As of the first quarter of 2021, Canada added 70,000 new permanent residents to its population. Three in four of these folks have already been living in the country.
However, Canada won’t stop there, as it plans to add more than 400,000 new PRs starting this 2021. By 2023, it aims to welcome 421,000 new PRs.
So if you’ve always dreamed of living in the Great White North, now’s the best time to plan for it. This guide lists the key steps on how to move to Canada, so be sure to read on.
Decide Where You Want To Move to Canada
With a land area of over 9.98 million square km, Canada is the world’s second-largest country in terms of size. It has ten provinces and three territories, most of which are English-speaking. Quebec is predominantly French-speaking, while New Brunswick is bilingual.
With that said, the first thing you need to do before moving to Canada is to decide where you want to live. Edmonton, Alberta, is one of the best places in Canada if you want low-cost yet high-quality living. Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton, Ontario may also be right up your alley.
You can go to website listings of real estate properties to have an idea of a city’s cost of living. You can also use cost-of-living calculators online to help you map out a budget.
Find Out Which Immigration Program You Qualify For
Many immigrants living in Canada are federal skilled workers. Some have immigrated as students, while others are family-sponsored. In any case, the exact reason you want to move to the Great White North will influence your immigration.
The great news is that Canada offers more than 100 immigration programs. Most are for the working class, with the Express Entry program being one of the simplest and most popular. Foreign applicants who’ve passed an official language test may be eligible.
Enhance Your Language Skills
Many work-related immigration processes require you to pass an English or French test. You need this even if your home country’s official language is English or French.
For English, it’s the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Another option is the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). If you speak French, you need to prove it by passing the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF).
Official certification for both languages may give you even higher chances of approval.
Look For Work Early On
Another eligibility factor for moving to Canada is previous and prospective work experience. Experience in a job with National Occupational Classification can boost your immigration chances. You may also have higher chances of qualifying if you already have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
So, as part of your big move, look for work in Canada as early as you can. Keep honing your skills while you await a job offer, and once you get one, have the offer written and validated. You’ll need this when you apply for a work-related immigration program.
Follow Everything in This Guide on How To Move to Canada
There you have it, your brief guide on how to move to Canada, one of the world’s most welcoming countries. It’s friendly and open to immigrants, but the process can still take several months, so it’s best to plan early. The sooner you prepare, the sooner you can take tests and possibly land a job even before you set foot in the country.
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