If you are from Ghana and you want to move to Canada, there are a number of immigration options that may be available to eligible Ghanian nationals that could help you make the transition from Ghana to Canada. There are a number of immigration options that are available to persons outside of Canada.
To begin with, persons wishing to move to Canada have the option of immigrating either as Canadian permanent residents or Canadian temporary residents. If you are able to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident, it would be ideal and time-saving for you.
Permanent Residence
Canadian immigration rules allow for persons outside Canada to apply for permanent residency from their home countries even before arriving in Canada. One of the options available is under federally managed immigration streams. The Federal Skilled Worker program and the Federal Skilled Trades program are Canadian immigration options managed by the federal government. Notably, the Federal Skilled Worker program and the Federal Skilled Trades program are available to Ghanian nationals wishing to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.
Express Entry System
In addition, both of these immigration programs are managed through a system known as the Express Entry System. The federal government uses the Express Entry System to filter out ineligible applicants and create a pool of eligible prospective permanent residency applicants. The pool of selected candidates is created through a points system that is based on a number of factors that are considered. Therefore, the Express Entry system is not an immigration stream.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
One of the factors considered is your academic qualifications. You would be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program if you have at least a university degree or higher qualifications. The higher your qualification the more points you will be awarded. Hence, a person who has at least a bachelor’s degree will be a good candidate.
The second consideration is age. If you are between the ages of 22 and 33, you will have an advantage since the system assigns more points based on age. The younger you are the more points you get. Another important factor is your work experience. If you have work experience in a professional-type job, it will be an advantage.
The fourth factor is your language skills. Your ability to speak and write either in English or French increases your points in the system. You will have to take an English or French language test and based on your performance in the language test, you will be assigned points.
Points are assigned based on all four factors and ultimately, the persons with the highest points are the ones who get invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Therefore, if you are a Ghanian national and you think that you would be eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you should consider applying.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Similarly, if you are a high skilled worker such as a certified, trained, and experienced electrician, for instance, the Federal Skilled Trades program may be an option for you. The general factors considered and the evaluation process is similar to the Federal Skilled Worker program. One of the differences is that for the Federal Skilled Trades program, your trade certification, trade education, and experience in the particular skilled trade will be considered.
The trade-related considerations along with factors such as your age and language skills will be used to assign you points under the Express Entry system. Ghanaian nationals eligible under either of the two federally managed immigration streams can take advantage of this to apply for Canadian permanent residency directly from Ghana.
Provincial Immigration Options
There are other immigration options available for Ghanian nationals under provincially managed immigration programs. Aside from the federally managed immigration programs, every province in Canada has its own immigration programs. The provinces develop these programs to meet different and unique labor needs that each province may have from time to time.
Generally, one of the requirements to successfully apply under a provincial program is that you need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer within the specific province you intend to apply for permanent residency. It is important to note that the job offer is a general requirement and it may not be required in every situation when applying under provincial programs.
The federally managed programs and the provincial programs are some of the pathways in which a Ghanian national can apply for Canadian permanent residency. Alternatively, there is an option of first immigrating to Canada temporarily and thereafter transitioning to become Canadian permanent residents and eventually Canadian citizens.
Temporary Residence
There are a number of temporary residence options. You can either immigrate as a student on a study permit or a worker on a work permit. Either option allows you to move with your family if you wish to and is subject to meeting the eligibility requirements. Your family in this case means your dependent children and spouse. Your accompanying spouse may either be your married or common-law partner. Your dependent children generally mean children under the age of 22 and mostly those who are under the age of 18.
Once you immigrate to Canada either as a student or worker, there are a number of opportunities that may present themselves for you to apply for Canadian permanent residency from inside Canada. For instance, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class, which is a permanent residency stream specifically for temporary residents who are already inside Canada.
Ultimately, a Ghanaian national wishing to move to Canada has the option of doing so temporarily as a student or a worker. After completing their studies or after working in Canada for at least one year, they can then apply for permanent residency from inside Canada.
Alternatively, if you are able to secure a job offer from a Canadian employer, you may be able to immigrate on a work permit and take your spouse and dependent children with you. The open spousal work permit makes it possible for your partner to move with you in most circumstances. Your dependent children will be able to attend high school or elementary school while you are working in Canada.
Conclusion
The permanent and temporary residency options explained above are just some of the immigration options available to Ghanian nationals. They are not an exhaustive list and there are other pathways such as the investor option that is available to business persons. Ghanaian nationals who wish to move to Canada and have the financial means and business management expertise and experience may also have the option of immigrating to Canada as investors.
Let Us Help
If you are a Ghanian national and you wish to immigrate from Ghana to Canada, we are here to assist you to put together the necessary immigration application and guide you throughout the process.
Should you have any questions or need any professional advice on the Canadian immigration options available to Ghanian nationals, we are available and happy to provide you with the assistance you need.
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