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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Updated: November 30th, 2022


Our immigration consultants are qualified and able to assist you with any questions you may have.

Canadian Immigration

This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.

Minimum Requirements

You must:

  • Plan to live outside of Quebec (The province has its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program);
  • Meet the language requirements for English and French;
  • Have two years’ work experience in a skilled trade (or equal amount of experience in a part time position;
  • Have work experience within the past 5 years;
  • Meet the job requirements in the National Occupational Classifications;
  • Have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a minimum of one year; or
  • A certificate of qualification for that skilled trade that is confirmed from the Canadian provincial or territorial government authority

Skilled Work Experience

These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.

Group Number Job Description
72 Industrial, construction or electrical trades
73 Equipment operation and maintenance
82 Technical and supervisors in:
  • Agriculture
  • Natural resources
  • Production
92 Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor
Central control operators
632 Cooks and chefs
633 Bakers and butchers

Education

You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:

  • Foreign qualifications;
  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC;or
  • A Canadian certificate, diploma or degree

Language Ability

  • Pass the Canadian Language Benchmark test at minimum language level;
  • The language test must be approved by IRCC; and
  • Your test results must not be older than two years when you apply.

Be assessed by the province or territory

Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.

Minimum Requirements

You must:

  • Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
  • Have the required language skills needed for your job;
  • Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
  • Have the language proficiency needed for your job; and
  • Have plans to live outside of Quebec

Skilled Work Experience

Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.

Job Description Skill Type
Technical jobs B
Skilled trades B
Professional jobs A
Managerial jobs 0

Education

You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:

  • Have a high school diploma, tertiary diploma or degree;
  • Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC; or
  • Have completed foreign credentials

Language Ability

To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.

Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed Job Level (NOC)
7 0
7 A
5 B

The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.

  • Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
  • Have the required language skills needed for your job;
  • Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
  • Have language levels need for your job; and
  • Have plans to live outside of Quebec

Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.

Skilled Work Experience

Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.

Job description Skill Type
Technical jobs B
Skilled trades B
Professional jobs A
Managerial jobs 0

Education

You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:

  • have a high school diploma and/or tertiary diploma or degree;
  • have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or have
  • completed foreign credentials

Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.

Language Ability

To qualify you must score well in:

  • the Canadian Language Benchmark; and
  • the language tests
Canadian Language Benchmark score needed Job level (NOC)
7 0
7 A
5 B

The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:

  • Read;
  • Speak;
  • Listen; and
  • Write

Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.

Principal Applicant

When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.

Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.

Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.

Inadmissibility

You may be inadmissible if you are:

  1. Considered a security risk;
  2. Lied about information in your application or interview;
  3. Have ties to organised crime;
  4. Can’t support yourself financially;
  5. Have terrible financial health;
  6. Committed a crime outside of Canada;
  7. Do not qualify under Canada’s immigration laws; and
  8. Have a family member that is not allowed in the country

Choosing Where To Live

Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.

These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points

  • Age (max 110 points);
  • Education (max 150 points);
  • Language proficiency (max 160 points);
  • Canadian Work Experience (max 80 points);
  • Skills Transferability (max 100 points); and
  • Additional Factors (max 600 points)

A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:

  • A paralegal or lawyer who has a good relationship with the provincial or territorial legal societies of Canada;
  • A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who has a good relationship with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; or
  • A notary who has a good relationship with the Chambre des notaires du Québec

Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.

There are currently 3 Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants working with migrantzone.com:

Robert Amo #R422311

Sanaz Abravani #R406391

David Benning #R407783

If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.

A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized immigration and citizenship representative, who is hired to evaluate your Visa application and submit it on your behalf. In addition, an RCIC provides you with a beneficial strategy for your Visa options. An authorized RCIC is also a member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

RCICs are experts in the immigration field. They walk applicants through the overwhelming immigration system. At migrantzone.com, we have three professional RCICs to help you with the immigration process.

The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is a national regulatory body that oversees authorized immigration professionals. The regulatory body ensures that RCICs adhere to a professional code of conduct. The body also licenses professionals and processes complaints involving Canadian immigration.

Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires anyone who provides immigration or citizenship advice to be a member in good standing with the ICCRC.

Would you feel safe flying with a pilot that is unlicensed? Probably not. The same thing applies for your immigration process. You want to feel safe and secure knowing your Visa application is in the right hands.

Immigrating to a different country is an intricate process with a lot of paperwork, form submissions and tight deadlines. An RCIC takes care of these on your behalf, and makes your Visa application a lot easier than attempting it alone. Authorized consultants can get your application submitted correctly the first time around, ensuring that your application is fully optimized so that you stand a greater chance at success.

Each RCIC has experience dealing with the Canadian immigration process. They handle immigration matters both ethically and professionally, and will explain everything regarding your application process.

With more than 60 Visa options available, an RCIC can give you personalized assistance by mapping out the best immigration option for you, based on your personal objectives. Once an RCIC has submitted your application, you will be updated on your application status by your consultant, who will be there throughout the whole process.

If your first language is not English, it will be to your benefit to hire an RCIC to help you understand certain clauses and policies. An RCIC can assist you with information about language tests, employment applications and submission of all the correct documents needed for your application.

Note: Not all Canadian Visa companies use authorized immigration consultants. Since 2004, immigration consultants have been required to complete an accredited program to become authorized in the business of Canadian immigration. The accredited program provides consultants with substantial knowledge regarding immigration law. Additionally, the program also includes the latest procedures regarding immigration and citizenship in Canada.

Authorized Immigration consultants are qualified and regulated by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). Any breach of ethical conduct could mean that an RCIC loses the right to assist with immigration applications.

Unauthorized representatives charge a fee for their services but are not regulated by the Canadian Council, they are also not acknowledged by the department of Immigration, Refugees and Canadian Citizenship. Any application sent on your behalf will be rejected and sent back to you.

Do not waste your time and money. Avoid being subjected to fraudulent proceedings. Choose the right people for the job.

At migrantzone.com we handpick only the most professional, and helpful ICCRC certified staff to help you with your immigration journey. Our three authorized RCIC representatives are:

Robert Amo:

Robert is a qualified RCIC who is dedicated in helping people be a part of the Canadian Dream. In addition, Robert’s other qualifications are:

  • Master’s in Public Administration;
  • BA in Business Governance; and;
  • Diploma in European Studies

David Benning:

David Benning is a qualified RCIC who also has personal experience with the immigration process. David Benning immigrated to Canada as a skilled worker. Moreover, David Benning’s additional qualifications include:

  • Masters in English Education; and
  • BA in English Literature

Sanaz Abravani:

Sanaz is a qualified RCIC who is multilingual. He speaks English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French and Japanese. Sanaz also has personal experience with Canadian immigration, seeing as he immigrated to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Mario’s other qualifications include:

  • BA in Finances and International Relations;
  • Masters in Area Studies; and
  • Honours in the Immigration Consulting Program

The last few steps of the immigration process are the most important and you will not be left unaccompanied through the rest of your journey.

