What Are the Steps in Moving to Canada?
The procedures that need to be followed in order to immigrate to Canada, the different routes that can be taken, and frequently asked questions
By a wide margin, Canada is among the most desirable countries in the world for people looking to start new lives there. Only in 2019, the Immigration Office reported that there were 341,180 permanent residents who moved to Canada and 74,586 individuals who transitioned from temporary residences to permanent residency. Because there is such a high demand for immigration, Canada has established a few different avenues to make the process of moving easier to handle and more understandable.
Checklist for People Moving to Canada
1. Determine whether or not you require a visa.
2. Determine an appropriate method of immigration.
3. Fill out the application for the permit.
4. Start getting ready for the move.
5. Move to Canada.
Determine whether or not you need a visa.
When you begin making preparations to move to Canada, the first thing you must do is determine whether or not you are required to have a visa in order to enter the country. There are certain categories of people who are exempt from needing visas or who can enter with only electronic authorisation.
For stays of up to six months in Canada, citizens of the United States do not require a visa.
Locate an Appropriate Method of Immigration.
You can apply for one of Canada’s many immigration programmes, and depending on what you’re looking for, you can submit an application for the programme that seems to be the best fit for you. The following are some of the ones that are the most popular:
| Express Entry Program | The Express Entry programme is the most efficient route to take in order to obtain permanent residency in Canada. However, to participate in this programme, you will need to demonstrate an exceptionally high level of skill. You will be given a score based on your experience, qualifications, education, and skills as you progress along the pathway, which uses a point system. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | This is one of the pathways available through the express entry programme. The completion of at least ten years of previous work experience in managerial positions, professional positions, or technical and skilled trades is necessary to be eligible for this stream. |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | You are required to have at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade that was completed within the previous five years before applying for this stream. In addition to this, the language requirements for each skill must be met (speaking, reading, writing, listening). |
| Provincial Nominee Program | To participate in this programme, you must first receive a nomination from a province in Canada and then ensure that you satisfy all of the requirements for eligibility. Keep in mind that each province caters to a distinct set of demographics, including students, skilled workers, business people, and semi-skilled workers. |
| Quebec Selected Skilled Workers | This immigration programme is designed exclusively for people who are interested in settling down in Quebec. You have to submit an application to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate and adhere to their rules and regulations in order to get this permit. |
| Atlantic Immigration Program | You are only permitted to relocate to Atlantic Canada through this immigration programme. Atlantic Canada is comprised of the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in addition to Newfoundland and Labrador. |
| Self-Employment Visa | You are required to provide proof that you are able to engage in self-employment in Canada and that you have sufficient relevant work experience in either cultural activities or athletics. |
| Start-Up Visa | You need to have a viable business plan in order to apply for the start-up visa, and you also need a letter of support from one of the designated organisations. In addition to this, you have to fulfil the language requirements, and your company must bring in a sufficient amount of revenue for you to be able to settle in Canada. |
Make an application for the permit.
You are able to start the application process for a Canadian visa as soon as you have determined the kind of visa that is required of you. After registering for an account on the website dedicated to immigration in Canada, you will be prompted to respond to a few questions that will help determine whether or not you are qualified for the visa. If you are qualified, you are required to give your email address in order to receive instructions for the particular type of visa you are applying for, a list of the documents that are necessary, and a reference code. Take careful note of the reference number, as you will need it for the rest of the application process.
After that, you will receive instructions on how to hand in your application, either in person or online, as follows:
• If you want to submit your application online, you will need to either make an account with the Government of Canada’s login system (called GCKey) or use the information about your bank account (if applicable).
• If you want to apply for a visa in person, you will need to gather the necessary paperwork and deliver it to a local Canadian representative office in the country in which you currently live.
Additionally, make sure you are prepared to pay the application fee for your visa. You should be aware that the fees differ depending on the category of visa for which you are applying; in addition, it is possible that you will be required to pay additional fees for translation and courier services.
Get Ready for the Big Move!
After submitting your application, it is possible that you will not hear anything for several weeks. The wait time is typically around six months, but if you apply in person, it could take up to eighteen months to get a response. During this time, you should make sure that you get everything ready for the move to Canada so that you don’t have to worry about it later.
You are required to create two copies of an itemised list of all of your possessions in order to ship them to Canada. This is a requirement imposed by the Canadian government. You are required to list the items that you are bringing with you as well as the items that will arrive at a later time. In addition, you must include the value, make, model, and the serial number of any goods that you list, if applicable.
