Best Places to Live in Canada

For those who are thinking of moving to Canada, this would be a great choice for many reasons. Number one being that Canada is known to be one of the best places to live in Canada as a foreigner.

Canada is also known as a country of immigrants and is recognized as one of the world's most liberal and accepting countries, having over 250 ethnic origins or ancestries. So let’s have a look at where in Canada would be the best place to settle and start a new life.

Top Places to Move to in Canada as a Foreigner

1. Toronto

The city of Toronto is the largest city in Canada and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It is a popular location for business, film production and tourism. With over 600,000 people on the island of Toronto and 2.5 million in the Greater Toronto Area, it is easy to see why this city has grown so rapidly. Being such a large city, Toronto has many different districts each with a unique atmosphere.

2. Vancouver

Immigrants make up the majority of Vancouver's population, and in the last decade, that number has increased by almost 20 percent. The city is truly a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. It is not uncommon to hear people speaking different languages on the street, in shops, or at work.

3. Calgary

The City of Calgary is one of the best places to live in Canada as a foreigner because the city is committed to being a welcoming place for all people and cultures. There are more than 1.2 million immigrants living in Alberta, with more than half being non-permanent residents who have come here to work and study. Immigrants and newcomers are vital to the growth of the city, bringing new ideas, enthusiasm and a commitment to making Calgary an even better place.

Calgary is home to over 200 cultural groups, representing nearly every country in the world. More than 20 percent of Albertans were born outside Canada, speaking over 100 different languages from Arabic to Urdu. Regardless of where the foreign nationals come from or whatever their background, Calgary is committed to making them feel at home.

4. Halifax

Halifax is a port city that is home to a large percentage of the Atlantic provinces' population. Currently, 20 percent of the metro area's population is made up of immigrants who have permanently made Halifax their home.

For those who are seeking a slower pace than Toronto or Vancouver will feel right at home in Halifax. Residents will also enjoy a tight-knit community which ensures a smooth transition into the new country.

5. Ottawa

The population of Ottawa is just under one million people, which makes it the fourth-largest city in Canada. Many immigrants have moved to the city of Ottawa in Canada and it is a place where people speak many languages and also have different religions.

Ottawa is said to have one of the most bilingual cities in North America, where people are able to easily find jobs and housing since it is so close to Toronto and Montreal. A great feature in Ottawa is the transportation, it is one of the best! Whether residents choose to travel by bus, train or taxi, they will have an easy time getting around the city at an affordable rate.

Are You Eligible?

How to Move to Canada as an Immigrant

Canada has over 100 visas and immigration programs, making it almost certain that foreign nationals will find a Canadian visa best suited for them. Let’s take a look at some of the top Canadian programs to choose from.

1. Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to immigrate to a specific province in Canada. Provincial nominees must have the skills and work experience to contribute to the economy of the province or territory they choose to settle in.

Each province has its own program, which allows them to select immigrants who would be most beneficial to their region. This is why skilled foreign workers need to apply to a province where their skills are on the in-demand list.

By doing so, they will increase their chances of receiving a provincial nomination and some Canadian permanent residency.

2. Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a Federal Government program that allows a specific number of new immigrants to settle in the Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) each year. The program's main purpose is to attract people who have the skills to contribute to the growth and development of the region's economy.

There are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration pilot, they are:

1. Atlantic International Graduate Program;
2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program; and
3. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.

3. Express Entry

Express Entry is an electronic immigration system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. It allows the federal government, provincial governments and Canadian employers to recruit foreign workers who qualify under one of the four economic immigration categories: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class or a portion of Provincial Nominee Programs.

Once foreign nationals have been accepted into the Express Entry pool of candidates, their profile will be ranked according to a number of factors such as their age, work experience and language proficiency. Candidates who receive the highest-ranking scores will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada through regular draws from the pool.

If they are successful they will be invited to apply for permanent residence, and have 60 days to submit an online application. If they applied with their spouse or common-law partner, then they must also provide certain documents during this time.

4. Family Sponsorships

For those foreign nationals who have family members living in Canada, they may be able to sponsor them to move to Canada. The person who wants to sponsor the individual must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They must also be at least 18 years old and meet certain income requirements.

The applicant's family member will need to submit a sponsorship application along with their permanent residence application. The family member will also need to promise that they will support the individual financially for up to three years and make sure you do not need social assistance from the government during this time. This is called an undertaking.

What Are the Benefits of Living in Canada as an Immigrant?

Living in Canada as a permanent resident will bring immigrants many benefits, including free universal healthcare for themselves and family members, incredible employee benefits and free public education for their children.

Canada also has 500 immigrant-serving organizations throughout the country. This will help all newcomers to the country settle easier. The organization will help foreigners in Canada with things such as practical job training and language skills in English and French.

There are so many great things about the best places to live in Canada as an immigrant. To get started on the journey to Canada, discover which Canadian visa you are eligible for!

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