HOW TO LIVE LEGALLY IN CANADA?
Canada is a country that has a great fascination for Foreigners, be it for its diversified culture or its exotic nature. Many want to be part of this welcoming and engaged nation in the UN peace movements, but you need to know how to live legally in the United States before packing.
The country is bilingual, with English and French being the official languages. Also, Canada is multicultural, as it directly influences Aboriginal peoples, who today account for more than 3% of the population and are booming.
If you identify with the search for building a more prosperous and peaceful world, the country offers all the conditions to become your future home. Continue reading this post or consult your immigration lawyer and learn the options to live legally in Canada!
Types of visas to live legally in Canada
It is essential to understand that, in addition to legality, the permanent residence visa grants rights such as social benefits equivalent to Canadian citizens, living, studying or working in any region of the country, protection of Canadian law, and even applying for citizenship as long as filling out the requirements.
Whether the objective is to work or study, visas are different, as are requirements. Those who are going to stay in Canada for a period longer than 6 months and the bureaucracy must do some proofs, for example, conditions to maintain themselves financially and legal bond with the country.
Know the main visas and particularities!
Study permit
The study visa allows enrollment in courses at Canadian educational institutions, with two types:
- S-1 (study only): courses without internship requirement. When eligible, the student may issue a work permit upon arrival in Canada.
- SW-1 (study and work): COOP courses, that is, mandatory internship before completing the course.
The difference is, basically, the internship and the permission to work while studying. In any modality, it will be necessary to issue the LOA (Letter of Acceptance) or letter of acceptance from the educational institution authorized to receive international students.
Regardless of the chosen course – languages, undergraduate, graduate, technical – without the LOA, a study permit may not be granted. It is safer than to make an application of interest, wait for the institution to return, and only then apply for a visa and fulfill all the bureaucratic parts with the LOA in hand.
Work Permit
The work permit visa is only granted when there is a real and formal job offer, which can occur at the invitation of a Canadian company or the end of a course such as a bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate, certification, or diploma.
In the case of a direct contract by the Canadian company, for the visa to be granted, the applicant must present with the documentation, an LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment), a formal document issued by Human Resources Canada of Ministry Canadian Labor.
This hiring only happens when the Canadian company can prove the shortage of local labor, citizens, and permanent residents, offering to hire a foreigner – it is a complex and expensive process for local companies.
As a citizen does not live only on rights, the residents’ obligations, whether temporary or permanent, are also equivalent to those of Canadians, so it will be necessary to pay federal, state, and municipal taxes, as provided.
