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Immigration – Canada

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As some of you know, I’ve been looking into how different countries handle immigration. I’ve decided to document some of the things I find. Otherwise, I’ll likely never remember what I’ve researched.

Today’s post is on Canada. Please note that this post was originally written in April 2019 with periodic updates. Please, check the official government articles for immigration advice.

I’m going to do my best to understand how I can immigrate to the country, but my main interest is to understand how anyone can immigrate to a country.

Immigration opportunities

There are several different entry programs available for Canadian immigration. These include

  • Express Entry for skilled workers
  • Family Sponsorship for spouse, partner, children, parents, and grandparents
  • Start-up Visa, for immigrants interested in starting a business or creating jobs

Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires “earning” a minimum of 67 points out of 100 in a broad ranking between six categories. The categories are

Canadian Language Benchmark (or CLB) points are “earned” based on knowledge of English and French, the two primary languages in Canada. Points are awarded in Speaking, Reading, Listening, and Writing. Maximum of 24 points is awarded in the first language, with an additional 4 points awarded if proficient in the second language.

I’ve not taken the test yet, but it would be my expectation that I’d personally be able to “pass” the English language, obtaining 24 points in this category.

The Education points is “earned” by obtaining degrees. A Bachelor’s degree “earns” 21 points. One year trade school certificate “earns” 15 points. High school education “earns” 5 points.

In my case, a Master’s degree “earns” 23 points.

Work Experience points are “earned” based on the number of years worked in a particular industry, based on a huge list of job codes accepted by Canada. Working six or more years in an industry “gains” fifteen points. One difficulty here is that experience itself (such as experience gained as a volunteer) does not count. You must have worked with a salary for 30 or more hours per week, but working while going to school or being self employed actually counts.

This part was rather complicated. Searching for “cyber security” or “technology management”. In the end, I’ll be eligible for 15 points.

Age is a Big Win if you are young! If you are 35 or less, you’ll gain 12 points! In my case, I’m over 47. I get zero points.

This one is a bit more difficult, since it basically involves having a job offer. I’ll get zero points.

Have a spouse who has great language skills? 5 points. Have relatives in Canada? 5 points. For me? zero points.

Total points

My total points are ( language 24 + education 23 + work experience 15 + age 0 + job 0 + adaptability 0 ) = 62. Wow. I have a great education with a master’s degree in Engineering and a thesis focused in Artificial Intelligence, I have money, I have work experience, and with all those “I’s”, I still don’t have enough points for a visa?

Not the kind of country I am looking for.

Family sponsorship

Family sponsorship is particularly important to me for any country. Without the opportunity of providing immigration to aging family, immigration is kind of useless. In the case of Canada, requires that an individual who is immigrating two parents is making around $40,000 per year for three years. I’m not sure what type of wages are required in Canada, but the number does not look unreasonable.

It is unclear whether the Family Sponsorship prevents family from using the healthcare system, or whether some overarching health insurance program is required.

Startup Visa

The Canadian Startup Visa requires that your business is sponsored by a designated venture capital organization.

Healthcare

According to the Canadian government Healthcare web site, healthcare is available to citizens and permanent residents. Of special interest, “All provinces and territories will provide free emergency medical services, even if you don’t have a government health card. There may be restrictions depending on your immigration status.”

The answer for Canada

It turns out immigration into Canada is not nearly as easy as the kind of open arms I expected to find.

Let me explain. I’m expecting to discover a country with reasonably open borders and reasonably open immigration policies. The criteria I discovered while researching this case indicate that Canada is not nearly as open as I expected.

References

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