Immigration to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire is a rather complex procedure which involves several steps. An individual needs to find out which particular Canadian immigration he or she is in the strongest position to apply for, there are several eligibility requirements to satisfy, everything must be done correctly and the entire process takes time. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can simplify the process for you to apply for immigration to Canada, make sure the forms and documents are filed correctly and answer questions you have about the process.  

A job offer letter from a Canadian employer is generally not a requirement for immigration to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire. There are, however, some points-based Canadian immigration programs (such as the QSWP/RSWP and FSWP) that give points to foreign workers with a qualifying Canadian job offer. Thus, receiving points for a valid job offer in Canada could help an applicant to reach the minimum required points score for such visa programs. Furthermore, candidates in the Express Entry pool may be able to increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if they receive a qualifying job offer in Canada. Foreign workers who want to apply for a temporary Canadian work permit will usually need a valid job offer in Canada as part of that process.

In regards to showing that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family after moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire, for the QSWP (as of December 2023) one adult will need at least $3,588 CAD for basic needs for the first three months, while two adults must have a minimum of $5,261 CAD for basic needs for the first three months. One adult with one child will need at least $4,822 CAD for the first three months, while two adults with one child will require a minimum of $5,894 CAD for the same period of time. One adult with two children will require a minimum of $5,441 CAD for the first three months, while two adults with two children will need at least $6,361 CAD for the first 90-day period. Larger families will need to have more money. Keep in mind that these are the minimum amounts required for basic needs during the first three months living in Québec and you and your family may need additional financial resources, depending on where you live, your lifestyle preferences, etc. You will also need enough money to pay for moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire, such as airline tickets, shipping your possessions (if necessary), etc.

In general, a skilled foreign worker who wants to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the relevant immigration program, such as the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP). The QSWP is a points-based Québec immigration program requiring at least 50 points for a single applicant or 59 points for an applicant who has a spouse/partner. Points can be received for various selection factors, such as education, French/English language skills, work experience, etc. Starting in 2023, skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Québec must show that they have at least intermediate level French language skills. Good health, good character and other criteria must also be met. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire as well as for other Canadian immigration programs. 

The fastest way to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire as a new Canadian permanent resident is through the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP). In general, it takes about 12-18 months from start to finish to complete all of the steps of the process. According to the Québec immigration agency: “Most applications for permanent selection in the RSWP are processed within 6 months. The processing time begins when the Ministry receives your application.” After an applicant for the QSWP/RSWP receives the Québec Selection Certificate or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), they will have up to 60 days to file a complete application for Canadian permanent residency with Canada’s federal immigration agency. It can take several months after that to receive a decision from the Canadian immigration agency regarding your application for permanent residency in Canada. Once approved for Canadian immigration through the QSWP/RSWP, you and your family will be able to live, study and work in Québec as permanent residents of Canada!

Canada is an immigrant-friendly, multicultural country where about 23% of its 40 million residents is foreign-born. English and French are the two official languages spoken in Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories. There are approximately 30.2 million people in Canada who speak English, while around 8.5 million Canadians speak French and about 7.2 million can have a conversation in both languages. A diversity of languages are spoken in Canada, besides English and French, including Mandarin (530,945), Punjabi (520,390), Cantonese (393,430), Spanish (317,365), Arabic (285,915), Tagalog (275,040), Persian languages (179,745), Urdu (158,040), Russian (125,780) and Korean (125,525). 

English and other languages are so prevalent in Canada that it would be hard to find a place where only French is spoken. Even in Québec, where most of the people (about 82%) speak French and the signs are mostly written in French, around 4.3 million people can have a conversation using the English language and about 3.9 million residents can hold a conversation in either French or English.

Yes, about 30.2 million of Canada’s 40 million residents speak English, while around 8.5 million speak French and approximately 7.2 million Canadians speak both French and English. Nonetheless, this depends on where a person is at in Canada (for example, most people living in Quebec speak French).

