Immigration Corner | Hygienist wants to live in British Columbia

Good day Miss Powell,

I have a grand aunt living in British Columbia (BC) and she said she would help me to move there. I am a hygienist at a dental office. I have a three-year-old daughter and I’m engaged. My fiancé and I were wondering if we should wait until we get married or we can apply together now. My fiancé is a truck driver, and he also has a 10-year-old son. We would like to know what we need to do to get to live in BC, and have am idea of how much I could make working in BC. We look forward to your reply.

TD

Dear TD,

As a dental hygienist you stand a good chance of being selected for permanent residence, if you can meet the requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, or one of the Provincial Programmes. To qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker under the Express Entry System, your profile will be assessed based on your age, language skills, education, work experience, arranged employment, adaptability and other factors.

If you and your fiancé have lived together in a common-law relationship, then you can apply together before getting married, if you qualify. You will be able to include his child, as well as your daughter in the application. The key would be to ensure that you have enough savings to satisfy the settlement fund requirements. For a family of four, the minimum required savings is approximately CDN$28,000.

COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM

Canada uses a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) to evaluate applicants and rank them in the pool of potential applicants. Applicants are allotted core points and additional points. Core factors are based on your education skills, work experience and skills transferability. Your partner’s language skills and education could also give you extra core points as a couple. The maximum core points that will be awarded is 600. Additional points can be accumulated based on the couple’s proof of Canadian education, a valid job offer, a provincial nomination, or having a brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident. In addition, if you or you partner have strong French-speaking skills your application will be favourable. Overall, you could get a total of 1,200 points based on core points and additional points.

If you would like personal assistance with your application, you may request a Zoom/telephone consultation to received additional information on how to maximise your comprehensive ranking score.

JOB LETTER

You must have a minimum of one continuous year of paid employment with the same employer to qualify. You and your spouse will need to get job letters from your current and past employers detailing your duties, salaries and the exact dates that you were employed. The letter must be written on the company’s letterhead and by an authorised officer or your direct supervisor. As a hygienist, your qualifications and duties should be similar to those listed under the National Occupational Classification 32111 on the government’s website.

Individuals with education and work experience under NOC 32111 can earn approximately CDN$100,000 per annum in British Columbia. The provincial hourly rate is approximately CDN$37-$55 per hour (Job Bank).

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

If you obtained your education at a college or university outside of Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated institution such as The Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, International Credential Assessment Service of Canada, World Education Services, International Qualifications Assessment Service or the International Credential Evaluation Service – British Columbia Institute of Technology. The ECA report must be issued for immigration. To qualify to work as a dental hygienist, you need to have completed a minimum of three years studies at a recognised college or university.

You and your fiancé will be required to provide proof of your language ability. The acceptable tests are the International English Language Testing System, General Training Examination or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, General Language tests. For French, the Test d’evaluatuon de francais or the Test de connaissance du Francais is required. These examinations are critical to the success of your application. The language test is very important, and so I recommend that you utilise the online practice tests to ensure that you do well.

APPLICATION

The application is a two-step process. First, you may apply via the government’s website, indicating your interest selected for permanent residence. You should ensure that you indicate an interest in living in British Columbia. Your application will be placed in the pool of eligible candidates, and you will be given a CRS score. If you are one of the top-ranking applicants based on your score, you could be given an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

If you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, then Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will evaluate your case. If your documents prove that you qualify and that you are admissible to Canada, then you will be granted a confirmation of permanent residence. You will then be authorised to travel to Canada and then be given a permanent residence card.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public in Canada. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You may call or WhatsApp 613-695-8777.