When moving to a new country, nothing is more important than having a job offer waiting for you when you arrive.
But that’s not always the case. If you’re determined to make Canada your new home, there are ways to immigrate without a job offer successfully. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible with careful planning and perseverance.
Here are some options you can consider:
1. Express Entry
It is the most common way to immigrate to Canada without a job offer. Express Entry is a program that evaluates your skills and experience to see if you’re a good fit for one of the many jobs available in Canada.
- The first step is to create an Express Entry profile. This will include your age, education, work experience, language skills, and other important information.
- Once you’ve created your profile, you’ll be placed in a pool of candidates. The government will then assess all of the profiles in the pool and choose the best candidates for specific jobs.
- If you’re chosen, you’ll be invited to apply for permanent residency. And if you’re not chosen, you can reapply every 12 months.
Categories of Express Entry
There are three categories of Express Entry:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
This program is for people with skills and experience in occupations in high demand in Canada.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
This program is for individuals with experience in skilled trades, such as construction or welding.
3. Canadian Experience Class
This program is for those with experience working in Canada and have the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the Canadian workforce.
Requirements for Express Entry
To qualify for this pathway, you must meet the following requirements:
- Valid passport or travel document
- With a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation
- Have completed a degree or diploma from a recognized institution
- Canadian Immigration Points System score of at least 67 points
- Medical exam and police check
Note: Your medical test should be conducted by an authorized physician, like gtamed.ca, to be considered valid.
Provincial Nominee Programs
If you don’t qualify for Express Entry, you can still immigrate to Canada through a provincial nominee program.
Each province has its own program, and each one has different requirements. But most programs require that you have a job offer in the province. However, there are exceptions. Some regions don’t need a job offer, including:
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Alberta PNP through Express Entry
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
- Prince Edward Island PNP through Express Entry
- Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
Requirements for Provincial Nominee Programs
The requirements for provincial nominee programs vary from province to province, but some general requirements are common to all programs as follows:
- A province or territory in Canada nominated you.
- You have the skills, education, and work experience needed to succeed in Canada
- You have the capacity to support yourself and your family financially.
- Be healthy and have no criminal record (See more info here about panel-approved physicians for the immigration medical test)
- Pass a language test
3. Investor Program
If you have a lot of money, you can immigrate to Canada through the investor program. This program is for those interested to invest in Canada and create jobs. The investment amount varies depending on the province but is usually around $200,000.
If you’re accepted into the investor program, you’ll get permanent residency and can bring your family with you. But you still need to meet the other requirements, such as language skills and criminal record check.
Keep in Mind
No matter which program you choose or are eligible for, you must meet the basic requirements, including proof of identity and citizenship, medical exam and police check, language test, and money to support yourself and your family.
A panel-approved physician should conduct your medical exam, such as GTA Immigration Medical Markham. Visit their website to see immigration medical exam prices in Markham. In addition to all these requirements, you must also prepare for your physical health because failing the medical test can lead to your application getting refused.
If you can, hire an immigration lawyer or consultant to help you with your application. They will ensure you have everything you need and help you navigate the complex immigration process.
