Ways of Immigrating to Canada

What You'll Find on this Page . . .

• On this page you will find links to the government website where you can read the official information on how to apply to immigrate to Canada.
• The comments on this page are the personal view of one Canadian who sees the news, and hears the stories. It is offered as a public service
• to those who wish to be informed about what has been happening to those who, in the past, have applied to immigrate as Skilled Professionals.
• Also included here are links to recent and past news stories on the topic of immigrating to Canada as a foreign-trained professional.

Four Ways to Immigrate to Canada

1. Immigrating as a Foreign-Trained Professional
   
2. As a Foreign Student Graduating from a Canadian Program with Canadian Work Experience
   
3. Being Sponsored as a Family Member
   
4. The Quebec Option
   

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Immigrating as a Foreign-Trained Professional

For experienced professionals, one would think this would be the preferred way of immigrating to Canada. In reality, however, this can be one of the most frustrating ways to enter Canada. That is because the professional associations in Canada which license those who work in their professionas can have a very narrow self-interested view. They tend to see newcomers as competition for professional jobs. It appears to be a matter of protecting their turf.

Many qualified professionals who have been fast-tracked to Canada by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration on the basis of their qualifications have high hopes of getting work. But they come up against a wall when they arrive and see all the hoops they have to go through. They are required to find a residency in a hospital and there are very few of these spots, which are controlled by the medical schools.

The situation defies logic. It's impossible to describe all the blocks that one can come up against in trying to become licensed to practice in Canada. It seems to boil down to the problem of getting licensed. If you cannot get licensed by the association which governs your profession, you can't work in your field.

Government Policy vs. Professional Associations Policy

This route of immigrating as a skilled professional, can take years, because even though you have foreign qualifications, and may have many years of experience in your country, the associations can require you to re-train to get Canadian qualifications before they will license you. Even then, you may not be given a license. The requirement to have Canadian work experience sees many professionals volunteering their time, just to be able to prove they have Canadian work experience.

Membership in professional associations is a requirement, which may not be mentioned, when you are applying to come to Canada. You are on your own in dealing with these associations. The government has allowed these organizations to function as the sole arbiters in deciding, whom they will allow to practice in the professions under their control.

The situation, as it stands, is that the government will admit you to work in Canada, because you have the qualifications that are in short-supply. But once you arrive, trying to find anyone who will hire you in your profession without being admitted to your association, is another story.

Some professionals take the Canadian Experience Class route, and come in as students, without bothering to apply as Skilled professionals.

The Wheels of Government Move Very Slowly

Here are some stories that you can read to give you an idea of what is happening to doctors and medical graduates who immigrate using this route.

Why Can't This Foreign-trained MD get work?
Frustrated Foreign Doctors Leave Canada for the US
Alternatives for Foreign-Trained Doctors
Canada a Closed Door for International Medical Graduates
Why Canada Is Shutting Out Overseas Doctors
Foreign workers to get credentials quicker

The Current Situation in 2010

The government is still dragging it's feet and allowing the associations to dictate whom they will allow to work in Canada.

Meanwhile, any number of qualified professionals, who have been admitted to Canada on the basis of their professional training and experience are driving taxis, and working in restaurants as waiters, delivering pizza, and doing anything they can to pay the rent and put food on the table.

Their only consolation is that, at least they are living in Canada. Canada is one of the safest and cleanest places in the world you can choose to live. It also has Universal Health Care, with a publicly funded Health Care System.

Moving to the USA

The USA has been active in recruiting many of these professionals who can't find a position in their profession in Canada. There have been success stories for those who are willing to leave Canada and go south.

Key Websites

Economic Immigration
Applying to Come to Canada as a Skilled Professional
Who Can Apply?
How to Apply?
After Applying
Frequently Asked Questions
Using the Working in Canada Tool

The Working In Canada Tool

The The Working in Canada Tool can help you to decide where to live and work, and what kinds of jobs are out there. It's important to find the right job for you. It's a mistake to train in something just to get into a program. Think long-term. You want a program that will set you up for a lasting long-term job.

With this tool you can generate your own report on job descriptions, wages, skill requirements, language training and job opportunities based on the occupations you choose. Generate as many reports as you want. Look at many different types of work that interest you.

By using this tool you can research different occupations and different locations to work in Canada. It will help you make decisions that are right for you and your family.

How to use the Working in Canada tool

Direct Link to the tool itself

THE QUEBEC OPTION

There is another route to enter Canada, which French speakers and others may want to look into.
It is through the French-speaking province of Quebec which has its own rules and regulations.

For information on the Quebec Option:

1. Why Choose Quebec?
   
2. Notice About Using Intermediaries
   
3. Immigrating to Quebec
   

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Be Careful of Immigration Fraud

You don't need to pay anyone to get you into Canada. Things don't work that way in Canada. It's all done by the legal route. Always be honest and straight with the government of Canada. Go by the regulations. Watch this video of what happened to this family.

Becoming Canadian: Combatting Immigration Fraud
More Information on Scams