When people start dreaming of a new life in Canada, they usually want to move to Vancouver, Toronto or Ottawa, the most popular destinations in the country.
What they may not know, however, is that there are tons of opportunities available in other cities or provinces across Canada, where immigration and job-hunting will be quicker and easier.
If applicants are young professionals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, they have a better chance of immediately immigrating to one of the bigger cities. If they don’t, Canada is opening its doors to people who are willing to consider other provinces as well.
For those who have only a high school diploma, the best path to citizenship is by going to where the jobs are, says Rachel Gary, COO of Canada Direct. “Be flexible about where you’re willing to move to,” she says.
Prairie provinces may be seen as too cold or rural, but there are many benefits to moving to places like Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Manitoba has the most lenient eligibility requirements because it needs people the most, Gary says. It’s also the only province that does not require applicants to pass an English language test. Saskatchewan is also making it easier for people to immigrate there.
Gary suggests that applicants start in Manitoba or Saskatchewan, then once they have earn enough points to get resident status, they can apply for jobs in other provinces.
“We can submit their application to move to Vancouver right from the start but I can almost guarantee they won’t be in the pool,” she says. “We always tell them the truth because immigrating to Canada is not a cheap process. We don’t want to submit people’s applications and not get them here. If they only have a high school diploma and want this opportunity to come to Canada, they have to go to Manitoba.”
It also depends on the type of work people are willing to do. If they agree to work in the fields with the most demand, they can get their start in Canada and earn the points that lead to residency.
To find out more about how Canada Direct can set you on the path to Canadian citizenship, visit www.canada-direct.com.
