Business immigrants have numerous options in Canada. While the most effective choice depends on your unique circumstances, two of the most common strategies are spousal sponsorship and express entry. Both options have their pros and cons, and it makes sense to carefully consider these factors before choosing your immigration strategy in Canada. An experienced immigration lawyer in Canada may be able to explain these advantages and disadvantages in more detail, making it easier to move forward with confidence.
Spousal Sponsorship: A Viable Option With Considerable Limitations
If you are eligible to pursue spousal sponsorship, it represents an excellent choice for business immigrants in Canada. The problem is that it only applies to a select group of people. Perhaps most notably, you must have a spouse who is a Canadian resident or citizen in order to apply for spousal sponsorship. This immediately eliminates large swathes of immigration applicants, as not everyone is fortunate enough to have a Canadian spouse while pursuing business opportunities here.
Another downside is that your spouse must prove that they are capable of supporting you financially. This is not always easy, especially if you are the primary breadwinner in the family. In addition, you must prove that your relationship is authentic – and this could prove challenging for some families. If the Canadian immigration authorities discover that your relationship or marriage is fraudulent, you could face serious legal consequences.
That being said, the stars sometimes align – and you may meet your spouse in Canada after pursuing business opportunities here for a few years. The advantages of this program are clear, and you will gain permanent resident status if you are successful. Spouses who pursue this strategy get access to priority processing – which means your application should be processed within 12 months. This is faster than many other application methods.
In addition, you do not need to worry about Canada’s point system when you pursue spousal sponsorship. This is another layer of complexity, and it can make the application process more daunting. Your age, work experience, and education become inconsequential. As a result, this could be a solid option for spouses who would otherwise score poorly on Canada’s point system.
Express Entry: The Go-To Option for Many Business Immigrants
On the other hand, Express Entry represents the go-to option for many business immigrants. Specifically geared toward skilled workers, this program can help you gain permanent residency within a short period of time. As the name implies, Express Entry allows you to expedite your application process and enter the country as quickly as possible.
According to the Canadian government, Express Entry applications are processed in six months or less. This means that you could potentially gain the right to live and work in Canada in half the time it takes to navigate spousal sponsorship. Those six extra months could prove crucial for many entrepreneurs – including those who have time-sensitive business plans.
Express Entry might also be more advantageous for applicants who are confident about their skills, experience, and education. The Canadian government is actively searching for workers who can contribute to its economy. There is a particular focus on workers who can fill gaps in the Canadian economy. For example, you might have a STEM degree, which is somewhat rare in Canada. This economic, meritocratic approach rewards business immigrants for their skills with a points-based system.
The downside is that this points-based system is highly competitive. Even if you believe that your education and skills make you unique, other workers probably have identical qualifications. In fact, there are probably other workers who can do your job better than you can. If you want to attempt Express Entry, you must prepare to compete with many other people – potentially in their millions.
Another important downside to consider is language proficiency. As an Express Entry applicant, you must demonstrate your mastery of Canada’s languages. That being said, Canada’s bilingual identity could make this easier for many applicants. If your command of English is not particularly strong, you could fall back on your French skills instead.
Comparing Express Entry to Spousal Sponsorship: Apples to Oranges
Comparing Express Entry to Spousal Sponsorship is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. They are very different programs geared toward very different applicants. On the one hand, Spousal Sponsorship is about reuniting families and helping Canadians continue their relationships. On the other hand, Express Entry is about strengthening the Canadian economy by attracting skilled workers.
Very few people will have the opportunity to actually choose between these two options. However, this situation could unfold for certain people. For example, you might have a Canadian citizen as a spouse – and you might also be a highly skilled worker. If this is the case, you might need to make a strategic decision between these two immigration options.
In the end, you will need to think carefully about whether your education, skills, and experience truly make you stand out among the crowd. If you are not confident about your ability to compete in Canada’s points system, it may be best to fall back on Spousal Sponsorship. As long as your marriage is legitimate, the chances of approval are relatively high. On the other hand, if you have in-demand job skills and experience, it might be worth pursuing Express Entry – especially given the faster processing time.
Ultimately, this is something you should discuss with your immigration lawyer in Canada.
Contact Ackah Business Immigration Law Today
If you are serious about business immigration in Canada, then it is time to move past online research. An experienced immigration lawyer in Canada can help you take real legal action, and the choice between spousal sponsorship and express entry is only the beginning. There are many other factors to discuss as you plan a new home in Canada, so get in touch with Ackah Business Law today to continue this process. Our offices are conveniently located in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and many other major cities. Reach out now to get started.
