How do I immigrate to Canada?

Welcome to the Outpost Recruitment information to immigrating to Canada for development and engineering professionals. The immigration specialists at our sister web site, Moving2Canada.com, helped us to develop this information, which has been up to date for 2024. Spending a couple of minutes now to turn into accustomed to which Canadian immigration packages are open to development and engineering professionals might prevent time, cash and stress in the long term.

Outpost Recruitment has been serving to worldwide candidates discover jobs since 2011, and one of many key steps is to acquire the best to work in Canada. If you happen to’re keen on working in Canada and don’t but have a piece allow or immigration standing, right here’s the best way to get going.

The brief overview

First, let’s name this out: you could not want — in actual fact, most likely don’t want — the help of, or sponsorship from, an employer in Canada to be able to navigate the Canadian immigration system. Fairly often, we see high quality candidates from all around the world who’ve labored within the Center East, Australia, or elsewhere, who assume that transferring to Canada has to contain leveraging a specific job supply.

Canada is sort of totally different. There are work allow classes that don’t require a job supply, and there’s a direct, and comparatively fast, path to everlasting residence (PR), even in the event you don’t have a job supply and even when you have by no means lived in Canada earlier than. Canada welcomes staff by a wide range of PR packages, as effectively by a variety of labor allow classes.

A few of these work allow classes come beneath what is called the Short-term Overseas Employee Program, which permits firms to petition the federal government to rent you, the international employee, to fill a selected position primarily based on the necessity for somebody together with your abilities and expertise. This petition — in addition to the precise doc ensuing from a profitable software — known as a Labour Market Influence Evaluation, or LMIA. Informally, that is typically recognized in development and engineering circles as “employer sponsorship”. The feasibility of acquiring a LMIA waxes and wanes with the financial system, leading to extra LMIAs being issued to engineers and development staff when occasions are good, and fewer when the market outlook isn’t so rosy.

Different work allow classes come beneath the Worldwide Mobility Program, which does not require employers or staff to get a LMIA (“employer sponsorship”) earlier than you’ll be able to start working in Canada. Examples of labor permits which may be obtained beneath the Worldwide Mobility Program embody the Worldwide Expertise Canada (IEC) program, worldwide free commerce agreements, and intra-company transfers.

It’s virtually all the time preferable to look in the direction of getting a LMIA-exempt work allow (similar to by the IEC program) earlier than pursuing the LMIA route; it can probably take much less time earlier than you will get to Canada — suited or booted and prepared for motion — and your employer-to-be will recognize not being dragged into the forms.

And what about PR? Properly, over current years Canada has pivoted to an financial immigration system, often called Categorical Entry, whereby these of you with loads of work expertise, a post-secondary schooling and English abilities are prioritized for immigration, with processing occasions of round six months (typically much less in the event you’re chosen early and have your software prepared; typically longer if you must watch for an invite and/or if you want to collect further paperwork). With PR, you land in Canada with no time restrict to your potential employment, and you’ll work for any employer, anyplace in Canada. There are even category-based attracts that particularly hunt down trades candidates from the pool who’ve no less than six months of eligible work expertise inside the previous three years.

Provincial Nominee Packages, or PNPs, are one other financial path to PR, however this additionally takes no less than a number of months from begin to end. These packages enable provinces to appoint staff with sure talent units, and a few provinces are looking out for development and engineering professionals.

Work permits, particularly LMIA-exempt work permits, will be obtained rather more rapidly. Because of this, as effectively the truth that Canadian work expertise really finally ends up providing you with a heap of additional factors for work expertise obtained in Canada beneath Categorical Entry and PNPs, we suggest wanting into getting a piece allow first whereas additionally keeping track of your PR choices.

The International Expertise Stream is a fast-tracked work allow possibility for staff in eligible tech and engineering occupations, or who get employed at eligible firms. It permits for work allow processing in as little as two weeks.

Lastly, finding out in Canada as a global scholar means that you can work as much as 20 hours per week whereas finding out (as a short lived measure, worldwide college students may go full break day campus till April 30, 2024). Though this is probably not an possibility for professionals looking for a full-time development or engineering job, it’s value conserving in thoughts as an alternate pathway for immigration, significantly for spouses or companions who want to accompany.

How can I discover out if I’m eligible to maneuver to Canada?