At migrantzone.com, one of our RCICs will be in contact with you after you have completed the evaluation process and signed the retainer agreement. The RCIC will manage your important documents, recommend the best Visa options and apply on your behalf if you meet all the criteria. They will advise you on the way going forward.

We can say that we have skilled and qualified RCICs with years of experience in Canadian immigration, but other Immigration companies claim the same thing.

Here is how you can prove it. Each consultant has their own personal RCIC code. This code can verify whether the consultant is in fact recognized and qualified to give you immigration advice to handle your application on your behalf.

Check their credentials by clicking on the website link below.

Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council

Once you have successfully completed the evaluation process, you will receive your evaluation results in the form of a Personalised Visa Strategy Roadmap to Canada. In order to fully understand your visa choices, you can then sign the retainer agreement and gain the expertise of a professional RCIC.

RCICs are immigration strategists who will help you understand the best personalized Visa strategy for you. You may receive knowledge of better options and programs that you never knew were available, which will help create better opportunities for your future.

The RCIC that is administering your application will help you make sense of Canada’s complicated Visa system by simplifying the process. With over 70 Visa options to choose from, with a limited time frame, an RCIC is here to assist you in making an educated and favorable choice for your future.

Scared of a misstep during your application process that may delay your immigration application? The reality is that the Canadian Government website can be difficult to navigate in your search for the right forms or information you need to apply with. This is where a qualified RCIC comes into the picture. An RCIC will ensure that your application meets the requirements expected from the Canadian Immigration Authorities before you apply.

Immigration is a lengthy process that requires hours upon hours of paperwork, filing and documents. An RCIC will save you time and money by submitting your documents correctly and on time. There will be no need for lengthy phone calls to the Canadian government or re-submissions for incorrectly filled applications.

All in all, your RCIC will walk with you, ‘hand in hand’, through the process and lower your stress by taking care of those irritating details on your behalf.

A skilled worker is any person who has special skills, training, qualifications and experience in a certain trade. The Canadian government uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to categorize skilled job positions for immigration purposes. Skilled jobs are divided into three types, 0, A and B:

Skill type 0: Management jobs, for example:

  • Restaurant managers;
  • Mine managers;
  • Advertising, marketing and public relations managers; and
  • Financial managers

Skill level A: Professional jobs that usually require a degree, like:

  • Doctors;
  • Architects;
  • Investment dealers and brokers; and
  • Human Resource professionals

Skill level B: Technical jobs and skilled trades that usually require a diploma or apprentice training, for example:

  • Chefs;
  • Electricians;
  • Medical administrative assistant; and
  • Sport and fitness instructors

In 2016, the Economic Immigration Program accepted approximately 160,600 skilled foreign workers into the country. Canada has a growing economy that is seeking to attract a strong workforce, who will succeed in the labour market, this is why they accept so many skilled workers each year.

In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must meet these minimum requirements:

  • Have enough work experience in the same type of job as your main NOC;
  • Prove that you have enough funds to support you and your family after you arrive in Canada if you do not have a job offer or you are not able to work legally in Canada; and
  • Have good language abilities in French or English

Note: If you have a live-in partner (married, same sex or opposite sex couple) they can apply under Express Entry as the principal applicant, (but only if they meet all requirements).

Express Entry is a new system implemented in 2015, to help strengthen Canada’s labour market by securing long term economic growth. The program offers skilled foreign workers permanent residence, by reducing processing times to approximately six months for applicants.

Express Entry is not an immigration program, instead it is a management and selection stream.The system is connected to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), to help manage applications for permanent residence under the following economic immigration programs:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC);
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC); and
  • A portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

It is is an electronic process, whereby applicants can provide their credentials (skills, work experience, abilities, language, and education) to the Canadian Government. They will then review and invite potential candidates to apply under the above-mentioned programs.

The best feature of the Express Entry Program is that Canadian employers have access to the Express Entry pool of prospective candidates. This provides employers with the opportunity to offer jobs to candidates, whose skills, qualifications and experience the Canadian employers need. Once a candidate receives a job offer from a Canadian employer, he or she will then be invited to apply for Permanent Residency.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point based system used to evaluate and score candidate’s profiles in the Express Entry Pool. You are then ranked based on how many points you score. Note : that Express Entry draws’ minimum cut-off points depends on different factors each draw.

A candidate's profile remains in the pool for a period of 12 months, or until he or she has been selected for a federal skilled worker program. After 12 months, a candidate may create a new profile.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program is for skilled workers with previous experience working in Canada. You must first complete an Express Entry profile in order to immigrate to Canada under the CEC. There are minimum requirements you need to meet to qualify for CEC, you must:

  • Have 12 months+ skilled work experience in Canada, with the proper approval (the work must have been full time, or an equal number of hours in part-time work);
  • Meet the required English or French language standards for your job so that you can write, read, listen and communicate effectively in your job; and
  • Plan to live outside the province of Quebec

No, the Province of Quebec is one of the 3 provinces in Canada that does not use Express Entry to select skilled workers. They select skilled workers based on their own set of rules and regulations. To immigrate to Canada as a Quebec selected worker, you must apply in two stages:

  • Apply directly to the Quebec government to acquire a certificate of selection. The certificate proves that Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant; and
  • Apply at the Immigration, Refugees and Citizen Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency, once you are approved by Quebec

Yes, you can apply to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) using Express Entry. Firstly, create an Express Entry profile. Then, there are two ways to apply for a provincial nomination under Express Entry:

You can contact the province or territory directly and apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream:

  • If the province accepts and agrees to nominate you, you can update your Express Entry profile to show you have been nominated;
  • If you get a nomination through your account, you can accept it online.

You can contact the province or territory directly, and apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream:

  • If you receive a “notification of interest” on your account, it means that a province or territory has taken note of your profile. You can then contact them directly;
  • If you are nominated, you will receive approval through your account, which you can accept online.

Note: If you are nominated by a Province or Territory, you are awarded an additional 600 points in the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System).

The Job Bank is Canada’s main source for job and employment information. It allows Job Bank users to view:

  • Job opportunities;
  • Educational qualifications;
  • Salaries;
  • Trends in employment; and
  • Jobs that are in demand

If you do not have a job offer, it will help to register with Canadian Job Bank first.

In order to qualify in for a Parent & Grandparent Super Visa there are some requirements you must meet.

  1. You must have a child/grandchild who is either:
    1. A permanent resident of Canada; or
    2. A Canadian citizen
  2. You must be able to legally enter Canada (e.g. having the correct travel documentation, no criminal record etc.);
  3. 3. You must also prove that your child/grandld can meet the minimum income threshold;
  4. You must provide documents that state that your child/grandchild will support you financially;
  5. You must have Canadian medical insurance that lasts a minimum of one year; and
  6. You must do an immigration medical exam

If you apply for the Parent & Grandparent Super Visa, you cannot include dependants in your application.

