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Immigrating has the potential to be the best step you have ever taken, but it can also be a daunting prospect. A new country with different rules, customs, and expectations might be hard to grasp. However, the rewards of life in a country with a free public school system, a tax-funded healthcare system, and a welcoming attitude toward immigrants, like Canada, are more than enough to justify the move for many. If your attention has been captured by the opportunities offered when migrating to Canada, you might be beginning to wonder exactly what life there could look like for you and your family.
This article aims to provide a look at everyday life and opportunities both in the cities and in a wider field in Canada.
Employment Opportunities
This is an important factor for many and can be the difference between success and failure as an immigrant. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will need a Canada work permit to work legally in Canada. This needs to be obtained before you come to Canada and generally requires an offer of employment to have been made before the application, or for an entrepreneur to set up their own business upon receiving a work permit. Despite the challenges that 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic brought to economies across the world, several sectors in Canada are already targeting foreign workers for recruitment.
Labour Welders, drivers, and heavy-duty mechanics are all in-demand positions in Canada right now. With haulage, agriculture, and construction being some of the few exceptions to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, these positions are deemed essential for the continuation of these growing industries. These positions are available in both urban and rural settings, with the rural options in many cases.
Healthcare System
Healthcare is another evident area that has been exempt from COVID-19 restrictions. The healthcare industry is expecting to have an abundance of vacancies for registered nurses and occupational therapists which will require workers in the coming year. These are essential positions, and healthcare workers are highly valued in Canada.
Business: Although this area is still seeing the effects of lockdowns and remote working, the industry is working hard to bounce back. While the government is working to re-establish economic stability, certain positions are important to fill to achieve this. Accountants and business development managers will be vital in helping companies remain compliant with any new rules and regulations that arise because of the pandemic.
Canadian Healthcare: As we mentioned in the introduction, healthcare in Canada is paid for through taxes. This doesn’t cover optical or dental healthcare for adults. Outpatient treatment as well as prescription drugs may also not be covered. Many Canadians also have private health insurance through employment or social schemes.
Education System
Canada has both public and private education systems are available. Primary school children may attend school for free throughout the country. Post-secondary education is also state-funded in some provinces. Tuitions for Canadian residents can cost as much as one–third of that compared to international students.
Learn the Official Languages
Canada is officially a bilingual country with two languages, English and French, both of which are official languages, with just over a fifth of the population speaking French as their first language. These are the two most widely used languages in the world by non-native speakers, which makes Canada an easy place for communication for most immigrants. English as a second language classes are also widely available, while French is often taught to children in school.
Research and Choose the Right Province
Property and Ownership: Townhouses, farmhouses, villas, apartments, bungalows – Canada has them all and in an abundance of different settings to suit the needs of different families. Property in Canada is easy to find, easy to buy, and legal for international buyers to own. In fact, in Canada, non-residents have the same ownership rights as residents do.
Food and Drink: This is easy to take for granted, but depending on where you are from, Canadian staples might be vastly different from what you are accustomed to. Poutine, bagels, salmon, and potatoes are a few popular choices that will be recognisable by people across the world, and Canada does boast a wealth of international cuisines via restaurants and takeaways in all of its provinces. In most large cities, it is easy to find cuisine that will suit each family’s ideals.
Entertainment:
Although food & drink constitute entertainment for many of us, what else does Canada have to offer in the way of entertainment for the locals? From outdoor pursuits like skiing, snowboarding, and canoeing to museums, galleries, and theatres, everything is readily available in Canada. They also have some of the biggest mega-malls in the world, where there are so many outlets you are bound to find what you like or need.
Hockey, lacrosse, and gridiron football are other sports that are all widely played and followed in Canada. For Westerners, life in Canada will probably be fairly similar in many ways to your home country. Many brands you know and love will still be available, and the structures and rules will be at least vaguely familiar to what you are already used to.
Canadian Job Market
The Canadian job market is vast and continues to grow as Canada opens its doors to more entrepreneurs, businesses, and skilled workers. The major hubs for jobs in finance and tech will be in the city centers around Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. However, there is scope for other industries like medical, engineering, agriculture, and more in the other provinces and cities around Canada.
