Photo: Studyabroad.com
How many times have you read it on your Facebook feed or heard a friend or family member utter it in displeasure over this season’s electoral debauchery? “I’m moving to Canada.”
Well it is possible to move north where the mountains are bigger, the pow is lighter and the waves are plentiful (and often emptier and colder). But it isn’t as easy as just saying it. And if you voted for a certain candidate, Canada may not want you anyway. But, even with all the technicalities, here’s how you can make it happen.
Check to Make Sure Grandma Isn’t Already a Citizen
Because that might mean you are too. Many of us have had family members move in and out across the borders, especially in decades past when moving back and forth was much more simple (many people tried to avoid the draft in the 1960s by drifting over the border, or escape the pitfalls of the Great Depression in the early 1900s). Our tight ties with both the people of Canada and the government itself is obvious and you might have Canadian heritage in your history and not even know it. Here’s how to make sure.
Photo: Coolerlifestyle.com
Get Yourself in the Skilled Workers Pool
First you have to be 18 (duh), but Canada is in need of skilled workers and has a program to fast track you known as Express Entry. You’ll be given a score based on how radical your skillz are. Those with upper-end skills are on a fast track to Maple Leaf citizenry.
Time to Become a Permanent Resident
This means a lot of different things. You can apply through a specific province to become a permanent resident, use the business route where you prove you will provide jobs for Canadians with your business, go through Quebec, which has its own set of rules or use a family member to help. The benefits are sweet: healthcare and cheap deals on study. You just can’t vote. Take a look at these details for more.
Declare Your Plans
Once you’ve been invited, you need to declare your plans to the government to stay. And live in Canada at least two years during a five-year period. Failing to meet this requirement will surely end badly for your quest to live the Canuck life (your residency status will be revoked).
Citizenship Requires Commitment
You need to have lived in Canada three of six years before becoming a citizen. And to get more tech., and not to confuse you, one must spend at least six months of each of the four years prior to applying for citizenship.
You Need to Be Transparent
Unlike some presidential candidates, you’re going to have to provide your tax return to become a citizen. There’s no way around it. The government needs to know that your job in Canada is real, and that you’ve held it four years of the past six before applying for citizenship. Oh yeah, you also need to speak English or French. You’ll be tested by a citizenship officer.
Know Something of Canadian History and Know You Could Get a Big, Fat No
Yep, you’re going to need to know which country settled that province in Eastern Canada where they eat Poutine and the St. Lawrence River runs through it. You’ll have to take a quiz. And you need to know you could be denied. Hey, it’s a club and not everyone is cool enough.
