Canadian Immigration Programs for UK Nationals
Find out how you could settle in Canada with your family as an immigrant from UK
What do I need to do to settle in Canada as an immigrant from UK?
Immigrating to Canada from the UK is a well-defined process, and there are various pathways depending on your qualifications, work experience, family connections, and personal circumstances. Here’s a detailed guide on how you can immigrate to Canada from the UK:
1. Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is one of the most popular and fastest ways to immigrate to Canada. It's a points-based system used to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW): For skilled workers with experience in jobs that are in demand in Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For those with experience in skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, etc.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For people who have already worked in Canada on a temporary visa.
Eligibility Requirements for Express Entry:
- Age: Ideally between 18-35 years. Younger applicants get more points.
- Work Experience: You need at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A, or B).
- Language Skills: Proficiency in English or French (via tests like IELTS for English or TEF for French).
- Education: A high school diploma or more. Your foreign credentials need to be evaluated by a recognized agency, such as WES (World Education Services).
- Financial Resources: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family unless you already have a valid job offer in Canada.
Steps for Express Entry:
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Create an Express Entry Profile:
- Go to the official IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) website and create your profile. You’ll need to provide information on education, work experience, and language test results.
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Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score:
- Your profile will be ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors like age, language ability, education, work experience, and whether you have a job offer in Canada.
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Invitation to Apply (ITA):
- Every few weeks, the Canadian government holds draws and invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residency. If your CRS score is high enough, you'll receive an ITA.
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Submit your Application:
- Once you receive the ITA, you will have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residency. This includes submitting your police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds, and other required documents.
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Wait for Decision:
- After submission, the processing time is usually between 6-8 months. If your application is successful, you’ll receive permanent residency status.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Each province in Canada has its own immigration programs to address specific labor market needs. If you have a job offer from a particular province or have skills in demand, you may be able to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Eligibility Requirements:
- A job offer or work experience in a specific province or territory.
- Intention to live and work in that province.
- Each province has its own eligibility criteria, which may differ depending on the specific labor needs of the province.
Steps for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
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Select a Province:
- Choose a province where you want to live and check its eligibility criteria. Some provinces have streams for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates.
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Apply for Provincial Nomination:
- If you meet the provincial requirements, apply directly to the provincial government for a nomination.
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Receive a Provincial Nomination:
- If you are nominated, you will receive extra points for your Express Entry profile, which increases your chances of receiving an ITA.
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Apply for Permanent Residency:
- After receiving the provincial nomination, you can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry or through a paper-based process depending on the province.
3. Family Sponsorship
If you have a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you to immigrate to Canada. Family sponsorship is available for spouses, children, parents, and grandparents.
Eligibility Requirements for Family Sponsorship:
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old.
- The sponsor must be able to financially support you and your dependents.
- You must be related to the sponsor as a spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, parent, or grandparent.
Steps for Family Sponsorship:
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Check Sponsor’s Eligibility:
- Your family member must meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor you.
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Submit the Sponsorship Application:
- The sponsor submits an application to sponsor you, and you submit your own application for permanent residency.
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Wait for Processing:
- The processing time for family sponsorship applications can vary, but generally, it takes 12-24 months for spousal sponsorship and about 20-24 months for parent/grandparent sponsorship.
4. Start-Up Visa Program
If you are an entrepreneur with an innovative business idea that can create jobs for Canadians, you might be eligible for the Start-Up Visa Program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You need a letter of support from a designated Canadian organization (a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator).
- You must prove that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family.
- You must meet language proficiency requirements (English or French).
Steps for Start-Up Visa Program:
- Get Support from a Designated Organization:
- The first step is to secure a letter of support from a Canadian business incubator, angel investor, or venture capital fund.
- Submit the Start-Up Visa Application:
- Once you have the necessary support, you can apply for permanent residency under the Start-Up Visa Program.
5. Study Permit and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
If you are interested in studying in Canada, you can apply for a study permit. After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows you to work in Canada. Gaining Canadian work experience can help you apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Eligibility Requirements for Study Permit:
- You must have been accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada.
- You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your tuition fees.
Steps for Study Permit:
- Get Accepted to a Canadian Institution:
- Apply to a Designated Learning Institution in Canada and get accepted into a program of study.
