Canadian Visa Expert https://canadianvisaexpert.com/ Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:24:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cropped-CVE-32x32.png Canadian Visa Expert https://canadianvisaexpert.com/ 32 32 New Canadian Citizens Receive Warm Welcome at Ceremonies https://canadianvisaexpert.com/new-canadian-citizens-receive-warm-welcome-at-ceremonies/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 15:19:21 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=20861

New Canadian Citizens Receive Warm Welcome at Ceremonies

When a Canadian permanent resident becomes a new citizen of Canada through the naturalization process, a ceremony is held to celebrate this special occasion.

In 2024, 375,099 permanent residents were granted Canadian citizenship and in the first six months of 2025, over 150,000 permanent residents became new citizens of Canada.

Canada Day Citizenship Ceremonies

Several Canadian citizenship ceremonies took place on July 1, 2025, which is the Canada Day national holiday.

At a ceremony that occurred in Calgary, Alberta, 73 immigrants from 24 countries received a warm welcome as new citizens of Canada in the presence of government officials, family and friends.

Officiating at the Canadian citizenship ceremony in Calgary was Lt. Colonel Carolyn Patton, who declared to the new citizens, “Canada is stronger, Canada is richer and more vibrant because of the many cultures, new stories and experiences that bring each of you together. As you take this important step, know you’re now a part of a national family built on respect and equality.”

One of the new Canadian citizens, originally from India, said at the Calgary ceremony that he immigrated to Canada, because it is a “land of opportunities” and he desired a better life for himself and his family, while also noting the amazing kindness of the Canadian people.

In Thunder Bay, Ontario, 50 immigrants originating from 15 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to become new citizens of Canada, including an immigrant from The Philippines who said the process was worth it and that Canada offered her children a better life. 

Thirty immigrants from 12 countries were given Canadian citizenship at a ceremony in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Speaking at the Winnipeg ceremony was a Member of Parliament, Doug Eyolfson, who told the new Canadian citizens, “You are now officially citizens of the greatest country in the world” and further telling them, “We have a nation that is built on tolerance and inclusivity. We’re a society that helps each other.”

These are just three examples of the many Canadian citizenship ceremonies that were recently hosted in different communities across Canada, but they help to illustrate the warm welcome that is given to immigrants and the happiness that immigrants feel when they become Canadian citizens.  

Canadian Citizenship Requirements

In order to become a Canadian citizen, an immigrant must generally:

    • live in Canada as a permanent resident for a minimum of three years (1,095 days) in the five-year period prior to applying;
    • demonstrate adequate English or French language proficiency (if 18-54 years of age); 
    • file income tax in Canada for a minimum of three years during the five years prior to applying (if required); 
    • pass the citizenship test, which asks questions about Canadian history, symbols, laws, geography, government, economy, as well as the responsibilities and rights that citizens of Canada possess;
    • pass an interview (this sometimes occurs on a case-by-case basis);
    • pay the Canadian citizenship processing fee and the right of citizenship fee;
    • not have committed a crime inside or outside of Canada;
    • take the Oath of Allegiance at a Canadian citizenship ceremony.

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

In addition to the many benefits that Canadian permanent residents receive (for example, live, work and study in Canada long-term; sponsor family members for a Canadian visa; receive free public healthcare; start a business and/or buy a home in Canada; access quality education programs; etc.), a citizen of Canada can also:

    • apply for a Canadian passport
    • travel outside of Canada for long periods of time
    • vote in elections
    • run for government office
    • work in government jobs that require Canadian citizenship (if qualified)

Conclusion

To become a Canadian citizen is a special event in the life of an immigrant and his or her family and friends.

Canadian citizenship is also important to the local community, which often attends the celebration to show their support, and to this immigrant-friendly country as a whole.

Canada is a diverse country in which 23% of the population is foreign-born and it was the first country to have an official government policy embracing multiculturalism.

Thus, immigrants can feel at home living in Canada, knowing that they are valued as human beings, their skills are wanted to help contribute to the country, and they have many opportunities for a better life.

If you would like to become a Canadian citizen, the first step is to become a permanent resident of Canada.

Canadian Visa Expert works with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada as a skilled foreign worker and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The goal of Canadian Visa Expert is to simplify the process of immigration to Canada for you and your family, so that your forms will be filed correctly and efficiently, giving you the best opportunity for a positive outcome.

To apply for your Eligibility Assessment, click here!

START YOUR PROCESS NOW!

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WHERE DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN CANADA?

Cities in Canada

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the CanadianVisaExpert.com website is not and shall not be considered as professional, expert or legal advice.
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10 Tips to Simplify Your Settlement in Canada https://canadianvisaexpert.com/10-tips-to-simplify-your-settlement-in-canada/ Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:31:06 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=20607

10 Tips to Simplify Your Settlement in Canada

Knowing in advance what you should do after you arrive in Canada as a new permanent resident can help you to have a smooth Canadian relocation experience.

Here are 10 tips to simplify your settlement in Canada.

TIP #1: Select the City Where You Will Live in Canada

One of the first things a new Canadian permanent resident needs to do is to select which city or town to settle in.

If you have family or friends living in Canada, you may want to move close to them so you can enjoy their companionship and support, especially as you adjust to residing in your new country.

Nonetheless, there are other factors for you to consider when deciding on where to live in Canada, such as:

    • Do you prefer to live in a large city or smaller community?
    • Is there a demand for your occupation in that location?
    • How affordable is it to live there (e.g., housing, utilities, transportation, etc.)?
    • Which languages are spoken (e.g., English, French, your native language)?
    • How safe is the city or community?
    • What is the weather like throughout the year?
    • What are the educational options?
    • What types of cultural and entertainment activities are available?

Canada’s top three most populous metropolitan areas are:

The most populous Canadian cities include:

    • Toronto (Ontario)
    • Montreal (Quebec)
    • Calgary (Alberta)
    • Ottawa (Ontario)
    • Edmonton (Alberta)

Examples of mid-sized cities in Canada include:

    • Winnipeg (Manitoba)
    • Mississauga (Ontario)
    • Vancouver (British Columbia) [Note: Vancouver has the #3 most populous metro area in Canada]
    • Brampton (Ontario)
    • Hamilton (Ontario)
    • Surrey (British Columbia)
    • Quebec City (Quebec)
    • Halifax (Nova Scotia)
    • Laval (Quebec)
    • Gatineau (Quebec)
    • Saskatoon (Saskatchewan)
    • Regina (Saskatchewan)

Some examples of smaller Canadian cities include:

    • Kelowna (British Columbia)
    • Trois-Rivières (Quebec)
    • Waterloo (Ontario)
    • Thunder Bay (Ontario)
    • Red Deer (Alberta)
    • Nanaimo (British Columbia)
    • Lethbridge (Alberta)
    • Victoria (British Columbia)
    • Peterborough (Ontario)
    • Moncton (New Brunswick)
    • Saint John (New Brunswick)
    • St. Albert (Alberta)
    • Fredericton (New Brunswick)
    • Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island)
    • Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan)

TIP #2: Have Your Documents Ready When You Arrive

When you arrive at the port of entry in Canada (which is usually an airport), make sure that your important documents (for you and each of your accompanying family members) are easily accessible and ready to present to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer or other Canadian government official when requested (i.e., have them with you, not packed in your luggage).

Important documents to have with you in-person upon arrival in Canada include:

    • Canadian Permanent Resident Visa (if citizens of your country need a visa to enter Canada)
    • valid passport or other official travel document (each family member must have one)
    • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for you and each accompanying family member
    • two copies of a list of all the personal items and household items you are bringing with you
    • two copies of a list of possessions that will arrive in Canada in the future and their financial value
    • Customs Declaration Card (complete this before you meet with the CBSA officer) declaring items you have to pay duty on (such as alcohol, gifts and tobacco) and disclosing funds over $10,000 CAD (e.g., cash, checks, travelers’ checks, securities, etc.) you are bringing with you into Canada. 

Additional documents you may want to have with you when you arrive in Canada include (as relevant):

    • driver’s license and/or international driver’s permit
    • letter of reference from your car insurance company
    • birth certificates for all accompanying family member
    • adoption papers
    • marriage certificate
    • separation or divorce documents
    • diplomas and degrees, school transcripts for all family members
    • professional or trade certificates or licenses
    • letters of reference from previous employers
    • official documents stating which vaccinations you and your accompanying family members have received
    • other documents as relevant

It is recommended to make at least two color copies of all of your documents and keep those copies in separate locations in case you lose any original documents. Scanning documents and making digital copies to save on an external hard drive may also be helpful, so hard copies can be printed in the future as necessary.

There will usually be two interviews with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry.

At the first interview, the CBSA officer will ask to review travel documents, inquire about previous travel to Canada, and ask various questions to confirm good health, good character (i.e., no criminal record), how much money you brought with you, etc.

During the second interview, a CBSA officer will inspect the items that you brought with you to Canada, ask to see your declaration card and lists of items (mentioned earlier), and inquire if you brought certain items with you to Canada, such as plants, animals, fruits and vegetables, firearms, etc. (make sure you know what you can and cannot bring to Canada). Be sure to inform the CBSA officer that you are immigrating to Canada as a new permanent resident.

After the two interviews are completed and if there were no problems, the CBSA officer will sign each COPR and you will be permitted to enter Canada as new permanent residents!

TIP #3: Make Arrangements for Housing

One of the most important things you must do as a new immigrant is to make arrangements for short-term and long-term housing after you arrive in Canada.

Short-Term Housing:

Initially, you will need to arrange for a place to stay short-term after you first arrive in Canada (i.e., Where will you live in Canada after you leave the port of entry?). 

