Planning to Relocate in Canada? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Planning to Relocate in Canada? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The government of Canada is set to welcome almost a million people as the permanent residents of the country. As per the government officials, the program has started from the end of 2017 and will run till the end of 2020. Along with that, the International Experience Canada has made it easy for young people, aged between 18 and 35, to move to the country.

No matter how big the opportunity is, it is important to do some research before making any decision regarding immigration to Canada. Consulting an immigration lawyer Toronto can help you fasten the process with better probability of succeeding. To make the research hassle free, a guide with detailed information about almost everything is provided below. Check out the information to make a knowledgeable decision.

Visa

Acquiring a valid visa is the primary step that you need to take. A visa is a stamp in your passport that indicates that you have been permitted to travel and stay, either permanently or temporarily, in the country. There are two categories of Canadian visa; i.e permanent visa and temporary visa.

Temporary Work Visa: With help of this type of visa, you can stay in Canada for a certain period of time. The time period is settled by either Canadian Consulate or the Border Services Officers. The new system of application requires the candidate to create an online profile. After proper verification, the profile will be submitted to the pool of candidates. The applications are randomly drawn from the pool at a regular interval. The invitation to apply for the work permit is then sent to the chosen applicant.

Permanent Visa

Express Entry System

The Express Entry program of the Canadian Government lets the immigrants apply for the permanent residency visa. In this system, applicants are able to create online profiles to convey their interest in the permanent visa for immigration to Canada. There are three economic immigration programs through which the candidates can create their work profile. The categories are depicted below.

• Federal Skilled Worker Class: This economic application category is specified for the experienced, skilled professionals. The professions that the applicants belong to must be sought after by the Canadian Government. A skill test will be conducted to measure the skillfulness of the candidate. Apart from the skill test, the candidates must fulfil some other criteria.
• Federal Skilled Trades: In this category, the applicants must have at least two years of experience. To apply, the candidates must have a job offer in hand or have a qualification certificate.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This is applicable for those applicants who have at least a year’s work experience in Canada. The language test and a medical test is must for the applicants to become eligible. The whole process takes almost 6 months to complete, but, you can apply for a bridging visa until the CEC is being issued.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

This is one of the most celebrated ways of gaining a permanent visa. In this category, the workers can get nominated for permanent residency, depending on the situation of the labor market of the particular region.

Business Immigration Program 

This is suitable for the self-employed, entrepreneurs and experienced investors. Apart from this, there is also a Self-Employed Persons Program. The Start-Up Visa for Entrepreneurs is another option for the immigrants to apply for the permanent visa.

Family Sponsorship Program

Through this program, the permanent residents of Canada can sponsor their spouse, conjugal partner, dependent child and other relatives to get a permanent resident visa of Canada. The sponsor becomes responsible for the financial wellbeing of the person they are sponsoring.

Finding Places to Live

When you are moving to a new country, finding a place to live can get a bit difficult. The government-run Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation can help you with the required information. You should complete all the procedure regarding immigration to Canada before searching for a house.

The best option is to rent a property instead of buying while beginning your new life in Canada. It is best to stay in hostels or motels before choosing the right place to stay. Check whether the basic amenities, such as heating and water, are working properly before renting any house.

How and Where To Find A Job

A job is the pivotal piece of a puzzle which helps to solve difficulties of starting a new life in an unknown country. Getting a job might sound easy, but the real world is starkly different than the imaginary one. Construction is the most sought after job in Canada. Apart from that, the following jobs are also considered popular among the immigrants. Immigration to Canada always becomes a little easier if you have a permanent source of income.

Skilled Workers

The shortage of IT workers in Canada is huge. The government is anxious that the country will struggle to fill the posts in the coming future. Along with IT, medicine and management sectors are also facing a severe deficit in human resources. As per the reports of the Canadian Government, the shortage will be getting worse in the coming five years.

Thus, people belonging to these professional sectors have more chance of getting their visa approved.

