Canadian Citizenship

Attracting over 300,000 immigrants from all over the globe each year, Canada is ranked among the top 10 countries to live in. Canadian cities (such as Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver) have also been included in The Economist's annual list of the world's top 10 most livable cities year after year, while Mercer has rated Vancouver the #1 city in North America for quality of life. Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, but only has 37.7 million people. Needless to say, Canada has plenty of room for immigrants and has been actively seeking skilled foreign workers to contribute to its economy and society. With a thriving economy and breathtaking scenic landscapes, Canadian citizenship offers people a very high standard of living.

Why choose Canadian citizenship

Skilled foreign workers are needed to fill thousands of jobs in Canada in a variety of business sectors. Consequently, several Canadian visa programs have been created which offer skilled immigrants and their families permanent residency in Canada as well as a pathway to Canadian citizenship. Examples include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Provincial Nominee Program, and Quebec Skilled Worker Program. According to the Canadian government, the majority of immigrants moving to Canada as new permanent residents each year are foreign workers and their families who are approved for one of these Canadian visa programs.

Canadian permanent residents can live, work and study in Canada long-term, start a business, buy a home, travel to and from Canada, sponsor family members for a Canadian visa, receive free or subsidized health care, and enjoy other benefits. After living in Canada for three years during a five-year time frame and meeting other requirements, a permanent resident can apply to become a Canadian citizen.

The benefits of Canadian citizenship include having the right to vote in Canada's elections, getting the option to run for public office, and being able to apply for a Canadian passport. If you and your family are looking for employment opportunities, affordable health care, access to quality education, and want to live in a multicultural country that welcomes immigrants and offers them a relatively fast pathway to citizenship, moving to Canada can make your dream become a reality!    

To register for an assessment of your Canadian visa options, click here!  

Employment

According to a survey by Canada's Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 1 out of 20 jobs remains unfilled because of an inability to find suitably-skilled labor. For example, the CFIB reported that 433,000 Canadian jobs in the private sector remained vacant for more than 4 months in the third quarter of 2019. This included Canadian job vacancy rates of 4.7% in the construction industry, 4.0% in the hospitality sector, 3.7% in agriculture, and 2.4% in information technology. Furthermore, millions of workers in Canada are forecast to retire between 2020 and 2030 (i.e., the "Baby Boomer Generation") and it is anticipated that foreign workers will be crucial in helping to fill many of these Canadian job openings. Canada started 2020 with its lowest unemployment rate in four decades, plus there has been an increase in full-time jobs with high-paying positions.

Canada has an impressive trillion-dollar high-tech industry (and an ongoing shortage of high-tech professionals). The country is also rich with natural resources, including iron, diamonds and gold, plus its oil resources are the 3rd largest in the world.

According to Statistics Canada (2020), the median household income after taxes for Canadian families and "unattached individuals" in 2018 was $61,400 per year. As of 2018, the average net worth of Canadian adults ($288,260 USD) was among the highest found anywhere around the globe, according to the Credit Suisse Research Institute's 2018 Global Wealth Report.

Health Care

All Canadian citizens and permanent resident qualify for Canada’s health care system. It is publicly funded and administered on a provincial or territorial basis, within guidelines set by the federal government. Health care coverage includes preventative care, medical treatments, as well as access to hospitals, dental surgery and additional medical services. Canadian citizens have one of the highest life expectancies (about 83 years) and lowest infant mortality rates of any of the industrialized countries. 

Education

Canada has been delivering a high-quality education to people between the ages of 5 and 25 with comparatively modest spending. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports, "In Canada, 91% of adults aged 25-64 have completed upper secondary education, well above the OECD average of 78%." Furthermore, the average Canadian student scored 523 in math, reading literacy and science on the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which is higher than the OECD average score of 486, "making Canada one of the strongest OECD countries in students’ skills" (OECD Better Life Index, 2019). The data also shows that the children of new immigrants have PISA test scores comparable to their classmates within three years of moving to Canada. Not only that, Statistics Canada reports (2019) that 43% of the children of immigrants have received a university degree compared with 29% of children born in Canada. 

When it comes to post-secondary education, Canada is also a global leader. For example, 63% of adults living in Canada between 25 and 34 years of age have completed a post-secondary (tertiary) education, which is the second highest percentage in the OECD after South Korea; however, 59.4% of adults living in Canada 25-64 years of age have received a tertiary education, which is the highest percentage in the OECD. It is worth noting that several of Canada's institutions of higher education are listed each year among the world's top 100 best universities including the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University and the University of Montreal. As a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, you and your family can have access to the many educational opportunities that are available throughout Canada which can enhance your career options for a lifetime.       

Immigrants Welcomed

Canada is a multicultural country, not only because 22% of the country's 37.7 million residents are foreign-born, but also since the Canadian government has an official policy of multiculturalism dating back to 1971. Thus, Canada has 2 official languages, English and French; however, with the high diversity of immigrants living in Canada, there are also many other languages spoken. Multiculturalism is, therefore, well-engrained in the country, with widespread acceptance of people from all different races and religions. For example, Gallup published the results of its survey of people in 144 countries in September 2020, and named Canada as the "most-accepting country for migrants in the world" after it received the highest score on its Migrant Acceptance Index. In sum, Canada is a country where the majority of people and government leaders welcome immigrants and where Canadian citizenship is available to people from around the world!  

What Canadian Citizenship Offers You

• A Large Economy – Canada has the world's 10th largest economy according to the World Bank and is a member of the OECD and G7 countries with the most advanced economies.

• Public Healthcare – The health care system is publicly funded and mostly free for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This world-class system is highly-valued by Canadians.

• High Level of Education – The OECD reports that "Canada is a top-performing country in terms of its educational system." Canadian students have higher PISA scores than the OECD average and Canada is ranked #1 by the OECD for the percentage of adults 25-64 years of age with a tertiary education. 

• Quality of Life – Canada was ranked #1 for quality of life in a 2020 global survey of 20,548 people by US News & World Report, the Wharton School and BAV Group. Canada was also rated the #3 best country for expats to live and work abroad by the 2019 HSBC Expat Explorer Survey of 18,059 people worldwide.

• Retirement Pension – Immigrants living in Canada are entitled to a state pension and other benefits.

• Canadian Passport –  After permanent residents live in Canada for at least 3 years in a 5 year time period and satisfy other criteria, they can apply for Canadian citizenship. When an immigrant becomes a citizen of Canada, he or she can vote in elections, run for public office, and receive a Canadian passport.

Learn more about the Canadian visa requirements and visa types.

DISCLAIMER: This guide is not and shall not be considered as professional or expert advice.