Short-term housing options will be affected by your finances, the city where you will live in Canada, whether you have family or friends you can stay with, and other factors.

In general, short-term housing options after you leave the port of entry in Canada might include:

    • Living with family or friends (if this option is available)
    • Staying in a hotel, motel, Airbnb, etc.
    • Renting a room in a person’s home
    • Short-term rental of an apartment, condo, townhouse, or house 

Many new immigrants who don’t have family or friends that they can live in Canada with will initially stay in a hotel or motel for several days or weeks after arriving in the country, rent a car, start looking for a more long-term housing solution, and drive to various neighborhoods in the city or surrounding area to visit potential options and find a place that best meets their needs.

Long-Term Housing:

After you secure a place to live in Canada during the short-term, you will have a “base” from which to start searching for long-term housing, as well as employment and other necessities.

Long-term housing options may include:

    • Renting or leasing an apartment
    • Renting or leasing a condominium (condo) or townhouse
    • Renting or leasing a house
    • Buying a house, condo, townhouse, or apartment 

Which long-term housing option you choose will, of course, depend on the size of your family, finances, and other factors.

New immigrants will generally rent or lease a place to live in Canada during their first 3-5 years in their new country, which can give them time to gain some Canadian work experience, establish credit in Canada, learn more about making such an important investment, and hunt for the perfect place to call home.

You can get more detailed information (available in several languages) about finding housing to rent or purchase in Canada on the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) website.

TIP #4: Obtain Mobile Phone/Internet Service

Soon after you arrive in Canada as a new immigrant, it will be beneficial for you to obtain Canadian mobile phone and Internet service.

Having a local mobile phone number for the area where you will be living in Canada will make it easier for you to call businesses, to inquire about housing and so forth, and it will give you a local contact number where others can reach you, such as potential landlords and employers, as well as family and friends in your home country, and new friends that you will make in Canada. 

You can get mobile phone service that includes Internet access, which will allow you to acquire information that will help with your settlement in Canada; make it possible to use Google Maps or various Apps to assist you with navigating in your new country; enable video conferencing with family, friends and potential employers; and other tasks.

If you have a laptop computer or tablet, you can also set-up a “mobile hotspot” via a setting on your smartphone, if it has Canadian mobile/Internet service, which will give you the option of enjoying a larger screen when online if you so desire.

Canada’s top providers of mobile phone services include Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless and Telus Mobility, however, there are other companies such as Public Mobile, Koodoo Mobile, Virgin Plus, Sask Tel Mobility, Videotron, Lucky Mobile, Freedom Mobile and Fido.

It is a good idea to research the top mobile phone service providers for  where you will live in Canada, making sure to check their coverage area, available plans and prices, customer satisfaction ratings, and other important issues before deciding on which one to go with.

If you are not sure about signing a contract with a Canadian mobile phone service provider, be aware that many of the major companies offer prepaid mobile phone and Internet service plans that don’t require a credit check and give you the flexibility to cancel at any time.

TIP #5: Apply for Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You should apply for your nine-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) shortly after you immigrate to Canada, because it will be required for Canadian employment, filing income tax, contributing to your pension plan, receiving government services and benefits, and it is often requested when opening a bank account in Canada.

New Canadian permanent residents can apply for a Social Insurance Number online on the Canadian government’s website; by sending the application in the mail to the Social Insurance Registration office; or in-person at the closest Service Canada Centre.  

TIP #6: Open a Bank Account in Canada

It is vital that you open a bank account as soon as possible after moving to Canada as a new permanent resident, because this will permit you to deposit funds, receive payments (for example, direct deposit of your salary from an employer), pay bills, build your credit in Canada, and manage your finances, among other benefits. 

In order to open a bank account in Canada, an immigrant will generally need to bring to the bank:

    • Identification (for example, a valid passport, Permanent Resident Card, Canadian driver’s license, or other identification issued by the Canadian government or a provincial government)
    • Immigration Documents (such as your Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Permanent Residence Card)
    • Social Insurance Number (This is sometimes required.)
    • Proof of Address (This is usually required, but new immigrants might be able to provide it later. Examples include: a hotel receipt, if this is where you are currently living in Canada; a lease agreement; or a utility bill.)

Some of the largest banks in Canada include Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, National Bank of Canada, and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD).

In the process of deciding where to open a Canadian bank account, you may want to consider factors such as:

    • Location – Is the bank close to where you live or work in Canada? Does the bank have many branches and ATMs throughout the city where you live and across the country?
    • Fees – How much are the fees for different types of accounts and services?
    • Interest Rates – What is the interest rate for savings? Do they offer interest checking and what is the interest rate?
    • Customer Service – Does the bank provide good customer service? What is the bank’s reputation for service? What kind of in-person (at the branch) and online customer service do they have?
    • Online Banking – What types of online banking services does the bank make available to its customers? 
    • New Immigrant Package – Does the bank offer special incentives to new immigrants?

Having a bank account and establishing good credit in Canada will be important to your successful settlement and daily life in your new country and could also facilitate buying a home or opening a business in the future.

TIP #7: Apply for a Health Card 

One of the many benefits of living in Canada as a permanent resident is receiving free or subsidized public health care, however, this will require you to apply for a Health Card in your province or territory of residence.

Canada’s public health care system is administered locally by each province and territory, which have established their own regulations for residents to apply for a Health Card.

It is wise to apply for a Health Card as soon as possible after you arrive in Canada, since some provinces have a waiting period of up to 90 days before public health care coverage begins.

You can learn more about how to apply for a Health Card in Canada on the Canadian government website.

TIP #8: Seek Canadian Employment

When you immigrate to Canada as a skilled foreign worker, you naturally want to find Canadian employment in your occupation or a related field, so you can sustain yourself and your family in your new country.

It is easier to apply for jobs in Canada as a permanent resident already living there than to seek Canadian employment from outside the country, because most employers prefer applicants to already possess authorization to work in Canada (which permanent residents have); immigrants who are living in Canada can interview for Canadian employment in-person; and employers usually want the applicant that they hire to be able to start working within a short time period (as opposed to having to wait for a skilled immigrant to apply for Canadian immigration, get approved and then move to Canada).  

Nonetheless, you can start searching for jobs in Canada in your occupation before you immigrate and begin exploring the Canadian employment opportunities that are available in different provinces, cities and at various employers, particularly after you have received your Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can legally work in Canada.

Ideally, if you have your COPR and apply for Canadian employment a few weeks before you relocate, hopefully, you might be invited to interview for one or more jobs in Canada soon after you arrive (it is important that the potential employer is informed that you can legally work in Canada, will arrive in the country shortly and they know how to contact you).

Whether you get a head start by applying for Canadian employment just before you move to Canada, or you wait until after you arrive in the country and get settled, there are several ways for you to search for jobs in Canada including:

    • using Canada’s Job Bank and other online job search websites
    • creating a LinkedIn online professional profile so Canadian employers who are seeking employees with your skills can reach out to you
    • contacting the nearest Settlement Agency for guidance looking for work in Canada
    • networking with family and friends in Canada
    • attending Canadian job fairs where you can meet employers in person
    • visiting the “Careers” or “Employment” webpages of Canadian employers in your occupation
    • reviewing lists of top employers in Canada
    • contacting an authorized employment agency in Canada

Employers in Canada will often request that job applicants send them a CV and Cover Letter, so make sure that you know how to write both according to Canadian standards; make sure that your CV and Cover Letter include skills that are listed in the job description (only if you actually have those skills); proofread your CV and Cover Letter to ensure there are no mistakes; and prepare for the job interview to increase your chances of success.

Please note that certain regulated trades or professions require a worker to have the relevant certificate or license before Canadian employment can legally begin. You can learn more about foreign credential recognition on the Canadian government website

Furthermore, as mentioned earlier in Tip #5, new immigrants will need to apply for and receive a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before they can legally work in Canada.

TIP #9: Access Newcomer Settlement Services

Once you have been approved for Canadian permanent residency, you can access government-funded Settlement Services in Canada, which are free to immigrants in all Canadian provinces and territories (except in Quebec, which offers its own Quebec Integration Support Services).   

These Settlement Services for Canadian newcomers can truly help you to have a smoother relocation experience as a new permanent resident living in Canada, since they offer a range of practical services such as:

    • How to adapt to daily life in Canada
    • How to connect to the local community
    • How to find jobs in Canada
    • How to obtain certification or a license in a regulated occupation
    • English and French language training
    • Specialized support services for women, children, seniors, teens, French speakers, refugees, etc.

Whether or not you have family or friends living in Canada,  knowing that there are people who care about immigrants at a local Settlement Services organization can give you peace of mind, because you are not alone in your new country and there are many Canadians who will make you feel welcomed and are willing to help in any way they can. 

TIP #10: Build Your Social Network in Canada

The final tip to help you simplify your settlement in Canada is to build your social network in your new country starting on the first day you arrive.

This is one of the reasons you should obtain local Canadian mobile phone and Internet service as soon as possible after you move to Canada (Tip #4), even if it is prepaid at first, because this will enable you to give your phone number to new friends that you make, to enter their names and phone numbers in your phone, to access Canadian social media groups, and to build your Canadian network. 

In addition to having new friends in Canada to talk to and do things with, you can ask your fellow Canadians advice about topics that they may be more familiar with since they have lived there longer than you, such as:

    • Which are the best schools?
    • Where are the best neighborhoods?
    • Which are the best stores?
    • Where can you find…?
    • Is it OK in Canada to…?
    • Do you know anyone who is hiring? 

Canada is an immigrant-friendly country and Canadians have a reputation worldwide for being some of the friendliest people on the planet, so you should have no problem making new friends in Canada!

Conclusion

These 10 tips to simplify your settlement in Canada can help you to have a smooth Canadian relocation experience.

