10 Reasons to Apply for a Canada Visa in 2020 and Beyond
October 27, 2022
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Want to immigrate to Canada but aren’t sure if now is the right time to apply for a Canada visa? Although 2020 has thrown some curveballs, it certainly is not devoid of opportunities and the Canadian government has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that all visa applicants continue on their Canadian journey, no matter the current restrictions that we are facing on a global level. So, let's take a look at why now, even more than ever, it is indeed the opportune time to start your Canada visa application process.
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At the moment, the focus has been on issuing temporary foreign work visas, Express Entry provincial nominee applicants, in other words, those who have applied through an Express Entry immigration category linked to a specific province or territory, as well as those who have applied for their Canada visa under the Express Entry Canada Experience Category, which is designated to those who have at least one year of Canadian work experience.
Studying in Canada also gives you the opportunity to stay on after you graduate through programs such as the Post Graduate Worker Permit Program (PGWPP), which will give you the chance to accumulate enough work experience so that you can then apply for Canadian permanent residence.![girl holding Canada flag at sunset | 10 reasons to Apply for a Canada Visa in 2020]()
While countries like the US have temporarily closed their borders to all immigrants and green card holders, Canada maintains its pro-immigration stance and continues to take a stride in reaching its immigration goals of inviting 1 million newcomers to Canada by 2020. Although Canada's travel restrictions currently remain intact, essential temporary workers in food processing and agricultural industries, are currently permitted to migrate to Canada without a Labour Market Assessment (LMIA), which usually requires Canadian employers to list or advertise job vacancies in Canada for at least 3 months before offering a position to an international candidate.
It is important to note that all people entering Canada, including temporary workers, are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. The Canadian government has however made provisions in the form of COVID-19 relief funds, which allocates $1,500 per person to cover everyday expenses while they are waiting to start work.
If you’re planning to start a family, you can rest assured that you won’t have to worry about where your next paycheck will come from while you are taking care of your new bundle of joy. Both parents have access to paid parental leave, with mothers receiving between 33 and 55% of their average earnings for anywhere between 35 and 61 weeks. And what's more, fathers or “non-birthing” parents have access to 5 extra weeks' leave!![happy family walking down pathway in park | 10 reasons to Apply for a Canada Visa in 2020]()
Our Government is run by a liberal government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the helm, and is a representative democracy, which means that every Canadian citizen has the right to elect the person that they want to represent them at all levels, whether at a federal, provincial/territorial and municipal level. Canada’s liberalism also extends to the LGBTQ+ community. Canada was the fourth country globally to legalize same-sex marriage and hold some of the biggest Pride celebrations in the US.
The government also has various immigrant support programs, such as The Newcomers Support Program, designed to help make integration into Canadian communities easier, offering advice on everything from insurance services, taxes, and mortgages to how to get a driving license, social insurance, and health care, and much more. There are also various associations and online communities for people from all over the world. Here are a few are just a few: Nigerian Canadian Association WaKenya Canada India Canada Association Asian Canadian Communities (including, China, Japan, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities).![woman on beach at sunset bright future concept | 10 reasons to Apply for a Canada Visa in 2020]()
With immigration targets set at 341,000 by the end of 2020, this total is set to increase by 10,000 annually in the upcoming years. The Government has also expressed the following proposed improvements to the Canadian immigration system at the time of the 2019 elections:
Don't risk your chances of living your Canadian dream. Let us make sure that all forms are completed correctly and sent in on time. Simply fill out our application form to receive your assessment today and take one step closer to a liberal life in Canada.
10 Great Reasons to Apply for Your Canada Visa in 2020 and Beyond
1. Canada Continue to Process Visa Applications
While other countries have either reduced the number of visas processed or quite simply put a halt on most visa applications, Canada continues to process visa applications and has been issuing close to 4,000 invitations for permanent residency, every two weeks, through the Express Entry system alone.At the moment, the focus has been on issuing temporary foreign work visas, Express Entry provincial nominee applicants, in other words, those who have applied through an Express Entry immigration category linked to a specific province or territory, as well as those who have applied for their Canada visa under the Express Entry Canada Experience Category, which is designated to those who have at least one year of Canadian work experience.
