Immigrate to Canada from Russia

Express Entry:

The Canada Express Entry points system offers a relatively fast way for skilled foreign workers and their family members to immigrate to Canada from Russia as Canadian permanent residents.

In order to apply for Express Entry to Canada from Russia, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for one of the following Canadian immigration programs:

• Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
  • Requires 1 year of experience in the past 10 years in an eligible occupation
  • NOC (2021) TEER Skill Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations are eligible
  • At least 67 out of 100 points are required from 6 selection factors
  • Factors: English/French, education, experience, age, job offer, adaptability
  • English/French must be at least CLB 7 for reading, writing, speaking, listening
  • Educational Credential Assessment needed if education was not from Canada
  • Other criteria must be satisfied
• Skilled Trades in Canada Program (FSTP):
  • Requires 2 years of experience in the past 5 years in an eligible skilled trade
  • Need to have either a:
    • Canadian job offer in an eligible skilled trade lasting at least 1 year; OR
    • Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian province or territory
  • English/French must be at least:
    • CLB 5 for listening and speaking
    • CLB 4 for writing and reading
  • Other criteria must be satisfied
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program:
  • Requires 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada during the past 3 years
  • NOC (2021) TEER Skill Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 occupations are eligible
  • Many international students and temporary foreign workers apply for the CEC
  • English/French must be at least:
    • CLB 7 for Canadian jobs at the NOC (2021) TEER 0 or 1 Skill Level
    • CLB 5 for Canadian jobs at the NOC (2021) TEER 2 or 3 Skill Level
  • Other criteria must be satisfied

Skilled immigrants who are applying for Canadian immigration through the Provincial Nominee Program have the option to apply using the Express Entry system or the “traditional” application procedure.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for one of the qualifying Canadian immigration programs, you can file an online Express Entry profile with details about yourself, your family, education, work experience, English/French language skills and other relevant information.

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to file your application to become a Canadian permanent resident and should get a decision in 6 months or less.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Eleven of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories have a Provincial Nominee Program Canada (PNP), which was developed in collaboration with the Canadian immigration agency.

The main purpose of the PNP is to help Canadian provinces and territories attract qualified skilled foreign workers who can fill jobs in Canada that are in high-demand locally.

Each province or territory that participates in the PNP establishes its own eligibility criteria, based on local needs.

In general, a foreign worker will first apply to a PNP and if he or she receives a nomination from the province or territory, the second major step is to apply to become a Canadian permanent resident with the federal immigration agency.

If you are approved for immigration to Canada from Russia through the PNP, you and your family will settle in the province or territory that provided the nomination.

Atlantic Immigration Program

This Canadian immigration program offers Canadian permanent residency to qualified foreign workers or international students who want to live in Canada’s Atlantic Provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island.

In general, an employer who wants to hire a foreign worker or international student must first become “designated” by the province where they live in Canada.

Once an employer is designated by a province, he or she may offer Canadian employment to a foreign worker or international student.

Furthermore, a foreign worker or international student may contact a designated employer about living and working in Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program.

After the Canadian job offer has been made, the designated employer will need to cooperate with the local immigrant settlement organization to help the worker develop a settlement plan which can make it easier for them to settle in the community.

Before the worker can apply to become a Canadian permanent resident, the province will need to endorse the designated employer’s offer of employment in Canada.

Both the designated employer and the worker must satisfy all of the requirements for this Canadian immigration program.

If approved for the Atlantic Immigration Program, the immigrant and his or her family will live as Canadian permanent residents in the particular province.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

Another pathway for you to immigrate to Canada from Russia as a permanent resident is through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).

This Canadian immigration program offers permanent residency to foreign workers and their families who are willing to settle in a rural community that participates in the RNIP where the worker’s occupation is needed.

Most people who immigrate to Canada from Russia or other countries settle in the larger Canadian cities like Toronto, however, there is a high demand for skilled immigrants in many small towns all across Canada.

In general, you will need to get a qualifying offer of Canadian employment with an employer in one of the communities that participates in the RNIP and then submit an application for a community recommendation.

After you receive a community recommendation for the RNIP, you can then apply for immigration to Canada from Russia with the federal immigration agency.

If you are approved for Canadian permanent residency through the RNIP, you and your family will settle in the community that recommended you.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

• This is a Canadian immigration program to work in Canada’s province of Quebec
• A single applicant needs 50 points; an applicant with a spouse/partner needs 59 points
• Points are given for education, French/English, work experience, and other factors
• It is important to have good French language skills to live and work in Canada with Quebec skilled workers program.
• You must first file an Expression of Interest (EOI) with Quebec’s online Arrima portal
• If you receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, you can apply for Canadian immigration
• Once you become a Canadian permanent resident, you will live and work in Quebec