While the Canadian warmth and politeness is legendary, the country has gone a step further by shining as a beacon of hope for expats who desire to work in Canada.
Expats in Canada are welcomed with open arms by the government even as other western countries are moving towards more restrictive immigration policies. Over the next three-year period, Canada work visa will be granted to over a million people from around the world through its Multi-Year Immigration Level Plan.
The country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, an erstwhile Somali refugee himself, said, “Immigrants and their descendants have made immeasurable contributions to Canada, and our future success depends on continuing to ensure they are welcomed and well-integrated.”
“Growing immigration levels, particularly in the economic class, will help us sustain our labour force, support economic growth, and spur innovation,” he mentioned in his department’s annual report.
So, for those who have nurtured a dream of living abroad, the current opportunities to work in Canada seems to be ideal. With the country looking to add 330,800 skilled permanent residents in 2019, 341,000 in 2020, and up to 370,000 in 2021, jobs in Canada for foreigners is bound to rise.
The gateway to Canada’s work visa
A majority of the new permanent residents are expected to obtain Canada’s work visa through economic expat programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class and Federal Skilled Trades Class under the Express Entry System and Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Work permit in Canada can be obtained under the Express Entry System, one of the main driver of economic migration to Canada. Eligible candidates are slotted in a pool based on points awarded for various human capital factors, including education, work experience, age, and language proficiency.
The highest scoring applicants are then invited to apply for permanent residency (PR) and granted work permit in Canada via regular draws from the pool.
Under the PNP, participating provinces and territories can nominate a fixed number of economic expat candidates every year for PR, and Canada’s work visa. Each participating province can also nominate Express Entry candidates for PR. Such candidates receive additional points and are fast-tracked under Canada’s immigration policy.
The requirements for Canada’s work visa
Canada’s immigration policy favours candidates who are young, possess a sound educational qualification, have skilled work experience and are proficient in English or French. These are considered the ideal mix of ‘haves’ to attain work permit in Canada and maximise the new entrants’ contribution to the Canadian economy.
According to government data from January to October 2018, software engineers, computer programmers, IT analysts and consultants, accountants and finance professionals, advertising/marketing and public relations professionals, professors/teachers, and administrative assistants top the list of jobs in Canada for foreigners. And expats in Canada were invited to apply for PR through Express Entry in 2018.
Through the Express Entry system, Canada work permit processing time for skilled expats is expedited within six months, something which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says it can achieve 80% of the time.
Expats in Canada who receive PR can sponsor spouses/partners, children, parents, and grandparents under the Family Sponsorship Program. Of the figures mentioned, a target of 88,500 in 2019 and 91,000 in both 2020 and 2021 has been set for sponsored 2 land of new beginnings, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, praised the country’s “extraordinary generosity, openness, and willingness” to help displaced people.
Those who work in Canada and are away from family can take advantage of Xpress Money to remit funds back home. Just like the diversity seen in Canada, Xpress Money connects people in over 170 countries through 200,000 network partners.