- Apply for a Study Permit:
- Submit a study permit application through the official Canadian immigration website or at the Canadian Embassy in the UK.
- Work in Canada after Graduation:
- After completing your studies, you may apply for a PGWP, which allows you to gain Canadian work experience. This work experience can be used to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
6. Work Permit
If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer, you can apply for a work permit. In some cases, employers may need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that proves there are no qualified Canadians for the position.
Eligibility Requirements:
- A valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
- The employer may need to get an LMIA to show that they couldn’t find a Canadian to do the job.
Steps for Work Permit:
- Obtain a Job Offer:
- Secure a job offer from a Canadian employer. The employer will often need to apply for an LMIA.
- Apply for a Work Permit:
- Apply online for a work permit through the Canadian immigration website.
- Work in Canada and Gain Experience:
- Once you’re in Canada, you can work, gain experience, and later apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Key Points to Remember:
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English or French is required for most immigration programs.
- Documents: You will need to provide documents such as educational credentials, language test results, work experience, and financial proof.
- Application Fees: Be aware that there are application fees for different programs, so budget for these costs.
Final Tips:
- Regularly check the IRCC website for updates on immigration programs, as rules and regulations can change.
- If you need help navigating the application process, you may want to consider hiring a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
Here are some of the things that immigrants need to do to settle in Canada:
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Apply for a visa: Immigrants must apply for and receive a visa that allows them to enter Canada. The type of visa needed depends on the individual's circumstances, such as their intended length of stay, reason for visiting, and country of origin.
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Pass a medical exam: Immigrants are required to undergo a medical examination to ensure that they do not have any medical conditions that could pose a risk to public health.
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Obtain a police certificate: Immigrants are required to provide a police certificate from their country of origin and any other country they have lived in for more than six months to show that they do not have a criminal record.
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Find a place to live: Immigrants must find a place to live, whether that is through renting or buying a home or apartment.
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Get a job: Immigrants must find a job to support themselves and their families, and to meet the requirements of their visa.
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Learn English or French: Immigrants must be able to communicate effectively in English or French, which are the two official languages of Canada. There are language classes available to help immigrants improve their language skills.
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Apply for a social insurance number: Immigrants must apply for a social insurance number, which is required to work and receive government benefits.
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Open a bank account: Immigrants should open a bank account to manage their finances and receive their salary.
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Enroll in healthcare: Immigrants must enroll in the public healthcare system to receive medical services and treatments.
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Connect with the community: Immigrants should try to connect with the local community, whether that is through volunteering, joining a club or organization, or attending cultural events.
These are just some of the many things that immigrants need to do to settle in Canada. Immigration requirements and procedures can vary depending on the individual's circumstances, so it is important to seek professional advice and guidance.
What are things immigrants have to do to settle in Toronto?
Here are some things immigrants need to do to settle in Toronto:
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Obtain legal status: Immigrants must have legal status in Canada to settle in Toronto. This can be achieved by applying for and receiving a visa, or by being granted refugee status.
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Find a place to live: Immigrants must find a place to live in Toronto. This can include renting or buying a home or apartment, or living in temporary accommodation while searching for permanent housing.
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Get a job: Immigrants should try to find a job in Toronto to support themselves and their families. There are many resources available to help immigrants with job searching, including job fairs, employment centers, and online job boards.
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Learn English: English is the most commonly spoken language in Toronto, so immigrants should try to learn English to communicate effectively with others. There are many language classes available to help immigrants improve their language skills.
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Obtain a driver's license: If immigrants plan to drive in Toronto, they will need to obtain a driver's license. The process for obtaining a driver's license can vary depending on the individual's country of origin.
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Enroll in healthcare: Immigrants must enroll in the public healthcare system in Ontario to receive medical services and treatments. This can be done through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
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Connect with the community: Immigrants should try to connect with the local community in Toronto, whether that is through volunteering, joining a club or organization, or attending cultural events. This can help immigrants feel more at home in their new city.
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Understand the cost of living: The cost of living in Toronto can be high, so immigrants should be prepared for this and budget accordingly.
These are just some of the things that immigrants need to do to settle in Toronto. It is important to seek professional advice and guidance to ensure a smooth transition to life in Canada.
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