Skilled Traders

The most popular job description under this category is construction. However, electrician, millwright, plumber, and engineers are some of the job descriptions that people can apply to. The people who are applying for the fields of sales, accounting, and marketing should remember that it takes time to touch the bar of achievement that they are hankering after.

Salaries

Almost all the provinces of Canada offers good salaries to the workers. According to the reports, salary trends in Canada are on the rise. The reports have shown that average weekly earnings last year rose to 3.2 percent than the year before. Among the provinces, Alberta offers the most competitive salaries and lower living costs.

Health Care

Canada is revered all over the world for its free health care system. The provinces and the territories finance the basic health care services and most surgeries. The provinces have the last say regarding what should be covered by the state-sponsored medical insurance. Know the rules of the provinces regarding the health care before relocating there.

Being a tolerant country, Canadian Authority might cut some slacks for the immigrants. However, to start ahead, you should know every aspect of the country. Immigration to Canada will be smooth if you take the knowledgeable steps.

How Immigration is Impacting Canadian Jobs?

How Immigration is Impacting Canadian Jobs?

Since long, Canada is being a stringent supporter of providing roofs over the heads of immigrants and refugees. In the wake of the refugee crisis of 2016, when the world was showing their conservative sides, it was Canada which opened its border to almost 30,000 Syrian refugees. Only last year, Canada became a new home to 296,000 refugees and immigrants.

However, the Canadian immigration policies are being heavily criticized for sometimes. The concerns range from straining the social support system to lowering the average wages. Terrorism is another major concern of Canadian citizens. While some of the concerns have merit others are considered as biases against refugees and immigrants.

To solve this somewhat critical point of debate, here are some morsels of information about how the immigrants impact the Canadian job market and thus, impact Canadians.

Canada Has a Long History of Immigration

Did you read history in your school?

Well, if you had then you are well aware that Canada is built by the immigrants.

If you think we are talking about the 21.9% foreign-born population of Canada, then you are wrong. We are talking about the first days of this country. Canada transpired as a country after British and French started to build colonies in the 1600s. The indigenous people, who are often mistaken as immigrants, are the only true blue Canadians. Those indigenous people hold only 4.3% of the entire population. The remaining 95.7% of people are all immigrants or rather, the descendants of immigrants.

So, the multiculturalism and immigration have created the separate identity of today’s Canada. In fact, Canada is revered in the world stage for its diverse culture and open mentality for the immigrants. Many Canadians also respect this Canadian immigration culture that is well known around the world. 

Immigrants Are Maintaining the Population

The low birthrate of Canada would have made the population shrink if the immigrants were not allowed to move into the country. Not only Canada, but the shrinking population is also increasingly becoming a headache of the developed nations.

To maintain a steady population, the birth rate should be around 2.1 children per woman. This birth rate overweighs infant mortality, the number of men and other different factors.

In 1970s, the birth rate of the country dropped below the regular threshold for the first time. Since then, the number is dropping steadily. Currently, the Canadian birth rate is 1.6 children per woman.

This is the direct effect of education. As the women are enjoying better access to education and birth control, they have started to recognize their roles that are way beyond becoming a mother and a wife. Many European and Asian countries are also facing a similar situation. Japan is one of the widely cited examples in this matter. The governments of such countries are afraid about the future when the number of old people will outgrow the number of young ones.

The countries, that have a strong immigration system, can, however, avoid the catastrophic situation. Such countries, make sure that the population remains steady or continues to grow despite the lower birth rates. By creating easier Canadian immigration policies, the government is trying to do just the same thing.

Immigration is Good for the Canadian Economy

The economists and immigration lawyer around the world debate about the impact of immigrants on the total economy of the country. Not going into dreary detail, we can simply say that if the population drops, the economy of the country follows suit.

