How to migrate from South Africa to Canada in 2022?

For immigrants wishing to move out of South Africa, Canada can be their destination. Canada has a lot to offer in terms of universal health care, a high quality of living, world-class education, and career prospects.

The migration process to Canada is quite simple, taking between six and twelve months to complete.

Individuals with no connection or job offer in Canada can apply for Permanent Residency in Canada based on a range of other considerations such as age, work experience, education, English or French language proficiency, and specialized work experience.

More than 80 immigration programs are available in Canada. Among them are economic and business immigration programs as well as family sponsorship programs. While the economic and business immigration categories are for individuals with skills that will benefit the Canadian economy, the family sponsorship program is for people who have family members who are PR visa holders or Canadian citizens.

Before you apply for an immigration program ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements which is a minimum score of 67 points out of 100.

Applicants score points on factors such as age, language, education and work experience.

Here are the points you can earn for meeting the eligibility requirements based on the following criteria:

• Age: You can score the maximum points if you are between 18-35 years. Those above this age will score lesser points.
• Education: Your minimum educational qualification must be equal to the higher secondary education level in Canada.
• Work experience: To score the minimum points you should have at least one year of work experience. More years of work experience will help you gain more points.
• Language ability: You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS equivalent to CLB 7 to be eligible to apply. Higher scores mean more points.
• Adaptability: You gain ten points on the adaptability factor if your family members or close relatives are living in Canada and will be able to support you when you move in there.
• Arranged employment: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer entitles you for ten points.

Check your eligibility here

Let us look at some popular options to migrate from South Africa to Canada

Express Entry program

Express Entry manages Canada PR applications for 3 programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Here are the steps you should follow to apply under the Express Entry program.

Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile

To begin, you must first create an online Express Entry profile. Credentials such as age, work experience, education, language skills, and so on should be included in the profile. A score will be assigned to your profile based on these characteristics.

If you have the required score of 67 out of 100 to meet the qualifying standards, you can submit your profile, which will be added to the Express Entry pool with the other profiles.

Step 2: Complete your ECA

You should complete an Educational Credentials Assessment, or ECA, if you received your education outside of Canada. This is to demonstrate that your educational credentials are comparable to those granted by the Canadian educational system.

Step 3: Complete your language ability tests

Next, you should take the English language competence examinations that are required. A score of 6 bands on the IELTS is required. At the time of application, your test score should be less than two years old.

If you know French, you’ll get bonus points. You can take a French language test, such as the Test de assessment de Francians, to demonstrate your ability in the language (TEF).

Step 5: Get your CRS score

The profiles in the Express Entry pool are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Based on the profile a CRS score is given to you which will help to provide a ranking in the Express Entry pool. The assessment fields for the score include:

• Skills
• Education
• Language ability
• Work experience
• Other factors

Your profile gets selected for the Express Entry draw if you have the required CRS score for that draw.

 Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your profile is chosen from the Express Entry pool, and you meet the Express Entry draw’s minimum score requirements. After that, you will receive an ITA from the Canadian government, which will allow you to begin the paperwork for your PR visa.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

If you choose to apply for your PR visa through the PNP, follow these steps:

• You must submit an application in the province or region where you want to live.
• If your profile fits the eligibility criteria, the province may designate you to apply for a PR visa.
• After being nominated by a province, you can apply for your PR visa.
• The eligibility requirements for the PR application vary by province, but they are similar to those for the Express Entry Program.
• You can apply for a PR visa in that province after receiving your provincial nomination.

Every PNP is adapted to the province’s labor market needs.  You must have the appropriate skills, education, work experience, and language proficiency to be eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

If the province thinks your skills suit their needs, they’ll award you a provincial nomination, which will give you 600 of the total 1,200 points you’ll need on your CRS, allowing you to advance through the candidate pool.

Business immigration program

People who desire to do business in Canada can apply for a permanent residency visa under the Canada Business Immigration Program. This program was created to assist migrants who desire to invest in Canada or start a business. They must be high net worth individuals or have commercial or managerial experience to start and run a business in Canada. According to the Canadian government, this sort of visa is only available to three groups of people:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self Employed Persons

Family sponsorship program

Individuals who are 18 years or older and permanent residents or citizens of Canada can sponsor their family members for PR status. The following family members are eligible for sponsorship:

• Spouse
• Conjugal partner
• Common-law partner
• Dependent or adopted children
• Parents
• Grandparents

Eligibility requirements for a sponsor

In addition to being over the age of 18 and possessing a PR visa or being a Canadian citizen, a sponsor must meet the following criteria:

Demonstrate that he has adequate money to support his family or dependents.

He must pledge to support the sponsored family members for a defined length of time if the government approves his application.

He must be residing in Canada or intend to do so at the time of his arrival of the sponsored relative.

Cost of migrating from South Africa to Canada

The money you’ll need to move to Canada comprises the money you’ll need to submit your PR application as well as the money you’ll need to settle in Canada.

The Canadian government requires confirmation that you have the means to maintain yourself and your dependents once you arrive in the country. You should be able to cover your expenses while in the nation until you find work.

Proof of funds: Immigration applicants must show proof of funds, sometimes known as settlement funds. As proof, letters from the banks where the funds are lodged are necessary.

The required funds will vary based on how many family members the primary PR candidate has.

The funds should cover the cost of living for the applicant and his dependent family members.