It doesn’t matter whether you are planning to immigrate to Canada from the UK, India, South Africa, or any other country in the world – you’re probably going to want to be reassured that your move will be worth the effort.
So, first, we’ll look at the many compelling reasons why so many Indians settled in Canada encourage other people to move to Canada, then we’ll talk about how you can immigrate to Canada.
While many countries shut down their immigration programs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada was quick to open its doors in 2021 as the pandemic began to subside. Now, the country is again encouraging skilled people to immigrate to Canada to help to bolster the local economy.
Top reasons why moving to Canada is worth it
The Economist magazine’s Intelligence Unit ranks the world’s most livable cities annually, ranking them for their urban quality of life.
To do so, it considers them in the context of five categories. These range from the quality of health care, education, and infrastructure, to local culture and environment to crime – or the lack of it.
Canadian cities have consistently ranked high, with Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto making the top 10 two years in a row in 2018 and 2019. For several years before this, Vancouver was named the most liveable city in the world, with a rating of close to 100%.
Not only is this really pretty impressive, but it only skims the surface of reasons you might have for wanting to immigrate to Canada. While some of these might only be available if you opt for permanent residency, with all of these perks, why wouldn’t you want to stay?
A growing economy
Canada has an economy that has been growing consistently since the Government implemented the Express Entry Immigration System in 2015. This was set up under the Economic Class and it incorporated the already successful Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
The continued growth of the Express Entry system has opened up all kinds of opportunities for many different professions.
Employment opportunities
With hundreds of occupations eligible for the Federal skilled Worker Program, not to mention the rapidly expanding technology, healthcare, and retail industries, Canada can be a great place to find work.
Outstanding natural beauty
Canada is a very beautiful country with vast areas of land untouched by human habitation. Whether you enjoy embracing nature by walking, swimming, or climbing mountains, or exploring the land and sea with your camera, the opportunities are endless. There are long, sandy beaches too, alongside the sea and around the world-famous Great Lakes.
A safe and secure place to live
Canada has a global reputation for being one of the safest countries to live in. Even though there are several big cities – those immensely liveable ones – the population of the country is relatively small and violence is definitely not the norm!
Health and social care benefits
In terms of health, your life in Canada vs India will be much easier. Canada has a great Medicare system that offers everybody free basic healthcare based on need rather than an ability to pay. It’s accessible to everyone and can make a big difference to anyone with a vaguely compromised budget.
Educational opportunities
Canada’s educational system ranks particularly high for math, science, and reading. It also scores high across the board when elements like gender and social background are taken into account.
Times World University Rankings for 2020 put Toronto’s McGill University and the University of British Columbia in the world’s top 50.
High standard of living
Is life in Canada better than India when it comes to the standards of living? The answer is yes primarily because of the kind of employment opportunities you’ll have in the country. In fact, these employment opportunities in Canada make a high standard of living relatively easy to achieve for Indians. You have a choice of any type of environment you like, from rural homesteading to high-rise city options with every possible urban convenience.
Like all the big cities in the world, Toronto and Vancouver will be crowded and expensive for some people. But, with a guaranteed job, you likely won’t have to live too far from a city center to achieve an affordable, comfortable lifestyle.
An immigrant-friendly location
Canada has two official languages, English and French. But as Canada’s Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages testifies, there are another three top languages that people speak in the country. These are:
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Punjabi
While it’s true that only a small percentage of people speak anything other than French and/or English, it’s comforting for immigrants to know that Canada prides itself on being multicultural.
Canada is also recognized for being hugely tolerant and open-minded. In an HSBC Expat Explorer Survey completed in 2020, Canada ranked number 1 globally for tolerance.
Is it difficult to immigrate to Canada?
It isn’t that difficult to immigrate to Canada – that is if you are eligible. The Canadian Government is very pro-immigration and they will do everything they can to help potential immigrants determine their eligibility.
The Come to Canada tool is also an excellent Government resource that you can use to ascertain what your immigration options are.
Eligibility requirements for Canada immigration
The eligibility requirement for Canadian immigration depends on whether you are planning to enter the country as a visitor, a student, or a worker. All applications must be completed online, including applications for permanent residency under the Express Entry option.
Application process for Canada immigration
The application process you need to follow to immigrate to Canada depends on whether you want permanent or temporary residency. The Express Entry options are the most popular, in Canada. Indian people who have made Canada home have primarily arrived there through these options because the associated processes are so remarkably simple.
Financial requirements for Canada immigration
Most often, you will need money to immigrate to Canada, and you will need to demonstrate proof of funds to the Canadian Government.
But there are a few exceptions. If you apply under the Canadian Experience Class (see below) or you have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in the country, then you may not have to provide proof of funds.
As a guide, if it’s just you, you will need to have CAD $13,213. This will rise to CAD $24,553 for a family of four. However, these funds can’t be from equity on real property, or borrowed, and you will need to provide documentation from your bank that shows the funds.
Top Canadian immigration programs for 2021
Express Entry
The Canadian Government introduced the Express Entry Immigration System in January 2015. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages the system for permanent residence applications in three economic class programs.
There are strict qualification conditions for those people of the right age who have the specified education and work experience for each specific program. It is also essential to be able to speak an official Canadian language.
The range of worker occupations is vast and varied, and whether you are a talented, well-qualified professional or an artisan you’ll likely find it difficult not to be ranked. If you meet the requirements, Express Entry can be a brilliant immigration pathway.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Originally introduced in 1967, the FSWP categorizes hundreds of eligible occupations for federal skilled workers who are ranked in a Comprehensive Ranking System. The highest-ranked candidates are considered for permanent residence.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Launched in 2013, the FSTP is the best option for skilled workers who have qualified in any of the recognized trades. To qualify, you’ll need to have had ongoing offers of paid, full-time employment from one or two Canadian employers.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This is a great option for anyone who has worked in Canada and who wants to transition to permanent residency. Launched by the IRCC in 2008, it gives international graduates and skilled temporary foreign workers the opportunity to get permanent residency surprisingly easily.
The CEC is one of Canada’s most successful immigration pathways for skilled workers.
Permanent residency
The Express Entry system is the main pathway to permanent residency. But there are more than 100 permanent residency pathways, and Express Entry is only one of them. In July 2020, a CIC News analysis showed that there were 104 economic immigration pathways in Canada.
A growing number of immigrants are gaining permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that was introduced in 1998. It is currently recognized as the second-best way for skilled workers to get permanent residency.
There are more than 80 different provincial immigration streams, so it can be a challenge to find the best one for your needs. But there is a very efficient Canada PNP Finder that will help you get the results you are looking for.
Temporary residency
While this might not immediately seem to be an obvious way to immigrate to Canada, many people who want to move here get a job, a work visa, and then temporary residency. Another option is to gain a study permit to study in the country.
We can help you find the best way to migrate to Canada
With all the immigration options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
We’ve been helping people immigrate to Canada for years, and have the expertise to help you to achieve your immigration dreams. Reach out to us at Express Entry PR today to start your journey to Canada.