Immigrate to Canada from Philippines
Canadian immigration for Filipinos is made simple with our 3-step procedure.
In this article, you’ll learn everything there is to know about how to immigrate to Canada from The Philippines. Immigrating may be on your radar for many reasons and we’ve included all the major requirements and visa options for you to consider.
The process takes a long time to complete, and even if you meet all the eligibility requirements, you’ll still need to undergo medical examinations, interviews, and documentation of your personal history.
Whether you want to move to Canada permanently or you’re just looking for a better financial and political future, migrating from The Philippines to Canada is not an easy thing to accomplish.
Here are some key things you must know about how to immigrate to Canada from The Philippines before moving forward with your plans.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Immigrate to Canada from The Philippines?
Canada is well-known as one of the world’s most diverse multicultural countries. With its natural beauty, international cuisine, cosmopolitan cities and employment opportunities, Filipinos consider Canada as their top destination to live, study, and work.
However, starting a new life in another country is never easy. It’s an important decision that every individual or family considering moving needs to carefully think through and plan for.
According to Wikipedia, there are 780,100 Filipinos living in Canada, making them the third-largest Asian group in the country. The question is, why do Filipinos choose Canada instead of any other country in the world?
Canada offers jobs to people without discriminating against them for their race, age, religion, and gender, allowing everyone to work if they’re qualified. Canada also provides:
- A social insurance number.
- Health insurance card.
- A driver’s license.
- Free public education for children aged 5-17.
- And a free healthcare system.
What Are the Options for Immigrating to Canada from The Philippines?
There are several options for you to consider if you’re planning to move from The Philippines to Canada. These are:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Family Sponsorship Program
- Business Immigration Program
- Canadian Experience Class Program
Requirements to Move from The Philippines to Canada
There are several requirements for each Canadian immigration program.
Express Entry
The Express Entry system makes it easier for skilled immigrants to apply for permanent residence in Canada. In general, the following steps are involved:
- Evaluate your relevant details to see if you’re qualified to apply under any of the three Express Entry programs.
- Prepare all the necessary documents to confirm that you fulfill your selected program’s requirements.
- Create an Express Entry profile. The program utilizes a point system, which ranks you in the “pool” based on your score for different factors. If you receive an Invitation to Apply, you must file your Application for Canadian Permanent Residency within 60 days.
Federal Skilled Worker Program Requirements
- One year of relevant and paid work experience within the last ten years.
- Language test with CLB 7 scores in all four skills.
- Diploma from a post-secondary school or a Canadian high school.
- At least 67 points for six selection factors.
- Admissible to Canada.
- No intention of working or living in Quebec.
- Proof of Funds.
Federal Skilled Trades Program Requirements
- Two years of relevant and paid work experience in the past five years.
- Meet the job requirements for the selected skilled trade.
- A job offer for one year or a Certificate of Qualification in the selected skilled trade given by a Canadian authority.
- No education requirement, but it can enhance your Express Entry score.
- Language test with CLB 4 for writing and reading and CLB 5 for speaking scores.
- Proof of Funds.
- You need to be admissible to Canada.
- No intention of working or living in Quebec.
Canadian Experience Class Requirements
- One year of work experience in Canada in one of these categories: professional, managerial, skilled trades, or technical jobs.
- Work experience legally acquired in Canada.
- Language tests with CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
- Admissible to Canada.
- No intention of working or living in Quebec.
Which Visa Should You Apply for to Move from The Philippines to Canada?
While there are several ways to immigrate to Canada, and you may qualify for more than one visa program, we recommend going through the Express Entry system, since it is the quickest way to obtain your permanent resident visa.
These are the key visa programs that Canada offers to immigrants:
Express Entry
The Express Entry system lets you live in Canada permanently. You have these three Canadian immigration options under the Express Entry system:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Visa Program uses the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) to rank candidates who plan to settle permanently in Canada. Federal Skilled Workers do not need to have Canadian work experience to be considered for the Express Entry pool, unlike candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.