At Canadian Visa Expert, our goal is to facilitate immigration to Canada by making available practical information and offering beneficial services to streamline the Canadian immigration process.

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

APPLY NOW! 

START YOUR PROCESS NOW!

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the CanadianVisaExpert.com website is not and shall not be considered as professional, expert or legal advice.
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Top Places for Newcomers to Visit in Canada https://canadianvisaexpert.com/top-places-for-newcomers-to-visit-in-canada/ Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:19:48 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=20499

After you immigrate to Canada and settle down in your new country, you will likely want to start visiting the various points of interest.

There are so many incredible things to see and do in Canada that it might be difficult for a newcomer to know where to begin.

The good news is that as a Canadian permanent resident, you will have plenty of time to explore this big, beautiful, friendly country!

Outdoor enthusiasts will want to visit Canada’s spectacular national parks and other scenic areas.

Canada’s vibrant cities offer diverse dining options, top-notch cultural and entertainment activities, great shopping venues, peaceful places to relax, dynamic nightlife – and more!  

Below, are several of the top places for newcomers to visit in Canada chosen for you by Canadian Visa Expert:

Must-See Places to Visit in Canada

Toronto, Ontario 

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the #1 destination for new immigrants. Major points of interest in this magnificent multicultural metropolis include: CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Island Park, Casa Loma, High Park, Toronto Island Park, the Distillery District, Toronto Music Garden, Kensington Market, Queen Street West, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Rogers Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, St. Lawrence Market, and the Toronto Zoo. 

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls is a spectacular natural wonder with its iconic Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls, complemented by immersive experiences such as the Journey Behind the Falls, thrilling zipline rides, and panoramic views from the Skylon Tower, while the nearby city of Niagara Falls buzzes with its vibrant Clifton Hill attractions, such as the Niagara Sky Wheel, and local world-class wineries offer tours and tastings.

Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture in Old Quebec—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—highlighted by the iconic Château Frontenac, the vibrant Petit-Champlain district, dramatic views from Dufferin Terrace, the beautiful Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, the historic Plains of Abraham, the impressive Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec, all blending European charm, rich history, and a lively French Canadian culture in one walkable, picturesque destination. While you are near Quebec City, it is well worth the short drive to visit majestic Montmorency Falls. 

Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff National Park captivates visitors with iconic turquoise lakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, panoramic mountain vistas seen from the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain, serene relaxation at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, and endless opportunities for hiking, biking, wildlife watching, scenic drives along the Icefields Parkway and Bow Valley Parkway, plus cultural gems such as the Cave and Basin National Historic Site—making it a world-class destination for adventure, sightseeing, and natural beauty all year round. 

Vancouver, British Columbia

As Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver entices travelers with the lush trails and iconic seawall of Stanley Park, bustling markets and artisan studios on Granville Island, scenic city and mountain views from the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, vibrant neighborhoods like Gastown and Yaletown, world-class museums and galleries such as the Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Anthropology, and easy access to beaches and waterfront adventures—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and Coastal Mountains for the perfect blend of urban excitement and outdoor adventure.

Jasper National Park, Alberta

Jasper National Park in Alberta offers unparalleled experiences for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, featuring stunning mountain vistas along the Icefields Parkway and Jasper Sky Tram, thrilling whitewater rafting on the Athabasca River, serene canoeing on crystal-clear lakes, abundant wildlife viewing including elk and moose, and immersive activities like hiking to Mount Edith Cavell Meadows, soaking in Miette Hot Springs, and stargazing in Canada’s largest Dark Sky Preserve—all within the park’s vast and pristine wilderness.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal, Canada’s second most populous city, dazzles visitors with its blend of historic Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets and the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica, panoramic cityscapes from Mount Royal Park (be sure to visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal), world-class art museums such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, lively festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles, and a vibrant culinary scene centered around bustling markets and renowned eateries. One of the biggest events held each year is the Montreal International Jazz Festival, which usually occurs during the last week of June and first week of July. 

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador

Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland & Labrador is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site where visitors can experience towering fjords on a scenic Western Brook Pond boat tour, trek challenging trails to the panoramic summit of Gros Morne Mountain, explore the rare exposed Earth’s mantle at the Tablelands, stroll historic coastal villages and sandy beaches, and immerse themselves in vibrant local culture—all set amidst one of the planet’s most spectacular and ancient landscapes.

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary, Alberta, uniquely blends its vibrant Western heritage and modern urban charm, inviting visitors to experience the world-famous Calgary Stampede rodeo and festival held in early July, immerse themselves in pioneer history at Heritage Park, admire panoramic city and mountain views from the Calgary Tower, explore family-friendly attractions like the Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark Science Centre, and enjoy lively cultural festivals and scenic urban parks. Calgary is also the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, with the scenic Bow River Valley and Banff National Park a relatively short drive from the city.

Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, the national capital of Canada, is known for its iconic Parliament Hill overlooking the Ottawa River, scenic year-round activities (such as skating or kayaking) along the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal, vibrant shopping and dining in the historic ByWard Market, world-class collections at the National Gallery of Canada and Canadian Museum of History, and lively festivals that celebrate Canada’s rich cultural heritage.

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

Fundy National Park in New Brunswick invites visitors to explore over 120 km of scenic hiking trails through lush Acadian forests and breathtaking coastlines, witness the world’s highest tides along the Bay of Fundy by walking the exposed ocean floor at low tide or kayaking at high tide, relax on sandy beaches like Herring Cove and Bennett Lake, and discover cascading waterfalls such as Dickson and Laverty Falls.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Nestled where the Canadian Rockies tumble into the prairies, Waterton Lakes National Park beckons travelers with glassy emerald lakes perfect for scenic boat cruises to Crypt Lake, wildflower-carpeted trails like Bear’s Hump, iconic vistas from the Prince of Wales Hotel, and unforgettable wildlife sightings under star-studded skies. Other points of interest in Waterton Lakes National Park include Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Lake, and Cameron Falls. 

Churchill, Manitoba

Churchill, Manitoba—renowned as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”—offers tourists an unparalleled Arctic adventure to safely witness majestic polar bears from specialized tundra vehicles, marvel at thousands of beluga whales in summer, experience mesmerizing northern lights in winter, explore rich Indigenous and fur trade history, and engage in activities like kayaking, dog sledding, and helicopter tours over the stunning Hudson Bay coastline.

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, British Columbia, delights visitors with its vibrant Inner Harbor lined by historic architecture and lively marinas, world-renowned Butchart Gardens bursting with seasonal blooms, strolls through the lush Beacon Hill Park and its iconic totem pole, immersive history at the Royal BC Museum and elegant Parliament Buildings, charming afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and unforgettable wildlife experiences from whale watching tours to scenic coastal walks and colorful First Nations murals along Ogden Point.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which is southeast of Tofino on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, is a spectacular playground of rugged Pacific coastline, pristine temperate rainforests, and expansive sandy beaches—where visitors can stroll iconic Long Beach’s dramatic shorelines, hike the challenging West Coast Trail, kayak among the serene Broken Group Islands, immerse in Nuu-chah-nulth culture, and revel in surfing, storm watching, and wildlife spotting within one of Canada’s most breathtaking coastal wilderness areas.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia gratifies visitors with the world-famous Cabot Trail weaving through its dramatic highlands and rugged coastal wilderness, offering breathtaking ocean vistas from scenic hikes like the Skyline Trail, as well as cycling some of the world’s finest routes, relaxing on pristine beaches, camping under starry skies, golfing at the renowned Highlands Links, and immersing in local culture and culinary delights—all amid spectacular views and abundant wildlife.

Whistler Ski Resort, British Columbia

Whistler Ski Resort in British Columbia entices visitors year-round with world-class skiing and snowboarding on North America’s largest terrain, breathtaking rides on the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, exhilarating summer mountain biking, scenic alpine hiking, ziplining, vibrant après-ski and village nightlife, and a wealth of outdoor adventures ranging from bear viewing to bobsleigh tours and paddle-boarding on pristine lakes.

Whitehorse, Yukon

Whitehorse, Yukon, offers unforgettable adventures in the heart of the wilderness, where you can witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky in winter, explore Indigenous and Gold Rush history at the SS Klondike and MacBride Museum, paddle or canoe along the legendary Yukon River, relax in the soothing Takhini Hot Springs, encounter northern wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and enjoy hiking, biking, and seasonal festivals—all set against the stunning backdrop of pristine northern landscapes.

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia invites visitors to savor award-winning wines at more than 120 picturesque wineries, cruise or swim in the warm waters of Okanagan Lake, cycle the scenic historic trestles of Myra Canyon Park, explore charming markets and orchards, hike through fragrant sage and lavender fields, and enjoy year-round outdoor adventure—from summer boating and beaches to winter skiing—all set amidst breathtaking mountain and valley landscapes.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, enchants visitors with its vibrant UNESCO World Heritage Old Town filled with brightly painted colonial buildings, immersive maritime traditions at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, the legendary Bluenose II schooner offering unforgettable harbor cruises, picturesque strolls along the bustling waterfront lined with restaurants and artisan shops, and cultural landmarks like St. John’s Anglican Church—all set against a backdrop of seafaring history and stunning views of the harbor.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island enchants visitors with its storybook Green Gables Heritage Place, sweeping red and white sand beaches in Prince Edward Island National Park, iconic lighthouses, picturesque coastal villages, scenic cycling trails, vibrant arts and theatre in Charlottetown, and culinary delights from fresh seafood and farm-to-table experiences—all woven together by rolling farmland and a gentle island charm.

Conclusion

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and immigrants.

As a tourist, you might need to travel to Canada several times in order to visit all of the places on the “bucket list” provided above and, perhaps, you would feel a bit rushed trying to fit everything into a relatively short vacation itinerary.

