Migrating to Canada Checklist
Relocating to a completely new country is a very personal, important, and life-changing decision, which can be taken at any moment of life, maybe when the career is about to take off or is at its peak, or maybe at a later stage in life with years of work experience and a family to handle, take care of and provide a stable life, good education, and excellent healthcare services.
Besides all the benefits the Canadian government provides to all the new immigrants, Canada is known for its beauty and the niceness of its people.
Moving to a completely new place as a skilled worker or as a student can be stressful as well as exciting, so here are some things you need to know before moving to Canada.
1: Find out how you're going to support yourself
If you immigrate as a student, you are allowed to take up a paid internship or a part-time job. If you move to Canada under any other visa such as a work permit, you can earn a living by looking for and getting a good job in the market that assures your a comfortable living.
Once the business is settled and up for running the owner can now decide the type of foreign workers to hire. A lot of paperwork is required for this recruitment process such as a “Commitment Certificate”, and “Letter of Support” and must register at the Canada Revenue Agency to get a business number.
Both the company and the transferee must meet certain qualifications to be eligible for ICT.
The intra-company category permits international companies to temporarily transfer qualified employees to Canada to improve management effectiveness, expand Canadian exports, and enhance competitiveness in overseas markets.
ICT work permits are initially valid for one year and may be eligible for renewal. If the worker qualifies, employers are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement.
2: Find out if you are suitable for the visa and work permit you are applying for
The Canadian immigration department has provided various immigration pathways to cater to different needs and situations of potential immigrants.
- Express entry program: the easiest pathway to permanent residency as a skilled worker, the factors taken into account here are: age, level of education, and work experience.
- Send your children to Canadian public schools: your children can attend public schools in Canada for free.
- Work permit: the work permit is given to a chosen skilled worker once he receives an LMIA from a Canadian employer, whose been looking to hire a foreign worker.
3: Consider and prepare yourself for the cost of living in Canada
There are numerous things a new immigrant should keep in mind when moving to Canada when it comes to considering what it might cost. The first one is the area in which you choose to live in. In this case not only the rent should be considered but also the transportation, the standard of living there, food, taxes, healthcare, and more.
For instance, rent in the downtown areas of Toronto and Vancouver is relatively high compared to other places. Another point that must be considered is rent-controlled areas in which rent is low accompanied by low salaries.
4: Make sure you receive your social insurance number
The SIN (Social Insurance Number) is needed to be able to work in Canada, it usually starts with the number 9 and has nine digits. The SIN can be applied for at any service office in Canada, which is a faster process than applying for it online or receiving it by email.
5: Learn more from the most culturally diverse country in the world
Over the past few years, there have been generations of immigrants from all around the world who have received a warm welcome to Canada from the Canadians. Canada is known as the most multiculturalism country in the world. Not only among the citizens but also within the Parliament there is diversity, more than 40 sitting members of the parliament are of foreign origin.
The number of languages, religions, and cultures keeps increasing with the different foreign nationals that come into the country.
The best part about this is the high tolerance of different ethnicities in the country, the foreign nationals don't have to hide or let go of their values and culture after settling down in any of the provinces in Canada.
6: Looking for an appropriate job
When in Canada, seeking and applying for job opportunities can take a few months, as they must also establish connections in the new place they have moved to. As this is a lengthy process, you can also start looking for a job in Canada before landing in the country, in order to have a smooth settlement in the country.
The things to keep in mind when moving to Canada for a smooth transition:
- have enough funds to have a sustainable lifestyle for the next few months, till you find a great job opportunity.
- Be ready to accept non-career jobs at first until you get the right opportunity
7: Take advantage of the great healthcare services
Canada’s healthcare system is better compared to the one in the US, this medicare system is tax-funded, and in this case, the government is financing the Canadian’s health insurance. In Canada, you can get any medical service needed with a little bit of waiting.
As a new immigrant, you must choose the correct and appropriate private healthcare option that can help you avoid the long waiting time.
How can Vazir Group help you move to Canada?
Our Immigration experts will guide you and support you throughout the entire process. They will first check your eligibility, assess you, and share with you a detailed report with the appropriate steps to take to have a smooth and seamless immigration process.
