The history of the Portuguese in Canada dates back centuries ago as they were among the first Europeans to land on Canadian soil. Today over half a million people from Portugal call Canada home.
Portugal is one of the many countries that doesn’t require a visa to travel to Canada. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is sufficient for a visit.
Many people come for a visit and fall completely in love with the country and decide to make a permanent move.
How to Immigrate to Canada from Portugal
There are many ways to obtain Canadian PR for Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portugal.
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.
Top Reasons Why Portuguese Move to Canada
Portuguese tend to immigrate to Canada for reasons that are very similar to other population groups and ethnicities.
When the residents of Portugal make the decision to leave their country and move to Canada, they are usually looking for a better quality of life, better employment opportunities and financial stability.
Canada’s diverse, open and multicultural society along with significant social benefits like free health care and a great education system are some additional reasons why the Portuguese look at Canada.
It’s no secret the application process can be more efficient and move quicker if the applicant already has a job in hand.
So how can you land that job?
How to Get a Job in Canada from Portugal
Is it easy finding a job in Canada for Portuguese?
Looking for a job is always a daunting and stressful process but it doesn’t have to be with the right tools at your fingertips!
Here are some things you can do to start searching for your dream job in Canada from Portugal.
Government of Canada Job Bank
The Government of Canada Job Bank is a very popular option for job seekers. The website, run by the Government of Canada is a veritable treasure trove with thousands of occupations available for all skills and education levels.
It’s a free service and extremely user friendly so you have nothing to lose.
Employment Websites
The success to finding the perfect job is to look in as many places as possible so don’t restrict your searches to just the Job Bank.
Workopolis or Indeed are two other popular employment websites. The sites are free for users and searches can be customized and narrowed down to province or city.
Some people also choose to look for jobs in province-specific sites if they have a specific place they want to settle in.
Cold calls
Making cold calls or reaching out to people can be a nerve-wracking experience but remember, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
A fantastic way of making cold calls and building connections is through LinkedIn. Jobs that are posted on LinkedIn make it very easy to see who the hiring manager or recruiter is. Don’t be shy about reaching out to someone once you’ve applied for a job or if you have any questions.
A conversation can often lead to a connection that can transform into a job opportunity. If not today maybe tomorrow.
Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies are a great option when looking for jobs in Canada. When you sign up with an agency, they will open a folder for you, take all your relevant information and try to match you with a job they feel you would excel at.
If you’re looking for a job in a particular city or province, consider going to the local branch of the recruitment agency.
Some of the most well-known recruitment agencies are:
An important thing to keep in mind when applying for jobs is to format your resume to the Canadian standard. It’s also important to tailor your resume to the position you are applying for instead of submitting a generic resume and cover letter.
Employers can see when you’ve made the effort.
With some patience and dedication, rest assured you’ll land on something sooner or later!
- 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 Portuguese 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 Portugal 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!
Don’t waste another moment and start your journey to Canada now.
