I’ll be honest with you—when January rolls around and everyone starts talking about their New Year’s resolutions, most of us think about hitting the gym or finally organizing that closet. But what if I told you that the same resolutions could actually speed up your journey to becoming a Canadian resident?
Last week, I was talking to a friend who’s been trying to immigrate to Canada for two years. She mentioned she was taking French lessons as a New Year’s resolution, not realizing it could add 50 points to her Express Entry score. That conversation got me thinking: how many people are making resolutions without knowing they’re also building their immigration profile?
So I dug into the data, talked to immigration consultants, and put together this guide. These three resolutions aren’t just good for your personal growth—they’re strategic moves that could be the difference between waiting years and getting your invitation to apply this year.
Resolution #1: Master a Second Language (Or Get Better at Your First)
The resolution: “This year, I’m going to get serious about learning French—or finally improve my English writing skills.”
I know, I know. Learning a language sounds like one of those resolutions people make in January and abandon by February. But hear me out.
Why this matters for immigration
Canada’s immigration system isn’t subtle about what it wants: they heavily favor people with strong language skills. And there’s a practical reason for this. The government has data showing that newcomers with better language abilities find jobs faster, earn more, and integrate into communities more successfully.
The Express Entry system—which is how most skilled workers immigrate—awards points based on your language test scores. But here’s where it gets interesting: it’s not just about getting basic points for speaking English or French. The real magic happens in something called “skills transferability.”
Let me explain this with real numbers. Say you have five years of work experience and a bachelor’s degree. That’s good, but it won’t get you many points on its own. However, if you add strong language test scores (Canadian Language Benchmark 9 or higher), suddenly that same work experience and education are worth an extra 50 points in the skills transferability section.
The French advantage nobody talks about
Here’s something that surprised me when I first learned about it: Canada gives you extra points for BOTH English AND French. Most countries make you pick one. Canada says “why not both?”
If you can demonstrate strong French ability (Canadian Language Benchmark 7 or higher in all categories), you automatically get 50 bonus points. That’s huge. To put it in perspective, getting a Canadian work experience adds 40 points. French proficiency literally gets you more points than a year of working in Canada.
And it’s not just about Express Entry. Since late 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a dedicated category specifically for French-speaking candidates. They’re making it crystal clear: if you speak French, they want you.
Provincial programs love French speakers too
Beyond federal programs, provinces are creating their own pathways for French speakers:
- Ontario has a French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream
- Northwest Territories runs a Francophone-specific program
- Several provinces have dedicated pilots for French-speaking students
Even if you’re applying through a Provincial Nominee Program, French ability can move you to the front of the line.
My practical advice
Start with English if it’s not your first language. Get your IELTS or CELPIP scores to at least CLB 9 (that’s an IELTS 7 in most categories). Once you’re there, consider adding French through courses or self-study. Apps like Duolingo won’t get you to test level, but they’re a good start before you invest in proper classes.
Resolution #2: Get Your Finances in Order and Build Your Savings
The resolution: “I’m going to save more money this year and actually stick to a budget.”
This one sounds boring compared to learning a new language, but it’s probably the most practical resolution on this list.
Why this matters for immigration
Canada wants to make sure you won’t struggle financially when you arrive. For most immigration pathways, you need to prove you have enough money to support yourself (and your family, if they’re coming with you). These are called settlement funds, and for many people, this requirement catches them off guard.
The amounts aren’t small. As of 2025, a single person applying through Express Entry needs to show at least $15,263 in available funds. Have a spouse? That jumps to $19,001. Add a child and you’re looking at $23,360.
These numbers get updated annually to keep pace with inflation, and they only go up—never down.
Different pathways, different requirements
What makes this tricky is that every immigration pathway has different financial requirements:
For study permits: You need to prove you can cover tuition PLUS living expenses of at least $22,895 for a single person (as of September 2025). And this doesn’t count tuition, which could be $15,000-$40,000 per year depending on your program.
For visitor visas and work permits: There’s no published minimum, which actually makes it harder. Officers assess on a case-by-case basis, and you need to convince them you have enough money to support yourself and return home if needed.
For Express Entry: The good news is if you already have a valid job offer or Canadian work experience, you might not need to show settlement funds at all. But if you don’t, you absolutely must meet the threshold.
The problem nobody mentions
Here’s what immigration consultants won’t always tell you upfront: these funds need to be readily available. Money tied up in property, retirement accounts you can’t access, or borrowed money doesn’t count. The government wants to see liquid assets—bank accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, things you can actually spend when you arrive.
