Immigrate to Canada from South Africa
Canadian immigration for South Africans is made simple with our 3-step procedure.
Trying to immigrate to Canada from South Africa can be a challenging process. Even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you will still have to go through a lengthy process that includes several interviews, medical examinations, and documentation of your personal history and background.
Whether you’re planning on moving to Canada permanently or are just looking for a way to escape the ongoing political turmoil in your home country, immigrating to Canada from South Africa is not an easy feat.
Here are some things you need to know about emigrating from South Africa to Canada before moving forward with your plans.
Table of Contents
Who Can Immigrate from South Africa to Canada?
Over 400,000 people from around the world, including South Africa, can immigrate to Canada each year through various Canadian visa programs created for skilled foreign workers, families, refugees and asylum-seekers.
The majority of individuals who immigrate to Canada (approximately 60%) are skilled foreign workers with occupations that are in high demand and who satisfy the eligibility requirements for the relevant Canadian visa program.
- must be at least 18 years of age;
- needs to possess adequate English or French language abilities;
- must have an occupation that qualifies for the particular Canadian visa program;
- will usually need a certain amount of work experience;
- normally requires post-secondary education or training for the eligible occupation;
- must be in good health as well as all accompanying family members;
- will need to have good character, along with all accompanying family members).
The authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can provide more details during the process.
To find out if you qualify for immigration to Canada, click here!
10 Things to Do Before Emigrating from South Africa to Canada?
- Gather important documents (birth certificates, passports, medical records, etc.).
- Create a list of what you will take with you when you immigrate to Canada.
- Practice English or French if either is not your first language.
- Make arrangements for where you will live in Canada after you arrive.
- Plan your finances to cover living expenses after moving to Canada.
- Cancel accounts you have in South Africa that you will no longer need.
- Obtain health insurance for your first 90 days living in Canada.
- Sell anything you will not take with you to Canada (vehicles, furniture, etc.).
- Have an adequate supply of prescription medicines for the trip (if relevant).
- Arrange transportation to Canada for your family and possessions.
Skilled Worker Visas to Canada
Express Entry
Express Entry is a relatively fast way for skilled foreign workers to move from South Africa to Canada. According to the Canadian government, it usually takes about six months to receive a decision after correctly filing an application for permanent residency in Canada through Express Entry.
Canada Express Entry Points System is a management system for processing the applications of skilled immigrants for Canadian permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class Program. In order to immigrate to Canada from South Africa using the Express Entry system, you must first file an online Express Entry profile, which includes information about you and your family, your education, work experience, English or French language skills and other details.
Your profile will then be reviewed and if you meet the criteria, your file will be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates.
Business Immigration to Canada
A fifth way to immigrate to Canada from South Africa is as an entrepreneur through the Start-up Visa Program or via Quebec’s Business Immigration Program.
The major requirements for the Start-up Visa Program include having a business that qualifies, satisfying the English or French language criteria, receiving a letter of support from an approved organization, and possessing adequate financial resources for immigration to Canada.
Spouse / Common-Law Sponsorship
A South African who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years of age, has adequate financial resources and meets all of the criteria can apply to sponsor his or her spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residency.
There are some situations in which a Canadian citizen or permanent resident will sponsor his or her spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada, such as if he or she marries, or becomes a common-law partner with, a foreign national.
Canada’s government believes in keeping families together, so it also allows eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their dependent unmarried children who are under 22 years of age for permanent residency in Canada, as well as parents and grandparents, orphaned brothers and sisters, and orphaned nephews and nieces.
Provincial Nominee Programs
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offers 11 different opportunities for you to immigrate to Canada from South Africa.
This is because 11 of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories have developed their own PNP in coordination with Canada’s national immigration agency. These 11 provinces and territories created their PNPs in order to attract foreign workers who have the occupations and skills that they need in their location.
Regardless of the different PNP requirements, the procedure basically involves applying to one or more PNP and if you receive a nomination, then you can apply for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency. If you are approved for immigration to Canada through a Provincial Nominee Certificate, you will live and work in the Canadian province or territory that nominated you.
QUEBEC Skilled Worker Program
Are you a skilled immigrant with French language skills living in South Africa? If so, you may want to apply for emigration from South Africa to Canada through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program.