Canadian immigration authorities have a handy device on their web site, referred to as the Come to Canada device. It takes a couple of minutes to fill out, and gives you a sign of which program(s) you could be eligible for.

Earlier than utilizing the device, it’s a good suggestion to be taught in regards to the numerous choices which might be obtainable for immigration to Canada. This implies you’ll be able to correctly interpret the outcomes supplied. Nevertheless, you must observe that the device solely evaluates for packages operated by the federal authorities (i.e. the federal government of Canada), and doesn’t consider for these packages operated by the provinces (the PNPs). Because of this, we suggest the Come to Canada as a place to begin, however it might not supply the sum of all of your potential choices.

There may be numerous free help obtainable on-line (such because the article you at the moment are studying). Nevertheless, when you have particular questions or issues, we suggest looking for knowledgeable session. This may occasionally entail a session payment, however if you’re ready with the questions you want answered, it might prevent complications, money and time later within the software course of.

Our sister web site, Moving2Canada, works with a variety of regulated immigration consultants who can reply your questions and show you how to plan your transfer to Canada.

Let’s have a look at a number of the Canadian immigration choices for development and engineering professionals in additional element. Be happy to leap forward to the part that the majority pursuits you:

IEC: Worldwide Expertise Canada (Contains Working Vacation Work Permits)

Who’s it for?

Employees from greater than 30 nations, together with Australia, the UK, and Eire, aged beneath 30 or 35, relying on the nation. You’ll be able to see the total breakdown of eligible nations, and the age necessities, on this checklist.

How does it work?

Yearly, numerous open work permits are assigned to every collaborating nation. Candidates can go to the Canadian immigration web site and notify authorities of their want to get one among these work permits.

After submitting this Expression of Curiosity, candidates might obtain an invite to use for a piece allow. With this invitation, candidates might submit kinds and pay the applying charges. Profitable candidates obtain a Letter of Introduction, which is introduced on arrival in Canada to ensure that the work allow to be issued.

IEC program is normally open for about 9 months annually, however your possibilities of receiving an invite will rely in your nationality.

What’s the benefit?

For eligible candidates, it’s sometimes a simple strategy to get a piece allow for Canada. The IEC program means that you can reside and work in Canada for as much as two years, relying in your nationality and the IEC class. Candidates beneath the working vacation class might receive an open work allow, which means they will work for nearly any employer in Canada.

The IEC program is a gateway to everlasting residency, because the work expertise you achieve in Canada might offer you a bonus when making use of for everlasting immigration to Canada.

How a lot does it price?

In 2024, the IEC participation payment is CAD$175, plus a biometrics payment of $85 if required.

If you’re approaching a Working Vacation visa additionally, you will want CAD$100 for an open work allow.

Within the Younger Skilled and Worldwide Co-op classes, your employer additionally must pay the CAD$230 employer compliance payment.

How lengthy does it take?

As soon as candidates categorical their curiosity in acquiring a piece allow, they should watch for an invite to use earlier than they will submit their software kinds. It could possibly take days, weeks, and even longer to obtain this invite, as they’re issued to candidates at random.

Nevertheless, as soon as the kinds and funds are submitted, it ought to take about eight weeks to obtain your Letter of Introduction. We now have seen Letters of Introduction issued ahead of that in lots of instances.

Different concerns

The time restrict on the work allow means you could be higher off making use of for PR quickly after getting the allow in the event you’re eligible to take action (although you could pursue each choices concurrently). In some nations, notably the UK, demand for IEC work permits normally far outstrips provide and 1000’s of candidates could also be disillusioned.

Some employers regard the restricted length of the work allow as too brief, as they’ll be seeking to rent employees who can stick with the corporate for an extended interval. Additionally, some employers regard the ‘working vacation work allow’ as a transient allow, and should query members’ profession aspirations because of this. It’s as much as you to appropriate that judgment in your potential employer’s eyes.

Open work permits for spouses and companions of IEC members

If you’re an IEC participant then your partner or common-law companion might be able to receive an open work allow and accompany you to Canada. To ensure that your partner or companion to acquire an open work allow, you have to be employed in Canada in a talented occupation (Nationwide Occupational Classification TEER class 0, 1, 2 or 3) and should submit documentation proving this as a part of your partner or companion’s software.

