A visa is like a Hogwarts invitation card, only people with it are allowed to enter. However, there’s one thing that is different between them; unlike Hogwarts invitation cards, visas can be of different types.
The Canadian Permanent Residency visa is a document, more like a stamp that’s placed on your passport. That allows you to enter, leave, and stay in Canada for as long as you wish. A week? A month? Years? Don’t worry you can, no one’s gonna throw you out.
A permanent residency visa is issued by the Canadian government based on your need, and what immigration pathway you have chosen.
There are literally so many permanent visa types that the Canadian government issues to meet your immigration needs. But a perfect visa type depends solely on your purpose to permanently immigrate to Canada whether you want to enter through a spousal visa, start-up visa program, business immigration, family sponsorship, or any other way.
In this blog, we will discuss the different types of Canadian permanent residency visas, and how they work. This blog will be a perfect guide that will help you in gaining a clear understanding of each visa category, and see which one best suits your situation.
Know every detail, with this complete guide. Read it till the end and apply the steps to make your dream come true, Successfully.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Canadian Visa Category Codes
There are multiple types of Canadian visas, and so are their category codes. The category codes of Canadian Visa depend on the type of visa you are applying for and the purpose of your visit to Canada.
Your visa category code is stamped on your passport or visa label. If you are confused about which code will be printed on your visa. Don’t worry, here’s a list of visa category codes with their purpose:
| Visa Code | Description |
| B-1 | Business Visitor |
| C-1 | Courtesy |
| D-1 | Diplomat |
| F-1 | Facilitation Visa |
| IM-1 | Immigrant (single-entry visa for PR) |
| 0-1 | Official |
| P A-1 | Permit Holder |
| PAX-1 | National Interest TRP |
| PC-1 | Permit Holder with Valid TRP |
| PG-1 | Parents or Grandparents Super Visa |
| R-1 | Passed-Residency Obligation |
| RA-1 | Presence at Appeal |
| RC-1 | Passed H&C – PR Travel Document |
| RX-1 | Attending a PR hearing while you were present in Canada in the past 365 days. |
| S-1 | A student with Study Permit |
| SW-1 | An international student with a Study & Work Permit |
| SX-1 | A student exempt from the requirement to obtain a Study Permit |
| V-1 | Visitor |
| VH-1 | Visitor in Transit for not more than 48 hours |
| W-1 | A worker with Work Permit |
| WX-1 | A worker exempt from the requirement to obtain a Work Permit |
Canadian Visa Category
Express entry program
Express entry program, as the name suggests is one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada, especially for highly skilled people. The express entry program has three main categories within itself:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If you are someone who is looking for faster means of visa approval, express entry programs should be on your priority list. In order to apply for this express entry program, you need to first submit your profile to the Express Entry Program Pool.
If you don’t know what an express entry program pool is, let me help you with that.
An express entry program pool is where the authorities rank you using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks you based on different factors. Which includes age, education, purpose, work experience, & language proficiency.
The CRS regularly draws the individuals with the highest ranking to further apply for a permanent residency.
With the express entry program, you get quick processing time, almost 6 months, or even less. And also you don’t need a job offer from Canada to apply for the Express Entry program. However, it is seen that having a job offer increases your score, and further increases your chances of getting selected in CRS.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canada has multiple provinces within itself. And each Canadian province and territories have its own set of programs, especially designed for immigrants to meet their inland labor needs.
This provincial nominee program (PNP) is no less than a boon. It helps, allow people to immigrate to some particular Canadian provinces or territories. Who will in turn help those provinces meet economic and labour market needs.
Also, students who have joined in any of these streams are given priority for Canadian permanent residency.
But before you think this is your call, and start applying via this program type, there’s something you need to know about this.
You can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via two routes.
- Express entry linked route: People who have a background of PNP are granted 600+ points in Express Entry. Which in turn increases their chances of getting an invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
- Non-express entry linked route: You can apply directly to provinces, without having applied to the Express entry program.
Here are some names of the most popular provinces of Canada:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- British Columbia PNP (BCPNP)
- Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Family sponsorship
Family sponsorship is a way to live with your family in Canada. This program is for Canadian citizens, and also for permanent residentship holders. This allows them to bring their close relatives, and sponsor their family members to welcome their family in Canada as permanent residents.
Sounds great right? Well, it is.
And the eligibility criteria for this program, visa category is also quite simple, and relieving.
- You (the sponsor) need to be a major, that is 18 years or above 18 years of age.
- The sponsor will have to financially support the family member they want to sponsor for some specific period of time.
- The sponsorship is only applicable to your spouse, children, Parents, and grandparents.
Business Immigration
Business immigration programs are basically business-oriented immigration pathways. Which include Start-Up Visa programs, investor programs, and employed person programs.
The start-up visa program is popularly known as Canada’s SUV program. It is a way for all the interested brilliant minds, from all around the globe to start their business and gain a permanent residency in Canada quite easily.
To avail of the benefit of the investor program, you will need to invest a significant amount in the Canadian economy.
The Self-employed person program is for talented individuals who are relevant in cultural or athletic activities or farm management.
Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
Quebec, one of the most famous cities in Canada, has its very own immigration system, which is totally separate from the federal programs. If you are someone who wishes to get settled in Quebec, then you can apply for the QSWP program. This program targets all the skilled laborers from all over the earth to settle in Quebec.
Let’s know how to apply for QSWP:
- To apply for the Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program (QSWP), you will first need to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate
- Once you get selected, you can straight away apply to the federal PR application.
Conclusion
So, you read the whole blog successfully? Great job dude.
In this blog, we discuss the minute details of how you can be a permanent resident of Canada and the different PR programs you can opt for.
Immigrating to Canada is quite a tough task, you need to apply for it, need proper financial support, a proper program, and whatnot.
But with guidance, you can make your place in Canada. Don’t worry we got yuh! We will help you from the very start to the end. From Express Entry to PNP, our team of experienced consultants will help you create a perfect plan that will maximize your chances.
