Moving to Canada: Dmitry's experience and popular immigration programs

How to move to Canada and how much could it cost?

How much do I need to earn to live in Toronto? For how much can you buy or rent a house in different cities of this country? Personal experience of moving to Canada you will learn in our material

More than 38 million people live in Canada.

The main population growth is due to immigrants. For example, in 2022 alone, Canada welcomed over 437,000 new permanent residents. The country's plans for the coming years include attracting even more immigrants. By 2025, it is planned to accept 500,000 immigrants annually. This indicates the high relevance of the topic of moving to Canada.

Dmitry's experience: why he decided to immigrate.

My name is Dima, and I am from Ukraine. For the last five years before moving to Canada, I lived and studied in Odessa. In my fourth year, I decided to continue my studies abroad. I chose Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario, as the best option in terms of price and quality. The entire moving process took about...

I work in the logistics field and maintain a blog about Canada for anyone interested in this country - whether they are tourists, immigrants or those who are already here. Today I will talk about the possibility of moving to Canada through education, as well as different immigration programs.

Unique ways of immigration

From my experience, one of the most successful paths to immigrating to Canada is through education here. After studying in Toronto, I was able to stay in the country for a few more years after graduation thanks to a work permit. This provides an opportunity for additional time to explore immigration programs that suit you.

Diversity of immigration programs

In addition, there are other popular immigration methods such as the Skilled Trades Program, Business Immigration and AIPP, which addresses the labour shortage in the Atlantic provinces. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, International Experience Canada, Tech Pilot, self-employed, caregiver and family sponsorship programs are also active.

Additional information

For more detailed information about each program, you should visit the official website of Canada. I hope my experience will help you choose the most suitable immigration path to this wonderful country.

Migration plan to Canada

Everything was clear and straightforward: I needed to take the English language test, gather all the necessary documents, submit the application for the program, wait for confirmation, and then head to Canada.

To move things forward, I had to provide the results of my IELTS English test, a certificate of no criminal record, documents proving my graduation from university in Odessa, a bank statement, fill out all the forms, write a motivation letter, obtain recommendation letters, provide my passport, and a sponsorship letter from my parents.

The cost of moving to Canada

Speaking of the cost of moving, it all depends on which program you decide to go for. For example, studying is a fairly popular, but also expensive way to immigrate to Canada. The annual cost of training can vary from 16 to 40 thousand CAD per year (from 12 to 30 thousand US dollars). The essence of the program is simple: you receive education from a Canadian public university, paying for it yourself, then after training you are granted a work visa; if you have work experience in your specialty, you have a chance to get residency and then citizenship.

In addition to education expenses, it's advisable to have a financial cushion for at least 2-3 months. Life in Canada greatly depends on the region you live in. For example, to feel comfortable in Toronto, you need to earn between 4,000 to 5,000 Canadian dollars a month after taxes (3,000 to 3,700 US dollars). Overall, prices are constantly rising due to inflation, but the government is taking measures to stabilize the situation.

Housing in Canada

The housing situation is also not smooth: due to rising interest rates and the fight against inflation, many people find it difficult to afford real estate. Even if housing prices have slightly decreased, many still cannot afford it (taking out a loan for such purposes is very challenging).

Market correction in Canada

The market correction in Canada was triggered by the rapid rise in interest rates. Starting from March of last year, the base rate was 0.25%, but gradually the Bank of Canada increased the rates, and they have now reached 4.25%. This has directly affected potential buyers planning to take out a five-year mortgage. Now they have to deal with an interest rate of around 6.5%.

Comparison of data by cities

To visualize the current situation, let's look at data on the average price per square meter of housing, rent of a one-bedroom apartment and average salary in five well-known Canadian cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec, Ottawa and Montreal.

Vancouver:

• Price per square meter:$7,800-10,300
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment:$1,500-1,800
• Average salary:$3,500

Toronto:

• Price per square meter:$7,500-9,500
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment:$1,500-1,800
• Average salary:$3,200

Quebec:

• Price per square meter:$2,500-8,500
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment:$650-780
• Average salary:$2,800

Ottawa:

• Price per square meter:$5,000-6,000
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment:$1,100-1,300
• Average salary:$3,200

Montreal:

• Price per square meter:$3,500-6,200
• Renting a one-bedroom apartment:$800-1,000
• Average salary:$2,850

Buying a home in Canada

Starting January 1, 2023, only citizens or permanent residents will be able to purchase housing in Canada, as this opportunity is closed to foreigners. However, there are exceptions, which we will discuss later in the text.

Employment and healthcare in Canada

When it comes to employment, healthcare, and taxation in Canada: jobs can be found, but the question is where to look and what salary to expect. There are many low-paying positions, but with that level of income, it's difficult to live in major cities. Qualified specialists will need more time to find a job and send out resumes. As for healthcare, basic medical services are provided for free; however, dental, ophthalmological, and cosmetic services will require additional expenses.

How to move to Canada and how much could it cost?

According to statistics, Canada has a population of over 38 million people, and the main population growth is due to immigrants. The country is actively attracting new residents and setting progressive goals to increase the number of immigrants in the coming years.

Choosing where to live in Canada

Canada has ten provinces and three territories, each offering its own unique living experience. To choose a place to live, it's worth exploring the traditions and characteristics of each province, determining what exactly you expect from your new life, and selecting the most suitable option.

The main reasons for moving to Canada

• Studying abroad;
• The desire to improve the quality of life;
• Fear of losing my job;
• Searching for new career opportunities.

On the reasons for moving to Canada

My name is Dima, and I am from Ukraine. After five years of studying in Odessa, I decided in my fourth year that I wanted to move abroad to continue my education. I chose Seneca College (Toronto, Ontario) because it was the most optimal option in terms of price and quality. The moving process took about 10 months, and I ended up moving to Canada in December 2018.

About the Canadian Experience Class program

To obtain a residence permit under the Canadian Experience Class program, I have lived in Canada for about two years and had a job at the time of my application. This program is one of the most popular and convenient ways to immigrate, allowing those who already live in Canada to become permanent residents. Another bonus is the ability to stay in Canada on a work permit after graduation.

Immigration programs in Canada

Canada offers a variety of programs and ways to immigrate, ranging from studying in college to business immigration. The most popular immigration programs to Canada are:

• Studying in Canada;
• Skilled Professionals;
• Business immigration;
• Pilot Atlantic Immigration Program in Canada (AIPP);
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot;
• International Experience Canada (IEC);
• Tech Pilot;
• Self-Employed;
• Caregivers;
• Family sponsorship;
• Express Entry.

All the necessary information about immigration programs, visas, and work in Canada is available on the official website of the Government of Canada.

Conclusions

Moving to Canada presents a multitude of unique opportunities that are only available here. It's important to keep your goals in mind and stay open to changes on the journey to life in a new country. However, with the right preparation and understanding of Canada's specifics, the move can become a successful and enjoyable experience.