How to Immigrate to Canada in 5 Steps

Canada is a very large and diverse country with ten provinces and three territories. Its climate varies from milder in the south to extreme Arctic conditions in the far north. One of the major shifts in immigration policy in recent years has been to give provinces more power and authority to regulate immigration in their areas. That has shifted the focus away from federal programs like the Skilled Worker or Entrepreneur programs to Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). They are designed to allow province’s the authority to promote immigration policies that are best.

If you intend to visit, work or live in Canada, there are a number of steps and processes that you have to follow. Canada is a very welcoming country to the world, but it does have a complex and complicated immigration system. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions if you want to come and live in Canada.

🍁 1. Applying provincially

If you apply to immigrate to Canada under a Provincial Nomination Program there are some specific procedures that you have to follow. This could lead to delays in processing your application and it might be wise to engage a Canadian immigration lawyer to help you with this process. There are also fewer resources allocated to the provincial programs than at the federal level and you need to examine closely all of the requirements to make sure that you can qualify for a PNP immigration application, long before you apply. If you are confident that this is the path for you and your family, you can get the appropriate information from the provincial government department or agency responsible for immigration.

🍁 2. Applying federally

This is the most common and popular approach for most people who wish to immigrate to Canada. There are a range of programs and thousands of dedicated immigration specialists who can assist with an application, A good Canadian immigration lawyer can provide advice and guidance on all Canadian immigrant programs, specific industries, and relevant issues which might arise along the way. They can for example, help you decide whether it might be better to start the process with a work permit, or to go straight to a full landed immigrant and then full citizen status approach.  

🍁 3. Support in Canada

There are many different services available to newcomers to Canada. They are offered by all levels of government as well as by some churches, social service agencies, and community groups. They are almost always free but every one will have specific eligibility requirements that must be met, before accessing these services. They include settlement services, employment and language programs, and community supports.

🍁 4. Settlement Services

Every city in Canada, and many rural area offer specialized support services to help newcomers feel welcome in their new home. They are delivered through both municipal and provincial governments and community organizations. They feature referral and support to help find a place to stay, get health and medical care, and provide assistance to get any children into the local school system. Overall, they become the navigators that help immigrants get the necessary tools, papers and information to get settled and start their new life in Canada.

🍁 5. Employment and language programs

There are local community services that will provide expert advice in helping immigrants enter the Canadian job market. Services might include career search, resume preparation, job search and placement. They are specifically targeted for specific classes, ages and occupational groups of newcomers. If you need assistance to learn one or both of Canada’s official languages, there’s support for that, too. Immigrants qualify for free language classes that are offered in schools, libraries and sometimes the YMCA. Specialized business courses might also be available upon request at local community colleges, but they often come with a cost and require pre-registration.