A GUIDE ON HOW TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA
With incredible job opportunities, a top-notch healthcare system, an ever-growing economy, a diverse culture and great quality of life, Canada is without a doubt, one of the best destinations to choose if you are thinking about immigration.
The “Great White North” has lots to offer to people looking to start and build a new and brighter future. This comprehensive guide will highlight the reasons why you should choose Canada and what you need to do to succeed in your immigration plan.
The reasons behind choosing Canada as an immigration destination could be many. Perhaps you are looking for a better prospect to develop as a professional, or you are looking for a place that offers safety, a good education and a healthcare system that will accommodate you and your family. Maybe you want to pursue a career in a specific field or further your graduate studies. All of them are very valid reasons. The good news is that Canada is the place where you can get all of these and more.
The following are the most common reasons why people choose Canada as a destination to immigrate:
Their attitude towards immigrants: Approximately 20% of Canada's inhabitants were born abroad, making Canada one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Thanks to the diversity of its population, Canadians are very welcoming to newcomers.
Free healthcare: Another good reason to choose Canada as your immigration destination is that, as a permanent resident, you and your family members will have access to high-quality and free healthcare.
Job Opportunities: Canada has a large pool of job opportunities available for qualified workers in different fields and industries. There is always a growing number of high-demand occupations and Canadian businesses turn to foreign workers to fill those jobs.
Education: As a permanent resident, you and your family members have access to Canada’s elite education system.
Security: Canada is one of the safest countries in the world, both because of its low crime rate and its political stability.
The first step you need to take before embarking on your immigration path is to find out of you are eligible to apply for permanent residence. Getting to know which program Works best for you and your family ahead of time is much better. Everyone has a unique profile, do not compare your case to others because it may vary.
They would be age, your education level, language ability in English or French, your foreign work experience, and your family size as you will need to provide proof of financial funds for most programs.
As we mentioned before, in order to move to Canada legally, you will need a permanent residence, or a temporary visa approved such as a study permit or work permit.
A permanent residence gives you the right to live and work in Canada, with almost the same rights and duties as Canadian citizens, you cannot vote or run for public office. You can be a permanent residence, is given to you for a period of 5 years which can be renewed indefinitely. After residing for three years in Canada, you can apply for citizenship.
For skilled workers, these are the different programs to apply for a permanent residence, each one designed with distinctive requirements to adjust to the different applicants:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class which are the federal programs. These programs will be using the Express Entry System.
The Provincial Nominee Programs allow the participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate eligible individuals and their families to get a permanent residence. Each province has different programs and requirements, depending on their needs. Here is where most of the programs reside, but you have to be up to date as they are also in constant change.
Most people are interested in coming to work in Canada, and that is one of the most complex visas, a temporary work permit is in most cases an authorization given by Employment and Social Development Canada to a Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker for a limited period of time in Canada. You will need a temporary work permit if you are going to work in Canada. There are two types of work permits: open work permits, which allow the person to work for any employer in Canada, with certain exceptions, and closed work permits, which allow the person to work under specific conditions. Read more about it on our Work Section.
If you are moving to Canada, you need to make sure you are capable of writing, reading and speaking in English or French (Canada’s two primary languages) in order to be able to apply for a job or get into an educational institution. One of the requirements you will need to provide in your application is the results of a certified language test.
If you speak English, you can take the following tests:
If you have a family it is best to be assessed and get top know your opportunities, a lot of people tend to think that it is best to come individually first and eventually bring your family, but the Canadian system does not necessarily work like that, you want to make sure that if at the moment they cannot accompany you there is a good reason for it, just to avoid any misunderstandings in the future that could prevent you from bringing them with you.
If you apply for Permanent Residence, your family members can immigrate with you. This includes your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent children or your spouse's dependent children. As co-dependent relatives, you must have the resources to support your family financially while they have that status.
As a Permanent Resident, you are allowed to work as any Canadian citizen. There will be many resources for you to get into the labour market, once your permanent residence is granted you will have time even before coming to Canada to start your search. One of the main goals for the Canadian Government is that you settle in as soon as possible so there will be institutions ready to help you make that transition. But in the meantime, you will need to have the financial resources to support yourself and your family while you get a job. That is why most of the permanent residence programs require proof of funds, those funds are meant to cover you and your family for up to a year in case you decide you do not want to work when you initially arrive. Most people tend to start looking for a job right away, but each family has their own plans.
Depending on where you are going to settle you should also consider getting some health insurance to cover any costs associated with health services. For example, if you are going to live in Ontario you will need coverage at least for the first three months while your government health insurance is enabled. In Saskatchewan for example you will be covered right away.
The cost of living will differ depending on the province where you settle down. Living in the big metropolis will be always more expensive than living in smaller cities and towns.
Beforehand, it is a good idea to create a plan that includes monthly household expenses, transportation, utilities, and other services such as telecommunications.
According to the Government of Canada, most Canadians spend on average between 35% and 50% of their income on housing rent and utilities, such as heating, water, and electricity.
Are you interested in learning more about Canada as an immigration destination for your future? Contact us for an assessment. Plan ahead, get to know your opportunities.