Guide: Move to Canada from Burkina Faso
February 9, 2021
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Thousands of people have moved to Canada from all corners of Africa including Nigeria, Uganda, and Burkina Faso. Canada’s lenient immigration policies, various immigration programs, and labor shortages have made it easy for Africans and their families to start a new life in the Great North. Newcomers to Canada enjoy better living and working conditions especially when it comes to higher wages, job satisfaction, and personal growth. What’re more, families benefit from Canada’s excellent public healthcare and education system that are free of charge and easily accessible to all permanent residents and citizens. Does Canada sound like your ideal place to live? Find out more! In this blog, we discuss how you can move to Canada from Burkina Faso as well as look at some of the amazing benefits of living and working in Canada for Africans.
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If you don’t qualify under Express Entry immigration then the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is the next best option. The Pilot is managed by the maritime region of Canada which includes the provinces of; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. That means if you qualify for the Pilot, you must settle in one of the beautiful seaside provinces. Not a bad requirement if you ask us. Unlike the Express Entry, the Pilot is employer-driven. This means that you must obtain a valid job offer from one of the participating employers in the regions. NOC skill categories 0, A, and B workers can qualify for the Pilot as well as category C and D occupations. Some examples of skill type C jobs fall in processing, transportation, and hospitality sectors such as industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers, and food and beverage servers. Occupations that fall under skill type D include fruit pickers, cleaning staff, and oil field workers.
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It’s really simple. If you study in Canada and graduate with a Canadian qualification, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) which allows international students to work in Canada for up to 3 years! A Canadian qualification and work experience basically guarantee your chances of earning permanent residency through various immigration programs. Please note: To qualify for a PGWP you must enroll at a Designated Learning Institution.
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Burkinabe values big families with an average household consisting of 6 children! It just so happens that Canada is rated as the 4th best place to raise a family. Moving to Canada from Burkina Faso with your family means that you won’t have to worry about paying for your kids’ healthcare costs or primary and secondary school education because in Canada it's all publicly funded. On top of that, Canada is a safe country with a low crime rate. Families will have access to better opportunities in a uniquely diverse society that values immigrants. In fact, Canada aims to keep families together through the Family Sponsorship Program which allows a Canadian permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children for permanent residence.
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Canada plans on welcoming more than 1-million immigrants by 2022 through its various immigration programs. French-speaking Burkinabe has an advantage over other potential immigrants because Canada’s second official language after English is in fact, French. Skilled French-speakers are highly sought after by Quebec and Ontario, two of Canada’s biggest and predominantly french-speaking provinces!
Pathways to Immigrate to Canada From Burkina Faso
Direct Pathway 1: Express Entry for Skilled Workers
The Express Entry system is the fastest and most popular way of obtaining a permanent residency visa in Canada from Burkina Faso. The immigration system processes skilled worker applications in as little as 6 months and you don’t need a job offer to qualify! You do, however, need skilled work experience of at least 1-year in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) A, 0, and B categories. Some examples of skill level A jobs fall in professional sectors such as teachers, nurses, and copywriters. Skill level 0 jobs are mainly management jobs. Occupations that fall under skill level B include trade and technical workers of all kinds such as plumbers, electricians, and chefs. Express Entry awards immigration points to candidates with the most impressive online profiles which include criteria such as:- Age
- Language proficiency (English and/or French)
- Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
- Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
- Arranged employment (If applicable)
- Provincial Nomination achieved
- Sibling in Canada
- Your spouse’s profile (if married)
Direct Pathway 2: Atlantic Immigration Pilot for Unskilled Workers
If you don’t qualify under Express Entry immigration then the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is the next best option. The Pilot is managed by the maritime region of Canada which includes the provinces of; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. That means if you qualify for the Pilot, you must settle in one of the beautiful seaside provinces. Not a bad requirement if you ask us. Unlike the Express Entry, the Pilot is employer-driven. This means that you must obtain a valid job offer from one of the participating employers in the regions. NOC skill categories 0, A, and B workers can qualify for the Pilot as well as category C and D occupations. Some examples of skill type C jobs fall in processing, transportation, and hospitality sectors such as industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers, and food and beverage servers. Occupations that fall under skill type D include fruit pickers, cleaning staff, and oil field workers.
Indirect Pathway 1: Study in Canada to Qualify for a PGWP
It’s really simple. If you study in Canada and graduate with a Canadian qualification, you may be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) which allows international students to work in Canada for up to 3 years! A Canadian qualification and work experience basically guarantee your chances of earning permanent residency through various immigration programs. Please note: To qualify for a PGWP you must enroll at a Designated Learning Institution.
Indirect Pathway 2: Work in Canada to Qualify for a PNP
Working in Canada with a work permit for at least one-year could potentially open the door to moving to Canada permanently through a Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). PNPs are managed by Canada’s provinces and territories. They nominate foreign workers with work experience in their regions, especially if that work experience was gained in an in-demand occupation. For example, Saskatchewan has a high-demand for truck drivers. Foreign truck drivers with at least 1 year of experience working for a trucking firm in Saskatchewan among other criteria can apply through the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP).Why Should You Move to Canada from Burkina Faso?
1. Job Opportunities in Canada for Burkinabe
Burkina Faso has a highly skilled agriculture workforce. The good news is that Canada has an ongoing demand for agricultural workers due to labour shortages. Canadian farmers hire agricultural workers through the Temporary Agricultural Worker Program to work in Canada for up to 24-months. Foreign agricultural workers are paid the same wages as Canadians plus enjoy arranged transportation and affordable housing provided by their employers. Foreigners with at least 1-year of work experience in Canada can apply to immigrate to Canada through the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. Find out if your job is eligible under the Pilot below.| Eligible Jobs Under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot | |
| Industry | Occupation |
| Meat product manufacturing industry | Retail butchers Industrial butchers Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers Food processing laborers |
| Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production industries | Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers General farmworkers Harvesting laborers |
| Animal production industry | Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers General farmworkers |
2. Access to Excellent Healthcare & Education
Burkinabe values big families with an average household consisting of 6 children! It just so happens that Canada is rated as the 4th best place to raise a family. Moving to Canada from Burkina Faso with your family means that you won’t have to worry about paying for your kids’ healthcare costs or primary and secondary school education because in Canada it's all publicly funded. On top of that, Canada is a safe country with a low crime rate. Families will have access to better opportunities in a uniquely diverse society that values immigrants. In fact, Canada aims to keep families together through the Family Sponsorship Program which allows a Canadian permanent resident to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children for permanent residence.
3. Canada is a Welcoming Nation
Canada plans on welcoming more than 1-million immigrants by 2022 through its various immigration programs. French-speaking Burkinabe has an advantage over other potential immigrants because Canada’s second official language after English is in fact, French. Skilled French-speakers are highly sought after by Quebec and Ontario, two of Canada’s biggest and predominantly french-speaking provinces!