Four years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, Brexit went into effect in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2020. Among the many changes facing British residents, expats, business visitors and tourists are the changes in how the UK will manage immigrants, including immigrant students and entrepreneurs. The UK's post-Brexit immigration policy will impact all immigrant entrepreneurs and international students, and may create significant challenges for the tech industry.
Many immigrants in the United Kingdom want to move to Canada, particularly immigrant entrepreneurs and international students who want to launch a business after graduation.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs
There has been a sharp decline in entrepreneurship among immigrants since the EU Brexit referendum, particularly among Black and ethnic minorities, according to a study on global entrepreneurship in the UK.
According to the study, in the UK,
- immigrants are more likely to start a business than someone born in the UK (13% compared to 8%)
- 49% of fast growing businesses had at least one foreign-born founder while only 14% of UK residents are foreign-born
International Student Immigrants
Immigration experts predict that Brexit and new visa changes will result in far fewer international students staying in the UK after graduation and starting new businesses. A new law that went into effect April 1, 2019, changed the rules for international students who want to stay in the UK after graduation to start a business. The new visa rules and Tier system give preference to high-tech startups sponsored by international students' university, instead of lower cost, low innovation businesses that also provide much needed jobs and services.
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How To Move To Canada From the UK
Are You An Immigrant Who Wants to Move to Canada From the UK?
Canada wants skilled, educated foreigners to help grow the economy and build a stronger Canada.
There are many different opportunities and pathways for immigrants to move to Canada from the United Kingdom. Immigration lawyers understand the many immigration options and eligibility requirements and have the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex Canadian immigration rules and regulations, to solve problems and remove obstacles to help you smooth the way to new opportunities in Canada.
1. Entrepreneurs, Investors, StartUps and Self-employed
Canada's business immigration programs welcome individuals who want to move to Canada and start a business or who want to be self-employed in Canada, based on work history, skills and education.
2. Study Permit
To study in Canada, international students usually require a Study Permit. This is a document available only after a college, university, or other accredited educational institution has accepted you. Study Permits are only available for those accepted to schools designated to accept international students. Designated learning institutions appear on the official Designated Learning Institutions list, but only at the post-secondary level. Primary and secondary schools throughout the country are automatically deemed as designated institutions.
3. Intra-company Job Transfer
If you are currently working for a company in the United Kingdom and that company has operations or wants to open operations in Canada, you may qualify for an intra-company transfer. Intra-company transferees will require a temporary work permit to work in either Canada or the United States.
4. Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Work permits are required for British citizens who want to work in Canada in a position that fills a temporary job need. To qualify for a work permit the prospective employer must complete an LMIA, Labour Market Impact Assessment. This document indicates that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do it.
5. Canada–European Union Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CETA)
The 2017 CETA trade agreement helps qualified business people to receive a work LMIA-exempt work permit for business key personnel, investors contractual service suppliers and short-term business visitors.
6. Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada's skilled-worker immigration application system, launched in January 2015, to attract high-skilled foreign workers and former international students who want to live in Canada permanently.
7. Provincial Nominee Program
Each province or territory in Canada has its own specific need for skilled foreign workers, and immigration opportunities and procedures.
8. Family Sponsorship
If you have a spouse, parent, children or other family members already living in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen, they may be able to sponsor family members to move to Canada.
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Do You Want to Move To Canada from Britain?
There are many opportunities for foreigners to move to Canada from the United Kingdom. An experienced immigration lawyer has the knowledge and expertise to assess your qualifications and match them to opportunities, to understand complex Canadian immigration rules and regulations, to solve problems and to remove obstacles for someone who wants to stop life under BREXIT and immigrate to Canada.
We help you smooth the way to new opportunities in Canada.
At Ackah Business Immigration Law, our goal is to make Crossing Borders Seamlessly a reality and to smooth your way to new opportunities in Canada. Ackah Law is headquartered in Calgary with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Contact Ackah Law today at 587-324-2232 or email us directly at contact@ackahlaw.com.