Thinking of moving to Canada from Singapore? You’re not the only one.
Every year, Canada welcomes over 300,000 to 400,000 new immigrants into the country including Singaporeans.
If you live in Singapore and you’re looking to make a change in your life, whether for adventure or a better quality of life, Canada is a great start.
How to Immigrate to Canada from Singapore
There are many ways to obtain Canadian PR for Singaporean 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 Singaporean 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 Singapore.
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 Singaporeans Move to Canada
Although Singapore is a developed country where its citizens enjoy a nice life, many people yearn for something more and often turn to Canada to find it.
Each individual has their own specific reasons for wishing to migrate to Canada from Singapore but in general, they do so in search of a better quality of life, better career opportunities, financial gain or a better future for themselves and their families.
For people who are thinking of moving to Canada from Singapore, a country is an attractive option because of its democratic, peaceful society, free, universal healthcare and world-class education system.
The multicultural, diverse society is a welcoming one and most immigrants quickly feel at home and integrate well into the Canadian society. Many Singaporeans who migrate to Canada from Singapore choose to settle in bigger cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
One of the best ways of fast-tracking your immigration application is to try and land a job in Canada while you’re still living in Singapore.
How to Get a Job in Canada from Singapore
Finding a job in Canada while living at the other end of the world is not as challenging or difficult as it used to be.
Thankfully, the digital world offers plenty of different ways of finding work in Canada for Singaporeans.
Here are some things you can do to start searching for your dream job in Canada from Singapore.
Government of Canada Job Bank
This is a great tool and website that has thousands of vacancies in any number of fields and specialities. There is a job out for every skill and education level. The great thing about the Job Bank is that it is run by the Government of Canada and completely free to use.
The site has advice and resources for job seekers and is the easiest place to start looking for work.
Job listing websites
Job Bank is not the only way to go. There are several highly reputable job listing websites like Workopolis or Indeed that have yielded great results for job seekers.
If you know which province you want to settle in, you can search specifically for jobs in that province through area-specific sites like Toronto Jobs.
LinkedIn is another great place to apply for jobs and a fantastic way of making connections and building your network.
One of the best ways of getting a job is by reaching out to potential employers or recruiters and expressing interest in a role. Very often companies will hire someone they have a good rapport with and that can start with a simple hello.
Recruitment agencies
Some people swear by recruitment agencies and it’s easy to see why. You give them all your information, fill out half a dozen forms and applications and they do all the work for you!
Because employers go to recruitment agencies to fill vacancies, they can find you a perfect match based on your experience and your career goals. They’re also great if you’re looking for a job in a specific city.
Some of the most well-known recruitment agencies are:
While it is by no means an easy process, it’s not an impossible one and the most important thing to keep in mind when applying for jobs is to stay patient and apply to everything you can.
Remember to format your resume to the Canadian standard and tweak the language to sound more Canadian.
- 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 Singaporeans
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 Singapore residents. Canada2036 has put together a top Recommended Canadian Immigration Consultants list based on extensive research, customer testimonials, and other vetting methods.
With Canada planning on welcoming over 1.2 million newcomers into Canada by 2023, there has never been a better time to consider making the move.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to immigrate to Canada may be, it’s a move worth making!