Yes, there is a large population of French speakers in Canada, so knowing French can be useful when you want to communicate with someone who only speaks French. Additionally, even if your knowledge of French is limited, French speakers will generally appreciate your attempt to speak with them in French (and many will switch to English if they know it). Speaking the French language is particularly useful and practical if you plan to travel to or live and work in Québec, since French is the main language spoken there, even though millions of people living in Québec speak English.  

Yes, people from Quebec are generally friendly, as are most Canadians. Whether you are just visiting or are living in Quebec, you are likely to feel welcomed in this unique French-speaking Canadian province.

According to a 2023 survey, seven of the top 20 happiest cities in Canada are in the province of Quebec. Lévis was rated as the #6 happiest city in Canada, while Saguenay was ranked #9, Repentigny was #11, Blainville was #12, Terrebonne was #13, Granby was #16, and Laval was #20.

Yes, Québec City is good for immigrants in regards to being a welcoming city for newcomers and because it offers a high quality of life. Housing and the cost of living in Québec City are lower than in many other large cities in Canada. Québec City is usually among the Canadian cities with the lowest unemployment rates, so there are plenty of good-paying jobs to choose from. Some of the top industries in Québec City include business, financial services, digital arts, electronics, health technologies and life sciences. There is also a special French Canadian charm in Québec City and many parts of this beautiful, historic city have a European feel to them. 

Yes, a foreign psychologist can work in Canada, however, he or she will need to (1) be approved for Canadian immigration and (2) satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where the psychologist wants to practice. Psychologist is a regulated profession in most parts of Canada, usually requiring an individual to complete the process to become professionally certified and licensed before being able to legally work in Canada as a psychologist.  

Yes, there is a growing demand for psychologists throughout Canada. It is forecast that 18,800 psychologist jobs in Canada will need to be filled between now and 2031. The very best job prospects for psychologists are in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. There are also good prospects for psychologist jobs in Canada’s provinces of Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Finding psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners is relatively easy due to the growing demand for psychologists throughout the country. Since psychologist is a regulated profession in most parts of Canada, a foreign psychologist will generally need to satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where he or she wants to work in Canada. This will normally require them to complete the process to become professionally certified and licensed to practice psychology in the province or territory. Of course, a foreign psychologist will also need to legally live and work in Canada, which means he or she must be approved for Canadian immigration.  

Yes, psychologist is one of the highest-paid occupations in Canada. The national median income (i.e., half-way between the highest and lowest amount earned) for psychologists working in Canada is $43.50 CAD per hour, which is about $6,960 per month or around $83,520 CAD per year. The amount that psychologists earn in Canada will be influenced by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they are in private practice, employed by a hospital or school, etc.

According to the Canadian government, the national median income (i.e., half-way between the highest and lowest amount earned) for psychologists working in Canada is $43.50 CAD per hour, which is about $6,960 per month or around $83,520 CAD per year. How much a psychologist earns in Canada will be affected by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they are in private practice, employed by a hospital or school, etc.

If your education was received outside of Canada, you will generally need to get a favorable Education Credential Assessment (ECA). The ECA is conducted by an approved organization that assesses whether a person’s education obtained outside of Canada is comparable to an education received inside of Canada. The ECA can be applied for before you apply to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist. In terms of using your psychology degree in Canada, you will also need to be approved for Canadian immigration and satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where you want to practice psychology. Some Canadian provinces generally require a Doctorate Degree in Psychology, while other provinces require a Master’s Degree in Psychology in order for a person to apply to become a psychologist. Individuals with recognized degrees in psychology can also work in business, teach at colleges and universities, etc.

The average salary for a psychologist in Canada is approximately $100,206 CAD per year. Psychologist salaries range from about $69,343 CAD per year to around $122,151 CAD annually. How much a psychologist earns in Canada will be affected by their education level, work experience, specialization(s), where they work, whether they have a private practice, are employed by a hospital or school, etc.