2. The Application Process Takes Time
Applying for a visa to any country takes time and although the Canadian immigration service has an exceptional reputation as being one of the quickest and most efficient immigration systems in the world, visa applications generally take anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on what type of Canada visa you are applying for as well as where you are applying to immigrate to Canada from. Below are some of the average visa processing times:| Average Visa Processing Times | |
|---|---|
| Immigration Program/Visa | Average Processing Time |
| Express Entry | 6 months |
| PNP’s Online/Express Entry Route) | 6 months |
| PNP’s Paper Process(Non-Express Entry Route) | 15 - 19 months |
| Self Employed Persons | 22 months |
| Start-up Visa | 12 - 16 months |
| Atlantic Immigration Pilot | 6 months |
| Temporary Work Visas | 10 weeks |
| Student Visa | 3 - 17 weeks |
| Visitor Visa | 8 - 130 days |
| Super Visa | 154 days |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) | 49 weeks |
| Family Sponsorship(spouse/common-law partner) | 12 months |
| Family Sponsorship(parents or grandparents) | 20 - 24 months |
3. Unbelievable Opportunity
Canada has an array of fantastic opportunities, from studying to working in Canada.Work
With the 10th largest economy in the world and over 290,000 new jobs created in May 2020 alone (according to Statistics Canada) the opportunities are boundless, particularly in provinces such as Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. To find out where in Canada your next work opportunity lies, visit our blog here.Study
Studying in Canada is another fantastic opportunity for immigrants who strive to acquire a world-class education but also have the opportunity to stay on and eventually get Canadian permanent residency. It is, however, important to start to apply for your Canada visa at least 8 - 10 months before your education program begins, in other words, if you intend to enroll at your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in 2021, it best to start your visa application now so that you don’t experience any delays.Studying in Canada also gives you the opportunity to stay on after you graduate through programs such as the Post Graduate Worker Permit Program (PGWPP), which will give you the chance to accumulate enough work experience so that you can then apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Business
Canada also allows entrepreneurs and business professionals to immigrate to Canada through the Start-up Visa program. Immigrant businesses have been rated as much more successful than native-owned businesses in Canada and are proven to provide a wealth of employment opportunities, which is why Canada actively supports innovative foreign business ventures. And to top things off, small business owners can now enjoy lower tax rates and save up to $7,500 in taxes every year!4. Border Remains Open for Temporary Workers
While countries like the US have temporarily closed their borders to all immigrants and green card holders, Canada maintains its pro-immigration stance and continues to take a stride in reaching its immigration goals of inviting 1 million newcomers to Canada by 2020. Although Canada's travel restrictions currently remain intact, essential temporary workers in food processing and agricultural industries, are currently permitted to migrate to Canada without a Labour Market Assessment (LMIA), which usually requires Canadian employers to list or advertise job vacancies in Canada for at least 3 months before offering a position to an international candidate.It is important to note that all people entering Canada, including temporary workers, are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. The Canadian government has however made provisions in the form of COVID-19 relief funds, which allocates $1,500 per person to cover everyday expenses while they are waiting to start work.
5. Higher Salaries
Canada continues to offer attractive salaries for both skilled and unskilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada, particularly jobs in Canada that are in high demand. With an amazing $14 per hour wage average and an average salary of $52,600 per year, you’ll have plenty of extra money to invest in your and your family’s future such as purchasing that home you’ve always dreamed of, taking a well-deserved family vacation or contribute towards your child’s tertiary education fund.6. Fantastic Work Benefits
Canada not only has a wealth of lucrative job opportunities but fantastic work benefits too. Jobs in Canada usually offer amazing packages including additional private health coverage, life and job insurance, vehicle allowances and training expenses, and much more. When you start working in Canada, you will be able to enjoy shorter working hours and longer paid vacations. On average, most people work a 36 to 40 hour week and you could enjoy two to three weeks of paid vacation annually, depending on your occupation.If you’re planning to start a family, you can rest assured that you won’t have to worry about where your next paycheck will come from while you are taking care of your new bundle of joy. Both parents have access to paid parental leave, with mothers receiving between 33 and 55% of their average earnings for anywhere between 35 and 61 weeks. And what's more, fathers or “non-birthing” parents have access to 5 extra weeks' leave!