I’ve heard stories of people who technically had the money but couldn’t prove it properly, and it derailed their entire application.
My practical advice
Start a dedicated “Canada fund” savings account today. Even if you’re a year or two away from applying, having this money sitting there, accumulating statements and transaction history, makes your application stronger. Get a letter from your bank confirming the balance. Keep it updated. Make this a visible, trackable goal.
Resolution #3: Invest More in Your Relationship (Yes, Really)
The resolution: “I want to be more supportive of my partner this year—help them achieve their goals, spend more quality time together.”
This one might seem like it has nothing to do with immigration, but stay with me. This resolution could be the smartest immigration strategy you never thought of.
Why this matters for immigration
If you’re planning to immigrate as a couple, Canada doesn’t just look at one person’s qualifications—they consider both of you. And in the Express Entry system specifically, your partner’s skills can add significant points to your combined score.
Here’s the breakdown: a spouse or common-law partner can contribute up to 40 points through their education, language ability, and Canadian work experience. That might not sound like much compared to the principal applicant’s maximum of 500 points, but in a system where most candidates are clustered between 450-480 points, an extra 40 points can mean the difference between waiting indefinitely and getting invited in the next draw.
The strategy most couples miss
Here’s something fascinating: couples can submit two separate Express Entry profiles, with either person as the principal applicant. Why does this matter?
Maybe you have a master’s degree but your partner has better language scores. Or maybe you have more work experience but your spouse works in a high-demand occupation that’s being targeted in category-based draws.
I know a couple where the husband initially applied as the principal applicant. His CRS score was 462—just short of recent cutoffs. They recalculated with the wife as the principal applicant, and her score came out to 478. She got invited three weeks later. Same couple, same qualifications, different strategy.
How to actually make this work
Supporting your partner isn’t just about being emotionally present (though that’s important too). For immigration purposes, it means actively helping them improve their profile:
Language training together: If your partner’s English or French scores are holding back your combined score, invest in courses for them. Study together. Make it a shared activity rather than something they do alone.
Educational upgrades: If your partner has a diploma but could upgrade to a bachelor’s degree through online courses, that’s worth exploring. Educational Credential Assessments for foreign degrees can also boost scores.
Canadian work experience: If you manage to get a work permit first, your spouse typically gets an open work permit too. Any Canadian work experience they gain will add points when you later apply for permanent residence.
Provincial pathways: Some provinces specifically consider couples’ combined profiles for nomination. Ontario, for example, looks at both partners’ French ability when assessing applications for their French-speaking stream.
The emotional side matters too
Immigration is stressful. Applications take months. You’ll face setbacks and uncertainty. Couples who approach this as a team project, where both people are invested and supportive of each other’s contributions, handle the stress better and make smarter strategic decisions.
I’ve seen too many couples where one person carries the entire burden of research, applications, and planning. Not only is that unfair, it’s also strategically unwise. Your partner might notice opportunities you miss or have insights about which pathway suits you better.
Making These Resolutions Stick
The difference between a resolution and actual change is accountability and tracking. For immigration purposes, you need both anyway.
For language learning: Book your language test now for six months from today. Having a deadline makes your studying purposeful. Track your practice test scores weekly.
For finances: Set up automatic transfers to your Canada savings fund. Even $200 a month adds up to $2,400 by year’s end. Use a spreadsheet to watch it grow.
For supporting your partner: Schedule a monthly “immigration check-in” where you both review your profiles, discuss strategy, and celebrate small wins together.
The Timeline Reality
Let me be real with you: immigration to Canada takes time. Even with perfect scores and qualifications, you’re looking at 6-12 months minimum from getting invited to actually landing in Canada. For many pathways, it’s longer.
But that’s exactly why these New Year’s resolutions matter. Starting in January gives you a full year to build your language scores, accumulate savings, and strengthen your combined couple profile before you even submit an application.
The people who get invited quickly aren’t lucky—they’re prepared. They spent months or years building their qualifications before they ever created an Express Entry profile.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful thing about these three resolutions is that they’re valuable whether you end up immigrating to Canada or not. Being bilingual, financially stable, and in a strong partnership are good for your life regardless of where you live.
But if Canada is your goal, why not make your personal development work double-duty?
Start with one resolution. Get momentum. Then add the others. By next January, you might be making resolutions as a Canadian permanent resident.
That’s worth a gym membership you’ll never use, isn’t it?