Besides meeting all of the requirements above, an immigration officer may also question you on the following.

  1. How politically stable is your home country?
  2. How are your family finances (are you able to support yourself)?
  3. What are you visiting for (wedding, family visit etc)?
  4. What is the relationship between you and your home country?
  5. Do you have an invitation from a Canadian host?

To improve your application success, your child/grandchild must meet certain financial qualifications called a minimum income threshold. This amount changes with the size of the family.

Size of child/grand child family Minimum income ($)
1 24,600
2 30,650
3 37,650
4 45,712
5 51,846
6 58,473
7 65,101

If your child/grandchild has more than 7 people in their family, add on $6,628 for each additional family member.

You generally do not need a medical exam if your visit is 6 months or less

Depending on how long you intend to stay in the Canada, applying for an immigration medical exam may be different. If you intend to stay in Canada for 6 months or less, you generally do not need a medical exam. But if you do need a medical exam you:

  • Must first find a panel physician;
  • Must bring certain items and documentation to your medical exam;
  • Must be prepared to pay a fee when you arrive at your appointment (Note: if your application is not successful, you cannot receive a refund for your medical exam); and
  • Must apply for your Parent and Grandparent Super Visa within one year of your medical exam, or you will need to take another

You need to have a medical exam done by someone listed on the panel of physicians. Note: your doctor may not perform a medical exam for you, unless they are listed on the panel. Any applications you send using a doctor that is not on the list of physicians provided, will not be approved.

Medical exams may have procedures like laboratory tests, x-rays or other requirements. After your medical exam, the panel doctor will send your results to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Canadian Citizenship).

The IRCC makes the final decision on your medical exam results. If there are problems with your results, you will be contacted in writing by the Visa office.

If you need to have a medical exam for your Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, you must bring the following to your medical exam.

  • Legal identification (passports, national identity card or driver’s licence);
  • Medical reports/tests for any existing condition you may have;
  • Prescription eye ware like contacts or glasses (if applicable); and a
  • Medical Report Form (IMM 1017E), this is given to you by the Visa Office, if you do not have an upfront medical exam

Note: you must check if your panel physician has an eMedical Electronic System. If they do not, you will have to bring four photographs with the following requirements:

Photos must be:

  • Taken within the past 6 months;
  • Be identical;
  • Printed on high quality paper;
  • Printed either in colour, or black and white;
  • Not have anything that hides your face in your photo (like religious clothing, accessories, or sunglasses);
  • Taken when you are not smiling, frowning or looking away, downwards or upwards from the camera;
  • 35mm by 45mm, with a shot of the person from their face to the middle of their shoulders

When you go for your medical exam, you must ask your doctor to provide you with a copy of your results. Any medical documents sent to the IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Canadian Citizenship) becomes property of the Canadian government. These documents will not be returned.

A Visitor Visa is different from a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa on how long the visa lasts.

Generally, Visitor Visa’s last for 6 months and need an extension and an additional fee, if you wish to stay longer in Canada.

The Parent & Grandparent Super Visa lasts for two years. You can also enter Canada more than once with this type of visa. Of course, the requirement to apply for the Parent & Grandparent Super Visa differ from the Visitor Visa.

  • Know that application times may be different depending on your case, and the number of applications the Immigration, Refugee and Canadian Citizenship (IRCC) receive.
  • Make sure your travel document is up to date and valid to travel to Canada.
  • State any changes you make to your address since you sent your application.
  • Receive your Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, along with your passport and other documents, if your visa application is successful.
Make sure you Travel documents are complete and valid for your trip to Canada

In order to come to Canada, you must make sure that you have a valid travel document like a:

  • Certificate of identity;
  • Passport; or
  • Titre de voyage etc

You must also look if your passport requires additional requirements for you to come to Canada. It is best that you check with a Canadian Embassy in your own country if you need more documentation.

State any Change of address after your application for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

The Visa office must be told if there is any change of address and/or contact information after you have applied for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.

To sponsor a family member as a permanent resident under family class sponsorship, the sponsor must fulfil the following conditions:

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada aged at least 18 years.
  • Reside in Canada, if they are a permanent resident. Canadian citizens can sponsor a family member even when living outside the country. However, he or she must reside in Canada when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
  • Have adequate resources to provide financial support to the sponsored person for the mandated duration.

The following categories of individuals can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

  • Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner;
  • Parents and grandparents;
  • Dependent children;
  • Unmarried children aged less than 19* years; or,
  • Children aged above 19 years and above if they are dependent on the sponsor for financial support due to physical or mental conditions.
  • Other Relatives;
  • Siblings, nephews or nieces, or grandchildren who are orphaned, aged below 18 years, and don’t have a spouse or partner.

Yes. The sponsor can include their spouse, dependent children and grandchildren as accompanying family members on his or her application for permanent residence. If all applicants are found eligible, then they will all be granted permanent residence together.

For those who cannot be included in the application, sponsorship is possible after the sponsor acquires permanent residence in Canada.

No. There are no guarantees in Canadian immigration. At the end of the day, the visa officer reviewing your application makes the final decision.

Yes. Family class sponsorship results in permanent residence for successful applicants. The Super Visa, on the other hand, is a temporary visa that is issued for a significantly longer duration as compared to a regular visitor visa.

The Super Visa is a multiple entry visa with validity for ten years that is issued to facilitate the visit of close relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike family sponsorship, all restrictions applicable to visitor visas, including prohibition from working or studying in Canada, applies to the Super Visa.

For spousal sponsorship, the sponsor must support the spouse financially for at least three years after the spouse obtains permanent residence. For dependent children, this duration is for ten years, or up to the time the child turns 25, whichever is earlier.

For parents and grandparents, the sponsor must sign a sponsorship agreement and commit to provide financial support for a period of 3 to 20 years based on the age of the sponsored relative and the nature of the relationship.

The sponsored relative must also promise that he or she shall undertake all necessary efforts to become financially independent.

A sponsored spouse or partner can work, pending processing of their sponsorship application by applying for an open work permit.

They can apply under the Spousal Work Permit Pilot Program by either combining the application for work permit along with the sponsorship application, or applying for the temporary permit pending processing of the sponsorship application.

Other family members and eligible relatives can apply for the work permit only after their sponsorship application has received in-principle approval.

Pending grant of permanent residence, all sponsored persons can study in Canada after applying for and obtaining a study permit.

Typically, a temporary resident visa is issued for up to 6 months. There are circumstances where visitors stay for longer than a 6-month period which are discussed below.

Obtaining a visitor’s visa

Some of the most important factors a visa officer will consider in assessing your application are the connections to your home country.

One of the main tests in issuing a temporary resident visa (or visitor visa) is this: Will the applicant return to his or her country once his or her status expires?

