Canadian Immigration FAQs
The Canadian immigration agency offers several different programs for aspiring foreign workers. These programs come with different requirements which all applying foreign workers must meet. Each Canadian immigration program also has different purposes and benefits.
In general, skilled foreign workers aspiring to work and live in Canada must possess a good command of the English or French language. Various Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers have certain requirements for educational background, age, work experience, etc. Some of these Canadian immigration programs are based on a point system, and applicants must meet a minimum number of points for their overall score. The points are given for various factors, such as French and English language skills, age, educational background, etc.
If you are having a hard time figuring out which Canadian immigration program is suitable for your skills and background, don’t worry. Canadian PR Visa can provide you with an assessment of your best option for immigration to Canada and offers assistance throughout the Canadian visa application process.
Foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada can also include their dependent family members when applying for a Canadian permanent resident visa. This includes the foreign worker’s spouse or partner (opposite sex or same sex) and children who are under 22 years of age and are not yet married. You and your family must, of course, satisfy all of the relevant Canadian visa application requirements. Once you and your family complete the entire Canadian immigration process, you will get the opportunity to work and live in Canada with your loved ones as permanent residents.
Apart from being one of the most immigrant-friendly nations, Canada is also among the best countries to work and live in. The country prides itself on having a high quality of life, and it also welcomes foreign workers and their families from around the globe. The country admits over 300,000 immigrants every year and there are many Canadian job opportunities available to immigrants in various occupations ranging from skilled tradespeople to professionals with university degrees. Canada’s economy is one of the largest in the world (ranked #10 for GDP) and many of the jobs in Canada that are available for immigrants pay well. Canadian permanent residents and citizens receive free or subsidized public healthcare, can attend educational institutions in Canada, and have the opportunity to buy a home, own other property and start a business. Immigrants living in Canada can freely travel throughout this beautiful country and can enter and leave Canada whenever they desire. A permanent resident of Canada who is at least 18 years of age and satisfies other criteria can sponsor eligible family members for a Canadian visa. After living in Canada for only three years and meeting other eligibility requirements, a permanent resident has the option to become a Canadian citizen. Those are only some of the many reasons why Canada is one of the top destinations for expat workers seeking a relocation job abroad.
The average timeline to complete the Canadian immigration process varies as different programs involve different procedures. The amount of time needed to complete the Canadian immigration process also depends on the actions of the applicant (for example, how long it takes to get a passing score on an English or French language evaluation exam, to get their Education Credential Assessment, gather all of the required documents, etc.). Typically, aspiring immigrants who are qualified to apply for Express Entry under a qualified immigration program can expect to complete the entire immigration process in approximately 8 up to 12 months (more or less).
A foreign worker and his or her family who are applying for immigration to Canada must comply with the “good health” criteria. This essentially means that the applicants must not show signs of a threat to the health and safety of the Canadian people. Moreover, the “good health” criteria also entail that the applicants must not have a condition with the potential to excessively utilize Canada’s public healthcare services. To determine whether the aspiring immigrants comply with the “good health” requirement or not, the Canadian immigration officials will require the applicants to acquire a medical examination. The medical exam will be conducted by an authorized physician towards the end of the Canadian immigration process.
All Canadian visa applicants are given a set of basic requirements which they must meet to become eligible for approval. One of these basic requirements includes the “good character” criteria. The “good character” requirement entails that all Canadian permanent resident visa applicants must not pose any sign of threat to the safety of the Canadian people. This requirement is incredibly important to protect the safety and security of the entire Canadian population. To determine whether the applicant meets the “good character” criteria or not, he or she must acquire a police certificate. Additionally, only applicants that are over the age of 18 are required to get a police certificate. Furthermore, the applicants shall obtain the police certificate at the territory or province where he or she has resided for a cumulative total of over six months since the age of 18.
The Invitation to Apply (ITA) refers to the formal invitation that is given by the Canadian immigration agency to foreign workers inviting them to apply for Canadian immigration under the Express Entry system. In general, ITAs are given to foreign workers in the pool of Express Entry applicants who received the highest scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System; or who got a nomination from a Canadian province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program; or were given qualifying Canadian job offers. Upon the issuance of an ITA, the applicant shall file his or her application for a permanent resident visa to Canada with the Canadian immigration agency within 60 days. Usually, the applicant will know if his or her application for Express Entry to Canada is approved or not within six months.
The Express Entry system is a points-based Canadian immigration management system. Express Entry is used to select qualified foreign workers who will be given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency. To immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry system, the foreign worker must apply and be qualified for one of the Canadian immigration programs under the Express Entry system. These programs include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program, as well as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Once the foreign worker has submitted all of the required details in his or her Express Entry online profile, the agents at the Canadian immigration office will review the submitted information and evaluate if the applicant is eligible for one of the immigration programs under the Express Entry system. Applicants who are assessed as meeting the criteria for Express Entry will be placed into the pool of candidates for up to 12 months. In order to leave the Express Entry pool, they will need to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Canadian PR Visa. After receiving the ITA, the Express Entry candidate will have 60 days to file a Canadian PR Visa application and will usually receive a visa decision within six months.
Yes. The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for a qualified tradesperson who would like to live and work in Canada as a permanent resident. This Canadian immigration program is under the Express Entry system, thus any applicant who qualifies for the FSTP has the chance to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada. The FSTP has several requirements that applicants must meet. These requirements include at least 2 years of work experience in the relevant trade within the previous five years, compliance with the “good character” criteria, “good health” criteria, and a good command of the English or French language. The skilled tradesperson may need to get certified in the province or territory where they want to work in Canada or receive a qualifying offer of Canadian employment. Once the applicant and his or her family are approved for a Canadian PR Visa, they will be able to move to Canada as permanent residents.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is another Canadian immigration program under the Express Entry system and it is designed for foreign skilled workers who want to work and live in Canada as permanent residents. The FSWP is a points-based program that requires applicants to obtain a total score of at least 67 points out of 100. The points are earned based on various factors including French/English language proficiency, age, arranged employment, work experience, education, as well as adaptability. Furthermore, to qualify for Express Entry to Canada through the FSWP, the applicant must have at least one year of full-time relevant work experience during the previous 10 years in a qualifying occupation.
