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Legal requirements for immigration to Canada

Most new residents make the move to Canada under one of two ways: economic immigration or family reunification.

For reunification, you’ll need to have a Canadian relative who is at least 18 years old, will sponsor your move and is a citizen, a permanent resident or registered under the Canadian Indian Act .

For those interested in economic immigration,ÌýÌýis a fast-track system forÌýskilled workersÌýwho would like to immigrate into the country. All applicants are givenÌýÌýand are evaluated based on education level, language ability, work experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability. Each factor is individually evaluated, and the overall score determines whether the applicant is a suitable candidate for permanent resident status. The combined score is from 0 to 100, with the minimum qualifying level set at 67. Those at the top of the rankings are invited to become permanent residents.

There are a few special work visa programs that can speed up the permit process. For example, theÌýÌýlets employers hire temporary workers without lengthy paperwork requirements if there are clear economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada.

Individuals can also immigrate under business startup or investor immigration, provincial nomination, spouse sponsored, Quebec selected immigration, international adoption, as a refugee or a caregiver.

A brief description of these types is shown below:

Business startup or investor: These types of visas are meant for individuals who are entrepreneurs, own their own businesses or are professional investors. Investors who wish to apply through the investor channel must have a net worth of at least $10 million Canadian dollars.

Provincial:ÌýTo attain Provincial Nominee Class residency, you must apply for nomination by a specific Canadian province. Each province chooses its nominees based on abilities and education beneficial to its economy. This form of residency is relatively rare.

Spouse sponsored:ÌýIf your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over the age of 18 they can sponsor you to live in Canada as a permanent resident. You must be able to prove that the marriage was genuine and not just for the purpose of gaining residency.

Quebec-selected:ÌýQuebec-selected immigration is similar to Provincial Nominal Class residency, except it is the Provincial government that selects you on behalf of the Federal Government. The province has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there.

International adoption:ÌýIn the international adoption class, current Canadian citizens who have adopted a child from another country can secure the child's Canadian residency.

Refugees:ÌýPeople who are fleeing their home countries for safety reasons may also apply for residency by completing a refugee application. Sponsorship to help with the cost of applying and relocating to Canada is also available.

Caregivers:ÌýIf you are coming to Canada for the purpose of caring for a Canadian resident or citizen, then you may be able to apply for a Caregiver visa.

More detailed information on eligibility and how to apply for each class of visa can be found on the Government of Canada’sÌý.

Legal requirements for immigration to Canada based on country of residency

Requirements for Australian citizens

Australian citizens, provided they speak English or French, can move to Canada. If they're hired by a Canadian employer or coming as an intra company transfer, this will make things significantly easier.

Requirements for EU citizens

EU citizens are more likely to be granted access to Canada if they speak English. English proficiency will give an EU migrant "points" to reach the points threshold that makes one eligible for citizenship.

Requirements for American citizens

Americans looking to move to Canada can do so by opting for one of several programs. One popular option is to become a permanent resident instead of a citizen. While permanent residents can't vote or hold public office, they're entitled to healthcare and can live, work and study in Canada.

Requirements for UK citizens

Family, spouse and employment visas are the most popular routes UK citizens take in moving to Canada.

Requirements for students (all countries)

You can apply for a temporary work or study permit before you arrive (either online or in your home country's visa office) or once you're in Canada. If you plan to attend school, you must submit a Letter of Acceptance from a designated learning Institution with your visa application.

Cost of living

If you have decided to take the plunge and move to Canada, you'll need to figure out how much it will cost to move, and how much it will cost to live once you get there.

HomeÌý- Housing costs vary depending on where you decide to settle. This includes the cost of renting your home or paying your mortgage. It also often includes the cost of heating your home and paying for electricity, telephone service and water. Typically, renting costs range between $1850 for a small apartment and $2100 for a larger apartment depending on the city you are living in.

Basic expensesÌý-Ìý Costs will depend on the size of your family. Basic expenses can include costs for food, housing, clothes, transportation, personal care and entertainment. This cost can double if you eat out frequently in restaurants or choose to buy specialty goods. Clothing expenses may be less than 10 percent of your take-home pay.

Health InsuranceÌý-Ìý One of Canada's major attractions is the free health care system, meaning patients don't have to pay fees to receive medical care at a hospital or doctor's office. Each province has its own health insurance plan, and some have a waiting period of up to three months before a health card can be issued. Only two provinces charge health care premiums: British Columbia, and Ontario. In the other provinces, health care is paid for through taxes.

Private insurance is available to cover additional care, like pharmacy costs or specialist consultations. All provinces will provide free emergency hospital care, no matter your status or whether you have a health card. You can apply for a card online or at most hospitals, doctor’s offices or pharmacies.

More detailed information about the health care system in Canada can be found on the Government of Canada'sÌý.

TransportationÌý– In major cities, it is quite common for residents to use public transport, buses and trains although cars are Canada's main mode of commute. Monthly passes for public transport range around $120Ìý to commute within the city.

Education –ÌýProvincial and territorial governments set up and run their own school systems. There is both a public and private education system in Canada. The government heavily subsidizes education from kindergarten through to the completion of high school. Learn more about the different education levelsÌý.

Canadian universities cost about halfÌýwhat American universities do, reducing the potential burden of student loans and extensive family savings to pay for it.

People and culture

The culture of Canada has been primarily influenced by the various European cultures and traditions of its constituent nationalities, particularly the British and the French. So, it is no surprise that today it is one of the most diverse nations in the world. For example, more than 140 languages are spoken in Toronto, and almost 50 percent of the city's population was born outside of Canada.

You cannot walk down a street in Toronto or Vancouver without hearing a foreign tongue being spoken or catching the scent of some tempting international cuisine. It's easy to settle into life in Canada as acceptance and respect are very much a part of the national psyche. If you are willing to get out, meet new people and embrace your new country, Canada is ready to embrace you.

Most Canadians will enjoy having a good laugh about anything from the weather to politics, but be sure not to joke about ice hockey as that is serious business.

Climate

Most of Canada's provinces are quite large, and they often span more than one climatic zone. Its southern border lies at the same altitude as northern California, while its northern edge literally reaches the top of the world.

The average high temperature in the summer is approximately 27 degrees Celsius (80 F), while the average winter temperature is about -25 degrees Celsius (-13 F).Ìý Keep in mind, however, that these temperature averages are skewed considerably on the cold side of the scale, due mostly to the large expanse of extremely frigid land in the northernmost or Arctic sections of the country.

While it's tempting to buy one expensive coat as an easy solution to beat freezing temperatures, in practice, you will probably need to account for a wide range of temperatures, possibly within the same day. Your best bet is to layer up. Layering allows you to regulate your body temperature by adding or removing clothing depending on the need.

Generations of immigrants have received a warm welcome to Canada and made it their home. It's hard to not get enthusiastic about Canada. It's a beautiful place and the people are known for their niceness. With your newfound knowledge of what Canada has to offer, get a hockey stick and take in the local game. You'll be a Canadian in no time!