Taxes in Canada
Taxes in Canada are thought to be higher than in other countries (such as the US tax tier system) due to the fact that Canada offers superior social security benefits and universal health care, making the healthcare system accessible and free to all permanent residents and citizens. The tax system is meant to maintain the infrastructure in Canada (such as roads) and continue to provide this superior level of healthcare and social security.
Canada does have an option for citizens who are not living in Canada to claim non-residency and therefore avoid tax on their worldwide income. This option is not available to US citizens.
Language proficiency and cultural integration
Most immigration programs in Canada will require individuals to pass an English language test like the IELTS and achieve a score that indicates they will be able to easily integrate into Canada and the English language (which is Canada’s first language, French being the second). Quebec may also require proficiency in French.
Canada has many programs that offer new immigrants a chance to culturally integrate into Canadian society. In addition, with Canada’s multicultural heritage, immigrants generally feel at home, as there are many activities and aspects of their own culture that are still present and available in Canadian society.
Create a Moving Checklist in Canada
The immigration process for moving to Canada involves several key steps. First, individuals must determine the most suitable immigration-based program based on factors like employment, family sponsorship, or skilled migration. Once the appropriate program is identified, applicants need to complete the required application forms, providing accurate and detailed information. Documentation requirements typically include proof of identity, educational and professional qualifications, financial stability, and, if applicable, a letter of invitation or job offer. After applying, individuals may be required to attend biometrics appointments and undergo medical examinations. Timely payment of the associated fees is crucial. The application is then processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and if approved, applicants can proceed with the necessary arrangements for their move to Canada.
Canada has the added advantage of being extremely immigrant friendly. Unlike other countries, which may see immigrants as an economic burden, Canada fully recognizes the value of immigrants to its economy. This is why the number of immigration programs in Canada far exceeds those in other countries. Canada is ready to welcome everyone from students to skilled workers to entrepreneurs and investors with open arms. For more information on our Canadian immigration visa programs, click here and start your moving-to-Canada journey today.
Immigration Consultancy in Dubai
Step Global, an immigration consultancy based in Dubai, specializes in citizenship and residency by investment programs. They can assist you with your applications for the Portugal Golden Visa, the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the Canada Start-Up Visa, the Caribbean Citizenship Program, and the UAE Golden Visa.
FAQs
The basic requirements to move to Canada typically include obtaining a visa or permit based on factors such as employment, family sponsorship, or skilled migration. Things to know before moving to Canada include the necessity of demonstrating financial stability, passing background checks, and undergoing medical examinations.
To apply for a Canadian visa program, individuals typically need to choose the appropriate visa category, complete the application form, and gather the required documents, including proof of identity, purpose of visit, financial means, and, if applicable, a letter of invitation. What to know before moving to Canada also involves understanding the visa application process thoroughly, including the required fees, apply online or by mail, and awaiting processing. Depending on the visa type, applicants might need to attend biometrics appointments and medical examinations.
To move to Canada, you typically need a valid visa or permit based on factors like employment, family sponsorship, or skilled migration. Requirements include proof of identity, the purpose of stay, financial means, and, if applicable, medical examinations.
One of the first things you need to understand before moving to Canada is the cost of living about the salary/earnings you will make, particularly in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where housing can be expensive.
You’ll also need to ensure that you have the appropriate immigration documentation (such as a visa or permanent residency status). Be prepared for the cold climate, especially in winter, and familiarize yourself with the job market, which can vary by region and industry.
The last important thing to familiarise yourself with is how Canada’s universal healthcare system works, as this could indeed save your life! There is also a lot of cultural diversity and official bilingualism in English and French across Canada, so fluency in at least one of those languages is an entry requirement to live in the country.
There are extensive rules that you must follow to move to Canada. Firstly, you will need to meet specific immigration requirements (which vary depending on the visa category, such as skilled worker, student, or family sponsorship).
To move to Canada an applicant will need to select their relevant immigration program, and then provide the required documentation. Next, they will need to undergo medical and background checks to ensure they are fit from a physical and criminal perspective to enter the country, before finally proving their financial stability.
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