If you were a Canadian permanent resident, however, you could take your time visiting these destinations in Canada, spending quality time at each one and re-visiting your favorite spots as often as you like. 

Of course, most people who immigrate to Canada don’t do so in order to be on an endless vacation in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.

Rather, they immigrate to Canada for the good-paying jobs, better opportunities for their children, free healthcare, access to quality education, freedom, equality, safety, stability, and to have an overall high standard of living. 

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility to apply for permanent residency in Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

Would you like to move to Canada as a permanent resident and have the opportunity to access all that this amazing country has to offer? 

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

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Growing Number of Latin American Immigrants Living in Canada https://canadianvisaexpert.com/growing-number-of-latin-american-immigrants-living-in-canada/ Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:21:40 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=20480 The number of immigrants from Latin American countries who are living in Canada as permanent residents or naturalized Canadian citizens tripled between 1996 and 2021, according to Statistics Canada (October, 2024).

In 1996, there were 176,970 people from Latin America living in Canada of which 134,215 were immigrants, but by 2021 the number of Canadian residents from Latin American countries had jumped to 580,235 of which 371,965 were immigrants.

Top Source Countries for Latin American Immigrants

Top 10 Latin American Source Countries (Overall Numbers) – According to Statistics Canada (October 2024), the top 10 source countries for the 371,965 Latin American immigrants (permanent residents and naturalized citizens) living in Canada as of 2021 were:

  1. Colombia = 71,205 (19.1% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  2. Mexico = 57,820 (15.5% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  3. El Salvador = 47,450 (12.8% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  4. Peru = 26,295 (7.1% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  5. Chile = 22,015 (5.9% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  6. Brazil = 20,400 (5.5% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  7. Venezuela = 18,855 (5.1% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  8. Guatemala = 16,865 (4.5% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  9. Ecuador = 14,615 (3.9% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)
  10. Cuba = 10,855 (2.9% of Latin American immigrants in Canada)

Top 10 Latin American Source Countries (Percentage of “Economic Immigrants”) – The Canadian statistics agency also revealed (October 2024) the percentage of immigrants from the “top 10” Latin America countries who are living in Canada as “economic immigrants” (i.e., skilled foreign workers and their families):

  1. Brazil = 66.8% were “economic immigrants”
  2. Venezuela = 57.9% were “economic immigrants”
  3. Peru = 42.3% were “economic immigrants”
  4. Mexico = 40.3% were “economic immigrants”
  5. Chile = 36.6% were “economic immigrants”
  6. Colombia = 34.5% were “economic immigrants”
  7. Ecuador = 26.4% were “economic immigrants”
  8. Cuba = 23.0% were “economic immigrants”
  9. El Salvador = 18.2% were “economic immigrants”
  10. Guatemala = 17.6% were “economic immigrants”

As these Canadian government statistics show, Canada is an increasingly attractive destination for immigrants from Latin America, including skilled foreign workers and their family members.

Why Immigrate to Canada?

There are many reasons why people from Latin America immigrate to Canada including:

    • Employment
    • Safety
    • Stability
    • Family
    • Education
    • Healthcare
    • Better Opportunities
    • Higher Quality of Life

How can skilled foreign workers from Latin America immigrate to Canada?

In order to immigrate to Canada as a skilled foreign worker, a person will generally need to:

  • Satisfy the eligibility requirements for the relevant Canadian immigration program such as the:
  • Demonstrate English or French language proficiency by receiving the necessary score on an approved evaluation exam
  • Have good health as indicated by the results of an approved medical exam
  • Do not have a criminal record or pose a security risk
  • Possess enough financial resources to support oneself and family after moving to Canada
  • File the applications and forms correctly with the required supporting documents
  • Pay the relevant governmental fees and non-governmental fees
  • Receive a Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR) and move to Canada while it is valid

Conclusion

Canada is a popular destination for immigrants from around the world, including countries in Latin America.

Skilled immigrants with good English or French language abilities are needed in Canada, with thousands of jobs available in construction, education, engineering, healthcare, information technology, management, and other sectors of the economy.

Perhaps, you have read this article and are interested in moving to Canada from Latin America, but you don’t know if you qualify or which Canadian immigration program to apply for.

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility to apply for permanent residency in Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

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Canada Is Considered One of the World’s Best Countries https://canadianvisaexpert.com/canada-is-one-of-the-best-countries/ Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:09:17 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=20440

Canada is considered one of the best countries in the world, according to multiple measures, making it a popular destination for immigrants seeking better opportunities and a high quality of life.

Canada Is Ranked Among the Best Countries

The results of a worldwide survey of 17,000 people conducted March 22-23, 2024, by US News and World Report, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and WPP, ranked Canada as the #4 best country overall for 2024, after Switzerland, Japan and the United States.

Participants of this large international survey rated Canada especially high for the following country attributes:

  • #2 for Agility:
      • adaptable
      • dynamic
      • modern
      • progressive
      • responsive
  • #3 for Social Purpose:
      • racial equity
      • gender equality
      • dedicated to social justice
      • religious freedom
      • trustworthy
      • considers human rights important
      • political power is distributed well
      • considers animal rights important
      • property rights are respected
      • considers the environment important and is dedicated to climate goals
  • #5 for Quality of Life:
      • good employment opportunities
      • income equality
      • economically stable
      • safe
      • family-friendly
      • politically-stable
      • public education is well developed
      • affordable
      • public healthcare system is well developed
  • #6 for Entrepreneurship:
      • educated population
      • connected internationally
      • infrastructure is well developed
      • entrepreneurial
      • business practices are transparent
      • digital infrastructure is well developed
      • skilled work force
      • easy access to capital
      • legal framework is well developed
      • technological expertise
      • innovative

Canada also received high rankings in the survey results for these country attributes:

    • Ranked #1 for Friendliness
    • Ranked #4 for Education
    • Ranked #5 for Racial Equity
    • Ranked #6 for Starting a Career
    • Ranked #6 for Comfortable Retirement
    • Ranked #6 for Women
    • Ranked #6 for Raising Children
    • Ranked #9 for International Students

Peaceful

According to a different assessment, Canada was ranked #11 out 163 countries in the 2024 Global Peace Index, following Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, and Malaysia.

Prosperous

The Canadian economy is the 9th largest in the world (GDP = $2.24 trillion USD), after the United States, China, Germany, Japan, India, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

Furthermore, Canada is a member of the G-7 countries that have the most advanced economies.

Canada is also one of the most prosperous countries in the world, rated #13 out of 167 countries examined in the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index, following Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Iceland, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Freedom

The 2024 Atlantic Council Freedom and Prosperity Index ranked Canada #15 for Freedom out of 164 countries that were assessed, after Denmark, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Estonia, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, and Belgium.

In its Freedom in the World 2024 report, Freedom House gave Canada an overall score of 97 out of 100, which included 58 out of 60 for Civil Liberties and 39 out of 40 for Political Rights.

Education

Canada is among the top four destinations for international students (which also include the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia), attracting 682,889 foreign students in 2023.

Several Canadian institutions of higher learning are listed each year in rankings of the world’s top 100 best universities, including the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, among others.

Immigration

These and other country characteristics make Canada one of the top destinations for immigrants year after year, with 471,808 people approved for Canadian immigration in 2023, including 120,822 “economic immigrants” processed through Express Entry (this included immigrants eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class Program), and 108, 619 via the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The goal for Canadian immigration in 2024 is 500,000 new permanent residents, the majority of whom will be “economic immigrants” whose skills are needed by employers across Canada.

Conclusion

If you and your family are thinking about relocating to another country in pursuit of a better life and more opportunities, you should seriously consider moving to Canada.

Canada is known around the world for being a friendly country that welcomes newcomers, plus it has a strong economy, thousands of job openings, free public healthcare, quality education programs, beautiful outdoor landscapes, and it is a peaceful country.

Canadians generally embrace equality, freedom and multiculturalism, which makes Canada an ideal country for immigrants to live and thrive.

Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants since 2012 who can assess your eligibility and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

APPLY NOW!

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Canada VS Ghana: Living in Canada or Ghana https://canadianvisaexpert.com/canada-vs-ghana/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 12:44:06 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=19999

 


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If you are currently living in Ghana, you might be considering immigration to Canada for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps, you live somewhere else in Africa and are debating the pros and cons of moving to Canada versus Ghana.

There are many factors to consider when deciding on where to relocate abroad, such as the climate, cost of living, job openings, educational opportunities, healthcare, safety and other issues.

This article will compare living in Canada or Ghana and then you can decide for yourself which is better for you.

Climate and Geography in Canada and Ghana

Climate

Canada experiences all four seasons and its climate ranges from temperate along the Pacific coast to continental in the central region and Atlantic coast to sub-Arctic in the northern part of the country.

Examples of average high and low temperatures (in Celsius) for certain Canadian cities are as follows:

  • Vancouver – July (High = 22C and Low = 14C) / January (High = 7C and Low = 1C)
  • Calgary – July (High = 23C and Low = 10C) / January (High = -1C and Low = -13C)
  • Toronto – July (High = 27C and Low = 18C) / January (High = -1C and Low = -7C)
  • Montreal – July (High = 26C and Low = 16C) / January (High = -5C and Low = -14C)
  • Halifax – July (High = 23C and Low = 14C) / January (High = 0C and Low = -8C)

The average yearly precipitation for select Canadian cities is as follows:

  • Vancouver = 168 days of precipitation per year / 1,457 mm of annual precipitation
  • Calgary = 112 days of precipitation per year / 419 mm of annual precipitation
  • Toronto = 145 days of precipitation per year / 831 mm of annual precipitation
  • Montreal = 163 days of precipitation per year / 1,000 mm of annual precipitation
  • Halifax = 162 days of precipitation per year / 1,468 mm of annual precipitation

Ghana is located 900.6 kilometers (559.6 miles) from the Equator and has a tropical climate with a dry season and a wet season which is greatly influenced by the monsoon winds of West Africa.

