The first Chinese immigrants landed in Canada in the 1780s, and as such have made significant contributions to nearly all aspects of Canadian society. The number of Chinese immigrants has steadily continued to rise through the years and remains one of the top source countries for newcomers coming into Canada.
According to Statistics Canada data from 2021, Canada has close to 1.8 million Chinese immigrants with the majority living in Vancouver or Toronto.
Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta are also very popular destinations for Chinese immigrants.
How to Immigrate to Canada from China
There are many ways to obtain Canadian PR for Chinese citizens. It could be governed by your skill level and reason for moving.
Let’s have a look at some of the main programs for the most common goals.
Immigrate to Canada as a Worker / Express Entry
Do you have any skills and professional background?
If that is the case, you might want to have a closer look at the programs that are processed under the Express Entry system:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – if you have at least a year of full-time Canadian work experience in the last 3 years;
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) – if you are skilled in a trade listed in the NOC & have at least 2 years of recent full-time Canadian experience in the last 5 years;
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – if you want to settle in a certain province or city;
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – if none of the above fit to your case.
Check Now If You are Eligible For One of Canada’s Working Programs or Just Book a Free Consultation Call with An Immigration Expert
As for the Express Entry system, we tell more about how it works here.
Immigrate to Canada with Your Family
Looking to immigrate to Canada with your family?
If the answer is yes, you should know that if one of the parents or one partner has received a visa, the rest of the family can come along. That’s why as partners you may want to submit 2 applications as you never know who has better chances of receiving the visa.
Also, a student visa is easier to obtain than a working visa, and if one of the family members managed to achieve one, it can help bring the whole family to Canada.
This is the kind of creative solution a Canadian immigration consultant can help you with. That’s also why the best advice we can give you is to consult with an Immigration expert!
Temporary Immigration for Young Adults (18-35yo): IEC / Student Visa
Do you want to “try on” Canadian life before immigration?
Then you might want to explore International Experience Canada (IEC Canada).
This program is ideal for Chinese citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who are looking to test the waters in Canada.
If approved for the program, applicants are permitted to live in Canada for up to two years to work, travel, and experience Canadian life.
This allows the individual to get a feel for what life in Canada would be like without making a full commitment from the start. If they can see themselves living here permanently, they can start the process of moving to Canada from China.
Immigrate to Canada as a Student
Are you interested in studying in Canada?
Luckily, Canada is very welcoming for those who are looking for higher education.
In Canada, you can obtain a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) following most programs of study. Your PGWP can be valid for the same duration as your study permit, up to three years.
With its reputable educational system and high-ranking universities, Canada is one of the most attractive countries for students from around the world.
To get into a Canadian university, students need to get the student visa.
We described the process of becoming a Canadian student here.
Immigrate to Canada as an Entrepreneur or Investor
Do you want to get citizenship by investing in Canada’s economy?
If so, then you may learn more about the Investor Visa.
Do you have the skills, talent, and funds to build or establish a business in Canada?
Then Start-up visa could be an option for you. You may learn more about it here.
You may also have a look at our guide that covers business immigration.
Family Sponsorship In Canada
Immigration is faster and easier for those who have relatives in Canada. Possibly, you have someone you want to move your family after you immigrate.
If that is the case, Family Sponsorship options could be perfect for you.
This pathway works in one of two ways – inland or outland. The inland sponsorship is when the individual sponsored is already living in Canada, while the outland sponsorship is for someone currently living outside of Canada.
You may learn about Family Sponsorship here.
Why do Chinese nationals immigrate to Canada?
At least half of the people leaving China do so to be reunited with family and friends. Other compelling reasons include:
Education and Career Opportunities
Young Chinese students often choose Canada to pursue higher education because the country is home to many reputable post-secondary educational institutions. In fact, the educational system as a whole is one of the best around the world. There are also greater opportunities for developing and advancing a professional career in Canada.
Investment
Many wealthy businessmen and women, move to Canada for investment purposes. They bring their money from China and invest it into businesses, especially real estate. One of the reasons why Canada’s housing market is booming with skyrocketing prices is Chinese investors. In 2021, over $12.7 billion of investment in Canada came from Chinese immigrants.
Diversification of wealth
The gap between the rich and poor is quite significant in China, it can be nearly impossible for poor people to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty and create a better life for themselves. In Canada, the majority of the population lives a comfortable, middle-class life. Government assistance ensures everyone who needs it can have access to the basic necessities.
Quality of life
Chinese nationals are known for working hard. People in blue-collar jobs have it especially hard pulling in long hours for little pay. Canada provides better work-life balance, a higher quality of life as well as equal opportunities for all.
Politics
China’s political landscape is also quite different from democratic countries like the United States and Canada.
China has an authoritarian political system with any opposition to the government quickly suppressed. Religious activity is controlled while things like freedom of speech and civil liberties are curtailed. Many people leave the country searching for freedom.
Natural beauty
Home to over 1.4 billion people, China is overpopulated. It doesn’t help that there are also over 400 000 industrial enterprises operating in the country. This makes for a crowded environment heavy with pollution.
Canada is brimming over with breathtaking natural beauty, clean cities, and clean air. It’s a refreshing place to settle down in and raise a family.
Get a job in Canada from China
It may seem like a difficult task but finding a job in Canada while you’re still living in China doesn’t have to be hard at all.
While there is a number of ways to connect with employers, here are two tried and tested methods for every job seeker:
Employment websites
Nearly everything is done online nowadays, so it only makes sense to look for jobs online as well. Some large, Canada-wide job listing sites like Indeed, Monster or Workopolis are excellent starting points and have thousands of job listings from all parts of the country.
If you’re looking for a job in a specific city or community, a simple google search can point you to the right website to concentrate your search.
LinkedIn and Networking
LinkedIn is becoming an increasingly popular way of connecting with people, networking, and landing a job. Many times when you connect with an employer or recruiter it can go a long way towards helping you land the job. In addition to job vacancies, LinkedIn has great resources and allows you to directly connect with the employer.
- UIS Canada is a professional immigration consultancy that upholds a spotless and proven track record of providing the highest quality customer service. They make sure that clients have all the most up-to-date information, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays in their immigration process.
- UIS only works with RCICs and they specialize in permanent residency and temporary visas.
- Great North Visa is a top-tier, solution-driven consulting firm committed to facilitating their clients’ main objective of receiving the Canadian visa they require by providing a wide range of immigration services and settlement solutions designed to simplify your immigration process.
- Great North Visa puts an entire team of selected Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) at your disposal.
Recommended Canada Immigration Consultants for Chinese Residents
Don’t know where to begin?
Immigration could be challenging. But there are professionals (RCICs) who know everything about available immigration programs and how to come up with a plan that would bring you the desired permanent residency.
The trick is finding the right RCIC or agency for Chinese residents. Canada2036 has put together a top Recommended Canadian Immigration Consultants list based on extensive research, customer testimonials, and other vetting methods.
Canada is hungry for new immigrants. The country’s economic and social growth is heavily dependent on a steady flow of immigrants.
This means your chances of finding a job in Canada and being able to immigrate to the country are excellent!
Go ahead and start your journey to Canada today!