A person can relocate to Canada without IELTS exam results by achieving the required scores on an alternative evaluation test for English (such as the CELPIP General Test) or an evaluation exam for French (such as the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada). Another way to relocate to Canada without IELTS exam results is to apply for a Canadian temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, however, the foreign worker will need to prove that he or she has the English or French language skills required for the job in Canada as stated in the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). One more way to relocate to Canada without IELTS test scores is as an international student (you will need to satisfy the designated learning institution’s criteria for English or French language proficiency, but there are often non-IELTS options available).

The easiest ways to immigrate to Canada as a skilled foreign worker is through the Express Entry system. There are three Canadian immigration programs that qualify for Express Entry to Canada: the points-based Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP); and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program. Applicants who apply for immigration to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) have the option to use the Express Entry system or the ‘traditional’ PNP application method. In order to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada, a skilled foreign worker will need to create an Express Entry online profile and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the FSWP, FSTP, CEC or PNP. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) must be received before the application for Canadian permanent residency can be filed. A decision is usually made in six months or less after the Canadian permanent residency application has been correctly filed using the Express Entry system.

International students may have the option to move to Canada without an English test if they get accepted to certain designated learning institutions that don’t require an English exam for admission or if the foreign student has the option to take an intensive English or French language course prior to the start of the regular study program. Foreign workers may be able to move to Canada without an English test by applying for a temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, however, they will need to demonstrate that they have the English or French language skills required for the job in Canada as stated in the Labor Market Impact Assessment (this could possibly be done during an interview with the CBSA officer or by other means). Family members (such as a spouse/partner and dependent children) can move to Canada without an English test.

The IELTS exam can be difficult, since it is a long standardized test that evaluates a person’s English language proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Preparing for the IELTS exam in advance, however, can make it easier to complete by becoming familiar with the test format and can result in achieving higher IELTS exam scores. 

It is possible to get Canada PR without IELTS exam results. A skilled foreign worker can take the CELPIP General Test instead of the IELTS exam to evaluate his or her English proficiency level. If a person’s primary language is French, then he or she could take the TEF – Canada or TCF – Canada tests. Family members, such as a spouse/partner and dependent children, can immigrate to Canada without IELTS or other language evaluation test results.

Yes, as demonstrated by over 450,000 immigrants who become new permanent residents each year and settle successfully in Canada. Canadian jobs generally pay good salaries and if you can find an affordable place to live in Canada, such as a smaller city, then your income can stretch even further.

One of the most valued social benefits that Canadian citizens and permanent residents receive is free or subsidized public healthcare in the province or territory where they are living in Canada.

According to the Numbeo.com website, the average monthly utility bills (i.e., for electricity, water, heating and garbage) for an apartment that is 85 square meters in Sherbrooke (Québec) is $312 CAD; in Québec City (Québec) it is $198 CAD; in Saint John (New Brunswick) it is $202 CAD; in Halifax (Nova Scotia) it is $236 CAD; in Laval (Québec) it is $107 CAD; and in Regina (Saskatchewan) it is $226 CAD.

The Numbeo.com website reports that a one-way local bus ticket is $3.45 CAD and a monthly pass is $83.75 CAD in Sherbrooke (Québec); in Québec City (Québec) it is $3.75 CAD and $89.75 CAD; in Saint John (New Brunswick) it is $2.75 CAD and $90 CAD; in Halifax (Nova Scotia) it is $2.75 CAD and $82.50 CAD; in Laval (Québec) it is $3.50 CAD and $90.50 CAD; and in Regina (Saskatchewan) it is $3.25 CAD and $76.50 CAD.

Canada’s public education system provides free primary and secondary school education, however, parents may need to pay for school supplies, field trips and other extracurricular activities. Many parents living in Canada send their children to private schools where they pay for tuition as well as school supplies and extracurricular activities. Thus, there is generally a higher cost of living in Canada for parents who send their children to private school and if they have more than one child in private school, this can be rather expensive. Furthermore, parents with young children who have to pay for childcare will need to factor in those costs.

