Immigration Corner | What is the best way to move to Canada?

Dear Miss Powell,

I live in Jamaica, and I have a simple question. I was wondering what the best way is to move to Canada. Can you answer that question please? Thanks in advance.

KD

Dear KD,

Your options to move to Canada will be based on key factors such as your current occupation, your resources, and whether you have a family member in Canada. Other factors to consider are your education, age and admissibility to Canada. Below, I will elaborate more on the key factors.

OCCUPATION

Your current occupation, education and resources can play a significant role in the pathway that is available to you and your family. One of the most popular and fastest way to immigrate to Canada is via the Express Entry System. This system manages three main programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, Federal Skilled Trades Programme, and Canadian Experience Class.

Federal Skilled Worker Programme: This is for individuals with work experience in occupations that typically require a degree or diploma, such as doctors, engineers, accountants, human resource managers, financial advisers, nurses, lab technicians, teachers, web designers and engineers.

Federal Skilled Trades Programme : Individuals with education and work experience in skilled trades, such as electricians, chefs, plumbers or welders. These skilled trades may require local certification in the province where you will be employed.

Canadian Experience Class: This programme is for individuals who have already worked legally in Canada for at least one year in a skilled occupation within the last three years before applying. Usually, individuals who have studied in Canada, or have worked legally for a minimum of one continuous year in Canada may qualify.

Provincial Nominee Programmes : Each Canadian province and territory has its own PNP. This programme allows a province or territory to nominate individuals who meet specific local labour market needs. If you have the education, work experience and skills that are in demand in a particular province, this could be a good option for you.

Work Permit: If you can get a job offer from a legitimate Canadian employer with a Labour Market Impact Assessment report, you may be able to get a work permit.This may also be a stepping stone to applying for permanent residence under one of the already-established programmes.

FAMILY IN CANADA

If you have a family member in Canada, your family member may be able to sponsor you. The most popular are for spouses and parents of permanent residents or citizens of Canada. Also, depending on your age, your parent may be able to sponsor you. In the rare case that your family member has no other relative in Canada, that relative may also be able to sponsor you, provided that he can satisfy other requirements.

The sponsor must be able to satisfy the requirements, such as paying taxes, not be bankrupt or having the financial resources to be fully responsible for the person being sponsored. The applicant, or the person being sponsored, must be admissible to Canada, so you will need to provide a medical report and clean police record.

RESOURCES

Study Permit: Depending on the amount of savings that you have, you may have several options available to you. If you do not currently have the required education and work experience to qualify under the Express Entry System outlined above, you may have the option to study in Canada as a pathway to permanent residency. Once you have completed your studies, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which can lead to permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class or the Provincial Nominee Programme.

Start-Up Visa: For entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, the Start-Up Visa Programme offers a pathway to permanent residency. You will need to demonstrate an ability to establish and manage a successful company in Canada that provides valuable services or products and employment to others in Canada.

Each of these pathways has specific requirements and processes, so it is important to choose the one that best fits your situation. If you need more detailed information or assistance, contact a Canadian lawyer or a certified immigration consultant to guide you further.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public in Canada. Send your questions or comments via WhatsApp, Facebook, or Tel: 613.695.8777.