In trying to answer this question, the visa officer will first look at your connections to your home country.

Employment

If you are employed, this is a powerful connection to your home country. If you can, be sure to include a letter of employment and confirmation in that letter that your absence to visit Canada has been approved.

Family

If you have family in your country of residence, that is an important connection.

If you can, provide copies of the bio-data sections of their passports, along with copies of birth certificates to show relationships.

An affidavit is a good idea if you have no documents to prove the relationship. Your family member can swear an affidavit and state their relationship to you.

Property

Owning property in your country of residence is another powerful connection to your country.

If you can, provide copies of titles or other documents that show you own the property, and where the property is located.

Obligations

Do you have obligations in your home country? Perhaps you care for an elderly parent, or another relative? Or perhaps you are a leader of a community or volunteer group?

Showing evidence of obligations at home will certainly help you show that you will return to your home country after your visit.

Another critical factor you must address in your application, is how you will support yourself in Canada. You must think about how you can provide evidence of this.

Available finances

How much money do you have available to you while in Canada? IRCC will do a rough calculation of food and accommodation costs to determine if you have enough funds to support yourself.

Provide evidence of cash in your bank, and have traveller’s cheques while crossing the border, don’t rely solely on credit cards, or a visa officer might suspect you don’t have the funds for your trip.

Are there currency restrictions in your home country? Take this into account and find a way to address it.

Staying with family or friends

If you will be staying with friends or family, you won’t need as much cash for your trip. You will however need proof that your host will provide lodging and food.

Be sure to have your host in Canada sign a letter stating that you will be staying with them and that they will provide food and lodging.

The letter should state the amount of time you will be staying with them, and have an address and contact phone number where they can be reached.

Ability to leave Canada

The visa officer has to determine if you have the ability to leave Canada after your stay.

Be sure to have booked a return travel ticket to your home country, and that your passport is valid for your entire stay and return trip.

If you don’t have a return ticket because you are unsure when you want to return to your home country, be sure to have enough money to purchase a return ticket to your home country.

There are several steps that need to be followed Learn the steps for getting your credentials recognized to work in Canada.

  1. Create a Job Market Report;
  2. Find your occupational profile;
  3. Compare your qualifications;
  4. Contact a regulatory board;
  5. Collect all the required documentation;
  6. Check on an approved assessment agency;
  7. Improve your skills/education; and/pr
  8. Find a related job (if applicable)

You can make a job market report through the Job Bank. The report can tell you about the:

  • Job description;
  • Training;
  • Duties;
  • Related job titles;
  • Hourly wages; and
  • Skills you will need for the job

The website https://www.cicic.ca/934/Search-the-Directory-of-Occupational-Profiles/index.canada can be useful to find the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC). This site will have a series of occupational profiles on display for many different professions.

In order to find the right job, you need to be able to compare the job requirements of each province or territory. These requirements can be things like:

  • Registration;
  • Certification;
  • Licensing; and/or
  • Language skills

If you do not need to have your credentials assessed for your licence, you may consider it for other reasons. These reasons can be to show your experience, training and work experience match against other Canadian employees. You can go to an Approved Assessment Agency, if you wish to find out if your job needs to have a credential assessment for general purposes.

If you complete your assessment, you will know if you should:

  • Improve your skills or education;
  • Look for another job in a different sector of the job market; or
  • Look for a different job in your current field of work

If you are having trouble finding a job, you may need to improve your skills or education by either:

  • Completing a new training program;
  • Training in a new field; and/or
  • Improving your education qualifications (certificates, diplomas, degrees, Honours, Masters, PHDs)

If you want to see if you need to improve your skills and qualifications, you can check out the Canadian government’s Job Bank. This may help you find out relevant job requirements and education needed for certain jobs in Canada. You can also try the Training and Careers section of their website to find out more information.

While you wait for your credentials to be assessed, it may be a good idea to find another job to work in. This new job may not be ideal, but may just be a related job instead. This may give you the opportunity to:

  • Learn new skills;
  • Gain Canadian work experience;
  • Network with other people in similar professions; and
  • Make money while you wait

You will need your credentials assessed if you are planning to:

  • Immigrate using the Federal Skilled Worker Program;
  • Study in Canada; and/or
  • Work in Canada in certain types of trades/professions

Your credentials will be assessed in the following categories:

  • Work experience;
  • Credentials; and
  • Education

There are some benefits with having your credentials assessed. These are:

  • Finding out if you need to have more:
    • Education;
    • Canadian work experience; and
    • Training
  • Showing what job, you are qualified for;
  • Finding out is your qualifications are equal to other Canadian workers

You are considered a business visitor if you wish to:

  • Invest in Canadian businesses;
  • Grow your own business; and/or
  • Improve your business relations

Depending on your documents, you may need either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Visa. If you are a:

  • Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport;
  • Permanent resident (PR) you need a legal PR card to travel; or
  • Non-Canadian citizens/residents you will need to have either an eTA or a visa depending on which country you apply from.

For an eTA you should never:

  • Plan your trip for the last minute. Getting the right documents can take time, as well as the processing time for your application to go through
  • Travel without your passport you applied for the eTA with

For a visitor visa, the following are needed to apply:

  • Letter of invitation from your business partner; and
  • Contact details for that person should be available 24/7.

You must prove that you will not:

  • Stay longer than 6 months in Canada;
  • Work in the Canadian labour market; and
  • Conduct most of your business in Canada

You meet Canada’s basic entry requirements if you:

  • Have a valid travel document, such as a passport;
  • Have enough funds for your stay and return home;
  • Plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit; and
  • Do not pose criminal, security or health risks to Canadians

A study permit is an official document issued by the Canadian Government, which allows foreign nationals to study in Canada at designated learning institutions. A study permit counts as a non-resident visa, which means that:

  • You should remain enrolled at the designated learning institution;
  • You may extend your Visa according to your study requirements; and
  • You must respect the conditions listed on your study permit

migrantzone.com is affiliated with some of the top Universities in Canada. Our RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) are in good standing with Canadian universities, to help assist you as an international student. These universities include the:

  1. British Columbia Institute of Technology;
  2. Fairleigh Dickinson University;
  3. University of British Columbia;
  4. Vancouver Film School;
  5. Simon Fraser University;
  6. McGill University; and
  7. Montreal University

Before you can apply for a study permit, you first need:

  • An acceptance letter from a designated learning institution in Canada;
  • A valid passport;
  • A form of proof that you have enough funds to pay your tuition fees, living expenses and enough funds to return home after you have completed your course;
  • A good health report;
  • A clear criminal record (no criminal background); and
  • A form of proof given to the immigration officer upon your arrival in Canada, that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies.

Note: If you received conditional acceptance because you need to complete certain courses first, before being accepted into the main program. Your study permit will only be valid for the length of these courses. You can apply for extended stay, if your studies require it.

