How to Move to Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you thinking of migrating to Canada – the large and friendly country in which you have always wished to build a new life? Indeed, being the largest country on the planet and boasting impressive natural resources, catchy cities, advanced freedom, and equal opportunities this stunning country is circling on the lips of many.
However, the reality of immigrating to a different country can sometimes be a daunting task that involves meeting numerous conditions, filling out various forms, and waiting for months. The question almost begs to be asked – where do you even start?
This guide is designed to make the process a little less overwhelming by outlining the steps a person must take to achieve their goal of living in Canada. Here you can get information about the immigration process, steps to follow, and useful notices as a guide to help you as you go through the different stages of immigration.
Moving To Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve always wanted to immigrate to Canada, you aren’t the only one. However, immigration is not an easy thing and it can be a daunting process. And that is why, here – in this all-encompassing guide – you’ll find all the necessary recommendations to make your travel as easy and pleasant as possible.
Step 1: Explore Your Immigration Options
Canada has immigration programs to offer whereby each program has its unique criteria that need to be fulfilled. The three main categories are:
- Economic Immigration: ESR, PNP, and FSW, prime categories for immigration to Canada such as Express Entry cater to skilled workers and Entrepreneurs.
- Family Sponsorship: For all those who plan to immigrate to Canada bringing their dependent relatives with them.
- Refugee and Humanitarian Programs: Especially for individuals in search of protection or resettlement.
Step 2: Meet the Criteria
Now let us move to the second process in this journey. Once you have determined the program that fits your circumstances, it is wise to acquaint yourself with other details about eligibility for the program.
This often comprises aspects such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and documents indicating that you have the financial means to pay for the visa.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
The third thing for you to do is to get your required documents ready. This will help to support your application. In this case, you’ll need to provide various documents, such as:
- Travel documents or passport
- Birth certificate
- Documents that perhaps support this education include diplomas, transcripts, and other similar certificates.
- Work history documents (Recommendation letters, paycheck slips, among others).
- Evidence of language fluency, particularly through the completion of the IELTS or TEF test.
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination results
- Proof of funds such as bank statements, investment accounts, and so on.
Step 4: Tidy Up Your Paperwork
Make sure to sort all your documents neatly and also ensure that all documents that need to be translated are translated and certified. Ensure that all necessary information has been captured correctly, in a bid to avert unforeseen events such as delay or rejection of the application.
Step 5: Apply Now
After, collecting all responses from the application forms along with all relevant documents, it is time to submit your application. It can be done online or through paper-based submission depending on the program that the applicant wishes to participate in.
Step 6: Go for an Interview (If Needed)
There are situations when you will have to appear for an interview in person or via Skype with the Canadian immigration officer. This is an opportunity for them to thoroughly check your admissibility and your purpose for applying more carefully.
Step 7: Wait for a Decision
Once the application has been submitted, the next step means waiting to hear whether the application has been successful or not. The time it takes to process forms can be more or less depending on the specific program that is being applied for as well as the number of applicants that have applied for the same program. If there are any requests made for additional information, do not rush and try to provide as much assistance as you can.
Step 8: Preparing for Your Arrival
If you have been granted an application, all the best to you! Before you know it, you are going to be moving to Canada so it is high time that you began making your plans known. This might include:
- Finding accommodations
- Arranging transportation
- Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN):
- There are several ways through which one can secure a Social Insurance Number (SIN) depending on their status in Canada.
- Bank account: Moving to a new country always comes with some challenges one of them being opening a new account with the new country’s bank.
- Looking for employment or even starting up a business.
- Education of Children; It is therefore important that your kids are enrolled in school.
Step 9: Participate in an Orientation Session
In many communities, there is orientation sessions or workshops that are conducted to help new immigrants. These can be useful in helping get an understanding of how to navigate life in Canada, the services that one can get and where to find them, and meeting people.
Step 10: Welcome To Your New Home
After arriving at the hostel, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the place and further familiarize yourself with the Canadian culture. Get involved with local groups, go to as many community functions as possible, and do not hesitate to begin conversations with your neighbors. Canada is a great country and you are privileged to be among the few lucky people who have been granted an opportunity to become citizens of this great country.
That’s it! It is, however, important to note that immigration is not always a walk in the park; it is, however, not impossible to achieve your dream of moving to Canada, especially because with preparation and determination, the process can be sorted out. In a nutshell, welcome to this new phase of your life, and wishing you all the luck you will need in the future.