The climate of Ghana is typically warm, but varies depending on the elevation and time of year.

The southwestern region of Ghana is generally humid and hot; the east coast of Ghana is relatively dry and warm; and northern Ghana is typically dry and hot.

There are generally two rainy seasons in southern Ghana (April – July and September – November), while there is one rainy season in northern Ghana (May – September).

The average high temperature in Ghana in July is about 27.1C and the average low is around 23.5C, whereas the average high temperature in January is about 30.1C and the average low temperature is around 24.5C.

In Accra, Ghana’s capital city, it rains about 53 days per year and the annual rainfall is around 740 mm.

Thus, when it comes to Ghana vs Canada in regards to the climate, Ghana generally has milder weather than Canada throughout the year, but Canadian get to enjoy all four seasons.

Geography

Canada is the second largest country in the world, stretching from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, while bordering the United States in the south and the Arctic Ocean in the north.

Coastal mountains and the Canadian Rockies are in the western region of the country; the Prairie Provinces are in the flat central plains section of Canada; the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River occupy the southeast lowlands; and to the east are the northern Appalachian Mountains and Maritime (Atlantic) Provinces.

Canada is a beautiful country with scenic mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, plains and around 2 million lakes.

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are home to snowcapped peaks and some of Canada’s most scenic national parks, such as Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park which are all in Alberta province.

The longest rivers in Canada include the Mackenzie River, Yukon River, and St. Lawrence River.

Canada shares with the United States four of The Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario), while Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake and Lake Winnipeg are the largest lakes completely inside Canada.

There are 10 provinces and three territories in Canada:

  • Canadian Provinces – Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan
  • Canadian Territories – Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon

Quebec is the biggest province in Canada, while Ontario has the largest population (15,608,369 residents).

There are over 40 million people living in Canada.

Ghana is located in West Africa and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf of Guinea in the south, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Togo in the east.

The population of Ghana is over 34 million people.

Forests, shrublands and grasslands are the primary vegetation found throughout Ghana.

The Volta River is the major waterway in Ghana, flowing from north to south into Lake Volta and then emptying into the Gulf of Guinea.

Ghana is home to beautiful national parks, including Kakum National Park, Kyabobo National Park, and Mole National Park.

In regards to Canada vs Ghana in terms of geography, both countries are diverse and beautiful, however, Canada is 41.8 times larger and has greater geographic diversity.

Cost of Living

According to the Numbeo.com website, the cost of living in Canada’s largest city, Toronto, excluding housing, is about $1,421 Canadian Dollars (CAD) per month for a single person and around $5,128 CAD for a family of four.

The average monthly rent in Toronto’s city center is approximately $2,448 CAD for a one bedroom apartment and around $3,925 CAD for a three bedroom apartment, while the average monthly rent outside of Toronto’s city center is about $2,085 CAD for a one bedroom apartment and $3,261 CAD for a three bedroom apartment.

The average salary in Canada is around $6,000 CAD per month or $72,000 CAD per year, but income will vary depending on the occupation, education level, years of experience, location, etc.

By comparison, the Numbeo.com website reports that the cost of living in Ghana’s largest city, Accra, excluding housing, is around $670 CAD for a single person and about $2,389 CAD for a family of four.

The average monthly rent in Accra’s city center is about $767 CAD for a one bedroom apartment and around $2,933 CAD for a three bedroom apartment, while the average monthly rent outside of Accra’s city center is about $113 CAD for a one bedroom apartment and around $520 CAD for a three bedroom apartment.

The average salary in Ghana is approximately $553 CAD per month or $6,640 per year, but income will vary depending on the occupation, education level, years of experience, location, etc.

When it comes to Ghana vs Canada regarding the cost of living, Canadians pay more for housing and other living expenses, however, they earn much higher salaries than people living in Ghana.

In fact, Canada is ranked as the #13 most prosperous country in the world (Ghana is ranked #98), according to the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index.

Job Opportunities 

Canada has the 10th largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.1 trillion USD, is a member of the G7 and has a low unemployment rate of 5.7% (October 2023).

Around 70.2% of Canada’s GDP comes from the services sector, about 28.2% is derived from industry, and agriculture accounts for approximately 1.6% of the country’s economic output.

Statistics Canada reported (December 2023) that there were 706,100 Canadian job openings throughout the country in all sectors of the economy.

According to economists, there is a strong demand for workers to fill jobs in Canada, especially as more and more Canadians retire.

Thousands of Canadian jobs are available to skilled foreign workers in industries such as:

  • Accounting 
  • Business
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Information Technology
  • Maintenance & Repair
  • Manufacturing
  • Natural Resources
  • Telecommunications

Examples of median annual salaries (Canada’s Job Bank, 2023) for select jobs in Canada are as follows:

  • Accountant = $73,843 CAD
  • Civil Engineer = $82,560 CAD
  • Construction Manager = $78,470 CAD
  • Crane Operator = $65,280 CAD
  • Dentist = $118,394 CAD
  • Electrical Engineer = $83,078 CAD
  • Electrician = $57,792 CAD
  • Primary School Teacher = $79,123 CAD
  • Financial Analyst = $72,864 CAD
  • Human Resources Manager = $97,843 CAD
  • Physician = $216,833 CAD
  • Occupational Therapist = $79,334 CAD
  • Pharmacist = $104,646 CAD
  • Plumber = $59,520 CAD
  • Registered Nurse = $76,800 CAD
  • Retail & Wholesale Manager = $68,314 CAD
  • Secondary School Teacher = $84,403 CAD
  • Software Engineer = $94,810 CAD
  • University Professor = $103,392 CAD

Ghana has one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $76.6 billion USD (89th largest in the world) and a low unemployment rate of 3.8% (October 2023).

Around 49% of Ghana’s GDP comes from the services sector, about 30% is derived from industry, and agriculture accounts for approximately 21% of the country’s economic output.

Many of the jobs in Ghana are in the following business sectors:

  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Financial Services
  • Energy
  • Mining
  • Tourism
  • Education
  • E-Commerce
  • Entertainment

Examples of median annual salaries (PayScale, 2023) for select jobs in Ghana are as follows:

  • Accountant = $3,304 CAD per year
  • Civil Engineer = $2,643 CAD per year
  • Electrical Engineer = $3,968 CAD per year
  • Registered Nurse = $4,185 CAD per year
  • Secondary School Teacher = $1,542 CAD per year
  • Software Engineer = $3,967 CAD per year

In regards to Canada versus Ghana for job opportunities, both countries have growing economies, but the Canadian economy is much larger; both countries have low unemployment rates, but it is lower in Ghana; both countries have many job openings in various business sectors, but Canada has a lot more; and salaries for jobs in Canada are substantially higher than for jobs in Ghana.

Healthcare and Education

Healthcare

Canadian citizens and permanent residents receive free or subsidized healthcare in the province or territory where they live in Canada.

The average life expectancy at birth in Canada (82.96 years) is among the longest in the world.

Ghana has one of the best healthcare systems in Africa, however, it is not at the same high standard as found in Canada and other developed countries.

The average life expectancy at birth in Ghana is only about 64.94 years (around 18 years lower than in Canada).

When comparing Ghana versus Canada regarding healthcare, the Canadian healthcare system and longevity are far ahead of what is found in Ghana.

Education

Canada has been called the “education superpower” because of the high quality of its primary, secondary and tertiary education programs.

Canadian secondary students consistently score among the top 10 best-performing countries on the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests for reading, math and science.

Canada also has the largest percentage of working-age adults with a post-secondary education.

Furthermore, several Canadian universities are listed year-after-year among the world’s top 100 best universities, including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and McMaster University.

Ghana has one of the best education systems in Africa, however, it is not at the same high standard as Canada and other developed countries.

Additionally, Ghana does not yet have the required number of tertiary education graduates needed for socio-economic progress.

The literacy rate in Ghana is about 80.4% compared with 99% literacy in Canada.

In 2020, Ghana spent about 3.9% of its GDP on education, compared with 11.4% in Canada that same year.

The University of Cape Coast is ranked among the world’s 350-400 best universities, while the University of Ghana, University for Development Studies, University of Professional Studies, and University of Health and Allied Sciences are ranked among the top 1,000-1,200 universities in the world.

When comparing Canada versus Ghana on education, Canada has a higher quality education system overall and offers more educational opportunities than Ghana.

Social Life and Leisure Activities

People who live in Canada are generally known for their friendliness, particularly toward newcomers, as well as their compassion and humility.

Furthermore, Canada was ranked as the #4 most family-friendly country in the world for 2023.

Equality and multiculturalism are also important to Canadians, where around 23% of the population is foreign-born. 

Canadians enjoy a wide range of leisure activities, including ice hockey, snow skiing, football/soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, biking, hiking, camping, along with reading books, watching television and movies, going to concerts, dining out and shopping.

In Ghana, there is a strong sense of community, with family and respect for the elderly important priorities in society.

The people of Ghana are generally friendly and newcomers are welcomed with great hospitality.

Ghana has a diverse population with around 53 ethnic groups and more than 90 languages spoken.

Religion is important to the people of Ghana and a large proportion of the population participate in Christian or Muslim religious services each week.

Ghanaians enjoy a variety of leisure activities, including going to the beach (e.g., in Accra), swimming, football/soccer, volleyball, cricket, basketball, hiking, surfing, listening to music, dancing, and generally spending time with family and friends.