This works each methods, too. If you happen to’re struggling to realize work authorization in Canada and your partner or companion is eligible for IEC, they can get their IEC work allow and have you ever accompany them after they safe a talented occupation.

The place can I be taught extra?

Our sister web site, Moving2Canada, explains extra in its Working Vacation Visa in Canada information.

Labour Market Influence Evaluation (LMIA)

Who’s it for?

Candidates who’ve been supplied a job by a Canadian employer. The employer might want to pay related charges, and show conclusively that no appropriate Canadian citizen or everlasting resident may very well be discovered to carry out this job. The employer may also want to fulfill different necessities to be able to be deemed eligible to rent the international employee.

There are two sorts of LMIA: one for momentary work in Canada beneath the Short-term Overseas Employee Program (TFWP), and the opposite for everlasting immigration by Categorical Entry. This part offers particularly with the LMIA-based work allow beneath the TFWP.

What’s the benefit?

For international staff who might in any other case be unable to safe a piece allow, or discover it troublesome to take action, the TFWP provides a possibility to work in Canada for a selected employer.

For employers, acquiring a LMIA permits the enterprise to fill labour shortages.

How a lot does it price?

Beneath the TFWP, employers have to pay $1,000 per place they’re filling. If the LMIA is authorized, the employee should then apply for a piece allow, entailing a payment of $155.

How lengthy does it take?

A LMIA software might take a 2–4 months, together with the time the employer has to promote the place earlier than asking the federal government for permission to rent you.

Different concerns

LMIA-approved international staff don’t obtain an open work allow, and are as an alternative tied to a specific employer. This implies they’ve much less fast flexibility ought to they want to change employer at a later date, except within the meantime they’ve pursued one other immigration or work allow possibility.

The place can I be taught extra?

Our sister web site, Moving2Canada, has a full clarification of the LMIA course of.

Are you from the US, Mexico, Australia, or Japan?

If that’s the case, you may qualify for a piece allow that’s exempt from needing an LMIA. LMIA-exempt work permits can be found for residents of those nations by Canada’s worldwide commerce agreements. U.S. and Mexico residents may qualify for a piece allow by the United States-Mexico-Canada Settlement (USMCA) — extra data right here. Australia, Japan, and Mexico residents may high quality for a piece allow by the Complete and Progressive Settlement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — extra data right here.

Categorical Entry

Who’s it for?

Open to expert, educated international staff, with potential in English and/or French. People of any age might turn into a candidate, however choice is given to youthful staff looking for immigration to Canada.

How does it work?

Since January 2015, candidates can go to the Canadian immigration web site and categorical their curiosity in turning into a everlasting resident. Eligibility could also be by any of the three Categorical Entry-managed packages:

• Federal Expert Employee: You have to rating no less than 67 factors out of 100. Factors are awarded for age, schooling, language potential, work expertise, and different components.
• Canadian Expertise Class: For staff with ongoing or current expert Canadian work expertise.
• Federal Expert Trades: For tradespersons with expertise in an eligible occupation.

The standards for every program is totally different, and it’s doable to be eligible for a couple of. For instance, when you have a mixture of international and Canadian work expertise, you could be eligible for each the FSWC and the CEC.

If eligible, you might be assigned a rating (out of 1,200) primarily based in your schooling, profession historical past, and different private particulars, and will likely be ranked towards different candidates beneath what known as the Complete Rating System (CRS).

You might also be eligible for category-based choice, relying on whether or not you meet the necessities of an Categorical Entry class. A number of the classes in 2024 embody these for French language potential, and with eligible work expertise in Trades, STEM, Healthcare, Transport, or Agriculture. Since these attracts are focused at candidates who meet particular standards, the CRS cut-offs are usually decrease than basic attracts that invite candidates from all packages. 

Each few weeks, the top-ranking candidates are invited to use for Canadian everlasting residence. Whereas within the pool, candidates can try to extend their CRS factors complete, and thus their rating, by proving higher human capital components, for instance by re-taking a language take a look at or finishing extra work expertise.

Furthermore, a candidate might receive a qualifying job supply or a provincial nomination by one of many many Categorical Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. A provincial nomination is especially precious, because it ends in 600 extra CRS factors being awarded to the candidate, who will then be invited to use in a subsequent draw from the pool.

