When I was 12 years old, I went with my grandparents to visit Canada. I must say that crossing the border there wasn’t much harder than entering Louisiana. I’ve been wondering how difficult it would be for an American to move there. Short of marrying a Canadian, what must one do to get a visa or whatever required permit to stay in Canada? Do you have to have a job first with a company that’ll help you get your visa? Does it require having a rare job skill? Do you have to have a really good reason to move, or will mere desire cut it? I’m simply curious.
Mere desire? No. Rare skill? No. But you have to bring something to the table.
Immigration is a multi step process.
You must be qualified to work in an industry for which there is demand that outstrips the supply of qualified workers already in Canada. You should be able to demonstrate qualifications by producing documentation to indicate that you’re current in your field.
Route A - apply to the federal government as a skilled worker (MD, RN, etc.). Demonstrate ability to communicate, stay healthy, support yourself and family for 6 months, criminal check, etc.
Route B - Immigration is also driven by provincial government identification of demand for certain types of workers. You determine if your services are being sought out by a particular province. If so, you find an employer willing to employ you and sponsor your application for immigration. You submit your credentials and employer sponsor to the provincial government who processes your application. If approved by the province, it is forwarded to the federal government for approval of different criteria.
Upon successfully completing the application process, you’re issued the Canadian equivalent of a green card, a toque and a welcome to (bienvenue a) Canada pamphlet.
Of course, the process is far more complicated than this.
Check it out here. Immigrating to Canada
Excellent link. That pretty much answers all my questions. It seems it’s a bit easier to move to Canada than Antarctica. (Yes, I’ve researched that. I’d love to spend a summer there, but apparently you have to have some major job skills to be considered by RPC.) Thanks.