Are you intending to make a move from Jamaica to Canada? well, Canada is an excellent place to begin that journey. Join the approximately 380,000 Jamaicans who already reside in Canada by applying for more than 100 visas and immigration schemes.
Making a move from one country to another can be a daunting and complex process, but with the right guidance and preparation, you can make the transition to Canada a successful one. This step-by-step guide will help you navigate the immigration process, learn about the Canadian lifestyle, and make the most of your new life in Canada. With the right information and support, you can make a successful and rewarding move to Canada from Jamaica.
Move to Canada from Jamacia – Different pathways
Express Entry
Canada’s Express Entry system is one of the most widely used and fastest entryways into the country. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of foreign nationals choosing Express Entry as a method of entering Canada due to its many benefits. Here are the details:
Currently, there are three programs offered by Express Entry
- FSWP – (Federal Skilled Workers Program) – Any individual who is capable of contributing to the Canadian economy is invited to apply for this program.
- CEC – (Canadian Experience Class) – Through this program, foreign nationals who acquire employment experience in the nation may seek for permanent residency.
- FSTP – (Federal Skilled Trade Program) – Immigrants wishing to work in qualified trade occupations in Canada are eligible to apply for this program.
With Express Entry, you could be granted an ITA in a period of only six months due to the speedy processing times.
Express Entry has a huge advantage over most other Canadian visa programs in that it requires no job offer. Your application will, however, be more likely to succeed if you have a job offer.
Express Entry: How does it work?
If you are found to be qualified, you will be added to the Express Entry pool along with other applicants who have been selected. Based on the CRS score that you will receive, your profile will be ranked within the pool. Draws for Express Entry could happen every two weeks. The CRS score must meet or exceed the qualifying score to receive an ITA. In the event that your profile is unsuccessful in the initial draw, it will keep in the pool for a period of 12 months. Now is the time to take action so that you can improve your CRS rating and increase your chances to immigrate from Jamaica to Canada in 2023. In order to apply for permanent residency, you will need to submit all required supporting documents within 60 days of receiving your ITA.
Apply through PNP – (Provincial Nominee program)
If you want to relocate to a particular province in Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) might be the right choice for you. Foreign nationals may be proposed by local provinces for long-term residence in their jurisdiction as part of a deal with the federal government. The province’s labor market or economy will certainly require you to possess the appropriate skills, knowledge, and education.
Way to apply for PNP
Nominations can be submitted in two ways. Direct applications to the province of your choice or Express entries are your two options. Express Entry will greatly speed up the procedure and save you a ton of time.
Is it surprising to learn that the CRS cut-off scores for the majority of PNP streams are quite low? The CRS cut-off score for Alberta is 300, making it one of the lowest in the country. In other words, if you nominate yourself and earn 600 points, you’re automatically eligible for an ITA.
Family Sponsorship
Having family in Canada might make this program right for you. As part of its Family Sponsorship program, Canada plans to receive 105,000 foreigners by 2022. Under this program, family members are eligible to sponsor applicants for permanent residency. It is important for a sponsor to be:
- Citizen of Canada
- They must be 18 years old or more.
- They must reside in Canada.
Under the Family Sponsorship program, applying for permanent residency can take up to 24 months.
Canadian work permit
Have you ever considered the possibility that a job in Canada could lead to immigration there? A variety of Canadian work visa programs are available depending on the kind of work you will do in Canada.
Open work permits and work visas that are unique to an employer are both available in Canada. They differ in the following ways:
Open work permit – You have the freedom to work for any employer in Canada and anywhere in Canada.
Employer-Specific Work Permit – As a result of this visa, you are restricted from working with certain employers, in certain jobs, and in certain locations.
Here are some ways to request a Canadian work visa.
Open Work permit
Post-graduate work permit
In Canada, if you studied at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you may qualify for a Post-Graduate Worker Permit (PGWP). It usually takes eight to three years for the PGWP visa to expire. This program provides opportunities to gain work experience in Canada and apply for permanent residence in Canada through initiatives such as the Canadian Experience Class.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
With the TFWP, you can apply for a Canadian work visa in several different ways. The aim of this stream is for Canadian companies to hire foreign nationals with in-demand skills. When you work in Canada, a TFWP visa ensures your rights as a worker are protected.
The temporary Foreign Workers Program has several streams:
- Global Talent Stream.
- In-Home Caregivers.
- Foreign Agricultural Workers.
A key thing to remember is that in addition to a work visa specific to your employer, you will also need an LMIA. No Canadians or legal permanent residents are available for the position, so your company must write a letter detailing the situation.
The Jamaican community in Canada
Approximately 80% of Jamaicans in Canada reside in Ontario. International nationals are most prevalent in Ontario. With all that the province has to offer, it’s easy to see why. Known for its pristine and secure environment, Ontario’s culture is highly diversified.
Furthermore, Ontario has a number of high-paying job prospects in sectors such as manufacturing, software development, and mineral extraction. Again, Ontario is a fantastic destination to study because it is home to some of Canada’s top institutions and universities.
There are some well-regarded public schools there that are free for long-term residents, and it has excellent universal healthcare, so it is undoubtedly a destination for families as well.