How to Get Canada PR from India

Choosing a new country to call home is a huge decision, and for many people in India, Canada is becoming the top pick. It’s easy to see why. Canada offers amazing job opportunities, free healthcare, great schools and a reputation for being a very safe place to live. Getting a Canada PR (Permanent Resident) Visa is like getting a key that unlocks a secure future for you and your family.

What a Canada PR Visa Gives You

With a PR Visa, you can live, work, or study anywhere in Canada for five years. And after that, you can either renew your visa or even apply to become a Canadian citizen. The Canadian government is actually looking to welcome skilled people from India through programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Canada PR process step-by-step

If you’re considering applying, we have a complete guide to help you through the Canada PR process step-by-step. 

It explains the whole process from start to finish, including:

How long does the processing time usually take.

• Canada PR process step-by-step instructions on how to apply
• What you need to be eligible
• A list of all the documents you’ll need
• The fees in Indian Rupees

This guide will give you all the information you need to begin your journey to a new life in Canada.

The journey to getting a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) Visa from India has a few key steps. Following them carefully will help your application go smoothly.

Step 1: See if you’re meeting Canada PR eligibility criteria

Before you do anything else, you need to check if you meet the basic requirements to apply. Canada has a few different immigration programs. Ensure you meet the requirements under programs like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or others.You need to make sure you tick all the boxes for the things like your age, education, and work experience.

Step 2: Take a Language Proficiency Test

Applicants must prove their English or French language skills

• In English: The most common tests are the IELTS (General Training) or CELPIP.
• In French: You can take the TEF test.

Getting a higher score on these tests is a big advantage because it gives you more points, which greatly improves your chances of being invited to apply for PR.

Step 3: Get Education Credential Assessment (ECA)

If you completed your studies outside Canada, you need to get your degrees and diplomas verified by an authorized body such as WES (World Education Services). This ensures your education is equivalent to Canadian standards.

Step 4: Join the Express Entry Pool

This is where you’ll create an online profile with all your information—things like your age, what you’ve studied, your work history, and your score from the language test. Based on this, you’ll get a score called the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. This score places you in a ranking list with other applicants.

Step 5: Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The Canadian government regularly holds draws where they invite people with high CRS scores to apply for permanent residency. If your score is high enough, you’ll receive an official Invitation to apply, or ITA.

Step 6: Submit Your Official Application

Once you get your ITA, you have a limited time to submit your full application. This is where you’ll upload all the documents to prove everything you said in your profile. You’ll also pay the application fees and provide your fingerprints and a photo (called biometrics).

Step 7: Final Checks

As one of the last steps, you’ll need to do two things:

• Medical Exam: Get a health checkup from a special doctor approved by the Canadian government.
• Police Check: Get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to show that you have a clean record. This proves you are not a security risk.

Canada PR Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Canada PR Visa from India, you need to meet specific requirements such as:

• Age: While the best age is between 18 and 35, you can still apply if you are older, though you will receive fewer points.
• Education: You must have at least a bachelor’s degree or a diploma. The more education you have, the higher your score will be in the system.
• Work Experience: You need at least one year of paid, full-time work experience in a skilled job. These jobs are organized by a system called the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• Language Skills: You have to show you’re good at English or French. You’ll need to take a test like IELTS for English and get a score of at least 6.0 in each section (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), which is equal to a CLB 7.
• Proof of Funds: You must have enough money to support yourself and your family when you first arrive in Canada. You’ll need to show official proof of these funds.
• Adaptability: You can earn extra points if your spouse has good language skills or education, or if you have a brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident.

Canada PR Documents Required

While applying for a Canada PR Visa from India, you will need to prepare the following documents:

• Other supporting documents as per program requirements
• Valid passport
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• IELTS/CELPIP/TEF test results
• Work experience letters from employers
• Proof of funds (bank statements, fixed deposits, etc.)
• Medical examination certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Recent passport-size photographs

Canada PR fees in Indian rupees

The cost of your Canada PR application from India is made up of a few different government fees and other related costs. Here is a clear breakdown of the main expenses:

• For the Main Applicant: The fee is CAD 1,525, which is approximately ₹93,000 to ₹95,000.
• For a Spouse or Partner: The cost is the same, at CAD 1,525, or about ₹93,000 to ₹95,000.
• For Each Dependent Child: The fee is CAD 260 per child, which is roughly ₹16,000 to ₹17,000.

Important Note: These are just the main government fees. You will also have other expenses to budget for, such as:

• Language tests (like IELTS)
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) fees
• Biometrics fees (for fingerprints and photos)
• Medical examination costs
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) fees

Remember that all fees are subject to change by the Canadian government (IRCC), and the Indian Rupee amounts will vary with the exchange rate. It’s always a good idea to check the official IRCC website for the most current fee schedule.

Canada PR Processing Time

The time it takes to process a Canada PR application can vary quite a bit, but for most people applying through Express Entry, it is relatively quick. Here’s a general idea of the Canada PR processing times and what can affect them:

General Processing Time:

• For Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), the processing time can be longer, often ranging from 4 to 11 months or more, as the application goes through both the provincial and federal governments.
  
• For applications through the Express Entry system, the target processing time is typically 6 to 8 months. This is considered one of the fastest immigration pathways in the world.