Foreign workers applying for Canadian immigration through the FSWP who acquired their training or diploma outside of Canada must obtain an ECA or Education Credential Assessment. An ECA can be acquired from an authorized third-party evaluation service provider. A foreign worker who is applying for Express Entry to Canada under the FSWP must have a favorable ECA which basically says that the education they received outside of Canada is equivalent to a comparable education obtained in Canada.
The main purpose of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is to resolve the ongoing manpower shortage in provinces and territories across Canada. Qualifying foreign skilled workers may also be given an ITA or Invitation to Apply through the PNP, thus making him or her eligible for Express Entry to Canada. The foreign worker must first send an application to the PNP of the province or territory where he or she wishes to work and live in Canada. Once he or she can comply with all the relevant requirements and is given a provincial nomination, he or she will then apply for a Canadian PR Visa with the national government.
Yes. One of the many benefits of becoming a Canadian permanent resident is the right to access the free public healthcare system in Canada. Once you and your family members get approved for a Canadian permanent resident visa, you will need to apply for a health insurance card. The health insurance card will be issued by the territory or province where you and your family will be living in Canada. Please keep in mind that some territories and provinces have a waiting period of up to three months for the applicants to receive their health insurance cards, so be sure to check the rules for the province or territory where you plan to live in Canada.
One of the quickest and most convenient ways of finding a job in Canada is through the Internet. As there is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the country, you are going to find many Canadian job vacancies that suit your skills and background. Canada’s Job Bank is a government-owned website that is excellent for job hunting. This website also allows job seekers to find specific job opportunities in a specific Canadian province or territory. If you register with Canada’s Job Bank, employers and provinces in Canada who are searching for workers with your qualifications can also contact you about opportunities.
There are various fees and other expenses related to the Canadian immigration procedure which you will need to pay at different stages of process. Examples include the Education Credential Assessment, police certificate, medical examination, English and French language evaluation tests, Canadian Visa Application Fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and the Canadian Permanent Resident Card Fee. Of course, you will need to pay for moving to Canada and have enough money to support yourself and accompanying family members while living in Canada until you are working and receiving a paycheck.
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in Canada’s French-speaking province of Quebec. This immigration program is points-based, and the points are given based on several factors including training or education, work experience, English or French language proficiency, job offer in Quebec, connection to Quebec, age, etc. To apply for immigration to Canada through the QSWP, the foreign worker will first need to file an Expression of Interest (EOI) on the “Arrima” online portal. If you meet the criteria for the QSWP, your file will be placed in the Expression of Interest Bank (EIB). In the event that you also receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec, you can then proceed to apply for a Canadian PR Visa with the national immigration office. If you are approved for Canadian permanent residency through the QSWP, you will be allowed to immigrate to Canada and live and work in Quebec long-term!
You can apply for immigration to Canada by yourself, however, receiving the professional services of an authorized Canadian immigration specialist can help to make the procedure easier for you to complete. For example, Canadian PR Visa works with an authorized Canadian immigration specialist who can assess your details and inform you about your best option for immigration to Canada. The Canadian immigration specialist can also provide professional advice and assistance to help you stay on the right track throughout the entire Canadian immigration process. They can tell you which Canadian visa you qualify for, make sure your application is filed correctly with the necessary documents, and answer your questions during the procedure. Thus, if you have no clue where to start with your application, a Canadian immigration specialist can be a big help.
Yes! Canada has an international reputation as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world, which wants and encourages skilled immigrants to move to Canada and welcomes them when they arrive. A global survey published by Gallup in 2020 found that Canadians have the most positive attitudes toward immigrants. Another poll ranked Canada as the #1 best country for expat workers to live and work. Canada is a multicultural country where 22% of the population is foreign-born and the Canadian government has an official policy promoting multiculturalism. There are numerous small and large immigrant communities across the country, so Canada is basically a country where immigrants can feel at home.
Aside from welcoming newcomers, Canada is a good country for immigrants because it has a high quality of life; free public healthcare; excellent education system; a strong economy; widespread prosperity; thousands of Canadian job opportunities; immigrants can open a business and buy a home in Canada; English and French are the national languages; Canada is a beautiful, peaceful country; and immigrants can become Canadian citizens in only three years! This explains why more than 300,000 people from all over the world immigrate to Canada each year.
A permanent resident who has been living in Canada for a minimum of three years within five years and complies with other criteria can apply to become a Canadian citizen. Once you become a citizen of Canada, you can get a Canadian passport, vote in elections and even run for public office.
Canadian PR Visa is a private consultancy that works with an authorized immigration specialist to help people around the world immigrate to Canada. Canadian PR Visa can help you by providing you with an assessment of your eligibility for immigration to Canada and informing you about your best Canadian visa option. There are several Canadian immigration programs available for skilled foreign workers and each of them has its own criteria and procedures. Trying to figure out which Canadian immigration program you should apply for can be quite challenging and the application procedure involves multiple steps and a variety of required documents that must be filed correctly. The Canadian PR Visa team of professionals will guide you through each step of the procedure, explain what needs to be done, make sure your forms and documents are filed correctly, and answer questions you have about the process. Our goal is for you and your family to move to Canada as soon as possible to start your new lives as Canadian permanent residents!