Fewer workers mean less number of goods and services that can be produced. If the production falters, so does the economic output. Currently, Canada is growing 1.5% annually. Now consider there are no immigrants in the country. That means, there is less manpower in the field of production. Which implies, less number of people have to produce the same number of goods and services to maintain the economic growth of Canada. Without the help of the immigrants, who are propping up the Canadian population, reaching this feat would have been next to impossible.

Let’s say the Canadians were able to produce all the goods and services without the help of the immigrants. Now, who will buy those products and services? The immigrant Canadians add to the country’s purchasing power also. With money in their pockets, the immigrant Canadians are able to purchase goods and services which in turn boosts the health of the Canadian economy. If there were no immigrants, then the country had to find new ways to sell the products to the external markets to maintain the growth rate.

So, the Canadian immigration policies are not only helping the country to maintain its cultural diversity, but it is also helping the country to maintain its economic growth as well.

Do Immigrants Drive Down Wages?

No.

The critics point out that as the immigrants are prepared to work in lower wages than the native-born Canadians they are pulling the wages rates down. This is one of the most outrageously biased points that the critics often use to win arguments.

The truth is, Canada has far too many jobs. When the number of vacancies is lower than the number of applicants, the employer tends to offer more wages to draw in talents. In the case of Canada, most of the industries are facing labor shortages. So, immigrants have no hand in making the wages lower.

In fact, some Canadian companies offer Canada born employees more wage as employers believe that they will require less training than the immigrants. The basic reason for the immigrants to get lower payment is that they are often compelled to work below their qualification.

Immigrants Make Sure That There is a Steady Supply of Skilled Workers

No country will allow immigrants if they do not play important roles which are beneficial for the country. Likewise, the Canadian immigrants fill important job gaps of the market. As a result of the lower birth rates, the workers in some certain area will start to shrink. For example, the skilled trade sector of Canada is seeing a severe shortage of workers. There are simply not enough persons in the country who can take place to the people who are retiring from the profession. Healthcare and IT sectors of Canada are also facing similar kind of problems.

There is no denying that open Canadian immigration system is creating some major problems. The immigrants, however, bring more to the country than the critics think. Thus, the best way is to solve the problem without getting biased. In fact, being the only country people find safe to move in, Canada should be proud and so should be the Canadians. If you are new to Canada, here are 4 things you can take benefits of immigrating to this lovely country!

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration? [Updated for 2019]

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration? [Updated for 2019]

If you are considering studying abroad or pursuing opportunities in Canada or other countries, you might have heard of the standard IELTS exam. But, what is IELTS?

What is IELTS?

The International English language testing system (IELTS) is the most well-known standardized English proficiency test across the globe. The IELTS is developed by leading language assessment experts and is taken by millions of individuals seeking higher education every year.

This comprehensive English proficiency exam assesses your English skills in every aspect: writing, reading, speaking, and listening. The IELTS is a thorough demonstration of your ability to use English to study, at work, and in your everyday life abroad.

The IELTS is recommended for anyone hoping to further their education and expand on skills in English dominant countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and New Zealand. The exam is recognized and accepted by universities, employers, immigration officers and other professional organizations.

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS test format is broken down into four categories: speaking, writing, listening and reading. There are two versions of the exam, tailored for either academic or general training. The total exam time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening and speaking categories are the same for both exam types; however, the subject matter for reading and writing varies depending on if you are interested in academic or general testing.

Reading, writing and listening categories of the exam are all written on the same day with no intermediate breaks. The speaking component can be completed within a week before or after the other tests, according to your testing organization.

What is the Minimum IELTS Score Required for Canada Immigration?

For each program under Express Entry, there are different IELTS score required. Below are three tables that specify the IELTS score results in each of the four categories and how it translates to your Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) level.