7. High Quality of Life
Free Healthcare and Education
Canada is known for its high quality of living. With free world-class healthcare and education systems, you can rest assured that both you and your loved ones will receive the best of healthcare as well as an exceptional foundation education so that your children can start off their post-secondary education by putting their best foot forward.Safety
With low unemployment rates comes low crime rates, making Canada one of the safest places for you and your family to relocate to in 2021 and if you start the process of applying for your Canada visa in 2020, you could potentially start your new life in Canada as early as February of next year.Great Work-Life Balance
Canada is not only known for its high level of work satisfaction and a low-stress lifestyle too. 90% of Canadians have reported that they are content at work, which is extremely impressive considering that the global average is 65%. Canadians also lead much healthier lifestyles, which is no surprise when you have 48 national parks to explore, along with a glorious expanse of mountain ranges, landscapes, and waterfalls that will quite simply take your breath away. Oh, and did we mention that Canada has 4 beautiful seasons to enjoy? What more could you ask for?8. Progressive Liberal Democratic Government
With ongoing racial and political unrest taking the world by storm, Canada is fast becoming one of the most liberal, tolerant, and democratic places to live in. While other countries such as the US see immigration as a burden on the economy, Canada’s pro-immigration stance stands strong and is seen as a key component to boosting the economy and filling the current gap in the labour gap caused predominantly by earlier retirement and a decreasing birth rate. According to US News, Canada is ranked as the most politically stable country in the world.Our Government is run by a liberal government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the helm, and is a representative democracy, which means that every Canadian citizen has the right to elect the person that they want to represent them at all levels, whether at a federal, provincial/territorial and municipal level. Canada’s liberalism also extends to the LGBTQ+ community. Canada was the fourth country globally to legalize same-sex marriage and hold some of the biggest Pride celebrations in the US.
9. Inclusive and Supportive Communities
As mentioned previously, Canada is focused on building an all-inclusive community that is safe and welcoming to all people, no matter your race, country of origin, or religion. Canada has a diverse demographic, with a wide variety of different beliefs and religions. More than two-thirds of the population is Christian, while 2.4 million Canadians are Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist. In fact, the Islamic faith has one of the largest ex-pat communities in Canada, making up 3.2% of the total population.The government also has various immigrant support programs, such as The Newcomers Support Program, designed to help make integration into Canadian communities easier, offering advice on everything from insurance services, taxes, and mortgages to how to get a driving license, social insurance, and health care, and much more. There are also various associations and online communities for people from all over the world. Here are a few are just a few: Nigerian Canadian Association WaKenya Canada India Canada Association Asian Canadian Communities (including, China, Japan, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities).
10. The Future Looks Bright
With immigration targets set at 341,000 by the end of 2020, this total is set to increase by 10,000 annually in the upcoming years. The Government has also expressed the following proposed improvements to the Canadian immigration system at the time of the 2019 elections: - Increased immigration target of 370,000 by 2023
- Municipal Nominee Program - aimed to help immigrants immigrate to smaller Canadian communities
- Free Citizenship - plans to remove fees for citizenship applications
Start Your Canadian Visa Application Process with MDC
Canadian immigration can be both complex and confusing. By using our accredited Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) you will not only optimize your chances of success when you apply for a Canada visa, but you will receive expert advice on which program is best for your personal needs. Our RCICs are registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) and are legally permitted to assist you by evaluating your eligibility, reviewing all documentation, and submitting it to the Canadian government on your behalf.Don't risk your chances of living your Canadian dream. Let us make sure that all forms are completed correctly and sent in on time. Simply fill out our application form to receive your assessment today and take one step closer to a liberal life in Canada.