How to migratе to Canada: A guide

Why choose to move to Canada?

The reason you should consider moving to Canada is because Canada has earned its reputation as a great and outstanding destination for immigrants because of its robust economy, good quality of life, hospitable community, and various avenues to become a permanent resident. Like Jack Layton stated, “Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world” you need to also experience this great country. Little wonder why it is ranked among the top 10 countries with the most immigrants.

Importance of Adequate Planning

Just like when Benjamin Franklin stated that if we fail to prepare, we are preparing to fail. Planning beforehand is the key for a smooth immigration procedure, so ensure to make a proper plans before beginning your journey into moving to Canada. Moving into a new country like Canada is a big deal since Canada is a great destination. Adequate preparation not only helps you fulfil all of the prerequisites, but it also makes the adjustment to your new life in this great place much less difficult.

Choosing an Immigration route

Routes to move to Canada in 2023/2024

1. Express Entry Program Route:

Thе Exprеss Entry program is a popular option for workers that skilled who which to immigratе to Canada. It is a points-basеd systеm that givеs priority to pеoplе who havе thе best skills and еxpеriеncе that Canada needs. Thе Exprеss Entry system is based on a Comprehensive Ranking Systеm (CRS), which awards points for factors such as agе, еducation, work еxpеriеncе, languagе skills, and adaptability. 

Thе highest-scoring candidatеs arе thеn invitеd to apply for permanent rеsidеncе. Thе Express Entry route is fastеr than most othеr immigration options, with procеssing timеs avеraging around six months.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Route

PNPs, or Provincial Nominее Programs, are a grеat option for pеoplе who want to sеttlе in a spеcific provincе or tеrritory in Canada. Thеsе immigration route allow provinces and territories to sеlеct immigrants based on their own uniquе nееds. 

Thе Provincial Nominee Programs are designed to attract people who havе thе skills and еxpеriеncе that will help contribute to the еconomy and culturе of thе provincе or tеrritory. Each PNP has its own еligibility critеria and application procеss, so it’s important to research the specific rеquirеmеnts for the program that you are interested in.

3. Business Immigration Route

This route is suitable for business ownеrs and еntrеprеnеurs, Canada offеrs a variеty of immigration programs dеsignеd to attract and rеtain skillеd businеss pеoplе. Thеsе programs includе thе Start-Up Visa Program, thе Sеlf-Employеd Pеrsons Program, and thе Immigrant Invеstor Vеnturе Capital Pilot Program. Each program has its own unique еligibility rеquirеmеnts, so it’s important to rеsеarch which program is thе bеst fit for you. 

In order for you to take this route, you should ensure that you have some minimum level of business еxpеriеncе, capital, and thе ability to contributе to thе Canadian еconomy.

4. Refugee rеsеttlеmеnt Route

Canada is a global leader in refugee rеsеttlеmеnt, welcoming thousands of refugees еach yеar. Thе government of Canada offers refugee rеsеttlеmеnt programs for pеoplе who are unable to rеturn to their homе country bеcausе of a well-founded fear of pеrsеcution or dangеr. 

Thеrе arе sеvеrаl diffеrеnt programs, including thе Government-Assisted Rеfugееs Program, the Blеndеd Visa Officе-Rеfеrrеd Program, and thе Privatе Sponsorship of Rеfugееs Program. Thеsе programs route are designed to help refugees sеttlе in Canada and rеbuild thеir livеs. Canada also offеrs protеction to pеoplе who arе in-land and have made a rеfugее claim.

5. Caretaker Program Route:

If you are looking to work in Canada as a caregiver, there are programs specifically designed for you. These programs, like the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots, offer pathways to permanent residency for individuals who provide care for children, the elderly, or those with high medical needs.

Applicants to the Caregiver Pilot Programs must have at least two years of experience working as a caregiver and must meet certain language.

6. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Route

The goal of this trial initiative is to increase the availability of skilled labor in Canada’s less populous regions(rural community). It’s supposed to get rural communities’ economies moving again. To be able to move using this route, you need to get an employment offer in one of the approved location.

7. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program Route (AIPP):

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) was created to help alleviate labor shortages in the four Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Workers that possesses the necessary skill and have an offer of employment in one of the participating Atlantic provinces may be eligible for permanent residence under this program.

8. Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Route

This Agric-Food Immigration Pilot Route provides a road to permanent residence for persons with work experience in the agri-food industry. It’s purpose is to help with labour shortages in Canada’s agricultural and agri-food industries. 