According to the Numbeo.com website, the estimated monthly cost of living excluding rent for a family of four in Sherbrooke (Québec) is $4,265 CAD; in Québec City (Québec) it is $4,948 CAD; in Halifax (Nova Scotia) it is $4,884 CAD; in Laval (Québec) it is $3,955 CAD; and in Regina (Saskatchewan) it is $4,260 CAD.

Montreal is French speaking, so people are expected to speak French, since it is the primary language there. It is possible, however, to move to Montreal without speaking French, since over 20% of Montreal’s residents speak English and there are many neighborhoods where English is widely spoken. Knowing how to speak French in Montreal is more of a practical matter, especially if you plan to live and work in Montreal, since it makes it easier to find employment, make friends, go shopping, travel, conduct banking, order at restaurants, receive government services, etc.

Yes, a person can move to Montreal without speaking French, since English is spoken by about one out of five people living in Montreal, there are international businesses that hire English-speakers and there are many neighborhoods where a large percentage of the residents speak English. Having said that, if a skilled foreign worker is not living in Canada as a permanent resident and wants to immigrate to Quebec from his or her country, then it is mandatory (as of 2023) to demonstrate at least intermediate level French language skills as part of the Canadian immigration process for Quebec. 

Montreal is French speaking, but also English speaking, with around 71% of the residents speaking French as their primary language, about 6.7% speaking both French and English as their main language and approximately 20.4% speaking English as their primary language. 

Yes, of course, it is OK to speak English in Montreal, since English and French are both official languages of Canada, a large percentage of the people who live in Montreal speak English, and English is a well-known ‘international’ language spoken by many businesspeople and tourists who arrive in the city. If you know how to speak French, however, it will be easier to travel in Montreal (the signs are in French), find employment, make friends, go shopping, conduct banking, order at restaurants, etc.

Yes, a person can live in Quebec without speaking French, however, it will be easier to find work in Quebec, socialize, travel in the province (the signs are only in French), do banking, go shopping, receive government services, etc. If you are a skilled foreign worker not living in Canada and you want to immigrate to Quebec from your country, then it is required (as of 2023) for you to show that you possess at least intermediate French language abilities as part of the Canadian immigration process for Quebec.

Montreal and Toronto are both great places to live in Canada and among the best cities in the world, offering good job opportunities, world-class education, a high quality of life and a variety of activities to enjoy. In general, Montreal may be a better city for French-speakers to live in Canada and Toronto may be better-suited for English-speakers; however, many French speakers live in Toronto and many English-speakers live in Montreal. The cost of living and housing is generally less expensive in Montreal (and other cities in Quebec) than in Toronto, so that is something to consider. Whether Montreal or Toronto is better for you can also be affected by the job opportunities available to you in each city. 

Around 20.4% of the people living in Montreal speak English as their main language, about 71% speak French as their primary language, and approximately 6.7% speak English and French as their main languages (i.e., they can switch back and forth between the two languages).

There are thousands of agriculture jobs in Canada for foreigners, but an individual needs to be authorized to live and work in Canada as a temporary foreign worker, permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through the application process if you qualify. 

Yes, around 40% of Canadian farmers are expected to retire between 2023 and 2033, so tens of thousands of foreign farmers are needed to help replace them. 

There are several Canadian visa programs for different types of foreign farmers, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, Agri-food Pilot Program, and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).The SAWP and TFW Program permit foreign farmers to live and work in Canada on a temporary basis, after which they will return to their home countries. The Agri-food Pilot Program offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada to foreign farmers with at least one year of full-time non-seasonal Canadian work experience through the TFW Program during the previous three years in an eligible occupation if they satisfy all of the other criteria. Skilled foreign agriculture workers can apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or another Canadian immigration program. 