What’s the benefit?

Categorical Entry has confirmed to be a fast system, with greater than 80 p.c of functions processed inside six months. The method is totally on-line, and it’s simple to trace the standing of the applying on-line.

Moreover, Categorical Entry is a system that rewards proactive people who can show to the federal government that they’re more likely to be economically profitable upon settlement in Canada.

How a lot does it price?

About $2,000–$2,500, together with academic and language assessments, acquiring paperwork, and cost of charges, in the event you full the method your self.

Hiring illustration (i.e. a regulated lawyer or guide) would entail extra charges, however this can be a worth that many candidates really feel is well worth the outlay. Moving2Canada has partnered with numerous skilled representatives who might help candidates with their immigration objectives.

How lengthy does it take?

About 4–6 months from while you submit the applying. Prematurely of this, extra time could also be required to finish any related exams and procure paperwork.

Different concerns

Success on this system shouldn’t be assured, as the federal government invitations solely a portion of candidates from the pool when it conducts one among its attracts. Nevertheless, the federal government has acknowledged that the Categorical Entry pool is now the principle supply of financial everlasting residence functions, and over time the CRS cut-off threshold has decreased.

The place can I be taught extra?

See the Categorical Entry Canada information on Moving2Canada, our sister web site.

Provincial Nominee Packages

Who’s it for?

If you happen to intend to reside in a selected province and also you match that province’s standards, the PNP route could also be for you. PNP streams typically favour people with prior connections to the province, both by work expertise, research, or household connections. Nevertheless, you could be eligible to use or invited to use, because the case could also be, and not using a connection — particularly in the event you goal provinces that welcome functions from development and engineering professionals.

Which provinces are searching for development professionals and/or engineers?

Some provinces, similar to Ontario, obtain functions from throughout the labour market, together with a broad vary of expert staff; this may increasingly embody development professionals and engineers. Different provinces, nevertheless, have zoned in and explicitly mentioned they need precisely these sorts of staff to fill jobs regionally.

For instance, the province of British Columbia provides the BC Tech Pilot, which was launched in 2017. The BC Tech Pilot has an eligible occupations checklist that features civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, and chemical engineers. Eligible staff in these fields are prioritised for settlement in BC. We now have a full overview of the BC PNP Tech Pilot slightly below this part.

One other instance can be Manitoba, the place development estimators and managers, industrial mechanics, and engineers (civil, mechanical, industrial, electrical) are all on the expert employee in-demand occupations checklist. Be taught extra right here.

Then there are additionally these provinces that focus extra on transitioning momentary staff to everlasting residence, relatively than looking for newcomers in particular occupations (all of the extra purpose to hunt out a piece allow first). Alberta can be an instance of this technique.

With greater than 70 PNP streams in complete, offering a full run-down right here isn’t possible. Nevertheless, our sister web site, Moving2Canada.com, just lately added a terrific new device so as to filter by all of those in just some seconds. Simply enter your occupation and/or different preferences, and the PNP Stay Tracker Instrument will work its magic to inform you which PNP stream(s) could also be best for you.

How does it work?

If eligible, you first apply to the province for a provincial nomination. Some PNP streams require you to submit an expression of curiosity earlier than you could be invited to use.

Upon acquiring a nomination, you then apply for everlasting residence.

Some PNP streams are aligned with the Categorical Entry system. These are often called enhanced streams. A nomination obtained by an enhanced PNP stream ends in an Categorical Entry candidate being awarded 600 extra Complete Rating System (CRS) factors, successfully guaranteeing that an invitation to use (ITA) for immigration to Canada will likely be issued. The appliance for everlasting residence will likely be obtain precedence processing by the federal authorities, with a processing time goal of six months or much less.

PNP streams that aren’t aligned with Categorical Entry are often called base streams. A nomination certificates obtained by a base PNP stream doesn’t alter a candidate’s Categorical Entry CRS rating. Certainly, eligible people might apply to a base PNP stream with out ever having an Categorical Entry profile, and base PNP streams might supply a pathway to everlasting residence for people who aren’t eligible to enter the Categorical Entry pool.

What’s the benefit?

