Moving to Canada From Another Country

It is not an easy thing to do. Pack up your life into a couple suitcases and move to another country. This can be even more difficult if the country is far away, across continents and oceans, with different weather, cultures, laws, and languages than what you’re used to.

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In order to ensure you adjust well to life in Canada, there are a few questions you might be asking yourself: How will you immigrate? What kind of job will you get? Where will you live? When you need to see a doctor, what should you do?

Moving to Canada From the US

If you’re living in the United States and you want to move to Canada, you’ll face a unique set of questions and concerns. Thankfully, we’ve put together a guide which takes you through all the steps involved with moving to Canada from the US.

How to Move to Canada?

The first step to moving to Canada from another country is determining which immigration pathway is best for you. This entirely depends on what your intentions are in Canada. Are you planning on moving to Canada permanently? Or are you coming to work temporarily, study, or visit family or friends? If you’d like to move to Canada permanently, you’ll want to pursue an immigration pathway to permanent residence. If you’d like to move to Canada for work, study, or visiting purposes, you’ll want to pursue an immigration pathway to temporary residence.

Permanent Residence Pathways

Permanent resident status gives its holders the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. The status is permanent, as long as a few conditions are met, and after a few years, permanent residents becoming eligible for Canadian citizenship. How does a person become a permanent resident? There are a few different immigration pathways for permanent residents:

Temporary Residence Pathways

Temporary resident status grants its holder the right to be in Canada for a temporary period of time for the pursuit of certain activities, as indicated on their immigration documents. Generally, temporary residents are authorized entry to Canada for the purposes of working, studying, and/or visiting. There are separate immigration pathways for each of these temporary residents:

Working in Canada

Once you’ve arrived in Canada, you may be seeking employment in order to generate some income to support yourself and your family members. There are a few things to consider when looking for a job in Canada:

  • Authorization to Work in Canada: In order to work in Canada, you must ensure that you have the proper authorization. If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you automatically have authorization to work in Canada. Otherwise, you must ensure that you have a valid permit authorizing your work.
  • Job Bank Resources: There are a range of resources in Canada designed to help those people who are looking for employment. The government of Canada operates the Federal Job Bank, with many employment opportunities posted daily. As well, there are many other employment offer websites and networking services.
  • Certification and Licensing: Many professions in Canada are regulated. This means that a worker must have a certificate or license to practice in that profession. Before moving to Canada, it is beneficial to check if your profession is regulated and understand the process of obtaining a certificate or license, if necessary.

Studying in Canada

Canada is home to some of the world’s top rated educational institutions! There are many options for studying in Canada. Permanent residents are eligible to study at any institution in Canada provided they gain acceptance to that institution. Temporary residents must obtain the proper authorization to study in Canada, this is in the form of a study permit.

When to move to Canada

You don’t have to move to Canada right away once your application for Canadian Permanent Residence is approved. However, you must land in Canada before the expiry of your CoPR visa. After you have landed and confirmed your permanent residence status, you can take your time with the moving process.

 

Crossing the Border

If you are crossing the border as a temporary resident, you must ensure you have the proper documentation required for your entry. Many countries require a visa to enter Canada, while some countries are visa-exempt. As well, ensure you have the necessary identification documents. When crossing the border to become a permanent resident, there are certain protocols you must follow. Ensure you have the following essential documents:

  • Canadian immigrant visa (unless coming from a visa-exempt country)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member travelling
  • Valid passport or other travel document for each family member travelling
  • Two Copies of:
    • A detailed list of all the personal or household items you’re bring with you
    • A list of items that are arriving later and their money value.

Do not pack these documents. Keep them with you and your family members at all times. When entering Canada to become a permanent resident, you must disclose funds if you’re carrying more than $10,000 CAD.

Accommodations/Housing

When you arrive in Canada, you will need to have a place to live. Some newcomers choose to find accommodations before arriving in Canada. However, we do advise caution when arranging accommodations in advance as there does exist some fraud on the rental and housing market. Many newcomers choose to stay temporarily in a hotel or with friends or relatives when they first arrive. This gives them time to search, in-person, for accommodations. Once you’ve decided where you’d like to live, be sure to check with Newcomers Canada to see if they have resources with which they can support you.

Healthcare and Social Services

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to Canada’s healthcare system and social services. Consult with Newcomers Canada to learn more about how to access these services. Temporary residents, including workers, students, and visitors, should ensure they have access to health insurance during their stay in Canada.

Newcomer Services

The Canadian government believes that the integration of newcomers is essential to their success in Canada. For this reason, Canada offers a wide range of services to assist those who are new to Canada. These services can provide guidance regarding housing, schooling, employment, language training, transportation, and many other areas. To learn more about these services, simply check the Newcomer Services section of the Canadian government website.

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Immigration Guides by Country

At Canadim, we understand that the immigration journey is inherently diverse, with each country presenting unique advantages and limitations concerning Canadian Immigration. Recognizing the importance of tailored guidance, we’ve meticulously compiled a comprehensive list of immigration resources categorized by country. We invite you to explore the specific country you’re interested in immigrating from in the list below to find your specific guide.

  1. Bangladesh
  2. Colombia
  3. Haiti
  4. India
  5. Iran
  6. Lebanon
  7. Pakistan
  8. Nigeria
  9. Ukraine
  10. United States
  11. Venezuela
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