Immigration To Canada- How to Move to Canada

by | Jun 26, 2021 | Blog, For Candidates

Move to Canada

Canada, “The Great White North,” is the second-largest country in the world. Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey consistently ranks top Canada cities in the top 50. Vancouver often comes third in this survey.

Canada ranked number eleven under the quality-of-life survey. The ranking is according to the InterNations Expert Insider 2019 survey. The country also came number ten under Safety and Security in the same poll. These rankings and many more reasons make Canada a wonderful country to live in.

Immigrating to Canada is very popular among ex-pats. The reason is that Canada offers excellent work opportunities. Additionally, for skilled workers such as tech experts, Canada provides an Express Entry System into the country.

Between 2020 and 2023, the country will receive more than one million immigrants. The process of relocating to Canada, however, is not always straightforward. Your home country and the country you are currently living in determines the process.

Is it your dream to move to the Great White North? Then, continue reading to learn about all the requirements for moving to this country. This comprehensive guide outlines all essential information on the relocation process. We cover, among others, visas and work permits, healthcare, housing, and work.

Requirements to Immigrate to Canada

Toronto building with lights

Jobs in Canada

VanHack has many jobs in Canada that sponsor work visa. You can see them here, apply for free and relocate there!

Documents required when applying to move to Canada include;

  • Identification/ travel documents
  • Educational records
  • Proof of work experience
  • Financial history

Visa Types and Work Permits Requirements

You need a Canadian visa if you intend to stay long-term in the country. Unfortunately, the visa application process has a mountain of paperwork.

Work Permits and Employment-Based Visas

To work in Canada as an expatriate, you need a work permit and employment visa. Canada has two types of work permits;

  • Open Work Permit: With this permit, you can work for any employer within the country. As a tech talent, you can go freelance.
  • Employer-Specific Work Permit. Unlike Open Work Permit, this permit allows you to work for one specific employer.

You can access Canadian work permit/visa forms online. Eligibility requirements vary depending on where you are applying from. Work visa with work permit costs approximately 155 CAD (120 USD).

Visa Requirements for Temporary Workers

Eligibility requirements for a Canadian work permit for a temporary worker include;

  • Proof that you will leave the country on expiry of your work permit.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to take care of yourself while in Canada. You also need to prove you have enough funds to return to your home country.
  • Police clearance certificate.
  • Be in good health.
  • Work with an eligible employer.
  • Have appropriate entry documents.

Requirements for a Business Visa

Canada has four categories of Business Visa;

  • Business visitors – These are workers who come to Canada to take part in international business. Business visitors, however, are not part of the country’s labor market. These visitors can stay up to six months without a work permit.
  • Professionals – These workers must have a job offer in Canada to partake in the jobs set out by USMCA (e.g., computer systems analyst). Additionally, this category of workers requires a work permit if you intend to pursue one.
  • Intra-company transferees –These are executives sent to Canada to work for the same company as in their home country. These workers must have been working for the same employer for at least one year. Additionally, they must have a work permit.
  • Traders and investors –There are executives or supervisors involved in large trades between Canada and their country. They or their company must have made a significant investment in Canada. Such workers must have work permits.
  • Visa Requirements for Permanent Workers – Permanent workers visa in Canada is for the skilled, e.g., software engineers. You will also need to go through the Canadian online Express Entry system. Canada has three types of skilled worker immigration programs, each with specific requirements. These programs are Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. Documents required for the Express Entry application include;
  • Passport or travel documents
  • Language test results
  • Education credential assessment report
  • Provincial nomination (in case you have one)
  • Job offers from a Canadian employer in case you have one)
  • Police certificate
  • Medical exam
  • Proof of funds

However, Québec has its own Québec-selected skilled workers process.

The Immigration Point System

To get a permanent worker’s visa, you need to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. To qualify, you need a score of 67 points or higher. Points are out of 100. Canada’s point system (Federal Skilled Worker Program) handles the evaluation. The system bases the assessment on;

  • English or French skills – 28 points maximum

The test bases on your listening, speaking, reading, and writing ability.

  • Education – 25 points maximum

You need to show proof of a Canadian diploma or certificate. Or, you can have your international education assessed by an approved agency. The results must show that your education is equal to a Canadian credential.

  • Work Experience – 15 points maximum

Points base on the number of years of full-time paid work. Your experience should be at least 30 hours per week. You can also have an equal amount of part-time experience.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

POINTS

One

9

Two-three

11

Four – five

13

Six or more

15
  • Age – 12 points maximum

AGE

POINTS

Under 18

0

18-35

12

36

11

37

10

38

9

39

8

40

7

41

6

42

5

43

4

44

3

45

2

46

1
  • or older

0
  • Arranged Employment in Canada – 10 points maximum

You earn points in this category if you have a permanent, full-time job from a Canadian employer. You must, however, get this employment offer before you arrive in Canada.

  • Adaptability – 10 points maximum

The adaptability category covers any past study or stays in the country.

Family Visa

This visa is for temporary workers, dependent children, spouses, and common-law partners can come along. However, they have to meet the requirements for temporary residents. You must also be able to meet the needs of sponsoring the family. The requirements include;

  • Prove they will only stay for the interim period.
  • Have no criminal record.
  • Have a temporary resident visa if they are from countries that require a visa to enter Canada.
  • Aren’t inadmissible to Canada.

Each family member will apply separately, and the documents include;

  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form
  • Passports
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage or divorce certificates
  • National ID cards
  • Military service documents
  • Other civil documents

Should your spouse or dependent children wish to work in Canada, they need to apply for their work permit.

