With a landmass bigger than the entire United States and a population lesser than that of the State of California, Canada is a country in need of immigrants to boost its population and drive its economy. And by all standards, the Land of Maple Syrup is a friendly country that welcomes immigrants with open arms. This is even more so for immigrants with vital skills in demand in the country.
As a young professional looking to take the next step in your career, Canada is a viable option for you. The country offers a myriad of career-boosting opportunities in different industries including health, sports and entertainment, education, fashion, construction and architecture, journalism, tech, and so on.
If you’re looking to relocate to Canada for your career, you’re in the right place. This article explains what you need to know and what you have to do to make your relocation possible.
Let’s begin with what you need to know.
What Should You Know About Canada?
Here are the important things to know about Canada:
Be sure that Canada is the right fit for your specialization
Canada indeed offers numerous career opportunities for immigrants. However, these opportunities are not limitless and certain fields are highly competitive. It is your responsibility to research your job prospects to know whether moving to Canada is ideal for you.
Acquaint yourself with immigration eligibility and routes
Eligibility for Canadian migration range from highly likely to almost impossible. Several factors, such as your age, skills, educational qualification, and criminal record, combine to determine your eligibility. To understand more about your eligibility, you may have to seek Canadian immigration advice from an immigration lawyer. They will guide you on eligibility but also explain the immigration routes available and help you choose the best for you. Some of these routes include:
IEC (international experience Canada) Programme — includes the Working Holiday program, Young Professionals program, and International Coop program.
Express Entry — comprising of Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), and Family Class.
Know the cost of living
Another important thing to know before applying for that visa is the cost of living in Canada. The cost of living covers expenses such as house rent, transportation, and feeding among others. The average cost of living in Canada is pretty high. However, the cost of living varies from one province to another. While it is as high as C$5,500 (£3,387) in Toronto, you can survive on less than C$2,500 (£1,540) in provinces like Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island.
Knowing the cost of living of your preferred destination will help you plan your finances accordingly.
Be familiar with important laws
Learn about the rights and duties of Canadian residents. Canada is a culturally and racially diverse country and you should acquaint yourself with relevant laws about human rights, as well as your duties and obligations.
What Should You Do Before Leaving?
There are several things you must do before leaving for Canada. But we’ll talk about the important ones here.
Secure a job
Since you’re going to Canada for your career, the first thing to do is to secure a job. One way of getting a job is to send an application letter to a potential employer. Another way is to look up websites that post Canadian job vacancies and apply to relevant organizations. Either way, getting a job will make it easier for you to get your work visa before leaving the UK.
On the other hand, if you’re self-employed or work in a field where you don’t need to seek employment (e.g. music, plumbing, electrical installation) you need to show your professional qualification and/or proof of membership of a recognized professional body or union to get a visa.
Get accommodation
You need a place to stay when you get to Canada. Knowing the cost of living and house rent of the province you’re relocating to can help you plan your finances. Check online for available homes in your prospective city. Enlisting the services of a trusted realtor will save you a lot of time and stress.
Have some funds
When immigrating to Canada, you must present proof of funds to ascertain that you can sustain yourself when you get to the country. You won’t start making money immediately and you need money to survive the first few weeks of your stay before your first paycheque arrives.
Learn French
You don’t necessarily need to understand French before moving to Canada. However, a decent command of the language would come in handy because it is one of Canada’s two official languages. Besides, knowledge of French is a compulsory requirement if you’re going to provinces such as Québec where it is the most commonly spoken language.