How To Prepare Yourself if You Want to Settle in Canada
Are you considering moving to Canada to become a permanent resident or a citizen? There are many opportunities to settle in Canada as a citizen or a permanent resident. However, you must go through an application process with specific requirements to be approved.
Beyond that, there are a few steps that you could take to help you adjust when relocating to Canada. In this article, we will discuss how you can prepare yourself if you want to settle in Canada as a permanent resident or a citizen. Let’s get started!
Take an Approved Language Test
If you want to become a permanent resident in Canada, you need to prove that you’re fluent in English or French. You must pass the required language test, which can be taken through the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, if you’re fluent in French, you could take a different language test.
The IRCC only accepts test results from approved agencies or organizations. If you’re taking the CELPIP test, the IRCC requires that it be administered by the University of British Columbia or Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc. On the other hand, taking the IELTS can be done at any test center administered by the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, or the International Development Program.
Apply to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada
After passing the language test, you can apply online to become a permanent resident in Canada. If you’ve never been to Canada, you can apply for the federal Skilled Worker or Trades program through Express Entry. Alternatively, you can use it to become a permanent resident through the provincial nominee or caregiver program if you qualify.
Another way to become a permanent resident in Canada is through family sponsorship or starting a business. Also, suppose you’re in Canada with a temporary work permit. In that case, you can apply to become a permanent resident through the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program under Express Entry.
Depending on your application type, the cost to apply for permanent residency status in Canada ranges from $ CAN 1,080 to $ CAN 2,140.
Have Enough Proof of Funds
If you’re moving to Canada and don’t have a valid job offer, you must have sufficient proof of funds to support yourself until you secure employment. If you’re migrating to Canada alone, you need at least $ 13,310 CAD. However, if you’re traveling with a spouse or dependent child, the cost increases by an additional $CAN 3,586 per individual.
However, if a family member is sponsoring you to become a permanent resident, you don’t need to show proof of funds before you settle in Canada. This usually occurs when your sponsor agrees to cover your expenses upon arrival in Canada.
Apply for a Job in Canada
If you receive a valid job offer when applying for permanent residency status, you can be exempted from providing proof of funds. Nevertheless, the employment contract should be valid for at least one year with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
In addition, if you’re applying via the federal skilled trades worker program, you can have a valid job offer from two employers as long as your shift adds up to 30 hours per week. For instance, if you’re hired by two companies requiring you to commit 15 hours per week, they can add up to the minimum hours per week accepted by the IRCC under the federal skilled trades program. That’s if you want to move to Canada without disclosing proof of funds.
On the other hand, you can still move to Canada as a permanent resident without securing a full-time job, but many organizations could help you to settle as a newcomer. More succinctly, the IRCC recommends various organizations that could guide you to get your first full-time job in Canada as an immigrant. Beyond that, those organizations could advise you on the steps you need to take to have your foreign credentials recognized — this could make it easier for you to find employment related to your field of expertise after you migrate to Canada.
Find Temporary Accommodation
If a family member is sponsoring your permanent residency status in Canada, he/she can host you when you arrive. But suppose you’re migrating to Canada and have no family member or relative to host you. In that case, the IRCC has a list of organizations in every town or city that could help you find temporary accommodation as a newcomer.
Another option is to book a hostel, hotel, or Airbnb apartment before arriving in Canada. After you settle and adjust to life in Canada, you can rent an apartment or buy a house in your ideal location.
Common Q&A
How can I become a permanent resident of Canada?
There are different routes to become a permanent resident in Canada, but the most common program is the Express Entry. If you apply for Express Entry, your chances of becoming a permanent resident of Canada will primarily be determined by your educational background, skills, language proficiency, age, and work experience.
Similarly, you can also use the provincial nominee program to become a Canadian citizen. This means you need to apply directly to the province or territory that you want to settle in — if you’re eligible, you will be nominated to become a permanent resident. Additionally, you can become a permanent resident of Canada through family sponsorship, starting a business, or applying as a caregiver.
I have a temporary work permit — how do I become a permanent resident of Canada?
If you’re an immigrant with a temporary work permit, you can become a permanent resident of Canada by applying for the Express Entry program. However, you need to have been offered permanent employment or gained at least three years’ work experience in Canada to be eligible.
Do I need to take a language test to become a permanent resident of Canada?
Yes. If you’re applying to become a permanent resident of Canada, you will be required to take an English or French language test. If you’re an English speaker, you could take the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, you must take the language test from an organization that the IRCC approves.
Once you’ve passed your language test, you can submit the results when applying for permanent residency status in Canada. Your language test results could also be required when you’re applying for citizenship.
How much money do I need to settle in Canada?
For starters, you need to pay the processing fee when you’re applying to become a permanent resident of Canada. However, the processing fee depends on the migration channel that you’ve signed up for. For instance, if you’re applying to become a permanent resident of Canada through the Express Entry or provincial nominee, it will cost you $CAN 1,365 to process your application, according to the IRCC. However, if you’re moving to Canada to start a business, you will be charged $ CAD 2,140 to process your application.
Other migration routes, such as family sponsorship and health worker occupation, are less expensive — the processing fee is approximately $ CAD 1,080. If you have a dependent child, the application processing fee will be between $ CAD 155 and $ CAD 230.
On the other hand, the IRCC requires immigrants to have sufficient proof of funds when moving to Canada. If you’re migrating to Canada through the Express Entry, you will need at least $CAN 13,310 in your bank account as proof that you can support yourself before you get a job. Additionally, you will need an extra $ CAD 3,586 for every family member you bring along.
However, if you have a full-time job offer before you arrive in Canada, you don’t need to show your proof of funds. The same case applies to immigrants with temporary work permits who are already working in Canada.
How long until I can apply to become a citizen of Canada?
Once you become a permanent resident of Canada, you need to wait for five years before you can apply for citizenship. In addition to that, you will only be eligible for citizenship if you’ve not traveled outside Canada for longer than two years as a permanent resident. This means that if you calculate the days when you were living in Canada as a permanent resident, they should add up to three years or 1095 days.
What are the requirements to become a Canadian citizen?
Besides staying in Canada long enough as a permanent resident, you need to file your income taxes — this should be done consistently for at least three years. You also need to demonstrate that you can understand English or French. This means that you could be required to resubmit the test results of the language test that you took before applying to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Once you’ve been approved, you will be required to take a citizenship test in French or English. During the test, you will be asked 20 questions — to achieve a pass mark, you need to answer at least 75% of those questions correctly.
Applicants who pass the citizenship test are invited to an oath ceremony. After swearing the oath, you will be declared a Canadian citizen.