It depends on the duration of your course. Short term studies of six months or less do not require a study permit. However, if there is a chance that you won’t be able to complete your course for whatever reason, you must obtain a study permit.

Yes. There are two employment options available for students: on- campus and off-campus work. In order to be eligible for these options they need to meet the following requirements:

You can work On Campus if you:

  • are a full-time student;
  • have a valid study permit; and
  • have a Social Insurance Number

You can work Off Campus if you:

  • are a full-time student;
  • have a valid study permit;
  • are in a program that is at least 6 months long, and will lead to a degree diploma or certificate; and
  • have a Social Insurance Number

You may not work Off Campus if you:

  • are studying English and French as a second language;
  • are a visiting or exchange student that will be graduating in another country; and
  • are taking brief courses to prepare for another study program.

You can apply for a post-graduation work permit, if you meet the following requirements:

  • you must have proof (certificate, official letter, transcript) that confirmed you completed your program successfully;
  • you have studied in Canada full time and continuously for 18 months;
  • you have applied for a work permit within 90 days after you completed your program; and
  • your study permit is still be valid, before you can apply for a work permit.

A study permit is not a travel document. In order to travel home during school holidays, or outside Canada you need a:

  1. Temporary Resident Visa; or
  2. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

No, minor children who needs to attend pre-school, primary or secondary school and who are accompanied with parents who have valid work or study permits, do not need to apply for study permits.

  • If your child is under the age of 19, and you are studying full time at a designated learning institution, your child may be eligible to attend one of the free public elementary or secondary schools that Canada has to offer.

If you want to bring your partner/family member along to Canada:

Once you have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner/family member would be eligible to apply for an open work permit. An open work permit, allows a foreign individual to work for any Canadian employer and does not need a confirmed job offer.

A temporary Canadian Visa is an official document that proves you have met the requirements for admission to Canada, as either a visitor or a temporary resident. If you want to live in Canada for a limited amount of time, then a Temporary Visa is the ideal option for you. People usually get a Temporary Visa to visit a country as a tourist, study at one of the many universities and colleges, or for temporary foreign work.

If a specified time has not been indicated on your passport on arrival, the general rule is that Temporary Visas are valid for a period of 6 months. However, you can apply for an extension. Students and workers can stay for a varying amount of time depending on their reasons. Note: you should apply 3 months before your Temporary Visa expires.

In order to extend your stay in Canada, you need to apply for an extension, 30 days before the expiry date of your stay. If you wish to remain longer, you should individually apply for a further extension. You can apply for an extension by completing the extension documents online, to make the application process easier, and reduce the risk of errors that can make the processing period longer. You can find the documents you need to extend your stay in Canada in this link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visitor.asp

A few things to take note of:

  • The Temporary Visa cannot exceed the validity of your passport, both documents must be valid and legal;
  • You may apply for an extension as many times as you wish, as long as you complete a new application, pay the fee and have valid reasons to extend your stay;
  • You may leave Canada before your Visa expires, however, you need a new document to re-enter Canada; and
  • If your Temporary Visa expires before your extension has been processed, you may remain in Canada under implied status. This allows you to legally remain in Canada, until a decision has been made by the immigration department.

It depends on which country you are from. You may need a Temporary Visa, or just a valid passport to travel through Canada. Click on the link below to find out which option you qualify for at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Obtaining a Temporary Visa does not confirm your entry into Canada. You need to prove to the Immigration officer situated at the Canadian Entry Point, that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. You must also:

  • Prove that you have enough finances to maintain yourself during your stay, and any family members who come with you;
  • Prove you have enough money to return home (for example, your returning flight cost);
  • Have no ulterior motives to work, or study in Canada, unless you have been authorized to do so;
  • Prove you do not have a criminal record;
  • Prove you are not a threat to the security of Canada;
  • Provide any documents requested by the officer to establish your validity; and
  • Prove you are in good health (you may need to complete a medical examination)

The Canadian Working Holiday Visa is an exciting opportunity for young adults to work, live, and travel in Canada. It is the ideal opportunity to gain professional working experience with diverse cultures, and explore the beauty of Canada at the same time. The Temporary Working Holiday Visa is a program managed by a section of Foreign Affairs and International Experience Canada (IEC). You can apply for a Working Holiday Visa if:

The Working Holiday Visa is valid for 12 months (this may vary depending on your country), and a routine interview is conducted to ensure you are a good candidate for the working holiday program.

The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) is for qualified workers, who are passionate about providing care to children, the elderly or people with disabilities. There are requirements that must be met before you can apply for a LCP, a few of the requirements are:

  • You have received a positive labor market impact assessment from your future Canadian employer, before your employment can continue;
  • You have graduated from a high school (secondary school) equal to a Canadian high school;
  • You have completed a six-month training course (the form of training should be full-time training in an education facility), or have one year of full time paid working experience as a caregiver;
  • You can read, speak and understand English or French, in order to be effective in your job.

For more on LCP, read this blog post: https://migrantzone.com/temporary-visas/caregiver-visa/ .

Yes, you can study in Canada with a Temporary Visa, if your education program is less than six months, you do not need to a study permit. However, if you decide to continue your studies, it would be easier to apply for a study permit. If you have children, having a Temporary Resident Visa could mean your children can attend Canadian schools (secondary and elementary level).

No, you generally cannot work in Canada with a Temporary Visa. If you come to Canada as a temporary foreign worker, you need to apply for a work permit. However, there are certain types of work related duties that are exempt from this rule. Check the link below to see if you qualify:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp

If you are a first time Canadian Visa applicant, or you have not travelled to Canada in the past 10 years, your temporary Canadian visa application can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to process. If you have visited the Canada in the past 10 years, and your country has strong ties with Canada, it can take 2-5 days to process your temporary visa.

A permanent resident is a person who has permanent resident status. They are not a Canadian citizen. A permanent resident is considered a citizen of another country, other than Canada.

Refugees can become permanent residents through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, or the Government Assisted Refugee Program. Note: you do not get permanent residency if you just claim refugee status. Your claim must be approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Then you may apply for permanent resident status. A student or foreign worker are not considered a permanent resident.

If you are a permanent resident, you may:

  • Have access to the social benefits for example healthcare;
  • Have access to work, live or study anywhere in Canada;
  • Have access to the protection offered by Canadian law;
  • Have access to the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and
  • Have access to apply for Canadian citizenship

If you are a permanent resident, you may not:

  • Vote or run for a position in office; or
  • Have a job that has high security level clearance

If you intend to retire in Canada, you need to apply for permanent residency. This process is slightly more difficult if you are no longer working. The Canadian government looks at your ability to support yourself in your retirement.

Ways to improve your score if you:

  • Speak fluent English or French;
  • Graduate with a university degree;
  • Demonstrate that you have enough savings to support yourself and your family;
  • Have a partner who has a university degree; and/or
  • Are willing to invest in Canadian businesses

These are all ways to improve your chances of a successful application as a retired applicant.