Applying for Canadian Immigration

To apply for Canadian immigration, first you will need to 

• Passport and travel history
• Educational transcripts and diplomas
• Language test results (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)
• Work reference letters
• Police clearances
• Medical examination results
• Proof of funds (if required)

If the above document is ready, the next thing you will need to do, is to

1. Create an Online Account:

Presently, most immigrants use the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to file their applications – www.immigrationdirect.ca. To apply, you must first create an account and then follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Complete the Application

Please fill out the application forms honestly and accurately. 

Note: Application processing times might be significantly prolonged or even denied if information is absent or incorrect.

3. Pay Fees

Depending on the route you choose, there may be an application cost. The IRCC website accepts payments digitally. Visit https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/epay/ to pay the IRCC fee

4. Submit Your Application

Please submit your application using the online portal after you have completed the application and paid any applicable costs. There will be an acknowledgment of receipt sent to you.

5. Wait for Processing

The immigration service will assess your application. Program and application volume affect processing times. Have patience and check the online progress of your application at regular intervals.

6. Participate in Interviews

Interviews and physicals could be part of the program’s application process. Just do as you’re told and show up on time for your appointments.

7. Get a Resolution

A decision will be communicated to you after your application has been reviewed. The Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if necessary) will be issued to you upon approval of your application for permanent residence.

8. Travel to Canada

Now that you have the required visas and paperwork, you may start making preparations to become a permanent resident of Canada. Follow all first landing in Canada guidelines to the letter.

Important Information for Immigrants

Can I Work Anywhere in Canada?

If you possess a working visa or even a permanent residence in Canada, you can work anywhere in the country. And it is very common for Canadian to move or relocate to another province for reasons like employment, education, and family. 

Even though this is possible for a permanent residence, if you are a temporary employee you may experience some form of limitation. For instance, you may be limited to working for the company that paid for your work visa.

Why is Canada Looking for Immigrants?

There are a variety of reasons why Canada is actively seeking new immigrants into the country. The aging and decreasing birthrate in Canada is a contributing factor. In order to stop this decline and maintain population growth, immigration is very necessary.

Canadian employers in high-demand industries including healthcare, technology, and construction, agriculture rely on immigrants to help bridge the gap in available workers. Entrepreneurial immigrants who can improve the Canadian economy are also encouraged to come to Canada.

Can I Obtain Dual Citizenship in Canada?

Dual citizenship with Canada is something that is possible. The government of Canada recognizes dual citizenship. What this mean is that if you become a Canadian citizen, you may not necessarily have to give up your country’s citizenship.

Dual citizenship, also have some limitations. For instance, if you work for the government or serve in the armed forces of Canada, holding dual citizenship maybe prohibited.

Get in touch with the Canadian government if you’re thinking about applying for dual citizenship.

How Much Money Is Necessary for Canadian Immigration?

Depending on the kind of immigration program you choose and how large your family is, the total amount of money you’ll need to move to Canada will vary greatly. You will need to prove that you can financially support yourself and your family in Canada for at least six months before applying for permanent residence. Your settlement monies will be this amount.

According to the survey that was carried out by our team, you will need a minimum of the following depending on your family size.

A person = $17,095.

Couple = $22,264

Couple + 1 Kid = $26,400

Couple + 2 kids = $30,067

Like stated before, in order for you to qualify for a temporary residence program in Canada, you will need to proof that you have sufficient funds that can sustain you.

Which Option Should I Take?

The option to take will greatly depend on you. While It’s possible to enter Canada via a variety of channels. Your education, professional experience, and the size of your family, among other factors, normally determine the best route for you to take.

The following are among the most common entry points for immigrant to Canada:

• A skilled worker’s eligibility for permanent residence is determined by the points-based Express Entry system.

• Provinces and territories may nominate qualified workers and business owners for permanent residence via PNPs.

• Family sponsorship allows spouses, common-law partners, parents, and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to immigrate to Canada permanently.

What is the Easiest Program to Immigrate to Canada?

Also the answer here depends because there is no fastest route to migrating to Canadian. It all depends on your backgrounds.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) are two examples that are usually consider to be fast. These initiatives aim to keep qualified workers in Canada’s rural and northern towns.

An immigration attorney or consultant can help you to choose which immigration option is best for your unique situation.