Medical Exam

If you plan to stay in the country for less than six months, you don’t need a medical examination. However, if your job requires one, then you have to. Should you intend to stay longer than six months, you will need to undergo a medical examination. A medical exam is also a requirement if you move from countries listed on the Government of Canada site. A medical exam is compulsory if you lived in any of these countries for at least six months in a row.

You will fill a medical questionnaire and undergo a physical exam. A panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada carries out the exam. The medical exam is valid for only twelve months. You need the following for your appointment;

  • Identification
  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses, if applicable
  • Medical reports for previous or existing medical conditions
  • Medical Report form IMM 1017E
  • List of current medications
  • Four recent photographs

Residency Permits

Before you arrive in the country, it would help if you had a temporary resident visa. Applications are available and completed online. The fee is 100 CAD (75 USD). Biometrics, if needed, costs 85 CAD (65 USD)

  • Requirements for this visa include;
  • Proof you will leave at the end of your stay.
  • Proof of sufficient funds.
  • No intention to work or study in Canada unless authorized.
  • No criminal record.
  • Not a risk to Canadian security.
  • Medical exam (if required).
  • Biometrics (if required).

Permanent Residency

You have to live in Canada as a temporary resident first. After that, you can apply for permanent residency.

Housing in Canada

There are both short-term rentals and apartments for rent. Long-term renting is a good option for you as there is no permanent commitment. Long-term renting is cheaper than buying property. Many rental houses don’t come furnished. You have to budget for your essentials. You can find your new home online, but you need to look out for scammers.

PadMapper.com found Windsor to have the lowest rental rates in Canada. This rating was in comparison to twenty-four metropolitan areas across Canada. Here are a few suggested cities based on affordability;

City

One-bedroom/month

(CAD/ USD)

Two-bedroom/month

(CAD/USD)

Windsor

St John’s

750/564

810/609

990/745

890/670

Saskatoon

830/625

1,010/760

Regina

860/647

1,080/813

Quebec

880/662

1,110/835

Edmonton

910/685

1,200/903

Abbotsford

950/715

1,080/813

Winnipeg

970/730

1,240/933

London

1,020 (767 USD)

1,210/910

When renting as a foreigner, some landlords may require a guarantor. The guarantor needs to have Canadian documents. Most landlords would also want to make sure you can afford the space and pay rent on time. You may need to provide;

  • Employer letter with pay details
  • Bank statements. There should be enough savings to cover some months’ rent
  • References from past landlords

Short-Term Rentals

You may want to go for short-term rentals for a start. With this, you get to know the neighborhoods in person before settling in. Additionally, short-term rentals give you more time and flexibility to find your new desired home. Popular short-term rental options include; Airbnb, discount motels, and Christian establishments.

Health Insurance and Healthcare System

Canada boasts of a universal healthcare system. The healthcare system favors the country’s citizens and permanent residents. However, foreign ex-pats have to pay for some medicine and services. Therefore, you should prepare a budget for your healthcare when planning to move to Canada as a tech talent.

Opening a Bank Account

You will need to manage your finances while in Canada. Therefore, make an effort to understand bank accounts opening and the Canadian tax system. If you get employment in the country, you will have to pay taxes. However, Canada has tax treaties with several countries that help prevent double taxation.

You need the following documents to open a bank account;

  • Passport
  • A second form of identification, e.g., credit card
  • Immigration documents
  • Social Insurance Number

Check with your chosen bank for complete information on the requirements

Bank fees range between 4 CAD (3 USD) to 30 CAD (23 USD) per month. To open an account with us, you will not need to deposit a minimum amount but there is a minimum deposit to maintain. The balance is usually about 3,500 CAD (2,634 USD).

Education System

Canada lists as one of the most educated countries in the world. The country also boasts of some of the world’s top educational institutions. The federal government oversees education in Canada. It is its responsibility to ensure standards remain consistently high across the country. School in Canada has three levels: primary, secondary, and post-secondary

If you are a parent and are moving with your child(ren), your child will fit right in. The government funds public schools and subsidizes education from kindergarten to post-secondary. Private schools on the other hand, cost between 4,000 CAD (2,977 USD) to 26,000 CAD (19,349 USD) annually.

You require these documents to enroll your child in school;

  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of guardianship or custody
  • Proof of residency
  • Record of immunizations
  • Application form
  • Emergency contact forms
  • Former school records
  • Teacher recommendation letter

Job Opportunities for Foreigners

As a skilled tech talent, there are many employment job opportunities for you in Canada. The industries to look at are manufacturing, service, and communications, since they are important sectors in Canada. Furthermore, these industries have been growing over the years.

Below are some of the job salaries for tech talent in Canada:

Position

Average Annual Salary (CAD/ USD)

Software Engineer

90,000/67,210

Web Developer

62,500/46,680

UX Designer

78,000/58,250

Living in Canada

There is so much to love about moving to Canada. However, the cost of living in populated cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are very high. You may want to live in a remote area such as Québec that could be relatively affordable.

Toronto has an average annual cost of living of 45,400 CAD (33,880 USD). In Québec, it is CAD 25,374 (18,944 USD). Vancouver has an average cost of living of 40,682 CAD (30,397 USD).

Conclusion

Organizing your relocation to Canada can be very demanding. However, you can use the services of relocation experts who understand what you need. Most offer tailored services on professional visa advice, finding a home, and moving your goods. With their help, you can easily move and live in Canada comfortably and realize your dream of advancing your career as a tech expert.