You can use a sponsor or become one yourself, if you can meet all the requirements.

You can use the Family Sponsorship program if you have a relative who lives and works in Canada.

Note:this can only apply if your sponsor is your relative who is:

  • 18 years or older:
    • Is a Canadian citizen; or
    • Is registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act; or
    • Is a permanent resident

You cannot apply as a sponsor if you:

  • Are a Canadian citizen who does not intend to live in Canada during the ‘sponsorship phase’;
  • Are unable to support yourself, and depend on social assistance (not disability related);
  • Are unable to support yourself financially and provide for the basic needs of the dependants’ applicants;
  • Are a permanent resident living outside of Canada
  • Are under ‘removal order’;
  • Are currently in jail/penitentiary, reformation or prison;
  • Are bankrupt or undergoing bankruptcy;
  • Are unable to pay the:
    • performance bond;
    • Family support payments; and
    • Immigration loan
  • Are sponsored by another and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago;
  • Are responsible for sponsoring another person and it has not been three years since they were accepted

Note:Quebec has its own set of regulations that need to be met.

  • Sponsored by a spouse or partner, and you became a permanent resident less than five years ago;
  • Sponsored a previous spouse or partner, and three years have not passed since this person became a permanent resident, and you have already applied to sponsor for your current spouse, partner or child while a decision on your application hasn’t made as you were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, or an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative, or you attempted or threatened to commit these offences

You can sponsor a:

  • Spouse/common-law partner/conjugal partner; or
  • dependent child

To get permanent residency after you have finished studying, you can apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP).

This program is for students who have passed a Canadian tertiary institution. It is also a useful way to gain extra work experience, to help you apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

The PGWPP work permit can last up to three years during your study periods. The study program you apply for, must last a minimum of eight months. For example, if you apply for a four-year course, you can only work for three years. If you apply for an eight-month course, you can only work for those eight months. This applies across all courses that are longer than eight months.

If you do marry a Canadian, you do not immediately become a Canadian citizen. There are several things you must qualify for, in order to apply as a citizen, these are:

  • Language skills;
  • Income tax filing;
  • Permanent resident status;
  • How long you have lived in Canada;
  • Your knowledge of Canada; and
  • Prohibitions

Language Skills

There are two languages that you need to know in Canada, French and English. You must be able to:

  • Understand basic grammar, structure and tenses;
  • Use common words and phrases to communicate with others;
  • Talk to others about everyday topics; and
  • Understand basic instructions, directions and questions

These language skills apply if you are between the ages of 18 and 55.

Income Tax Filing

If you want to become a Canadian citizen you must by law, follow the Income Tax Act. If this applies to you, you must meet your duties of income tax filing in four years, normally 6 years before you apply for citizenship.

Permanent Resident Status

If you wish to apply for citizenship you must first have permanent resident status. This Permanent Resident (PR) status must not:

  • Be under suspicion of immigration fraud;
  • Have unfulfilled conditions under your Permanent Resident status;
  • Have a removal order (this means that you have been asked to leave Canada by Canadian officials)

How Long You Have Lived In Canada

You must be a permanent resident of Canada for at least 1,460 days, 6 years before you first apply for citizenship. Note:

  • time lived in Canada when you are not a permanent resident does not count towards these 1,460; and
  • you do not need to worry about the 1,460 period, if you are under the age of 18

How Well You Know Canada

To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must know about Canadian:

  • Symbols;
  • Institution;
  • History;
  • Values;
  • Citizen:
    • Rights;
    • Responsibilities; and
    • Privileges

    These tests require that you:

    • Answer in French or English
    • Answer questions from the Discover Canada study guide
    • Answer using written words, unless you take the test orally with a citizenship officer
    • Answer these questions if you are between the age of 19 and 55 years old

Note: anyone who does not fit into these age groups does not have to take these tests.

Prohibitions

You may not be able to apply for Canadian citizenship for a given amount of time if you:

  • Have committed a crime either in or out of Canada;
  • Are serving a sentence outside of Canada;
  • Are charged with an indictable offence by Canada;
  • Are charged with an offence in another country that is not Canada; or
  • Have been convicted within four years of applying for citizenship

Note: Any time spent on parole, probation or imprisonment does not count towards ‘time spent in Canada’.

A Permanent resident card is used to show you are a permanent resident (PR) of Canada. This PR card is used when you travel between countries, and is needed if you want to come back into the country.

If you do not have a PR card when you travel, or have lost it, you need a permanent resident travel document (this document can only be used for a single entry).

Note: you do not lose your permanent residence status, if your permanent resident card expires.

Canada’s economic competitiveness has been sustained by the solid institutional foundations of an open-market system. The independent judiciary provides strong protection of property rights, and upholds the rule of law. In addition to that, the economy is open to global commerce and supported by a high degree of regulatory efficiency.

Management of public finance has been comparatively prudent, but the size and scope of government has been expanding over the past year. The government’s policy has focused towards income redistribution through adjustments in taxation and increased spending.

The top individual income tax rate has been raised to 33 percent in the last financial year, and the planned reduction of the tax rate for small businesses has also been reduced.

After a decade of Conservative rule, Trudeau has reshaped Canadian politics and the country’s economy. In March 2016, the prime minister announced a $46 billion stimulus plan targeted at improving public transportation, water systems, and housing. The government has also accepted 25,000 Syrian refugees into the country, and has taken the lead in increasing aid funding to Syria.

Canada’s 13 provinces and territories have significant autonomy from the federal government. Canada produces commodities like automobiles, forest products, manufactured goods, minerals, and oil. Its leading export market is the United States.

  • Although 89 percent of Canada’s land area is owned by the state, the privately-owned property rights of the other 11 percent are well protected.
  • All intellectual property rights meet with current world standards.
  • Enforcement of contracts are secure, and expropriation is highly unusual.
  • Canada has a reputation for clean government. Its judicial system has an impeccable record of independence and transparency, and cases of corruption are prosecuted vigorously.
  • The top federal personal income tax rate has been raised to 33 percent.
  • The top corporate tax rate is 15 percent. Other taxes include a value-added tax and a property tax.
  • Overall the tax burden equals 30.8 percent of total domestic income.
  • Government spending has amounted to 39.9 percent of total output (GDP) over the past three years, and budget deficits have averaged 1.4 percent of GDP.
  • Public debt that is equivalent to 91.5 percent of the country’s GDP.

The transparent regulatory framework helps commercial activity, allowing the processes of business formation and operation to be efficient and dynamic. Relatively flexible labour regulations enhance Canada’s employment growth. For example, in 2016, Canadian aerospace company Bombardier and the provincial Quebec government agreed to a $1 billion rescue package.