This Canadian immigration program uses a points system in which a single applicant needs to receive at least 50 points and an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must get 59 points. Points can be received for training, French or English language skills, characteristics of one’s spouse or partner, the age of the applicant, receiving a qualifying offer of employment in Quebec, previous stay in Quebec, and having adequate financial resources to support oneself and family.
You must first file an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima online system and after you receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), you will be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was established to offer a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada to qualified skilled foreign tradespeople in dozens of high-demand occupations (such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders). Many of these skilled trades are related to jobs in such occupation categories as: construction, electrical, industrial, equipment operation – and more!
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) was created to offer a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada to foreign nationals in various high-demand managerial, professional and technical occupations that often require a college or university education or other advanced training. This is a points-based Canadian immigration program and 67 out of 100 points are required.
The Costs Involved in Emigrating from
South Africa to Canada
There are various costs involved if you emigrate from South Africa to Canada, including governmental fees and non-governmental fees. In general, there are governmental fees that you must pay to the Government of Canada during different stages of the process, such as the Application Processing Fee for Canadian Permanent Residency; the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF); and the Permanent Resident Card Fee.
The exact amount of the governmental fees will depend on how many people will immigrate to Canada with you and which Canadian visa program is being applied for.
The costs involved with immigrating to Canada from South Africa will depend on the size of your family and other factors.
Estimated governmental and non-governmental expenses are as follows:
- 1 person = 261,965 South African Rand
- 2 adults = 331,704 South African Rand
- 2 adults + 1 child = 400,428 South African Rand
- 2 adults + 2 children = 468,938 South African Rand
Governmental fees could include:
- Canadian permanent resident visa application fee(s)
- Right of permanent residence fee(s)
- Dependent child fee(s)
- Canadian permanent resident card fee(s)
- Other governmental fees (if relevant)
Non-governmental expenses may include the:
- English and/or French language evaluation fee
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) fee
- Medical examination fee(s)
- Police certificate fee(s)
- Fees for English or French translations of documents
- Fees to receive Canadian immigration services
- Costs of transportation to Canada for you and your family
- Living expenses in Canada after you arrive
10 Things to Do After You Move
to Canada
- Get a mobile phone in Canada with Internet access.
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Open a bank account in Canada.
- Apply for a public Health Insurance Card.
- Update your address in Canada with IRCC.
- Obtain a driving license in Canada.
- Search for Canadian employment.
- Locate long-term housing in Canada.
- Contact a local immigrant settlement service.
- Make friends and build your social network in Canada.
How to Find the Right Immigration Consultant
Finding the right immigration consultant can make the process easier to complete.
An immigration consultant can evaluate your best Canadian visa option.
You can also receive guidance to correctly apply for immigration to Canada.
The consultant should be a registered member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Canadian immigration consultants who are registered with the CICC are authorized to provide paid professional services for immigration to Canada.
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has worked with authorized immigration consultants to provide Eligibility Evaluations and guidance to customers for immigration to Canada.
This is a good time to emigrate from South Africa to Canada, since thousands of foreign workers are needed and 400,000 Canadian permanent resident visas are available.
The first step is to receive your Eligibility Evaluation.
Canadian Visa Expert makes the process easy and affordable!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada from South Africa?
In general, you will need several thousand dollars, depending on how many family members will immigrate to Canada with you and whether you have a valid Canadian job offer.
What jobs do you need to move to Canada from South Africa?
Canada is seeking hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants in every business sector, including construction, education, engineering, finance, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, natural resources, professional services, telecommunications and transportation.
What is the cheapest way to migrate to Canada from South Africa?
Aside from family sponsorship, refugees and asylum-seekers, the cheapest way to migrate to Canada from South Africa is by receiving a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer who will also pay for your relocation and settlement costs.
Ways to Immigrate to Canada From South Africa Permanently
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program
- Family Sponsorship
- Business Immigration
Is it easy for South Africans to immigrate to Canada?
Yes, it is generally easy for South Africans to immigrate to Canada, however, receiving guidance from an immigration consultant can simplify the procedure.
How can a South African get a job in Canada?
South Africans can find job openings on Canada’s Job Bank website and other online job search platforms, as well as on the “Employment” webpages of Canadian firms.
What is the easiest and fastest way to immigrate to Canada from South Africa
Express Entry is a relatively fastest way for skilled foreign workers to move from South Africa to Canada. According to the Canadian government, it usually takes about six months to receive a decision after correctly filing an application for permanent residency in Canada through Express Entry.
