Approximately 250,000 people move to Canada each year. There are multiple ways to legally move to this country and many qualify for at least one of the criteria. Read on to find out in detail what to do.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Get Admitted to Canada
Step 1. Find out if you are eligible to move to Canada
Before you start making detailed plans, you should check your eligibility. Several reasons can hinder an immigrant's access. Here are some of them:
- Violation of human or international rights.
- Criminal record.
- Health.
- Financial reasons.
- False statements.
- Lack of compliance with the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
- Ineligibility of a member of one's family.
Step 2. Consider the different categories for legally residing in Canada
It is important to take legal action, otherwise you would end up breaking the law and being deported. There are various ways to obtain residency. Here are some of them:
- Express Entry is a skilled worker visa. Falling into this category, i.e. being a professional who has certain qualifications, is considered one of the most effective ways to obtain residency in Canada. It can be suitable for those who have had full-time experience in a certain sector for at least 12 months. The fields are three: management jobs (such as that of a restaurant), professions that require a degree to be carried out and technical jobs. If you are applying for this purpose, immigration officers will consider the following factors: age, experience, training, and employment background.
- Start-up or investment. These visas are designed for those who are entrepreneurs, have a company or are involved in investments on a professional level. Investors wishing to go this route must have a net worth of at least C $ 10 million.
- Provincial visa. In this case, a certain Canadian province selects certain individuals based on certain requirements. It is a relatively rare category.
- Family sponsorship. As the name implies, if you have a family member who already lives in Canada, they could sponsor your move to the country.
- Selection of Québec. It is a similar category to the provincial visa, except that the provincial government handles the selections on behalf of the federal government. It is designed for students, entrepreneurs, temporary workers, families and refugees who want to move exclusively to Québec.
- International adoption. Through this category, a Canadian citizen who has adopted a foreign child can grant him residence.
- Refugees. Individuals fleeing their countries for security reasons can also apply for residency by completing a special form. Advocacy is also available to fund application costs and help with relocation to Canada.
- Assistants / carers. Anyone wishing to move to Canada for the purpose of caring for a Canadian resident or citizen can apply for this residence permit.
- Self-employed workers. There is also a visa for this category. Remember that you need to prove that you have an income of at least US $ 40,000 per year and that you can continue earning this amount while living in Canada.
Step 3. Fill out the application form
Choose the category that best suits your situation to apply for a visa. For example, if you are self-employed and plan to move to Canada, then you should fill out a different application than if you want to move to the country to work as an assistant / caregiver.
- If you are a worker with a particular specialization and want to speed up the transfer process, you can fill out an online profile for the Express Entry category. You will need to provide information about yourself, your language skills and your qualifications. After completing it, you must also register with Government of Canada's Job Bank (unless you already have a job offer).
- If you are applying for one of the following visas, you must mail the application: self-employment, entrepreneurship, skilled work in Québec, family sponsorship or provincial visa.
Step 4. Pay the application fee
It can be quite high, especially if you also have to apply for a visa for a spouse and other people who are moving with you. For example, the fee for an individual Express Entry application is CAD $ 550. If you are dependent on a spouse and child, the total cost will be CAD $ 1250.
Make sure you pay the full amount, otherwise the application may not be processed
Step 5. Wait for the visa to arrive
Remember that it can take some time to get an answer. While using the Express Entry form, you have to wait up to six months for news. Consequently, be sure to apply as soon as you make the decision to move to Canada. Don't wait until a month or a week before, apply for your visa now.
If you are denied, you will have to reapply, but only if your situation changes significantly. You cannot appeal for the decision to be re-evaluated
Part 2 of 2: Relocating
Step 1. Before moving, get all the necessary documents
At the time of transfer, you need certain documents to be admitted to Canada. Here are what they are:
- A Canadian immigrant visa and confirmation of permanent residence for each family member traveling with you.
- A valid passport or other travel document for each family member.
- Two copies of a list detailing any personal or household items you carry with you.
- Two copies of a list listing the items that will arrive later and their monetary value.
Step 2. Look for apartments and houses in the area where you intend to live
You will need to block a rent before moving to Canada. Look for a place suitable for your financial availability. Remember that the move will come with a lot of other costs, so after paying the rent, make sure you have enough money left to live on each month.
- If possible, visit the city where you will be living a month or two before the move, so that you can see possible houses firsthand.
- If you can't find a place to live permanently before you leave, then you should stay in a hotel until you find a house.
Step 3. Take out private health insurance
Canadian residents and citizens have free health insurance, but you must take out a private one to get coverage for the first three months of your stay. The agencies change according to the province.
If you are a refugee, then you may be protected by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), so you won't need to take out private insurance. Everyone else will need it until they receive the appropriate card from the government
Step 4. Improve your language skills
Knowing how to communicate will help you adapt better. If you are not a native speaker of English or French, you need to invest time and energy to perfect your skills. Look for a course that you can take on the weekend or in the evening to gain greater mastery.
- In some provinces, French is more widespread than English. Find out which language is most spoken in the province you are moving to.
- If you already speak one of Canada's two official languages (English or French), then you should learn the one you don't know.
Step 5. Look for a job (if you don't already have one)
If you have received your visa without first obtaining employment, then after the transfer you must devote a good part of your time and energy to research. Be sure to register with Canadian Government's Job Bank and check back often for new listings.
- Newcomers face more than one hurdle to find a job: your qualifications may not be recognized, your language skills may be insufficient or you may need work experience in the country.
- At the Service Canada Center you can get a Social Insurance Number. Just make sure you bring the required documents with you. Temporary residents can also have it.
Step 6. Apply for Canadian Citizenship
If you decide to stop and want to have the same rights as a Canadian citizen, that's the right move to make. After all, that's why you decided to move, right?
- After three years of residency in Canada, you can apply to become a citizen. In addition to this requirement, you must also be at least 18 years old, speak English or French, understand Canadian customs and social customs, have passed a Canadian government and policy exam.
- Once these requirements are met, you will be granted Canadian citizenship. You will receive an invitation to attend a ceremony, where you will be given a special certificate.
