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The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016, and today the battle in government continues to cause stress, fear and confusion for citizens of the UK. With the defeat of Brexit in January 2019, the missed March exit date, and the continued uncertainty, more Brits are looking for information on how to move to Canada from the UK.
Every year between 6,000 and 9,000 UK citizens become permanent residents of Canada. English is the language spoken in most of Canada, although French is also an official language. As part of the Commonwealth, Canada has a culture similar to the United Kingdom but is an independent country. UK citizens can visit Canada for up to 6 months without a visa, but a longer or permanent stay requires filing an application to stay in Canada.
Temporary work permits and applications for Temporary and Permanent Residence in Canada are required for any foreign nationals who want to work or live in Canada. These are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and give authorization for someone to live and work legally in Canada.
Canada Offers Opportunity
Young British voters voted overwhelmingly against Brexit because they fear a resulting loss of job and economic opportunities. Canada wants skilled, educated foreigners to help grow the economy and build a stronger Canada. But that doesn't mean it is easy to move to Canada. Just as with any other legal process, applying to immigrate to Canada can be complicated and confusing. Citizens of the UK who want to move to Canada have a distinct advantage in meeting 2 key requirements for eligibility to move to Canada:
- they speak English
- they share a common cultural heritage and are likely to successfully adapt to life in Canada
How to Move to Canada From the UK
There are many different opportunities and pathways for people 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.
For work. For family. For life.
IEC - International Experience Canada
Canada is part of an international agreement with 33 other countries who provide opportunities for young adults to get valuable international work experience.
1. Working Holiday Program
In 2018, over 5,000 young adults aged 18 to 30 moved to Canada from the UK through IEC, which allows young people to apply for an open work permit to work in Canada for up to two years.
The IRCC pool is now open and accepting applications for 2019 with a 5000 participant quota.
2. International Co-op Internship
An IEC student internship in Canada is a work permit granted to someone in graduate school who has a written job offer for an IRCC approved position that is related to their field of studies.
3. Young Professionals Work Permit
Get Canadian work experience through IEC's program for professionals with a post-secondary degree.
Temporary Residence
Whether you are an individual, a family or a business owner; we can review your situation and needs to determine what avenues are available for you to move to Canada from the UK. Based on your eligibility and requirements, we can help you move to Canada with as little stress as possible. Some of the opportunities for temporary residence in Canada are:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. International Mobility Program (IMP)
Some jobs do not require an LMIA and allow employers to hire temporary workers without an LMIA on an open work permit. These jobs must be reciprocated between the 2 countries, and can include athletes, educations co-op and cultural jobs.
4. 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.
Permanent Residence
Canada work experience is a key factor in granting permanent residence, so a temporary work permit is a good step to qualifying for permanent residence. Canada wants and is recruiting foreign nationals who are educated with strong skills and work experience to help grow the economy.
1. Family Class
Canada puts a priority on family values and reunification. A Canada permanent resident or citizen can apply to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner or dependent children.
2. 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.
3. Provincial Nominee Program
Each province or territory in Canada has its own specific need for skilled foreign workers, and immigration opportunities and procedures.
Immigration to Quebec
Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada and who can move to Quebec as a permanent resident.
4. 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.
There are many opportunities for foreigners to move to Canada. 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 United Kingdom citizens who want to end life under BREXIT and immigrate to Canada.
We help you smooth the way to new opportunities in Canada.
