This year has been very difficult for many people. Many countries have struggled with the economic effects of the global pandemic. Canada weathered the storm better than most, which is why so many people are looking to immigrate to Canada.
We are starting to know that the Canadian government wants skilled foreign workers to come and live and work in Canada. The population is too small for such a large country, by inviting hard-working people from all over the world, they not only offer the possibility of a better future for you and your family, but also a better future for Canada.
The rules are strict and legitimate immigration can be difficult, so you should know everything about applying for a Canadian visa in Lebanon before you start the immigration process.
How to Move to Canada from Lebanon
You can think of the Canadian visa application as a three-step process. The first step is to determine which program you are suitable for, there are over 100! The second step is to apply for the program that is best for you and the third is to pack your bags and move to Canada once you have received your visa. But as we know, it’s never as easy as three short sentences, so let’s take a look at each of these steps in more detail.
Which Visa Program Should You Apply For?
Depending on your age, qualifications, skills, experience, family size, and intentions when you arrive in Canada, you will need to choose a Canadian visa program that meets all of your needs, as well. then your unique profile. Some of the most popular immigration programs are:Advertisements
- Express Entry System – one of the most popular choices, this system is for qualified individuals with at least one year of experience working in their profession. There are three programs in the system for different types of professions, namely:
- Skilled Worker Program – for people with experience and qualifications in managerial and professional roles; doctors; for example accountants, IT professionals, managers, architects, and designers.
- Skilled Trades Program – if you are a qualified journeyman, good news; trades workers are some of the most in-demand professions in Canada. You will require authentication from a recognized body (such as a red seal) and at least one year of experience working as a tradesman. Popular skills urgently needed in Canada include carpenters, pipefitters, welders, mechanics, plumbers, and electricians.
- Canada Experience Class – if you answered yes to either of the above two programs and already have or intend to obtain at least one year of experience working in Canada before applying for permanent residency, then this is your choice. The Canada Experience Class gets preference over the other two because simply put, the applicants have already shown that they are capable of living and working in Canada.
- Provincial Nomination Program – this is one of the most multi-layered immigration programs. Within this program, there are at least forty to fifty different visa options. The reason there are so many? Each Canadian province has its own Provincial Nomination Program, and each of those has its own unique streams or visas for Canadian immigration.
For example, Manitoba’s Provincial Nomination Program has four options; Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Abroad, Business Investor Stream, and International Education Stream. So if you know where you want to live in Canada, you can apply directly to the provincial government. If your application is successful, you will receive a provincial nomination which, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria of the program to which you are applying, guarantees your visa for permanent residence in Canada.
- Pilot Programs – the Immigration and Refugee Council of Canada is continuously experimenting with different visa types to meet the needs of the Canadian labor market. For example, the four provinces of Atlantic Canada; New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are facing a shortage of both semi-skilled and skilled workers.
As a matter of fact, they are facing a shortage of people, period. For this reason, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot was created to help address these shortages by allowing applicants with a valid job offer in Atlantic Canada to apply for permanent residency through this special program.
- Another example is the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot, a program that was created to allow smaller cities and communities that aren’t as much of a magnet as saying Toronto or Vancouver for immigrants to attract hard and talented foreign workers. There are currently eleven towns and small cities participating in this Canadian visa program that allows applicants who can secure a job offer in the community to apply for permanent residency, and the community will support the application in return. Positions can vary from barbers to food counter attendants to nurses.
Much like the provinces of Atlantic Canada, these communities are looking to grow by increasing their populations with young and motivated foreigners. There are a couple more pilot programs we haven’t been able to touch on, but if you want to learn more follow the link at the bottom of the article.
Applying for Your Canadian Visa
Once you know which Canadian visa program will give you the best chance of living in Canada, you will need to complete and submit your application with all the necessary supporting documents. Some of the requirements apply to all visa programs, such as a minimum score for a language test. Let’s take a closer look at the usual eligibility requirements.
| Canada Visa Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Description |
| Admissible to Canada | you cannot have a criminal record |
| Experience/Qualification | if you are applying to become a permanent resident, you will typically have to show you are able to perform the duties as laid out in your job offer |
| Education | every program has a minimum requirement of at least a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent. |
| Proof of funds | if you aren’t already working in Canada, you must show you can pay for your cost to move and settle in Canada |
| Language Requirements | depending on your visa type, you may need to get a minimum score on one of the Canadian Language Benchmark tests |
| Medical Examination | you may be required to have a doctor’s examination to show you don’t have any terminal/life-threatening illnesses. |
Move to Canada
It depends on the immigration program you are applying through, but for almost all types of visas (except tourism, Express Entry, and IEC) you will need a valid job offer. You will use your job offer to obtain a Canadian work permit and apply for permanent residence.
Therefore, it is much easier to move to Canada if you can get a job offer before you leave. Canada can be expensive without a job. When you arrive, you won’t want to fight, will be forced to spend all your savings, and depend on others. Have a plan, do everything the right way, and you’ll feel a lot more secure and protected in your future knowing that there won’t be any shortcuts to getting there.