When comparing Ghana versus Canada on social life and leisure activities, both countries are similar on key factors.

Safety and Security

The 2022 Global Peace Index ranked Canada as the #12 most peaceful country in the world and US News & World Report listed Canada as the #3 safest country in 2023.

Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa and was ranked as the #40 most peaceful country in the 2022 Global Peace Index, as well as the #61 safest country in the 2023 ranking by US News & World Report.

When it comes to Canada versus Ghana regarding safety and security, Canada is clearly the winner, although both countries are considered politically-stable countries.

Conclusion – Canada or Ghana: Which is better?

Only you can decide if living in Canada or Ghana is better for you and your family.

Ghana and Canada are similar in many ways, such as being friendly countries, offering good economic opportunities, possessing beautiful outdoor scenery, having similar kinds of leisure activities, and being diverse countries.

English is also an official language in both Ghana and Canada (French is Canada’s other official language).

The weather may be better in Ghana than Canada throughout the year, however, Canadians get to enjoy all four seasons.

Canada is one of the safest and most prosperous countries and has world-class education and healthcare systems.

There are many more available jobs in Canada than in Ghana and the salaries in Canada are much higher.

Canada is one of the world’s most immigrant-friendly countries and plans to welcome a record 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025, most of whom will be skilled foreign workers and their family members.

Canadian permanent residents can live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited amount of time, buy a home, start a business, receive public healthcare, attend educational programs, travel to and from Canada, sponsor family members for Canadian visas and apply to become Canadian citizens after living in Canada for only three years during a five-year time period.

So, what do you think? Would you and your family like to start new lives living in Canada as permanent residents?

The first step is to find out if you are eligible for one of the many Canadian immigration programs.

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility and also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

START YOUR PROCESS NOW!

FAQ’s

Where is it more affordable to live: Canada or Ghana?

This depends on a person’s income and where they live in Canada or Ghana. In general, it is less expensive to live in Ghana, however, the salaries are also much lower than in Canada. It costs more to live in Canada than in Ghana, however, Canadian workers generally earn high salaries. The key to affordable housing and low cost of living in Canada is to get a good-paying job and live somewhere with lower housing costs. For example, housing is more expensive in Vancouver and Toronto, and less expensive in Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Quebec City.

What are the key differences in lifestyle between Ghana and Canada?

Ghana and Canada are similar in their lifestyles, such as being friendly and welcoming newcomers; spending time with family and friends; enjoying nature and outdoor activities; etc. Canadians and Ghanaians participate in similar leisure activities and sports, however, football/soccer is the most popular sport in Ghana, while ice hockey is the top sport in Canada.

What is the employment landscape like in Ghana compared to Canada?

Ghana and Canada both have low unemployment rates and good employment opportunities, however, Canada has many more jobs available (over 700,000 job openings) and Canadian jobs pay much higher salaries than found in Ghana.

How does the education system in Ghana compare to that in Canada?

Both Ghana and Canada have good educational systems and institutions. Canada is considered one of the best countries in terms of the high-quality education available; Canadian students generally outperform their peers from the OECD countries in academic testing (e.g., reading, math and science); Canada spends a lot more of its GDP on education than Ghana; and several Canadian universities are ranked among the top 100 best universities in the world. For these and other reasons, approximately 800,000 international students choose to study abroad in Canada.

Is it better to live in Canada or Ghana?

The answer to this question depends on what is important to you and your family and what you are looking for in life. Ghana and Canada are both nice places to live and have much to offer. As the #10 largest economy and one of the most prosperous countries, Canada has more job opportunities than Ghana and Canadian salaries are much higher. Canada was ranked #3 in the world for best quality of life in 2023, after Norway and Sweden, so if you are searching for a higher standard of living, Canada is the place to be. Canadians get advanced public healthcare, the education is world-class and the life expectancy at birth is among the longest in the world. Canada is one of the world’s safest countries, the people are friendly, families flourish and entrepreneurs thrive. So, would you rather live in Canada or Ghana?

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Immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire https://canadianvisaexpert.com/moving-to-canada-from-cote-divoire/ Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:26:01 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=19707

Immigration to Québec from Côte d'Ivoire

There are approximately 821,735 immigrants from Africa living in Canada, including 166,155 from West Africa, according to the Canadian government’s statistics agency.

Among the thousands of immigrants from West African countries, many are moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast).

French is one of the more than 70 languages used in Côte d’Ivoire, spoken by about one third of the country’s population, so it is not surprising that thousands of people have been emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec – Canada’s mostly French-speaking province.

People are emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec for other reasons as well, such as to find good-paying Canadian jobs, get a world-class education and enjoy a high quality of life.

This article will discuss emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, including some of the top reasons to do so and the most popular Québec immigration program for skilled foreign workers and their families, so keep reading for all of the essential information!

Table of Contents

Why Immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire?

There are several reasons to immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire, including:

  • Québec welcomes about 50,000 new Canadian permanent residents to live in Québec each year.
  • 6,974 people born in Côte d’Ivoire immigrated to Québec during the past 5 years (2018-2022).
  • There is a large community of expats from Côte d’Ivoire living in Québec.
  • Most of Québec’s residents speak French, so it is a good match for Côte d’Ivoire’s French-speakers.
  • Québec has the second largest economy in Canada (after Ontario) and one of the lowest unemployment rates.
  • Skilled foreign workers are in high demand to help fill thousands of available jobs in Québec.
  • The cost of living and housing in Québec is more affordable than in other areas of Canada.
  • Canadian permanent residents and citizens living in Québec receive free public healthcare.
  • Québec has a special French-Canadian culture that offers a taste of Europe, but is uniquely Québec’s.
  • As the largest province in Canada, Québec has a diversity of scenery and outdoor activities.
  • Canadian permanent residents living in Québec can buy a home and start a business there.
  • Some of the world’s best universities are in Québec (e.g., McGill University, the University of Montreal, etc.).
  • Canada is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and Québec is one of the safest places to live in Canada.
  • Canadian permanent residents can apply for citizenship after living in Canada for 3 years during a 5-year period.

Requirements to Immigrate to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire

In general, around 50,000 people immigrate to Québec each year from countries around the world.

During 2022, 68,704 individuals were approved for immigration to Québec, including 1,822 people born in Côte d’Ivoire.

One of the most popular pathways for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec as a skilled foreign worker is through the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP or RSWP).

The Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program uses a points system requiring a single applicant to receive a minimum of 50 out of 103 points and an applicant with a spouse or partner to get at least 59 out of 120 points.

Points can be gained for these selection factors:

  • Education = 26 points
  • French and/or English Language Skills = 22 points
  • Characteristics of Spouse or Partner = 17 points
  • Age = 16 points
  • Qualifying Job Offer in Québec = 14 points
  • Work Experience = 8 points
  • Prior Stay in Québec / Having Family in Québec = 8 points
  • Having Children = 8 points
  • Sufficient Financial Resources = 1 point

There are other eligibility requirements for emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, such as being in good health, having good character and other criteria.

NOTE: Skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Québec will generally need to demonstrate that they have at least intermediate level French language skills.

The procedure for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec generally involves the following major steps:

  • Learn if you are eligible to apply for the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP).
  • File an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for the QSWP/RSWP using Québec’s Arrima online portal.
  • If you receive an invitation, application can be made for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
  • Once the CSQ is issued, there will be 60 days to apply for permanent residency with the Canadian immigration agency.
  • Medical exam results, police certificates and other documents must be provided.
  • Governmental fees need to be paid.
  • If the Canadian immigration agency approves your application, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) and must immigrate to Québec while the COPR is still valid.

Visa Programs to Emigrate from Côte d'Ivoire to Québec:

  • Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program – for skilled foreign workers and their families
  • Permanent Immigration Pilot Program for workers in the artificial intelligence (AI), information technologies and visual effects sectors who want to immigrate to Québec
  • Québec Experience Program – for foreign students who graduated from a qualifying educational program in Québec or temporary foreign workers who have qualifying work experience in Québec

Immigration to Québec from Côte d'Ivoire: How much Does It Cost?

There are governmental fees and other expenses associated with emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec.

Governmental Fees:

  • QSWP/RSWP Permanent Selection Application Processing Fee:
    • Main Applicant = $869 CAD
    • Spouse/Partner = $186 CAD
    • Dependent Child – $186 CAD per child
  • Canadian Permanent Residency Application Processing Fee:
    • Main Applicant = $850 CAD
    • Spouse/Partner = $850 CAD
    • Dependent Child = $230 CAD per child
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee:
    • Main Applicant = $515 CAD
    • Spouse/Partner = $515 CAD
    • Dependent Child = $230 CAD per child
  • Biometrics Fee:
    • One Person = $85 CAD
    • Family of Two or More People = $170 CAD
  • Permanent Resident Card Fee = $50 CAD per person

Please note that these governmental fees were effective as of December 2023 and are subject to change.

Non-Governmental Expenses:

  • Medical Exam(s) for the main applicant and each family member
  • Police Certificate(s)
  • Translation of Required Documents into French or English (if not in one of those two official Canadian languages)
  • Travel Expenses for moving to Canada from Côte d’Ivoire
  • Money to support yourself and your family after emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec

Conclusion

There are approximately 821,735 immigrants from African countries living in Canada, including several thousand who have been approved for emigration from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec.

Skilled foreign workers from Côte d’Ivoire are in a strong position for emigrating from Côte d’Ivoire to Québec, since about one third of Côte d’Ivoire’s population speaks French and French is the primary language used in Québec.

Of course, all of the eligibility requirements must be satisfied in order to be approved for immigration to Québec from Côte d’Ivoire.