In general, you are not required to pay taxes on goods and services that are considered to be of daily use. This includes things like clothing, furniture, jewellery, silverware, family heirlooms, books, computers, musical instruments, and other similar items. You must, however, check that the requirements for entry are met to ensure that there is nothing for you to be concerned about.
Move to Canada
In the event that your request is granted, you will be sent an email containing a COPR (confirmation of permanent residence) as well as a permanent residence visa (if an entry visa is required). After entering Canada, you are required to use ArriveCan, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play; however, you must ensure that you are using the most recent version available.
You can get assistance with settling in and adjusting to life in Canada from the immigration service that Canada provides. In addition, Canada provides a “Welcome to Canada Guide” that will make the process of adjusting to life in Canada much simpler for you.
Alternative Methods of Immigration to Canada
In addition to the Express Entry Program, you can immigrate to Canada for reasons related to your family or your studies:
• A legal avenue for bringing together separated family members. If you have a parent or grandparent living in Canada, or a spouse or partner who does, then you are eligible to apply for family reunification in Canada. In certain circumstances, other relatives can act as your sponsor.
• A path to immigration for people who want to study. You have to be currently enrolled in a recognised educational programme in order to be eligible for a student visa in Canada. On the other hand, in most cases, student visas cannot be converted into work visas or residence visas. Nevertheless, once you have finished your studies, you will be eligible to submit an application for a graduate work permit.
Is It Challenging to Make the Move to Canada?
Moving to Canada is not a particularly challenging endeavour, on the whole. It will be much simpler for you to be accepted into one of Canada’s immigration programmes due to the country’s welcoming attitude towards new immigrants and its variety of immigration routes. You still have to ensure that you fulfil all of the prerequisites for the route that you wish to apply for.
You also need to keep in mind that while moving to another country might not be too challenging, actually living there is an entirely different ballgame. You need to be well prepared for the move on all fronts, including financially, mentally, and socially.
Things That Are Crucial to Know Prior to Making the Move to Canada
As a recent arrival in Canada, there are a few fundamentals that you must be aware of, including the following:
• Renting/Buying in Canada.
After arriving in Canada for the first time, you may choose to make use of temporary housing options such as hotels, hostels, or Airbnb while you get your bearings in the country. After that, you will be able to investigate more permanent options. During the first phase of a move, renting is almost always recommended over buying a new home. The typical monthly rent for an apartment with one bedroom is approximately 1,500 Canadian dollars. However, you must keep in mind that the costs in major cities are typically significantly higher than the national average.
• Establishing a new banking relationship.
After moving to Canada, you will be required to open a bank account in order to carry out any monetary transactions or transfers. You are required to present a valid form of identification in order to open a bank account. In your situation, a card proving that you are a permanent resident will do. The following financial institutions all have programmes that are tailored to “newcomers,” which should make things much simpler for you:
• The Bank of Canada, the National.
There is the Bank of Montreal.
• Royal Bank of Canada.
• The Bank of Commerce and Industry of the Canadian Imperial.
• Healthcare.
Free medical care is provided to citizens and permanent residents of Canada, but it’s possible that you won’t be eligible for the national healthcare system until about three months after you move to Canada. For this reason, you should consider purchasing private healthcare coverage for the first few months of your employment. Keep in mind, too, that the universal healthcare system in Canada does not cover everything, including visits to the dentist, emergency medical services, medications that require a prescription, and so on.
• Taxes.
You are required to make tax payments at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels if you live in Canada. If you are employed by someone else, your federal income tax is taken out of your paycheck before it is given to you. If you are self-employed, however, you are responsible for paying your taxes all at once or in installments. In addition, whenever you make a purchase in Canada, you will be expected to pay the applicable national sales tax. Therefore, when you are shopping, you shouldn’t be surprised if the price changes when you get to the cash register.
What Is the Minimum Amount of Money Required to Immigrate to Canada?
To be able to settle in Canada, you will need at least 13,200 CAD. This is the typical amount required to cover a single individual, but the price will go up significantly if you are moving with other members of your family. You should also plan ahead for other unforeseen costs that might arise during the moving process. Some examples of these costs include entry taxes, shipping costs for your belongings, document legalisation fees, and so on.
If I am a citizen of the United States, am I able to live in Canada?
If you have a passport from the United States, you do not need a visa to visit Canada for up to six months. However, once the six months have passed, you will be required to submit an application for a legal immigration programme in order to move to Canada.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Relocating to Canada
It’s possible that living in Canada is the best possible option for your future, but just like moving to any other country, you need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks first:
| Pros | Cons |
| Great social benefits | High cost of living |
| Welcoming to Immigrants | Extremely cold weather |
| Plenty job opportunities | Poor public transport |
| Low crime rates |
