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Foreign nationals aiming for Canadian permanent residency have multiple pathways available, even with low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in Express Entry. If you have a low CRS score, and don’t qualify for any category-based draws, you’re unlikely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through Canada’s federal Express Entry system.
If you have a low CRS score and want to get PR, you can consider:
• Provincial nominee programs (PNPs);
• The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP);
• Family sponsorship; and
• Immigration pilots.
Provincial Nominee Program
If you have a low CRS score, no family sponsor, and don't qualify for immigration pilots, a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may be your best chance for Canadian permanent residency. To qualify, you must show intent to live in the province or territory and meet their specific criteria. All provinces and territories, except Nunavut and Quebec, have PNPs.
Base PNPs require direct application to the province, and if successful, you receive a certificate of nomination to apply for PR through IRCC. Enhanced PNPs are linked to Canada's Express Entry system, requiring eligibility for at least one federal economic immigration program. A provincial nomination grants 600 additional CRS points, boosting your chances for an ITA. Enhanced PNPs typically have faster processing times (around 6 months) compared to base PNPs (12 months). Some PNP streams offer both base and enhanced options.
The Atlantic Immigration Program
To apply for permanent residence through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
Canada’s Atlantic provinces are:
• New Brunswick;
• Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Nova Scotia; and
• Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Employers can become designated by applying to their province, with each province having its own process. If you have a job offer and meet the criteria, your employer can apply for a Certificate of Endorsement, required for your PR application. As an AIP nominee, you may also be eligible for a two-year work permit.
Spousal Sponsorship
If your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for Canadian permanent residence.
Provided that you have the appropriate relation to an eligible sponsor, and you are eligible yourself, you can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence under this program.
Marrying for immigration purposes can lead to a refusal of your application, or even revocation of your permanent residence (if discovered later).
Family sponsorship – dependent child
If you are the dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may sponsor you for permanent residency. To qualify, you must be under 22 and unmarried, or in some cases, over 22 if financially dependent on your parents due to a mental or physical condition. You must meet the dependent child criteria throughout the application process.
Dependent children of dependent children may also be sponsored.
Family Sponsorship – Parents and Grandparents program
If you're a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for sponsorship under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), but it's not guaranteed. You must submit an interest to sponsor form and wait for an invitation through a lottery system. The process can be time-consuming and competitive. Alternatively, you can visit with a super visa for up to five years.
Immigration Pilots
The Canadian government offers immigration pilots that can provide pathways to permanent residence for eligible foreign nationals. These pilots, including the Agri-Food Pilot and a forthcoming caregiver program, are temporary and have set end dates. Some successful pilots, like the Atlantic Immigration Program and Rural Canadian Immigration Class, can become permanent. It's essential to follow the application process carefully and meet all deadlines.
If a pilot program closes before you can be considered, there is no guarantee that you’ll gain another opportunity to apply to it.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/canadian-permanent-residency-is-possible-with-a-low-crs-score-heres-how/articleshow/117194299.cms
