Permanent Immigration
Deciding to re-locate to another country is without a doubt a life-changing experience. Knowing where and how to start can feel overwhelming – the seemingly endless information and government red tape can make it feel as though dead ends are at every turn. But, with thorough research, planning and preparation the whole immigration process should progress without hitch (all be it a little slow at times).
There are a number of Immigration Lawyers and relocations agents specializing in this field and they can help guide you through the process plus advising you on the best application type for your circumstances.
Probably the most frustrating part of the process is not being able to pick up the phone and chat with the people handling your application. Online forums and blogs provide a great source of encouragement and support and while the advice is not necessarily professional, they do act as a good sounding board when you have questions!
If you’ve made up your mind that you want to live permanently in Canada, the first step is to decide if you qualify to immigrate and figure out which immigration program best suits your skill set or personal circumstances.
The immigration categories are as follows:
- Skilled workers and professionals
For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec) - Canadian
Experience Class
For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada - Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people
For people who want to start a business in Canada - Provincial
nominees
One of Canada’s provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there - Sponsoring your family
A family member who is a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen can sponsor you to join them here.
To move here permanently, the government has certain requirements, which may include a letter offering arranged employment on your arrival (i.e. You may have to secure a job before you leave the UK). You may also have to prove you can financially support yourself on arrival in to the country.
There are a number of occupations where there are a shortage of workers in Canada and if you have qualifications in these fields you could be fast-tracked in to the system. Click here to review a current list of these occupations.
The Government Website has all the information you need to consider, regarding immigrating and your eligibility to reside here permanently. This is calculated using a “score” system. The website lets you enter the information of your personal circumstances to determine whether you are eligible to apply.
Go to www.cic.gc.ca for more detailed information.