  • Trade is important to Canada’s economy; the value of exports and imports taken together equals 65 percent of GDP.
  • The average applied tariff rate is 0.8 percent.
  • Foreign investment in sectors including aviation and telecommunications are capped by the government.
  • The banking sector remains sound and stable. A wide range of nonbank financial companies operates in a prudent business environment, and securities markets are well developed.

Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, and is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Its main industries include:

  • Transportation equipment;
  • Wood and paper products;
  • Chemicals;
  • Processed and unprocessed minerals;
  • Food products;
  • Petroleum and natural gas; and
  • Fish products

Canada's economy grew by 0.6 per cent in May, the seventh straight monthly gain. The overall economy has grown by 4.6 per cent in the 12 months leading up to the end of May, Statistics Canada said. That's the biggest 12-month figure since 2000. The strong showing blew past what economists were expecting, which was modest growth of 0.2 per cent for the month.

Some of the biggest growing industries in Canada are the Goods-producing industries who outpaced the service sector, with the former expanding by 1.6%, and the latter eking out a 0.2% gain.

Oil and gas extraction industries grew by 7.6%, while manufacturing grew by 1.1%. Oil output looks especially strong on an annualized basis, since in May of 2016, the Alberta oil sands were hit hard by a massive and devastating wildfire.

Construction declined by 0.6%, as a strike in the last week of the month affected unionized construction workers in Quebec.

While real estate, rental and leasing shrank by 0.2%.

Alberta has many industries that help maintain its economy, these are:

  • Aerospace and defence;
  • Agriculture;
  • Construction;
  • Engineering;
  • Environment sustainability;
  • Financial services;
  • Forestry;
  • Logistics;
  • Manufacturing;
  • Natural resources (oil, gas, renewable energies); and
  • Tourism

These are just some of the industries that Alberta is well known for.

Some of the main industries in British Columbia, Canada for 2017 are:

  • Service provision;
  • Good production;
  • Wholesale and retail;
  • Construction;
  • Professional and scientific services;
  • Healthcare and social services;
  • Food and accommodation services;
  • Warehousing and transportation;
  • Educational services; and
  • Finance

For natural resource industries, British Columbia has:

  • Mining;
  • Oil and gas;
  • Fisheries; and
  • Forestry

The main industries in Manitoba for 2017 are:

  • Aerospace;
  • Agriculture production and processing;
  • Biotechnology;
  • Communication and IT services;
  • Construction;
  • Energy (electricity and hydroelectric);
  • Finance and Insurance services;
  • Healthcare and social assistance;
  • Logistics;
  • Manufacturing (advanced);
  • Mining;
  • Retailing and wholesale;
  • Services for education; and
  • Tourism

Some of the biggest industries in New Brunswick in 2017 are:

  • Accommodation and catering services;
  • Construction services;
  • Educational services;
  • Good provisions (agricultural goods like apples, strawberries and vegetables);
  • Healthcare services;
  • Mining (gold, silver, zinc, copper, and natural gas);
  • Tourism; and
  • Wholesaling and retailing sectors

Some of the largest industries in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2017 are:

  • Accommodation and catering;
  • Banking and finance;
  • Construction sectors;
  • Educational services;
  • Insurance;
  • Public administration;
  • Real estate;
  • Scientific and technical services;
  • Social assistance and healthcare service provision;
  • Tourism;
  • Wholesale and retail; and
  • Manufacturing
  • Natural resources include:
    • Fisheries;
    • Forestry (spruce and fir); and
    • Mining (lead, zinc, gold, silver and copper etc)

In 2017, some of the biggest industries in the Northwest Territories include:

  • Agriculture;
  • Diamond mining;
  • Energy production and services;
  • Fisheries;
  • Mining of oil and natural gas;
  • Trapping and hunting; and
  • Tourism

For 2017, the main industries in Nova Scotia were:

  • Natural resources:
    • Fishing (lobster etc);
    • Mining;
    • Drilling;
    • Farming; and
    • forestry
  • Services:
    • Business support;
    • Educational provision;
    • Information, recreational and cultural;
    • Public administration
    • Scientific and technical;
    • Shipping;
    • Social and healthcare; and
    • Wholesale and retail;

If you want to know what the key industries in Nunavut are, here are just a few:

  • Arts and crafts (prints and carvings);
  • Fisheries (for species like Char, shrimp and Turbot);
  • Hunting and trapping;
  • Mining; and
  • Tourism

Some of the major industries in Ontario for 2017 are:

  • Construction;
  • Education services;
  • Financial services;
  • Information, recreational and cultural services
  • Logistics; and
  • Manufacturing;
  • Professional technical and scientific services;
  • Public administration;
  • Social assistance and healthcare services;
  • Natural resource industries include:
    • Farming (grapes, apples, corn, soy, dairy, beef poultry etc);
    • Lumber;
    • Manufacturing (automobiles etc); and
    • Mining (nickel, platinum; cobalt, lime salt; gypsum, oil; gas etc)

Main industries that can be found in Prince Edward Island include the following:

  • Aerospace;
  • Agricultural produce (pork, beef, dairy, grain, oilseed, hay etc);
  • Bioscience;
  • Fishing (blue mussels, lobsters, clams, trout etc);
  • Healthcare (homecare, mental illness professional etc)
  • Information Technology (gaming, software apps, mobile apps)
  • Renewable energy (wind); and
  • Tourism (cultural fairs, galleries, food fairs, chefs and restaurants)

In Quebec, some of the main industries that can be found for 2017 are:

  • Aerospace;
  • Food processing (canned and baked goods, dairy etc);
  • Scientific services (neuroscience, pharmacology, oncology etc); and
  • Technological industries (communication; IT, multimedia; micro electrics)

If you want to know about the main industries in Saskatchewan in 2017, the following are the top industries you can expect to find:

  • Agricultural production (durum wheat, lentils; peas and cattle);
  • Construction;
  • Education;
  • Forestry;
  • Housing and catering;
  • Manufacturing (communications, farming and mining equipment; robotics):
  • Mining (potash, uranium; diamonds, oil; gas etc);
  • Retail and wholesale;
  • Science and technical services; and
  • Social assistance and healthcare

Some of the major industries in Yukon are:

  • Agriculture;
  • Energy production (wind, hydro, geothermal);
  • Film and sound industry;
  • Fisheries and forestry;
  • Hunting and trapping;
  • Tourism; and
  • Mining (gold, silver, zinc)

Depending on the province/territory you apply to, for medical insurance in Canada, you may have to wait for up to three months, if you meet all the necessary requirements.

During this period, you should have another medical insurance company cover you, while you wait to see if your application for Canadian health insurance is accepted.

To begin your application, you must either be a Permanent Canadian resident or citizen. More details on how to qualify can be found on provincial ministries of health websites.

If you qualify for Canada’s public healthcare, your taxes go towards the healthcare system. If you are covered by Canada’s public healthcare, you receive basic cover, and generally are not required to pay for certain medical services. Unless these services are not covered under the basic healthcare plan of the province or territory.

