Why would South Africans want to move to Canada? That’s not even a question! The question should be: why wouldn’t South Africans want to move to Canada? It’s a great place for immigrants to settle and start a new life. In fact, Canada has one of the highest immigration rates per capita among developed nations. In 2018 alone, Canadians welcomed more than 310,000 immigrants, half of which arrived as skilled workers to Canada, with the rest joining families already living in Canada or seeking asylum. So if you’re thinking about making the move to Canada, what do you need to know about Canada’s immigration requirements? What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada?

Moving to Canada isn’t that hard. Becoming a citizen, however? That’s another story. You’ll need to live in Canada for no less than six years, you’ll have to avoid a criminal record and you’ll be tested on your worthiness, according to how much Canadian knowledge and culture you’ve assimilated since your arrival. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. First, let’s look at what you need to know about immigrating to Canada from South Africa.

 

What are Canada’s immigration requirements?

Before you decide you have your heart set on Canada and you go about picking your favourite ice hockey team to support, don’t you think you should visit the country first?

You can do that on a Visit Visa, which allows you to visit Canada for up to six months which is plenty of time to explore and get a feel for the country and its people. South Africans require a Visit Visa in order to enter Canada.

 

How do you get into Canada on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Immigration to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker means you will need to meet the following minimum requirements:

1. No less than one year of continuous full time (30 hours weekly) or the equivalent amount in part-time, paid work experience within the last ten years in an O, A or B list occupation.
2. Pass an approved language test and achieve a minimum of 67 points based on the Federal Skilled Worker Points System.
3. Obtain a valid educational credential assessment which indicates a high school diploma or higher.
4. Have the required settlement funds for your family size.

 

How do you get into Canada as a Skilled Tradesperson?

Immigration to Canada as a Federal Skilled Tradesperson means you will need to meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Obtain the required CLB levels in all sections of an approved language test.
2. Have at least two years of full-time work experience (or the equivalent part time) in a skilled trade within the five years preceding your application.
3. Meet the job requirements for the skilled trade you are applying under and have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year from a Canadian employer OR a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority (your foreign trade qualifications do not count).
4. Have the required settlement funds for your family size.

 

Is there an Express Entry into Canada?

It’s not technically an immigration program on its own, it’s simply a file management system that is used by the Canadian government to manage certain immigration applications, and it’s now used by anyone looking to immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Tradesperson, or a member of the Canadian Experience Class or as a  Provincial Nominee. If you do not meet the requirements of these programs, you are not eligible to use the Express Entry system to gain access to Canada.

Interested in reading more about immigrating to Canada from South Africa?

• Here’s what you need to know about immigrating to Canada with pets.
• Here’s what you need to know about visas and Canada’s immigration requirements.
• Here’s what you need to know about your work prospects, and how to make your residence permanent.

 

FinGlobal: Cross-border financial specialists

Once you’ve decided to make the move and immigrate to Canada from South Africa, the next big decision you’re going to have to make is choosing a financial services intermediary to make the transition as smooth as possible.

We’ve got all the right credentials, so you can rest assured that FinGlobal is the trusted choice. Just ask thounds of clients who have already made use of our services!

 

FinGlobal is a:

• Licensed Treasury Outsourced Company with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).
• Licensed Financial Services Provider with the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
• Fully accredited and registered with South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
• SSL Security Certified website for secure encrypted connections and confidential interactions.

We’re ready to help you every step of the way with financial emigration, retirement annuity withdrawal, tax clearance, and tax refunds, foreign exchange and so much more.

To see how much easier we can make your international transition as you immigrate to Canada from South Africa, leave us your contact details and we’ll call you back.