Visa Programs
Immigrating to another country is a hard task to do. You need to deal with various requirements that could leave you scratching your head if you’re not guided properly. It is a tedious process to look for countries that will allow you to work and to have permanent residency status.
Luckily, several countries are open to aspiring immigrants and one of these countries is Canada.
Canada is an awesome place to start your journey toward finding a new place to permanently reside in. They have various job opportunities waiting for immigrants who wish to find greener pastures in their country. No matter what work environment you come from, Canada definitely has something for you.
According to several websites, Canada is one of the places where they care for their immigrants. They want immigrants to have the ability to start their lives and to reach their dreams. Moreover, Canada is known for its rich diversity of cultures living in the country. As such, it is known that Canada promotes a multicultural society where immigrants can thrive in the country.
Canada has a lot to offer and you might already be interested in the idea of becoming a Canadian permanent resident. Now, the question is: How and where do we start?
That’s one of the most important questions that aspiring immigrants should find out.
First and foremost, you need to have the relevant visa or other authorization from the Canadian government to allow you to live and work in Canada. There are several Canadian visa programs that offer permanent residency to skilled foreign workers and their family members. You will need to identify which Canadian visa program you are eligible to apply for.
Foreign workers can be granted permanent residency through the following Canadian visa programs:
Federal Skilled
Worker Program
This visa program is for immigrants who have at least one year of experience in high demand jobs in Canada within the previous 10 years. These jobs are classified by Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) and are categorized as Skill Level 0, A, or B.
Furthermore, the aspiring immigrant must also score 67 out of 100 points for various factors in the country and must also pass other criteria as well. In terms of the Canadian jobs which are high in demand, these occupations usually require the applicant to have university training or other modes of specialization in business, finance, healthcare, technology, and other high-demand business sectors.
Those who qualify for the FSWP can apply for Express Entry so they can start working in Canada.
Federal Skilled
Trades Program
Since Canada needs a lot of people who are specialized in various trades, the Canadian government has launched this program for qualified applicants.
For the process, interested applicants should have at least a high school diploma plus either training, a vocational course, or other accepted methods of learning the skills needed. It all depends on the skilled trade being applied for and what qualifications it needs from you.
In addition to that, applicants must have two years of full-time work experience during the past five years and must also meet other criteria needed by the program. If you are eligible for the FSTP, you can apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada through this program as well.
Provincial
Nominee Program
Most provinces and territories in Canada have a Provincial Nominee Program which offers permanent residency to foreign workers who have skills that are needed in a particular Canadian province or territory.
Some territories and Canadian provinces have worked with the Canadian National Government to create their own criteria for skilled immigrants, and most of them only require a two-step process to apply.
First off, the interested applicant must apply for this program in their desired Canadian province or territory. If they pass the criteria, the applicant will receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate and could immediately apply to the Canadian national government for a permanent residency visa.
Quebec Skilled
Worker Program
The mostly French-speaking province of Quebec has its own points-based Canadian visa program for skilled immigrants who want to live and work in Quebec as permanent residents.
A single person must get at least 50/103 points for various factors, while a married applicant needs to receive a minimum of 59/120 points.
The foreign worker must first apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program and if he or she receives a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), the second step is to apply for a visa to Canada with the national immigration agency.
Other Requirements
These visa programs are the keys to your dream of living and working in Canada as a permanent resident. Yet, the basic eligibility requirements mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are also other qualifications for you to pass in order to get your visa to Canada approved by the Canadian government. These general requirements consist of the following:
- The applicant must be 18 years old or above to apply
- The applicant must be in good health and pass the health exams mandated by the Canadian government
- The applicant must possess good morals and character
- The applicant must have sufficient skills in the English and French language
- The applicant must be able to pay the necessary fees mandated by the Canadian government
- The applicant must have a valid passport
There are other factors you still need to consider like financial stability after you immigrate to Canada, the various tests and qualifications you need to pass for the visa, and the number of points you can score to qualify for points-based Canadian visa programs.
These factors range from your age, work experience, and educational attainment to your financial status and other factors that the Canadian government would need to examine before you can start your journey for relocation to Canada.
This process can be a bit tiring, but the rewards for a better life in Canada are all worth fighting for. If you can gather your courage, pass the needed exams and satisfy all of the eligibility requirements, then Canada is waiting for you. So, if you want to start the process of becoming a Canadian now, go for it, and good luck!
