Throughout the world, there is a population movement spanning continents and countries. Naturally, many seek to immigrate to wealthy and comfortable countries in order to improve their living conditions. This aspiration is especially prevalent in countries plagued by poverty, terror, wars, famine, and in countries where regimes are tyrannical. Canada is one of the world’s most high-quality democratic countries, providing its citizens with high-quality and modern living conditions along with some of the world’s most advanced welfare policies. Therefore, many want to come to Canada and improve their opportunities. Canada, for its part, needs an increase in population for reasons of needing a workforce, but also does so for humanitarian reasons. Thus, each year it absorbs about 150,000 people (almost half a percent of its total population). People from all over the world, including refugees from Syria (about 50,000 a year) and other places, receive permanent residency that may lead to Canadian citizenship.
Different Criteria
In order to immigrate to Canada, it is necessary to meet various criteria set by the country’s immigration department. A basic initial condition is residence in Canada. It is necessary to live there for six years and not leave it for four consecutive years. It is necessary to be over the age of 18 to submit application forms. Minors must obtain their parents’ consent. It is recommended to purchase a home in Canada, which will serve, among other things, as a basis for correspondence. During the period of residence in Canada and while waiting for citizenship, one can work there, receive free medical services, study, and travel. It will not be possible to vote in elections, run for public office, or engage in work with high security clearance.
Immigration Program
Canada has a relatively convenient immigration policy compared to other countries. The immigration program is based on points added to each candidate according to fixed criteria. These include age, language, occupation, health, knowledge of one of the two official languages in the country – English or French, and more. It will be necessary to demonstrate language proficiency, but not necessarily at a native speaker level. It will be necessary to submit tax reports from several years back, which is done to ensure that the businesses of the applicants are legal. It is necessary to prove that there is money for initial living expenses. The goal is to ensure that everyone who arrives can manage in terms of living and language in the initial period. The immigration authorities, for their part, greatly support and assist those in need in finding work, housing, and other parameters, and many manage to overcome the initial difficulties.
Immigrants to Canada can do so in several ways, depending on their personal situation and reasons for immigration. Here are some of the common ways:
- Express Entry Program
This is a system designed to manage applications for several immigration programs, including:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Programs
Each Canadian province can offer its own immigration programs to attract immigrants with specific skills needed in that province.
- Family Sponsorship
If you have Canadian relatives, they may be able to support your immigration application through sponsorship.
- Study in Canada
It is possible to study at an academic institution in Canada. After completing studies, you can apply for a work permit, and sometimes also apply to immigrate afterward.
- Employer-Driven Immigration Programs
If you have a Canadian job offer, the employer can assist in your immigration process.
Expert Assistance and Advice
Immigration to Canada requires navigating a complex bureaucratic process involving submitting forms, background checks, and various tests. Therefore, it is necessary to seek assistance from immigration experts who can advise at every stage, starting from the initial stage. Canada’s points system is indeed strict, but the immigration officer has the option to make decisions that are not always according to the criteria, if he believes that the candidate has a good chance of being absorbed even if he does not meet all the requirements but is close to them. For this additional reason, it is necessary to seek advice from experts and experienced professionals in the field. The reward at the end of the journey is obtaining Canadian citizenship, which grants the recipient entry into a democratic welfare state that advocates equality and freedom for all its citizens.