It is worth noting that skilled foreign workers are needed all across Canada and there are other Canadian immigration programs available for people who want to live and work outside of Québec in the other Canadian provinces and territories such as the:

How can you know which Canadian immigration program is right for you?

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

You can learn which specific Canadian immigration program you are eligible to apply for, receive assistance in properly preparing your applications and documents for correct submission, and get answers to questions you have about your particular case.

The first step is to receive your Eligibility Evaluation.

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Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support

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!

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The Number of French Speakers in Canada https://canadianvisaexpert.com/population-of-french-speakers-in-canada/ Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:04:46 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=19685

The Number of French Speakers in Canada

English and French are the two official languages in Canada.

Although English is the most widely spoken language in Canada, there are some places where the number of French speakers is higher than English speakers, while other locations have a substantial percentage of French-speaking residents.

Additionally, a significant percentage of the people living in Canada speak both French and English and many can hold a conversation in either language.

This article will discuss the population of French speakers in Canada, including why French is spoken so much throughout the country, so keep reading to learn more details.

Table of Contents

The Number of French Speakers in Canada

The number of French speakers in Canada is around 8.5 million out of a total Canadian population of about 40 million residents.

By comparison, there are approximately 30.2 million English-speaking Canadians.

Furthermore, about 7.2 million Canadians speak both French and English.

What Percentage of Canada Speaks French?

The percentage of French speakers in Canada is around 21.4% whereas English-speakers account for about 75.5% of the Canadian population.

The largest percentage of French speakers in Canada live in Québec, where about 82% of the province’s 8.5 million residents (or around 6.9 million people) speak the French language and approximately 13% (or about 1.1 million individuals) speak English.

New Brunswick has the second highest percentage of French speakers in Canada, with around 30% of the province’s 834,691 residents (approximately 250,407 people) speaking French and about 69% (around 575,936 individuals) speaking English.

Yukon Territory has the third biggest percentage of French speakers in Canada, with about 5% of its 40,232 residents speaking French and around 95% speaking English.

In Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, only 3% of its 15,608,369 residents speak French, but this is approximately 468,251 people, whereas 93% (about 14,515,783 people) speak English.

The percentage of French speakers in Canada’s provinces of Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, as well as Northwest Territories is 3% each.

Two percent of the people living in Canada’s province of Alberta and territory of Nunavut speak French.

The lowest percentage of French speakers in Canada live in British Columbia (one percent), Saskatchewan (one percent) and Newfoundland & Labrador (less than one percent).

It is worth noting that 59.2% of the people living in Québec speak both French and English, compared with 23.1% in Ontario, 5% in British Columbia, 4.0% in New Brunswick, 3.9% in Alberta and 4.8% in the other Canadian provinces and territories.

Furthermore, 18% of the people living in Canada can have a conversation in both French and English:

  • 46.4% living in Québec
  • 34.0% living in New Brunswick
  • 14.2% living in Yukon 
  • 12.7% living on Prince Edward Island
  • 10.8% living in Ontario
  • 10.6% living in Northwest Territories
  • 10.3% living in Nova Scotia
  • 8.3% living in Manitoba
  • 6.6% living in British Columbia
  • 6.1% living in Alberta
  • 5.1% living in Newfoundland & Labrador
  • 4.7% living in Saskatchewan
  • 3.8% living in Nunavut

Thus, there is a significant number of French speakers in Canada, with the most living in:

  • Québec = 6.9 million residents
  • Ontario = 468,251 residents
  • New Brunswick = 250,407 residents

What is The Largest French-Speaking City in Canada?

Montréal (Québec) is the largest French-speaking city in Canada and one of the top French-speaking cities in the world.

Around 71% of the people living in Montréal, Canada’s second most populous city, speak French as their main language, compared with 20.4% who speak English as their primary language, so Montréal has the highest number of French speakers in Canada.

Québec City has the largest percentage of French speakers in Canada of any major city, with 93.7% of its residents speaking French. 

Other cities with a high percentage of French speakers in Canada include Sherbrooke (Québec) with about 89.3% speaking French and Gatineau (Québec) where 77.2% of the residents are French speakers.  

Why is French Spoken So Much in Canada?

Hundreds of years ago, France explored and colonized large areas of what is present-day Canada and the United States, a vast territory which it called Nouvelle-France (“New France”). 

Some of the earliest French settlements were in what is today the Canadian provinces of Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Examples of early French cities in present-day Canada include Québec City, Québec (founded in 1608); Trois-Rivières, Québec (established in 1634); and Montréal (founded in 1642).

The Seven Year’s War, fought by France and Great Britain from 1756 to 1763, ended with the signing of the 1763 Treaty of Paris in which France ceded to Great Britain its New France colony, with the exclusion of the Louisiana Territory. (France ceded its Louisiana Territory to Spain in 1762, but France’s Napoleon Bonaparte convinced Spain’s King Charles IV to cede it back to France in 1800 and then Napoleon sold it to the United States for $15 million in 1803).

Thus, the British took control of present day Canada, which is why English is spoken by most Canadians, however, there were large areas (such as Québec) where the French culture and language were well-established and remain so to this day.

Additionally, many French-speakers have moved to every province and territory to live and work, thereby expanding the population of French speakers in Canada.

The Official Languages Act of 1969 declared English and French as the two official languages of Canada, giving both languages equal status and allowing Canadians to communicate with Canada’s government and access services using either English or French (whichever they prefer).

Conclusion

French is one of the two official languages of Canada (the other being English) and is spoken by around 8.5 million Canadians.

The largest number of French speakers in Canada live in Québec, however, French is spoken by many people in all of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Needless to say, Canadian immigration is an attractive option for many skilled foreign workers and their families who are from French-speaking countries. 

The mostly French-speaking province of Québec has its own Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers, called the Québec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP or RSWP).

There are also Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers who prefer to live and work outside of Québec, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

These Canadian immigration programs generally require that skilled foreign workers have a certain French or English language proficiency level and satisfy other criteria for education, work experience, good health, good character, etc.

The Canadian government is seeking French-speaking skilled foreign workers and is giving special priority to them when issuing Invitations to Apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada.

How can you know which Canadian immigration program you are qualified to apply for?

After all, there are several Canadian immigration programs available to skilled foreign workers and their families and each one has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.

If this seems complicated, don’t worry, because Canadian Visa Expert has the solution!

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

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Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support

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.  

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Quebec: Is It Immigrant-Friendly? https://canadianvisaexpert.com/is-quebec-immigrant-friendly/ Thu, 14 Dec 2023 09:03:37 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=19551

Quebec: Is It Immigrant-Friendly?

When people immigrate to Canada, they naturally hope to be welcomed and feel at home in their new country.

According to the 2019 Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index, Canada was ranked as the #1 most accepting country for immigrants, ahead of Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Sweden – among other countries.

It should not be surprising that Canada is the most immigrant-friendly country in the world, since around 23% of Canadians are foreign-born, Canada was the first country to adopt an official government policy of multiculturalism, and over 450,000 immigrants are welcomed as new Canadian permanent residents each year.

One of the top destinations for immigrants is the French-speaking province of Quebec, which welcomes approximately 50,000 new Canadian permanent residents every year.

Thus, many people wonder: Is Quebec immigrant friendly, too?

This article will discuss immigration to Quebec, with an emphasis on whether Quebec is immigrant friendly, so keep reading to learn more!

Table of Contents

Which is the best city in Quebec for immigration?

Montreal is the top destination for new immigrants moving to Quebec and the #2 most popular place for new immigrants to live in Canada, after #1 Toronto (Ontario) and ahead of #3 Vancouver (British Columbia).

Montreal attracts more immigrants than any other city in Quebec because:

  • Montreal has a strong economy and is a hub for technology, business, finance, education and culture.
  • There are good employment opportunities in Montreal for skilled foreign workers.
  • Most people living in Montreal speak both French and English.
  • Montreal has a low cost of living compared to Toronto and Vancouver.
  • Education in Montreal is world-class and the city is home to top-rated universities, such as McGill University, the University of Montreal and Concordia University.
  • Montreal has many activities available, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
  • Montreal is one of the safest major cities in Canada.
  • 24.3% of the people living in Montreal are foreign-born, so immigrants will feel right at home..
  • Montreal is a diverse city, with 34% of its residents being members of a visible minority (10.3% are Black, 7.3% are Arab, 4.1% are Hispanic, 3.3% are Chinese, and 3.3% are South Asian).

According to a 2023 report, five of the top 10 best cities to raise a family in Canada are in Quebec:

    #1 Trois-Rivières – monthly cost of living for a family of four is $3,388 CAD 

    #2 Québec City – monthly cost of living for a family of four is $4,218 CAD 

    #3 Sherbrooke – monthly cost of living for a family of four is $3,776 CAD 

    #6 Montreal – monthly cost of living for a family of four is $5,763 CAD 

    #8 Gatineau – monthly cost of living for a family of four is $4,663 CAD 

Thus, if you are considering immigration to Quebec and want to live in an immigrant-friendly city, you may want to consider settling in Trois-Rivières, Québec City, Sherbrooke, Montreal or Gatineau.

How immigrant-friendly is Quebec?

Canada is one of the world’s most immigrant-friendly countries and Quebec is one of the most immigrant-friendly Canadian provinces.

Quebec is immigrant friendly in terms of welcoming thousands of immigrants each year and in regards to offering immigrants a high standard of living in Canada.

The Canadian government plans to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2023 and around 50,000 of these newcomers will be moving to Quebec.

Quebec is seeking immigrants and especially French-speaking skilled foreign workers to help the province address its ongoing labor shortage.

One of the most popular ways to apply for immigration to Quebec as a skilled foreign worker is through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP/RSWP).

