In the last eight years, the question “How To Migrate To Canada” has been one of the top search queries on Google Search and this is not a surprise. Canada is one of the most popular immigration countries in the world. Canada is such a beautiful and peaceful country, the largest country in North America. It has been listed as one of the countries with the highest number of immigrants. The Canadian government has been creating more and more immigration pathways. According to the Immigration Service, 341,180 permanent residents immigrated to Canada in 2019 alone, and 74,586 people changed from temporary to permanent residency. With the high demand in immigration, Canada has created several ways to make the immigration process more manageable and easier. We have put together a checklist for moving to Canada.
Checklist for moving to Canada
- Check if you need a visa
- Choose an immigration pathway
- Apply for a Canadian permit
- Prepare to move to Canada
- Travel to Canada
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These steps are applicable to everyone. You just need to check for the best pathway that suits you. Now let’s discuss the above steps.
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Check if you need a visa:
Not everyone coming to Canada needs a visa to gain entrance. That is why you need to confirm if you need a visa to come int Canada. US citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada for up to 6 months. Some other people can travel to Canada with only an electronic authorization. To check if you need a visa to travel to Canada, check the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website by clicking here
Choose an immigration pathway:
After the step above, you need to choose an immigration program. Canada has several immigration programs you can choose from. It depends on what you are looking for. Out of several Canadian immigration programs, these are the popular ones:
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- Express Entry: This program has been considered the easiest way to get Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. It is a point-based program where individuals looking to immigrate to Canada would be scored based on a couple factors like experience, qualifications, education and skills. For more information on how Express Entry works, checkout the official website for IRCC by clicking here
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a stream within the Express Entry program. Canada aims to welcome more than 110,000 immigrants by 2024. The most successful Express Entry candidates immigrate to Canada through the FSWP. According to Canadian government research, FSWP immigrants have successful and fulfilling careers in Canada. The minimum requirements for this stream are managerial, professional, and 10+ years of professional experience in a technical or manual job.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: Launched in 2013, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) has been a significant initiative by the federal and provincial governments to increase the number of skilled crafts employees who come to Canada in order to meet a manpower shortage in the trades.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): You must meet the qualifying conditions and be nominated by a Canadian province in order to participate in this programme. Remember that each province has target populations that include students, skilled employees, entrepreneurs, and semi-skilled workers.
- Quebec Selected Skilled Workers: Only people who desire to live in Quebec particularly can apply for this immigration scheme. You must submit an application for a Quebec Selection Certificate to the Government of Quebec and abide by their requirements in order to obtain this authorization.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: You can only relocate to Atlantic Canada through this immigration programme, which comprises the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Self-Employment Visa: You must show proof that you can work for yourself legally in Canada and that you have sufficient relevant experience in either athletics or the arts.
- Start-Up Visa: You need a viable business plan and a letter of support from a recognised organisation to be eligible for the start-up visa. The language criteria must also be met, and your company must be profitable enough to allow you to settle in Canada.
Apply for the Permit:
You can start the Canadian visa application procedure after you are sure of the type of visa you need. To find out if you are eligible for a visa, you must first visit Canada’s immigration website and then answer a few questions. To submit your application online, you must set up a Government of Canada login (GCKey) account. To submit your application in-person, you have to prepare all your documents and submit them to a local Canadian representative office in your country of residence. Additionally, make ready to pay the visa application fee. Remember that the costs vary based on the type of visa you are applying for, and you might have to pay extra for services like translation and courier.
Prepare for the Move:
The time it takes to get a response after you submit your application could be several weeks. The typical wait time is about four to six months, but if you apply in person, it could take up to 18 months. Make sure you get everything ready for the transfer to Canada during this period. You must print two copies of a thorough inventory of all your possessions if you intend to ship them to Canada. You must include all of the things, including those you are bringing with you and those that will come later, along with their value, make, model, and serial number, if relevant.
In general, you are exempt from paying taxes on commonplace items and services like clothing, furniture, jewellery, silverware, family heirlooms, books, computers, musical instruments, etc. However, to be sure you have nothing to worry about, you must review the entry requirements.
Move to Canada:
You will receive an email with a COPR (confirmation of permanent residence) and a permanent residence visa if your application is accepted (if an entry visa is required). You must use ArriveCan after arriving in Canada; be sure to get the most recent version from the Apple Store or Google Play. To assist you establish and acclimate to life in Canada, you can use the immigration service there. In addition, Canada provides a “Welcome to Canada Guide” to ease your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: How difficult is the process for moving to Canada?
Ans: Moving to Canada is normally not challenging. It’s easier for you to meet the requirements for one immigration stream because Canada is receptive to new immigrants and provides a variety of immigration programmes. You must still fulfil the prerequisites for the pathway you wish to apply for. Also, bear in mind that while moving abroad may not be too challenging, living there requires different preparations in terms of finances, mindset, and social network.
Ques:To immigrate to Canada, how much money is required?
Ans: To settle in Canada, you’ll need at least CAD 13,200. This is the typical cost for a single person; but, if you relocate with other family members, the price goes up. During the moving process, additional unplanned charges, such as entry taxes, the cost of shipping your belongings, the legalization of documents, etc., may be needed.
Ques: Can a US citizen live in Canada?
Ans: Absolutely. Holders of US passports are eligible for a six-month visa-free stay in Canada. However, in order to lawfully move to Canada after six months, you must apply for an immigration programme.