If you are a refugee or protected person you may qualify for medical insurance in Canada. There is the Interim Federal Health Program or IFHP that can cover certain individuals if they meet all the set requirements.

You should note that this medical insurance is temporary, and not a permanent medical insurance.

You can find a doctor in your area by either contacting, or going to:

  • A medical clinic;
  • An immigrant serving organization; or
  • A community healthcare centre/centre local de services communauthaires

You can search online for dentists in your province or territory. Please remember that dentist visits are not covered by the basic Canadian medical healthcare system, unless certain requirements are met. Generally you will need additional medical coverage, if you wish to consult or make an appointment with a dentist.

If you are having trouble with the care provided by a Canadian doctor, you may lodge a complaint to either:

  • The territory/province’s ministry of health; or
  • The territory/province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons

Medicare is the name given to Canada’s healthcare system. But each province and territory have their own form of healthcare programs, and what these programs cover in terms of the services they offer. Depending on which area of Canada you choose to live in, your medical healthcare coverage varies.

There are certain services that are not provided by Canada’s basic healthcare system. These are generally services like:

  • Ambulances;
  • Home care;
  • Dentists;
  • Optometrists; and
  • Receiving prescribed drugs

Most of the population, 65% of Canadians are Christians (Catholics, Protestants etc). Some of the population (24%), are also atheists. The rest of the population in Canada practice religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism. Although there are many more religions practiced in Canada, that are not named here.

Handshakes are the usual way that Canadians greet each other. Smiling and direct eye contact are also considered normal in a greeting. First names are generally not used at a first meeting, but Canadians are essentially friendly, and you may be able to call them by their first name after several meetings.

Greetings in Quebec may differ from the traditional handshake. People will normally kiss on the cheek when they greet a person. They will kiss first on the left cheek, and then on the right cheek. So be prepared to greet people in the appropriate manner.

The Canadian Multicultural Act was created in 1988. This act was made to ensure that those who stayed in Canada were not discriminated against for their beliefs, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. The Multicultural Act aimed to ensure that everyone had equal opportunity, without fear of discrimination.

There are some things you should never do or say in Canada. Just a few of these socially unacceptable actions include:

  • Pointing in public at someone;
  • Saying Canadians are the same as Americans;
  • Insulting Canadian ice hockey;
  • Swearing or screaming at someone in public;
  • Being rude, or impolite (que jumping, not saying thank you);
  • Urinating in public;
  • Littering in public; and
  • Ignoring personal space (Canadians like to have some space between them, and the person next to them).

When you eat out in Canada, in restaurants in particular, you must wait to be seated by your Host. Do not go to your table beforehand. Putting your elbows on the table will also be considered “bad mannered”, so be cautious.

It is also accepted that you should always tip around 15% to 20% of the bill to your waitron. If you do not, it means you have been exceptionally unhappy with the food or/and service of the restaurant.

The main languages spoken in Canada are English and French. Although there are many other languages spoken in the country like Cantonese, Tagalog, Arabic, with 60 aboriginal languages spoken from Inuit to Algonquin Cree.

Canadians can be very stern when it comes to certain things about the environment. One of these, is recycling trash. If you live in Canada, be prepared to sort your trash into organic, glass, paper, and other trash categories.

Many Canadians also do not tolerate littering in their streets, so be advised to always throw away any rubbish in the right trashcan.

It is quite normal to see Canadians eating throughout the day. Though they do have the usual breakfast, lunch and dinner, Canadians will also be constantly snacking on small meals during the day.

It is also not that unusual for Canadians to have their dinner early on in the night, so do not be surprised.

There are certain days that all Canadians have as public holidays. These holidays are:

  • Thanksgiving;
  • Christmas Day;
  • Boxing Day;
  • New Year’s Eve;
  • Good Friday;
  • Easter Monday;
  • Victoria Day;
  • Canada Day;
  • Labour Day; and
  • Remembrance Day

Though there are many other days that are celebrated unofficially or officially in certain provinces and territories.

The average school teacher salary in Canada is $43,875 per year.

Saskatchewan, the highest paid teachers in this province are earning up to $93,433 per year.

Because teachers are in high demand and fall under the skilled worker class, the Express Entry system should be the best route to finding your way to Canada.

You must have a minimum of a three year post secondary degree, of which there must be four semesters of a teacher education program as well as a teaching license. There are additional requirements for non-English/French native speakers.

From dental insurance to supplementary medical insurance, (Canada has free health care for all residents and citizens) Canada is ranked one of the best countries in the world for teachers.

The average salary for a pharmacist in Canada is $93,694 per year.

You will need to have your credentials assessed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, following which you will take their Evaluation Examination when you arrive in Canada.

Yes, in part due to the aging local population, there is a high demand for pharmacists across the whole of Canada.

Yes, as a high skill job, pharmacists qualify for the express entry program to Canada.

Yes, Canada has a very high standard for it’s health care workers.

The average salary for an engineer in Canada is $62,647 per year.

Yes,especially in Ontario and Alberta.

Yes, as a high skill job, engineers qualify for the express entry program to Canada.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists, civil, biomedical, petroleum, environmental, ship and marine engineers are the most in-demand.

Yes, you must be issued a license by the provincial or territorial regulating body.

The average salary for a pharmacist in Canada is $122,430 per year.

You will need to obtain certification and licensure from the regulating body in the province you wish to work in.

While there is not a shortage, there is a maldistribution of dentists in Canada. Choosing to practice in rural or remote areas will see you earn much more.

Yes, as a high skill job, dentists qualify for the express entry program to Canada.

Cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics.

The average salary for a cook in Canada is $29,250 per year, but some cities pay 10-15% more.

Yes, chefs and cooks are in high demand all across Canada.

Yes, cooks are classified under the NOC as level B, high skilled individuals.

Areas with large amounts of tourism have a higher demand for cooks. The best would be to look into places where the work is less seasonal such as the Muskoko region in Ontario.

Yes, there are a number of programs you can apply for permanent residency through if you intend to live and work in Canada as a cook.

This depends on you, but the average farmer, rancher and agricultural manager has reported a median salary of $75,790 per year.

Yes, because Canada is one of the largest agricultural producers and exporters in the world, farming is a high demand industry.

Yes, under a PNP program you can apply for Express Entry.

Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan have the most farms.

Since the year 2000 an average of thirty percent of canadian farms reported profit margins over 20%. Once again, this largely comes down to your work ethic.

The average salary for a nurse in Canada is $76,362 per year.

Have your credentials assessed by NNAS or CAN, if you are an internationally qualified nurse, you will then be assessed by the NNAS.

Yes, nurses are in huge demand. Most PNP’s have placed nurses in the high demand category.

Yes, as a high in-demand and high skill level job, nurses qualify for the express entry program to Canada.

Yes, if you enter via the Express Entry stream, you could be a permanent resident in as little as six months.