How to immigrate to Canada is actually a very difficult question to answer due to the many factors involved. Besides knowing the different types of visas, there are other aspects such as the Canadian province to choose, education level, nationality, age, English proficiency, funds, and even the personal circumstances of each individual or family.
How to immigrate to Canada
In this guide, we’ll discuss the different ways to immigrate to Canada. What options do I have for immigrating to Canada? The essential requirement for immigrating to Canada is knowing the types of visas available in your country of origin. Spanish-speaking countries like Spain, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia have programs or agreements that can facilitate the process.
However, it’s important to understand the difference between entering Canada and immigrating to Canada. Settling in the country and applying for Permanent Residency is a more expensive process that requires more time and money. If your goal is to immigrate, it’s crucial to understand the entire process for obtaining Permanent Residency from the outset.
Do I need an agent to get the paperwork and immigrate to Canada?
As the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy in most countries indicate, intermediaries are not necessary to process your application. You can find all the required documents directly on the Canadian Ministry of Immigration website.
However, you should bear in mind that it is a delicate, long-term process that requires a significant amount of paperwork in a language that is not your native tongue. Therefore, there are immigration agents verified by the Government of Canada who are the only ones legally authorized to advise you on this process.
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“Caution is advised because there are unscrupulous individuals trying to take advantage of those interested in immigrating to Canada, so it is recommended to be very vigilant to avoid potential scams.”
Types of visas
To enter Canada legally, we distinguish up to 6 different ways to do it, although there are many more:
Tourist visa
For most Spanish-speaking countries, Canada allow entry to Canada as a tourist for a maximum of six months. This can be an excellent option if you want to experience Canadian life firsthand. However, some Latin American countries require a visa, while others do not. In this case, a distinction is made between the eTA ( Electronic Travel Authorization) and the Visitor Visa.
For example, Mexican, Spanish, or Chilean citizens are permitted entry into Canada with an electronic travel authorization (eTA ). This electronic document costs 7 Canadian dollars and is mandatory for tourist flights. It should always be obtained from the official government website, as search engines can lead you to scams. The official website is: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html
On the other hand, countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru or Argentina are allowed access to the country through the Visitor Visa document granted by Canadian embassies in their country of origin, a somewhat more laborious but equally effective process.
* This visa does not allow you to work legally. *
International Experience Programs (IEC)
More than 3O countries from Europe, Asia, Oceania and America actively participate in IEC (International Experience Canada) programs.
Here we find the Working Holiday Visa, the most popular visa among young people aged 18 to 35, as it allows entry into the country for one year with a work permit. It is only available to Spanish, Chilean, and Costa Rican citizens. This type of visa is awarded randomly to all applicants until all places are filled.
Student Visa
Although not part of the IEC programs, the Student Visa allows you to study and work abroad, provided you meet certain mandatory requirements. The key difference is that obtaining this visa requires prior financial investment, specifically tuition fees at the college or university. It is crucial to fulfill all eligibility requirements.
On the other hand, for this process it’s highly recommended to contact an agent who can act as a facilitator and advise you when selecting your course. Since schools pay a commission to agents who recruit international students, you don’t pay extra for this additional help. This way, your experience can be much more positive.
Study and Work
One of the most common ways for people from countries like Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Brazil etc. to come to Canada is through an academic program that allows them to study and work. Master’s programs are the best option; if they last more than eight months, they grant up to three additional years of work authorization, making them an excellent way to immigrate to Canada.
On the other hand, there are training courses with work permits that allow you to work at the same time. You improve your English in a multicultural environment and gain an academic qualification and international professional experience.
Other work permits
The Canadian government is constantly working on new ways to collaborate with other nations to grant work permits to foreigners. Intra-Company Transfers and the International Mobility Program are some of the pathways to obtaining a work permit. Below you will find official information from the Government of Canada regarding the Work Permits available to foreigners.
Express Entry
Express Entry is the primary pathway to Canada for skilled workers, managed by the ICC. Furthermore, the valuable aspect of this application is that it allows you to apply for Permanent Residence. Express Entry is a competitive immigration system that ranks applicants based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and others. If you have relevant Canadian work experience, it can be an excellent option for obtaining permanent residence.
Foreign workers. LMIA
The last legal way we’ll look at to work in Canada is through the (Labour Market Impact Assessment) LMIA program. The program itself is called the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and it’s a recommended option once you’re already in the country working for a company.
This type of contract is used when there’s a labor shortage and a local company sponsors you. It involves a series of requirements, which in this case fall on the company, such as demonstrating that there’s no Canadian citizen available to perform the job.
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Ways to Emigrate to Canada Alone
This is the simplest way if you have the funds-to immigrate to Canada. The most common option is to invest in an educational program, such as a master’s degree, that includes a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and then apply for Permanent Residency once you’re settled in the country. Educational programs typically range from 8,000 to 40,000 Canadian dollars.
If your country-as mentioned in the visa types section-is included in the IEC programs and you are under 35, you can live in Canada for a year with a work permit. The biggest drawback of the IEC programs is that places are allocated randomly from a pool of candidates, and there’s no guarantee of obtaining a Working Holiday Visa, for example. Some people who come alone decide to visit the country as tourists and, in many cases, take an English course before making the move.
Can I enter as a tourist and stay to work?
It is not advisable to come to Canada as a tourist and stay to work, as there is a high risk of being turned away at the border. A tourist visa lasts a maximum of six months and does not allow you to work legally. In some cases, this type of visa can be extended by applying for a visitor record.
I’m looking for a job in Canada, where should I go?
For some highly qualified professionals with a good level of English, there is Express Entry and the option of finding a job from your home country. Data indicates that Canada will continue to need foreign workers in the coming years. From one of the government’s official websites, Explore Labour Market Information, you can search for jobs and see which Canadian provinces and territories have the highest demand for a particular profile, as well as learn about average salaries.
Emigrating to Canada with my Partner
The dream of living in Canada is also possible as a couple. In this case, one of the most popular options is the open work permit through a study permit. This means that while your partner studies an academic program and works part-time, you have the opportunity to work full-time from the moment you enter Canada. It’s easier to stay in the country if you travel as a couple thanks to the open work permit.
However, this isn’t the only way to emigrate as a couple. Other visa types, such as Express Entry, also allow couples to emigrate together. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to explore the range of options available for each visa type before making a decision.
Emigrating to Canada as a family with children
The process of immigrating to Canada as a family with children is more complex, as more factors come into play and it can involve significant financial outlay. In these cases, although you can seek information on your own, if you are determined to immigrate to Canada as a family, we always recommend that a specialized immigration consultant review your case.
Study-and-work programs in higher education are also an option for families requiring significant financial investment. A work permit for skilled labor through Express Entry is possibly the best option in terms of cost.
Here you can find official information about the Government of Canada’s family sponsorship program, which allows your spouse, children, parents, or grandparents to immigrate to Canada. If you are already a Permanent Resident, these procedures are streamlined and much easier to complete. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) are the quickest way to obtain Permanent Resident status.
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It is important to check official government sources since all immigration processes are explained in detail on the official website.