Instead, applicants must obtain a minimum score based on qualifications such as education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The FSTP is intended for foreign nationals seeking immigration to Canada who have experience in relevant trade occupations. To guarantee that the nation attracts and retains a talented workforce, the Canadian Federal Skilled Trades Visa Program provides potential immigrants with the chance to quickly become permanent residents of Canada.
Canadian Experience Class
The CEC is made explicitly for applicants for permanent residency who have work experience in Canada that was acquired under a temporary work visa.
Temporary foreign employees can quickly transition towards becoming permanent residents, and eventually, Canadian citizens, because they are probably already assimilated into Canadian society and have support systems. The CEC gives them a route to take to reach this objective.
Home Support Worker and Child Care Provider Programs
To assist elders, those with disabilities, and people going through rehabilitation, home support workers offer companionship and personal care during recovery periods, incapacity, and family disruption. Meal preparation, feeding, bathing, changing clothes, giving medication, and other standard housekeeping tasks are among the responsibilities.
In addition to helping parents with caring for children, in-home childcare workers may be asked to assist with household chores.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
The Provincial Nominee Program enables Canadian territories and provinces to recommend people who want to immigrate to Canada and intend to settle in a particular province or territory. Nunavut and Quebec are the only two exceptions. The PNP’s main objective is to attract foreign workers who have the occupations and skills that are needed in specific areas of Canada by offering them and their family members Canadian permanent residency.
Quebec Immigration Program
The Quebec Immigration Program is an application process only for skilled workers who plan to become Canadian permanent residents and live in Quebec. The Government of Canada has a special agreement with Quebec regarding immigration to this French-speaking province. The province has specific rules for selecting immigrants who adjust well to living there.
How to Apply for a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa from The Philippines
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before doing anything else, check if you’re eligible for a permanent residency visa. This will rely on different factors, including:
- Age
- Career/job/profession
- Marital status
- Work experience
- Level of qualification
- Proficiency in the English or French language
Step 2: Choose a Visa Program
The second step is to choose which visa program you’ll proceed with.
Step 3: Gather Your Documentation
The third step is gathering all the necessary documents and preparing to apply.
Step 4: Apply
One of the best things about the Federal Skilled Worker Visa Program is that you can apply online. All you need to do is to create an online profile with your professional and personal information, and if you have 67 points or more (based on six factors), you could be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates:
- Language Ability (Max 28 Points)
- Age (Max 12 points)
- Work Experience (Max 15 points)
- Education (Max 25 points)
- Arranged Employment (Max 10 points)
- Adaptability (Max 10 points)
Philippines to Canada Immigration: How Much Does It Cost?
To immigrate to Canada, a single applicant would require about CAD 15,420 in total, including government fees, evidence of funds, and other costs. A couple would require about CAD 20,000, and a family of four would require about CAD 30,000.
The Bottom Line
Moving is usually a complicated process, but when you add the Canadian visa procedure, it can genuinely become overwhelming. Most people seeking to move to Canada do not have prior knowledge about these issues, which is why it’s okay to ask for help throughout the process to make things easier.
If you’re unsure about all of this and need assistance to immigrate to Canada from The Philippines, Canadian Visa Experts can provide professional services to obtain a permanent resident visa.
Canadian Visa Expert makes the process easy and affordable!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
How much will it cost to move from The Philippines to Canada?
Roughly CAD 15,420 for one person to cover the costs.
Who can immigrate to Canada from The Philippines?
Express Entry applicants should ideally be under 40 years old, possess at least a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree, speak English/French at a moderate to advanced level, and have 1-2 years of work experience in an eligible occupation.
How long does it take to get a visa from The Philippines to Canada?
It takes around 6-18 months for a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa.
What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada from The Philippines?
Using the Express Entry system is easiest.
Is Canada friendly to Filipino immigrants?
Yes. It's a diverse and beautiful country that welcomes immigrants, has vast opportunities and is safe for residents.
Where do most Filipinos live in Canada?
Filipinos primarily reside in Vancouver, but many live in Toronto, Calgary and other cities.
How do I immigrate to Canada with a Philippines passport?
You must send an application for a work visa or permanent resident visa.
