Every year more and more expats dream of moving to Canada. And this desire is quite real, as the country offers a large number of different immigration programs. Learn more about the top 5 most popular immigration programs to Canada in 2024
Canada is a modern country with a developed economy, ranked 22nd in terms of GDP per capita. A high level of freedom of choice, high income, ample opportunities for professional growth and a stable political situation attract qualified professionals and new immigrants from all over the world to Canada.
The government actively supports the relocation of qualified personnel by offering various immigration programs. These advantages make Canada an attractive place to live, providing a high quality of life and the opportunity to realize professional potential. According to statistics, the largest number of migrants come to
Canada from France, India and the United Kingdom.
To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Canada, please
follow the link.
Economy, cost of living and professional opportunities in Canada
Before making the final decision to emigrate to Canada with your family, you should carefully consider both the advantages, such as high-quality healthcare, broad economic opportunities and high earnings, and the disadvantages.
The standard of living in Canada is quite high, which leads to an average gap between the rich and the poor. It is important to consider factors such as the average salary, tax burden, unemployment rate, relocation costs, and the average cost of living in the country to make an informed decision about moving.
Cost of living in Canada
Despite the high level of salaries in Canada (approximately $3640.80 per month after taxes), the country remains an expensive place to live. According to Numbeo, the projected monthly cost for a family of 4 is $3302 (4426 Canadian dollars), excluding rent.
The cost of rent adds about $920 (C$1231.7) per month for one person. According to official information from the Canadian government, approximately 50% of income is spent on rent. Thus, even with a high purchasing power, the cost of living in Canada remains significant.
Renting a house in Canada
Before moving to Canada, it can be difficult to find accommodation in advance, so you can use AirBnB or Booking.com for the first time. To rent an apartment, you often need proof of employment (a letter from your employer) or sufficient funds in your account.
Most apartments are rented for a short period of time - up to a year - due to tax and legal nuances. However, professional landlords can rent out property for a year at a time and impose penalties for early termination. The most popular resources for finding housing in Canada are Craigslist and Kijiji.
It is worth paying attention to the availability of furniture in the apartment, because often housing is rented without it. You also need to find out about the cost of utilities and the Internet. Sometimes, significant monthly payments for water, heating, electricity, and the Internet are added to the rent.
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of $1189.15, and outside the city - about $1001.29. This should be taken into account when planning your budget for living in Canada.
How much does an apartment in Canada cost?
If you are planning to buy an apartment in Canada, the price will depend on the size of the housing. The cost per square meter in the city center is on average $6643.11, and outside the city - $4911.63.
Mortgages in Canada are granted for up to 20 years at a rate of 2.63% per annum. This makes buying real estate affordable for many people who want to own a home in this country.
We have compiled an overview of the most popular immigration programs in Canada.
Express Entry Canada
A few years ago, Canada launched a new advanced project for immigration to this country - Express Entry. This program selects highly qualified immigrants who have the ability to move to Canada efficiently and quickly. Here, candidates go through a special assessment based on the information in their profile.
Express Entry is a program for skilled workers who want to settle in Canada permanently and contribute to the country's economy. The program is based on a point system, where the final score is calculated based on information about qualifications, language skills, age, education and other criteria.
Express Entry has three main areas:
1. Canadian Experience Class - for those who already have work experience in Canada.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program - for foreign professionals who meet certain criteria.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program - for trade professionals who need a job offer or confirmation of qualifications.
You can also apply for Express Entry through the Provincial Nominee program.
Provincial Nominee Canada
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed to help specific provinces in Canada attract skilled workers who meet their economic needs. This program allows candidates to apply to a specific province if they have the necessary education and work experience that can contribute to the development of the province and the Canadian economy as a whole.
The program is designed for workers who:
1. Have the necessary education and work experience to contribute to the development of a particular province;
2. Want to live and work in the chosen province;
3. Want to reside in Canada permanently.
Each province has its own priorities. For example, some may be interested in attracting:
1. Students
2. Businessmen developing certain industries
3. Experienced workers with the necessary skills
4. Semi-skilled workers to fill specific needs.
The requirements and passing score vary from province to province. Usually, a minimum score of 67 is required to prove that you have the appropriate language proficiency and qualifications. It is best to have a job offer from a local employer or plans to develop a business in the province that will help the economic growth of the region.
You can apply either in paper or electronic form, depending on the provincial requirements. Regardless of the form of application, you must provide a medical examination and a police certificate of no criminal record.
It is also important to use the Express Entry calculator to estimate your chances of obtaining permanent residence.
The main assessment criteria include:
1. Age;
2. Level of education;
3. Knowledge of English or French;
4. The presence of an employer in Canada;
5. Having relatives in Canada;
6. Work experience in Canada.
Start-Up Visa Canada
If you have an innovative business idea and attract investment from one of the designated organizations (venture capital fund, business angel group or business incubator), you can obtain permanent resident status in Canada.
Application requirements:
1. Availability of a working business;
2. Proof of investment letter: a confirmation from a designated institution that it is ready to invest in your business. The minimum investment amount is CAD 200,000 from venture capital funds or CAD 75,000 from business angels. Own funds are not taken into account;
3. Language proficiency: proof of proficiency in English or French, depending on the province;
4. Financial resources: confirm the availability of funds to support yourself and your family members;
5. Medical examination and police clearance certificates.
The visa costs from 2075 CAD (about 1600 USD).
If you are moving with a partner or child, you need to show that you have assets to support them. A family of two must have assets of 16,570 CAD per month (over 12,000 USD). The amount varies depending on the number of family members.
The application is processed from 12 to 16 months, including biometric verification. During this time, you can find an employer in Canada and work.
You will immediately receive permanent resident status. Even if your business fails, your status will remain unchanged. The government assumes the risks, which allows you to focus on business development without additional worries about your status.
For more information on the terms of the Start-Up visa program in Canada, please
follow the link.
Self-employed Canada program
The Canada Self-Employed Cultural and Sports Worker visa is aimed at those who are able to make a significant contribution to the cultural and sports life of the country. Applications are considered only from cultural figures and athletes who have at least 2 years of experience working on world-class projects or have participated in international competitions in the last 5 years. Applicants with 3 to 5 years of experience have a better chance of success and score more points.
Important factors for obtaining a visa include age, level of education, proof of proficiency in one of the official languages (English or French), and the ability to adapt in the country. The cost of a visa starts at 2075 CAD, and the review process takes up to 41 months. If you are successful in your application, you will immediately receive permanent resident status in Canada.
Pilot program "Rural and Northern Immigration"
The Rural and Northern Immigration program provides professionals in various fields with the opportunity to emigrate to Canada. This program is aimed at obtaining a temporary work visa with a further prospect of obtaining permanent resident status.
A key success factor is having a job offer from a company or institution in one of the Canadian provinces. It is important that the job is permanent and full-time (at least 30 hours per week). The position must not be seasonal, and the candidate must prove his/her qualifications for the position.
In addition, the salary requirements must be met, which vary from province to province. The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of English or French, have sufficient funds to support himself/herself and his/her family, prove education and work experience, and meet other provincial requirements.
The cost of the visa starts from 2075 CAD. The advantage of this visa is that it is available to a wide range of people, especially those who have at least three years of experience in the required profession.
We remind you! The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the most popular immigration programs in Canada, attracting tens of thousands of immigrants to the country every year. Read more about the specifics of the skilled trades program in Canada, eligibility criteria and
application rules.
Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld
To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.
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