For Categorical Entry candidates who haven’t but met the CRS cut-off threshold set in Categorical Entry attracts, enhanced PNP streams supply the chance to acquire extra factors, ensuing within the issuance of an ITA. For people not eligible for Categorical Entry, base PNP streams depart the door open for financial immigration to Canada.

How a lot does it price?

That depends upon the province and the stream. Some provinces enable people to make an expression of curiosity in immigrating to their province freed from cost, with charges to be paid if or when an invite to use to the PNP is issued and a subsequent software submitted. Different PNP streams function on a first-come, first-served foundation, and consequently a processing payment can be demanded up entrance.

How lengthy does it take?

As this can be a two-step course of, software processing occasions embody a provincial processing stage and a federal processing stage, and each phases must be taken under consideration when contemplating the general time it might take from begin to end.

Provincial stage: Some provinces publish up to date processing occasions. Click on any of the hyperlinks under to search out out extra.

Ontario | Alberta | BC

Federal stage: For enhanced PNP streams, the federal processing time is normally beneath six months. For base PNP streams, common processing occasions on the federal stage are at present 15-19 months (as of February, 2019).

Different concerns

Candidates ought to have the intention to reside within the province they’re making use of to. As soon as Canadian everlasting residence has been granted, everlasting residents have the best to reside and work in any Canadian province or territory.

The place can I be taught extra?

The BC PNP Tech Pilot

Who’s it for?

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot (BC PNP Tech Pilot) is a specialised PNP stream for staff with expertise in one among 29 precedence occupations who additionally maintain a job supply from an employer in BC. The occupation checklist contains a number of positions associated to the development sector together with civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, and chemical engineers.

How does it work?

With a view to be thought-about for the BC PNP Tech Pilot, you want two issues:

1. A sound job supply from a BC employer in one of many 29 precedence occupations; and
2. Eligibility in one of many present BC PNP streams for expert staff or worldwide graduates.

If you happen to meet each of those standards, the BC PNP Tech Pilot might allow you to use for everlasting resident standing in Canada. Plus, you can be eligible for a Canadian work allow whereas your PR software is processing.

What’s the benefit?

The BC PNP Tech Pilot is a wonderful alternative for staff within the precedence occupations with an curiosity in working in British Columbia. Not solely does the pathway enable candidates to acquire a piece allow whereas their everlasting residence functions are processing, the BC PNP doesn’t require that job provides be supported by a Labour Market Influence Evaluation (LMIA) to be able to be thought-about legitimate (observe: different standards do apply).

Not requiring an LMIA might not sound like a giant deal, however for a lot of Canadian employers the LMIA course of is a problem, costing them money and time. With the ability to circumvent the necessity for an LMIA is simply the motivation some employers want to rent internationally. 

How a lot does it price?

The BC PNP fees an software payment of CAD $1,150. This doesn’t embody any extra charges for acquiring required paperwork, skilled immigration help, and so forth. 

As effectively, it’s necessary to notice that receiving a provincial nomination is just one a part of the Canadian immigration course of. After receiving your provincial nomination, you’ll have to submit a whole everlasting residence software to the federal authorities, and you could want to submit a short lived work allow software to work in BC whereas awaiting a choice. Each of those elements have extra charges.

How lengthy does it take?

80 p.c of BC PNP Tech Pilot functions are processed inside two to 3 months of receipt. When you obtain an approval in your provincial nomination, you should utilize this to use for a piece allow, if vital.

As talked about above, it is very important do not forget that making use of for provincial nomination is just one step of the everlasting residence course of. After receiving a provincial nomination, it’s essential to then apply for everlasting residence to the federal authorities.

Different concerns

The BC PNP Tech Pilot has numerous layers to it. There’s the qualifying tech job, the eligibility for a BC PNP stream, the work allow software, and the everlasting residence software. It may be a bit bit difficult. Just be sure you correctly inform your self. 

Check out the BC PNP Tech Pilot information on our sister web site, Moving2Canada. If you happen to assume the pilot could also be an possibility for you, it might be worthwhile to start by talking with a regulated Canadian immigration guide. We suggest Perez McKenzie Immigration, a BC-based consultancy with tons of expertise with the BC PNP.

Finding out in Canada

Who’s it for?

Coming to Canada as a global scholar might not appear to be the most suitable choice for these keen on working in Canada, however there are a number of situations by which it is sensible.

