Is Canada Friendly to Immigrants?
One of the usual challenges for progressive countries is immigration. People from different parts of the world want to get any opportunity that can improve their quality of life. However, with all those different backgrounds, not many countries are really immigration-friendly. So, is Canada friendly to immigrants? The short answer is YES!
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How Do Canadians View Immigration?
For decades, Canada has had a favorable view in terms of immigration. One reason why there are many immigrant-friendly cities in Canada is because of the government’s promotion of multiculturalism.
The policies established are aimed at making diversity a part of Canada’s identity. Furthermore, the positive reception is also due to the proper handling of unauthorized migration. This means that the national security and freedom of the current residents are not being compromised, despite the welcoming nature.
How Are Canadians Friendly to Immigrants?
Is Canada immigration friendly? It has been apparent that Canada’s economic growth for decades is largely attributed to the activity of immigrants. Over the last half-century, the immigration rate is consistently rising to the point that about 25% of the country’s population today is foreign-born.
Aside from the abundance of good Employment Opportunities in Canada, there are also aspects that encourage foreigners to migrate. One good example is the outstanding education system. Canada has one of the best education systems in the world and immigrant students generally do very well in Canadian schools. Another factor is healthcare, which is free or subsidized to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Who Immigrates to Canada and Where Do They Settle?
In 2022, there were around 437,000 foreigners who received permanent residency in Canada. So far, that number is the most ever for Canadian permanent residency granted within a single year. Most of these foreigners came from India, China, The Philippines, and Nigeria. The government has no plans for decreasing that number. In fact, they aim to welcome at least 500,000 immigrants during 2025.
One of the most immigrant-friendly cities in Canada is Ontario. From 2016 to 2021, over 45% of the new Canadian permanent residents who were welcomed settled in Toronto, the country’s largest city. The admission of foreigners to Canadian permanent residency is mostly done through economic pathways. Some are through family sponsorship, while others are refugees and asylum-seekers.
Canada's Immigrant-Friendly Rating
Canada’s image of being immigration-friendly is not only being promoted by hearsay. There are studies and surveys being conducted to measure how welcoming the country is to foreigners who seek permanent residency. The Migrant Acceptance Index of Gallup surveyed the attitudes of Canadians toward immigrants and obtained an overwhelmingly positive perception with a score of 8.46.
Another measurement, the Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) rankings listed Canada as one of the most welcoming nations in the world. With a score of 80 points, Canada ranked 4th among the 52 countries being compared, including powerhouses like the US and the UK. One of the biggest contributing factors is the anti-discrimination policies in Canada.
Conclusion
Canada’s economic progress is due to its success in handling immigration. As other progressive nations struggle to deal with an influx of migrants, Canada serves as a safe haven for those who are looking to improve their quality of life, welcoming over 400,000 new permanent residents each year. Our Visa Expert collaborates with authorized Canadian Immigration Consultants who can provide you with an Eligibility Evaluation and guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is Canada an immigrant-friendly country?
Yes, Canada is an immigrant-friendly country. In fact, it has been so for many years and will likely remain that way in the foreseeable future.
Is Canadian immigration easy?
Immigration to Canada is relatively easy compared with other countries such as the United States. There are many different Canadian immigration programs for different types of immigrants. Moreover, there is almost no reason to illegally enter Canada to reside there since the immigration process is organized and manageable.
Are immigrants happy in Canada?
Immigrants seem to be happy with their residence in Canada. This is because of the great employment opportunities, outstanding education system, public healthcare and overall high quality of life. Furthermore, permanent residents can apply to become Canadian citizens after living in Canada for only 3 years and meeting other criteria.
How long does it usually take to immigrate to Canada?
It usually takes about 6-18 months to immigrate to Canada, depending on which Canadian immigration program you apply for, how long it takes you to do certain things that are required for the procedure, how busy the Canadian immigration agency is with processing applications, and other factors.