People who work in Canada as farmers earn higher incomes than farmers in many other countries, however, Canadian farmers are not among the highest paid workers. Examples of median wages for different types of agriculture jobs in Canada include:  Agriculture Products Inspector ($27.50 CAD per hour); Manager in Agriculture ($24.48 CAD per hour); Farm Supervisor ($23.00 CAD per hour); Animal Health Technologist and Veterinary Technician ($20.00 CAD per hour); Livestock Laborer ($18.00 CAD per hour); and Harvesting Laborer ($15.50 CAD per hour). Keep in mind that most farms are located in rural areas of Canada where housing and the cost of living is generally less expensive.

Farmers have to pay federal and provincial income taxes as well as sales tax. Farm owners must also pay property taxes. 

The top three problems farmers face in Canada are the costs of production, the shortage of farm workers and the impact of climate change.

The average Canadian farmer earns about $20.00 CAD per hour.

The majority of Canada’s 189,874 farms are located in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, southern Ontario and Quebec.

The best places to live in Canada for an agricultural worker are in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, southern Ontario and Quebec, since this is where most Canadian farms and jobs are concentrated. The province of Saskatchewan has affordable housing, a low cost of living and a high quality of life. Quebec also has a relatively low cost of living, high quality of life and would be a good place to live in Canada for French-speaking foreign farmers. Another factor to consider is which provinces need your particular agricultural occupation.

There is a strong demand for skilled foreign workers to help fill thousands of carpenter jobs in Canada. Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada.

Yes, there is a demand for carpenters in most of Canada’s provinces and territories and this is expected to continue until at least 2031. The strongest demand to fill carpenter jobs in Canada is in Ontario (which also has the largest economy in the country), Saskatchewan (which has a low cost of living in Canada), Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. A moderate demand also exists for skilled tradespeople to fill carpenter jobs in Canada’s provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

In general, to work as a carpenter in Canada you will usually need to have completed at least a secondary/high school education and also an apprenticeship program lasting 3-4 years OR have more than 4 years of work experience as a carpenter along with completion of courses in carpentry (normally needed for trade certification). Trade certification is generally mandatory for carpenters in Canada, but it is a good idea to check with the relevant provincial/territorial regulatory body regarding the employment criteria for carpenters. Of course, part of the process to apply for carpenter jobs in Canada for foreigners is to be authorized for Canadian immigration as a permanent resident (for example, through the Federal Skilled Trades Program or Provincial Nominee Program) or to receive a temporary work permit for Canada.

Qualifications to be a carpenter in Canada usually require the worker to have finished a secondary/high school education plus an apprenticeship program that lasted 3-4 years OR to have over 4 years of work experience as a carpenter and also completion of carpentry courses in high school, vocational school, etc. It is generally required that carpenters in Canada will receive trade certification in the province or territory where they will work in Canada. You can check online with the regulatory body for carpenters in the province or territory where you are considering working in Canada for the specific details.

Yes, a person can apply for Canadian jobs as a US citizen (and thousands of Americans do); however, a US citizen will generally need to receive a work permit for Canada or become a Canadian permanent resident to legally work in Canada.

The national median wage for carpenter jobs in Canada is $30.00 per hour (around $57,600 per year), but the amount varies in the different Canadian provinces and territories as well as in various cities (i.e., some Canadian provinces, territories and cities have higher carpenter wages than others). The amount that a carpenter is paid in Canada is generally affected by location, employer, experience, skills, how many hours are worked and other factors.

It is possible to move to Canada as an ‘unskilled’ worker with a Canadian temporary work permit. Unskilled or low-skilled foreign workers will generally need to receive a qualifying Canadian job offer and then the employer will normally need to apply for and receive a favorable (approved) Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada before the temporary work permit can be applied for. The unskilled foreign worker will need to satisfy the good character and other criteria, as well as pay the governmental fee(s) necessary to receive a Canadian work permit and visa.

There are jobs in Canada available to skilled and unskilled foreign workers who have the necessary Canadian visa and/or work permit. An ‘unskilled’ or low-skilled foreign worker will basically need to get a valid job offer from an authorized employer in Canada; the Canadian employer will generally need to apply for and receive a favorable/approved Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada; and then the foreign worker will need to apply for and be issued a temporary work permit and/or visa for Canada.