Approximately 250,000 people move to Canada each year. There are many ways to legally move to Canada and many people can qualify for at least one of them. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions on how to move to Canada.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Gaining Entrance to Canada
Step 1. Check if you are eligible to move to Canada
Before proceeding further to move to Canada, it is a good idea to check if you qualify. From various reasons, you could be rejected for one reason. Those reasons are as follows:
- commit human rights or international violations
- have a criminal record
- have health problems
- financial reasons
- misrepresentation or making statements that are not in accordance with existing facts
- not compliant with IRPA (Immigrants and Refugees Protection Act)
- there are family members who are not acceptable in Canada
Step 2. Consider the various legal residence permits in Canada
You need to get official entry into Canada. Otherwise, you are breaking the law and could be deported. There are several ways you can become a Canadian resident. This includes:
- Fast Track for Expert Workers. This pathway of skilled workers is considered by many to be an effective way to obtain a residence permit in Canada. People with at least 12 months of full-time work experience in a specific managerial, professional or skill area can apply in this category. When applying through this class, officers will consider your age, work experience, education, and the field of work you are in.
- Business Startup or Investor. These types of visas can be used for entrepreneurs, private business owners, or professional investors. Investors wishing to apply through the investor channel must have a net profit of at least 10 million Canadian dollars or more.
- Provincial level. A province-level resident group can be obtained if a certain Canadian province elects you to move there. This form of residence permit is relatively rare.
- Family Sponsored. In the family class, your family members who are already living in Canada can agree to sponsor your immigration.
- Selected-Quebec. The Quebec-selected immigration type is the same as the provincial-level residence permit class, except the provincial government selects you on behalf of the Federal Government. This residence permit is available to students, business people, temporary workers, families, and refugees who simply want to move to Quebec.
- International Adoption. In the international adoption class, Canadian residents who adopt a baby or child from another country can get citizenship for the adopted child.
- Refugees. People fleeing their home countries for security reasons can also apply for a residence permit by completing an application for refugees. Sponsors are also available for financial assistance to apply and be relocated to Canada.
- Nurse (Caregiver). If you come to Canada to care for a Canadian resident or citizen, you can apply for a visa for a nurse (caregiver).
- Self-Employed. If you are self-employed, you can apply for a visa as a self-employed individual. Remember, you need to be able to prove that you earn at least $40,000 per year and that you can continue to earn that much in Canada.
Step 3. Complete the appropriate application
Choose the application that best suits your situation to apply for a visa. For example, if you are self-employed and planning to move to Canada, you will need to fill out a different application than a person planning to move to Canada as a nurse.
- Workers with specific skills can complete an online Express Entry profile if they wish to speed up the process of moving to Canada. This profile includes information about yourself, your language skills, and diplomatic credentials. After you have completed your Express Entry profile, you will also need to register with some kind of government-owned social service for job information or commonly known as the Government of Canada's Job Bank (unless you have already received a job offer).
- If you are applying for a self-employed, start-up visa, selected special-skilled worker for Quebec, family sponsored visa, or provincial visa, you must submit your application.
Step 4. Pay the application fee
Application fees can be very high, especially if you are applying for your husband or wife as well as other dependents. For example, the fee for an Express Entry application per person is 550 Canadian dollars. However, if you bring your husband or wife as well as children, the total application fee can be up to 1,250 Canadian dollars.
Make sure you pay the full application fee, otherwise your application will not be processed
Step 5. Wait for your visa to arrive
Remember, it can take a while to get a response. Even if you apply using the Express Entry form, you may have to wait up to six months for a response. Therefore, make sure you apply as soon as you want to move to Canada. Don't wait a month or a week before you have to go to Canada. Get the app right away.
If your application is rejected, you will have to reapply and it is best if there is a major change in your status. You can't appeal
Part 2 of 2: Making the Transition
Step 1. Gather important documents before you move
When moving, you must carry certain official documents in order to be allowed into Canada. What is needed is:
- 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 traveling with you.
- Two (2) copies of a detailed list of personal or household items you are carrying.
- Two (2) copies of the list of items that will come later and their value if cashed
Step 2. Know the apartments and houses in the area you plan to live in
You need to find a good place to live before moving to Canada. Get a place to live according to your income level. Keep in mind that you may incur additional costs associated with your move to Canada, so make sure you still have money each month after paying the rent.
- If possible, come for a visit a month or two before you move so you can see for yourself the house you're going to live in.
- If you can't find permanent residency before moving, consider staying in a hotel until you find a suitable place to live.
Step 3. Purchase private health insurance
Although Canada offers free health insurance to residents and citizens, you will need to purchase private health insurance to ensure you have health coverage for up to three months after you arrive in Canada. There are various insurance service providers, depending on the province where you live.
If you are a refugee coming to Canada, you are covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) and do not need to purchase private insurance. Others must have private health insurance until they get a health insurance card from the government
Step 4. Improve your language skills
Good communication skills will help you thrive in your new home. If your primary language is not English or French, you will need to put in the time and effort to improve your skills. Look for classes you can take on weekends or evenings to help you master the language.
- In some provinces, French is more important than English. Find out in the province you are going to live in what language people speak.
- If the language you use in conversation is one of Canada's national languages (English or French), you might consider learning the other.
Step 5. Find a job (if you don't already have one)
If you have been granted entry to Canada without a clear job for some time to come, you will need to devote a considerable amount of time and effort to looking for work after you move. Make sure you're registered with the Canadian Government's Job Bank and check often for the latest news.
- New immigrants do face several hurdles when it comes to getting a job in Canada: your diploma may not be recognized, your language skills may not be sufficient, or maybe you need work experience in Canada.
- A Social Insurance Number can be obtained at the Service Canada Center. Make sure you bring important documents. Even temporary residents can get one of these.
Step 6. Apply to become a Canadian citizen
If you choose to live in Canada and want to enjoy the rights of a Canadian citizen, here are the next steps. After all, that's the reason for your move, isn't it?
- After three years of living in Canada, you can apply as a legal resident of the country. In addition to living in Canada for three years, you must be at least 18 years old, speak English or French, have an understanding of Canadian social protocol, and pass Canadian government and political exams.
- If these conditions are met, you will gain official Canadian citizenship. You will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, at which time you will receive a certificate confirming your Canadian citizenship.