• State of affairs One: If you happen to come to Canada as a global scholar your self, you’ll be able to work as much as 20 hours per week throughout your research interval, and full-time hours throughout any designated breaks. Plus, after finishing your research, you’ll probably be eligible for a Put up-Commencement Work Allow (PGWP) permitting you to stay in Canada and work for any employer in any location. If you happen to have been already contemplating coaching up your abilities — this may be a good way to take action whereas gaining the best to work in Canada.
• State of affairs Two: If you’re married or in a common-law relationship, one among you might be able to come to Canada as a global scholar, permitting the opposite to accompany on an open work allow. For instance, your partner might come to Canada to finish a one-year diploma on the College of British Columbia. In the meantime, you might be able to accompany your partner on an open work allow, permitting you to work full-time for any employer whereas your companion is finding out. This generally is a nice possibility in the event you or your partner have been already contemplating pursuing extra schooling whereas the opposite would proceed working. 

How does it work?

Travelling to Canada as a global scholar isn’t any small process. You need to discover an applicable college and program, apply and be admitted, after which submit your research allow software. As effectively, if both your self or your companion are planning to accompany on an open work allow — that provides an extra software to the method. 

Fortunately, our sister firm, Moving2Canada, has designed the Worldwide Scholar Roadmap. This can be a free email-education service that can train you in regards to the ins and outs of coming to Canada as a scholar. Extra data right here.

What’s the benefit?

Coming to Canada as a global scholar can typically be the one of many solely immigration choices for which an individual is eligible. 

A lot of Canada’s work allow and everlasting residence pathways have strict eligibility necessities, making it troublesome for some individuals to qualify for them. In these instances, some individuals select to return to Canada first as a global scholar (or because the companion of a global scholar), which not solely opens up the potential for an open work allow for his or her companion, but additionally offers a pathway to Canadian everlasting resident standing. 

How a lot does it price?

Worldwide research in Canada aren’t low cost. Tuition charges for worldwide college students sometimes vary from slightly below CAD $10,000 per yr, to upwards of $50,000 per yr for specialised packages at high establishments. Nevertheless, an funding in schooling can repay in the long term — particularly when it offers the chance for you or your companion to work in a profitable place whereas the opposite research. 

If you happen to’re contemplating worldwide research in Canada, you also needs to remember that you’ll have to present proof of funds as part of your research allow software. Typically, you must present proof that it is possible for you to to afford one yr’s tuition and dwelling bills.

How lengthy does it take?

The research allow itself will be processed in a number of weeks or months — though processing occasions differ relying on the place you’re making use of from. Nevertheless, in the event you’re planning for this route, you’ll wish to think about the time it takes to analysis packages, apply for colleges, and achieve admission. As effectively, you must think about program begin dates in Canada.

Most post-secondary packages in Canada start in late August or early September of every yr. Though, there are some packages that enable college students to start within the winter semester that normally begins in January. If you happen to do your analysis, it is possible for you to to search out packages that begin at different occasions all year long, however September and, to a lesser extent, January, are the 2 predominant program begin dates in Canada. 

Different concerns

Keep in mind that there isn’t a 100% assure in Canadian immigration. There’s a danger {that a} research allow software may very well be denied. There’s a danger that the open work allow software for the accompanying partner may very well be denied. Be certain that you’re conscious of the doable dangers regardless of which immigration pathway you select.

The place can I be taught extra?

To be taught extra about finding out in Canada, please go to the research part on Moving2Canada, or join their free Worldwide Scholar Roadmap. If you happen to’re ever looking for complete immigration steerage and help, we suggest reserving a session with one among these professionals.

In abstract

The purpose of this web page is to offer you an thought of what the principle Canadian immigration choices are for development and engineering professionals. It doesn’t cowl each single program or reply each final query. If you happen to’d wish to take a deeper dive into all of the packages obtainable, please go to the complete Canadian immigration information on Moving2Canada.com.

I’m able to immigrate to Canada. What do I do when I’ve my work allow or immigration standing?

Discuss to Outpost! Since 2011, we’ve specialised to find work for development and engineering professionals, with firms throughout Canada who worth worldwide work expertise.

When you’ve gotten your immigration or work allow standing submitted or secured, get in contact and we are able to discover your alternatives while you immigrate to Canada.