there when your relative immigrated to Canada and

■ sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner or dependent child who should have no other dependent children.

You Cannot Sponsor a Relative if:  

■  you’re convicted of a violent or sexual crime, and you’re in prison;

■ have not paid child support or is in arrears with child support;

■ have been declared bankrupt;

■ received social assistance when you’re not disabled;

■ in arrears with immigration payments or loans and

■ Fail to meet the sponsorship conditions or any other offence that was not listed. 

Remember, different Canadian provinces may have different conditions contained within the sponsorship, which is why you should familiarize yourself and understand the sponsorship conditions.

2. The Express Entry System Explained

Among others, the Express Entry system is one of the cheapest ways to immigrate to Canada due to its versatile programs and quick results that the system yields.     

There are three immigration programs under the Express Entry system:  

– Canadian Experience Class 

– Federal Skilled Program  

– Federal Skilled Trades Program

Immigrate to Canada Under the Express Entry System 

Candidates would first have to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) before they can apply to the Express Entry programs. This invitation is valid for 60 days, so you must apply before the 60 days expires.     

To apply, you need to: 

– Create an IRCC secure account and sign in  

– Find the link under Express Entry to apply for permanent residence

– Make sure all forms are filled out correctly

– Don’t omit required fields as this can interfere with the application process.

After you fill out all documents manually, you would have to:  

– Scan and upload the documents

– For documents in a different language other than English and French, you would need a certified translator that should photocopy your original document and stamp it. The stamps would have to be in English or French. 

– If a translator cannot complete the translation, applicants can opt for an affidavit from the translator who completed the translation.

3. The Caregiver Programs

Want to work in Canada as a caregiver? The Caregiver programs are aimed at foreign nationals who wish to do just that. You can gain permanent residency in Canada if you have a temporary resident status while working in Canada as a caregiver. Be sure to extend your work permit or change the conditions before expiration.      

Below is a brief breakdown of the most affordable ways to immigrate to Canada through the Caregiver programs:

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

As an extension of the Caregiver Program, you have the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. These pathways enable caregivers to become permanent residents of Canada after gaining two years of work experience in Canada.

Before applying, you must ensure that you are eligible to apply and that you have a job offer in one of the designated occupations. This pathway allows you to gain an open work permit which will not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).    

Top tip: An LMIA is a document that a Canadian employer must obtain before hiring a foreign national to do the job. 

4. Yukon Provincial Nominee (YPN)

The Yukon Provincial Nominee (YPN) comprises the Yukon Skilled Worker, Yukon Express Entry and Yukon Critical Impact Worker. The program also accepts candidates who are applying from inside and outside of Canada as workers or entrepreneurs.

Eligibility Under the Yukon Provincial Nominee

As a worker applying under the YNP, you should have a full-time job offer lined up in Yukon from a designated Yukon employer. In addition, you must ensure that you meet the program criteria of the stream you are applying to. Note that if you are a refugee claimant or inadmissible to Canada, you are not eligible to apply to the YNP.

Employer Eligibility

When it comes to employer eligibility, a decision about whether or not you are eligible will be made once your complete application is received and assessed. However, the Yukon employer must be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada who operates a legitimate registered business that is legal in Canada. The employer should also have a valid license and a business that has been operating for at least one year on a full-time basis in Yukon.

Fees and Processing Time 

There has been an increase in fees for permanent residence applications from April 30, 2022. Note that processing times will start from the day your completed application is received.   

Inaccurate information or omitted fields are major factors that will largely influence processing time. Therefore, applicants must double-check all information and ensure they have the relevant supporting documents before submitting their application.

There are Affordable Canadian Immigration Options that Awaits You

Now that you have an in-depth idea of the most affordable Canadian immigration programs you can explore, you can confidently venture forth into your journey. Understandably so, immigrating to another country is a huge adjustment as candidates must conduct thorough research before doing so. However, the process can be simplified with a knowledgeable Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to advise and guide you all the way. Before you know it, you can be well on your way to Canada. For more information on how you can immigrate to Canada, whether alone or with your family, visit CanadianVisa.org.    

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