Keep in mind that skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Quebec will generally need to have at least an intermediate level of French language proficiency (French is the main language used in Quebec, although many people also speak English).

Furthermore, Quebec is immigrant friendly because it offers immigrants a high quality of life.

The cost of living in Quebec, including housing, is generally lower than in other provinces in Canada, such as Ontario or British Columbia, and the salaries in Quebec tend to be higher than other Canadian provinces.

Therefore, immigrants can generally earn more working in Quebec and spend less on housing and other living expenses, which can leave extra money available to save, invest or spend on other things.

Immigrants can receive free or subsidized public healthcare while living in Quebec and have access to quality educational programs.

With good-paying jobs, low cost of living, educational opportunities, universal healthcare, and a low crime rate, it is not surprising that the average life expectancy at birth for people living in Quebec is 83 years! 

Is Quebec open to immigrants?

Not only is Quebec open to immigrants, but the province is actively seeking foreign-born individuals and families for immigration to Quebec so they can contribute to its economy and society.

Thousands of people who are working in Quebec will be retiring this decade, so the demand for skilled immigrants is only expected to grow.

Immigrants are needed in Quebec to help replace retiring workers and to fill new jobs in Quebec that are being created from its growing economy (the second largest economy in Canada, after Ontario).

With nearly one out of four people living in Quebec foreign-born, this diverse province is a place where newcomers can feel welcomed.

Of course, since French is the dominant language used throughout Quebec, it will be easier for immigrants to settle in Quebec, find employment, make friends and become part of Quebec’s society if they possess good French language skills.

Conclusion

So, is Quebec immigrant friendly? The answer is a definite “Yes!”

This is why around 50,000 people from around the world are moving to Quebec each year.

Quebec welcomes immigrants with open arms, has good-paying jobs, affordable housing, low cost of living, and a general high quality of life.

In order for a skilled foreign worker and his or her family to immigrate to Quebec, they will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for one of the Quebec immigration programs, such as the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

There are other Canadian immigration programs available for skilled foreign workers and their family members who prefer to live and work in Canada’s other provinces or territories.

Examples include the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), all three of which qualify for Express Entry to Canada.

How can you know which Canadian immigration pathway is right for you and your family?

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can provide you with a personal eligibility evaluation so you will know your best option for immigration to Canada.

The immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify, to make sure your forms are filed correctly with the required documents and to answer questions you may have about your particular case.

The first step is to receive your eligibility evaluation.

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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. 

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How to Move to Canada as a Psychologist? https://canadianvisaexpert.com/psychologist-jobs-in-canada-for-foreigners/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:49:25 +0000 https://canadianvisaexpert.com/?p=19096

How to Move to Canada as a Psychologist?

Around 19,500 psychologists work in Canada, however, this is not enough to meet the growing demand for mental health professionals across the country.

Research by Statistics Canada reveals that nearly one out of every five people over 12 years of age living in Canada who were surveyed indicated a desire to receive mental health services. 

There are thousands of psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners who satisfy the eligibility requirements for the profession and Canadian immigration.

This article will discuss how to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, Canadian job opportunities, salaries for psychologist jobs in Canada and related topics, so continue reading to learn the essential details!

Table of Contents

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Psychologist?

In order to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, you will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements for Canadian immigration and to legally work in Canada as a psychologist, you must generally satisfy the criteria of the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body.

Canadian immigration programs for psychologists include the:

The general requirements to work in Canada as a psychologist include:

  • Relevant Education:
  • A Doctorate Degree in Psychology is needed to be designated as a psychologist in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
  • A Master’s Degree in Psychology is necessary to be designated as a psychologist in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan.
  • Supervised Practical Experience – Most jurisdictions in Canada require supervised practical experience.
  • Written Examination – The majority of jurisdictions require psychologists to pass the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
  • Oral Examination – Some Canadian provinces require psychologists to pass a board interview and oral examinations.
  • Licensing and Professional Certification – Psychologist is a regulated occupation in most parts of Canada requiring licensing and professional certification by the provincial or territorial regulatory body where the psychologist wants to work in Canada (further details can be found on the website of the relevant regulatory body):
    • Alberta – College of Alberta Psychologists
    • British Columbia – College of Psychologists of British Columbia
    • Manitoba – Psychological Association of Manitoba
    • New Brunswick – College of Psychologists of New Brunswick
    • Newfoundland and Labrador – Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board
    • Northwest Territories – Government of Northwest Territories Registrar of Psychologists
    • Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology
    • Ontario – College of Psychologists of Ontario
    • Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island Psychologists Registration Board
    • Quebec – Ordre des Psychologues du Québec
    • Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan College of Psychologists

Please note that some of the requirements to work in Canada as a psychologist do not have to be satisfied in order to be approved to immigrate to Canada as a psychologist, however, they will ultimately need to satisfied before an individual can legally work in Canada as a psychologist.

Immigration Programs for Psychologists

Federal Skilled Worker Program:

  • At least 67 out of 100 points needed for: education, experience, English/French, age, job offer, and adaptability
  • Need at least one year of full-time paid work experience during the previous 10 years in an eligible occupation 
  • Must score the equivalent of CLB 7 for English or NCLC 7 for French on an approved evaluation test
  • A favorable Education Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed if education was received outside of Canada
  • The skilled foreign worker must show Proof of Funds to support himself/herself and family in Canada
  • Good health, good character and other criteria must be satisfied and the governmental fees need to be paid
  • Application for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is done by creating an online Express Entry profile
  • An Invitation to Apply (ITA) must be received in order to apply for Canadian permanent residency
  • A decision is usually made within six months after the Canadian permanent residency application was filed

Provincial Nominee Program:

  • Eleven Canadian provinces and territories have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
  • Each province/territory that participates in the PNP creates its own eligibility requirements
  • The foreign worker generally must have an eligible occupation that is in-demand in the province/territory
  • A certain level of English or French language skills is normally required (each PNP has its own criteria)
  • The foreign worker must be able to support himself/herself and family after moving to Canada
  • Good health, good character and other criteria need to be satisfied and the governmental fees must be paid
  • A foreign worker will generally apply to the PNP of a province/territory where he/she wants to live in Canada
  • If a provincial nomination is issued, the foreign worker can apply for Canadian permanent residency
  • Once approved for Canadian immigration, the foreign worker will live and work in nominating province/territory

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program

  • At least 50 points are required for a single person or 59 points for an applicant who has a spouse/partner
  • Points can be earned for education, French/English, age, spouse/partner characteristics, age, qualifying job offer in Quebec, work experience, having children, having family who live in Quebec or previous stay in Quebec (for example, as an international student), and possessing sufficient financial resources 
  • A foreign worker must demonstrate that he or she has at least intermediate French language skills 
  • The first step is to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Quebec’s online Arrima portal
  • If an invitation is received, the foreign worker can apply for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ)
  • After receiving the CSQ, the foreign worker can apply for Canadian permanent residency 
  • Good health, good character and other criteria must be satisfied and the governmental fees must be paid
  • If the federal Canadian immigration agency approves the applicant for permanent residency in Canada, he or she will live and work in the province of Quebec

How to Find a Job in Canada?

It is forecast that there will be 18,800 available jobs in Canada for psychologists between now and 2031 and the major shortage of qualified psychologists is expected to continue during this same time period.

The Canadian job prospects for psychologists are “very good” in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, according to Canada’s government.

There are also “good” Canadian job prospects for psychologists in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

In order to legally work in Canada as a psychologist, an individual must meet the requirements of the regulatory body for psychologists in the province or territory where he or she wants to work (this will usually require professional certification and licensure). 

One way to apply for psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners is to use online job search platforms. 

Another Canadian job-seeking method is to create an online LinkedIn profile in order to network with others in the profession.

Employment recruitment agencies can help find psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners using their network of employers.

Where Are Psychologists Paid the Most 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.

How much psychologists earn 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, work for a school or other public agency, etc. 

The provinces and territories where psychologists are paid the most in Canada are:

  • Quebec = median wage of $49.00 CAD per hour
  • Alberta = median wage of $48.08 CAD per hour
  • Manitoba = median wage of $45.55 CAD per hour
  • Yukon Territory = median wage of $43.74 CAD per hour
  • Saskatchewan = median wage of $43.27 CAD per hour

Conclusion

There are thousands of psychologist jobs in Canada for foreigners to choose from and it is forecast that around 18,800 psychologist job openings 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, while the highest median wages for psychologists are in Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon Territory and Saskatchewan.

If you want to move to Canada as a psychologist, you will generally need to be approved for a Canadian immigration program, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Provincial Nominee Program, or Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program.

Before you can legally work in Canada as a psychologist, you will generally need to satisfy the requirements of the relevant regulatory body in the province or territory where you will be employed (this usually results in becoming professionally certified and licensed).

In addition to the opportunity to earn a good living in Canada as a psychologist, when you become a Canadian permanent resident there are many benefits you can receive such as:

  • Living in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
  • Working in Canada for an unlimited time period
  • Receiving free or subsidized public healthcare
  • Gaining access to Canadian education programs
  • Traveling to and from Canada according to the regulations
  • Sponsoring eligible family members for a Canadian visa
  • Having the opportunity to buy a home and/or start a business in Canada
  • Possessing equality and freedoms protected by law in Canada
  • Getting the chance to visit beautiful beaches, parks, forests, mountains, lakes, etc.
  • Applying for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for 3 out of 5 years and meeting other criteria

The first step of the procedure is to find out which Canadian immigration program you are eligible to apply for.

Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility for immigration to Canada and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.

The services offered by Canadian Visa Experts help to simplify the complex immigration process for you and your family, make sure that your forms are filed correctly and you can get answers to questions you have about your particular case.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support

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.

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