There are several ways to emigrate to Canada which are divided into two categories:
Permanent Residency - this is the status granted to immigrants who have fulfilled the Canadian Government’s requirements. As a Permanent Resident, you can stay in Canada without restriction, apply for jobs without restriction and it is really the ultimate goal of the majority of immigrants.
Temporary Residency with a Work Permit - this is, as the name suggests, a temporary status and has become more popular as the waiting time for permanent residency has increased.
I have attempted to explain the processes for application on the next few pages
Please note that UK nationals are entitled to own property in Canada and stay for up to 6 months per visit without a work permit or residency.
Summary Time Scales:
Permanent residency under skilled worker class: 3/4 years
Work permit: 6/9 months depending on time for LMO
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 2/3 months
Permanent Residency with PNP: 7-9 months
Quirky rule is that if you are living in Canada under a work permit and then get granted permanent residency, you must physically leave the country in order to return as a landed immigrant. Some people do this by going back to the UK on holiday while the rest of us drive over the American border, treat the kids to a weekend in Maine and return to be “landed”.
Links: www.novascotiaimmigration.ca is a great website for explaining categories of immigration and the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. For specific enquiries into the Nominee Program, email nsnp@gov.ns.ca. To get the forms, go to Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca. This is the official website for immigrating and is a good place to see what the process entails by looking at what information you will need to provide in the forms. It all looks very complicated, but in fact it is just time consuming. You will need to provide such information as every address you have lived at since the age of 18 and verification from all previous employers of positions held and dates. It is a good idea to start collecting this information long before you start the process.
Enquiries can also be addressed by post or telephone to:
Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
1741 Brunswick Street, Suite 110A
PO Box 1535
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 2Y3
Tel: 1-902-424-5230
Fax: 1-902-424-7936
Note: the immigration process is littered with acronyms so I have attempted to explain them as I go along. Let me know if I have missed any.