 

Federal Skilled Worker Program – IELTS – First Official Language (Maximum: 24 points)

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points per Ability
7	6.0	6.0 – 7.0	6.0	6.0	4
8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5	5
9	7.0	8.0	7.0	7.0	6
10+	7.5 – 9.0	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	6

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 Federal Skilled Trades Program – IELTS 

CLB Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
10+	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0
9	8.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
4	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0

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Canadian Experience Class – IELTS 

NOC	CLB Level	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
0, A	10+	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0
0, A	9	8.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
0, A	8	7.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
0, A	7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
B	6	5.5	5.0	5.5	5.5
B	5	5.0	4.0	5.0	5.0

IELTS Listening Tips

The listening portion of the exam is 30 minutes, where you will listen to four recordings of native English speakers. The recordings will feature conversations, a monologue, an educational speaking, and a lecture.  You will write your answers by hand, and later assessed on your ability to comprehend main conversational ideas, information, opinions, attitudes and idea development.

The best IELTS listening tips are to practice reading comprehension beforehand, and carefully read questions before you begin listening! Training yourself to read context clues before you listen will help you hear the information you are listening for. There is often spoken clues in words and phrases that will guide you to the questions you need to answer.

IELTS Writing Tips

The writing portion of the exam is 60 minutes and topics vary depending on the exam format.

If you are taking the academic test, topics will pertain to undergraduate and postgraduate studies, or professional programs. Task 1 is to summarize a graph, table, diagram, or chart. You may need to describe data, trends or visuals. Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a problem, argument, or point of view. This written response requires a formal style and proper grammar.

Academic IELTS Writing Tips: Always include a conclusion at the end of your passage that summarizes your main points, and closes off your thoughts. Make sure words flow concisely.

The general training test will also focus on two tasks. Task 1 is to explain a situation or a letter request, which may be presented formally or in a personal style. Task 1 is to write a point of view essay in response to a problem, argument, or point of view. This section can be written in a personal format.

General IELTS Writing Tips: Always express your point of view as clearly as possible. Do not copy words or phrases that will not be included in your final word count. Using descriptive words for your thoughts provides a readable and personalized essay.

IELTS Speaking Tips

The listening portion of the exam is 11-14 minutes, and consists of three parts. During Part 1 the examiner will ask you general questions about work, family, home, studies, and personal interests.  Questions will last about five minutes. For Part 2, you will be given a card with a question about a general topic. You have one minute to prepare before speaking about the topic for up to two minutes.  You will be asked a few further questions regarding the topic. Part 3 contains further questions regarding the topic in Part 2. You will be able to further discuss ideas and issues for about five minutes.

The best IELTS speaking tips are to practice speaking English out loud as much as possible and listen to yourself! Take advantage of every opportunity to have verbal conversations with friends, colleagues and teachers. The more confident you are with your speaking abilities the easier verbal comprehension becomes.

There are no right or wrong answers on the speaking test, so take your time, express your thoughts and use proper English!

IELTS Reading Tips

The IELTS reading portion is 60 minutes long, and is comprised of 40 questions that test multiple reading skills. You must be able to pick up detailed information, skim read, comprehend opinions and arguments and summarize ideas.

The academic test includes three long texts that can range from factual to analytical context. Scripts are taken from magazine, newspapers, journals or books. They are selected at a skill level for individuals entering university or seeking professional designation.

The General Reading test includes articles from books, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, or guidelines. These materials are meant for everyday exposure and comprehension.

The number one IELTS reading test tip is to practice! Speed is not the determinant in a successful exam, rather skillful reading that allows you to pick up on critical words, ideas and general context. All the information you need to answer the questions are included in the text, so take your time and find the answer!

IELTS Success

To pass the IELTS exam, you need a minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each category for the Academic test. Minimum accepted scores vary depending on institution requirements.

If you want to succeed on the IELTS test, follow these tips and guidelines to master your English skills and begin your journey to success. Preparing for every exam section in advance will fully prepare you and give you the confidence to ace the exam and score the highest marks!

Are you looking to apply for the Express Entry program? Contact the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld to give your application the best chance at acceptance.