I want to Immigrate to Canada. Where do I start?

So, you decided that you want to immigrate to Canada. Great choice! Now, how can you start the process to make this possible?

There are many reasons why people choose to immigrate to Canada and some of the most popular answers depend on if you have children or not! If you have children, it’s usually about having a better future or more options for your children. If you are younger and single, then generally it’s about having a better life and more opportunities. I’ve even heard that they want a change of scenery in their life.

Whatever your reason is, I’m sure we can all agree that if you have chosen to relocate to Canada, then it is best to get it done properly the first time and with professional help. You might not know this, but it will save you countless hours, wasted money on bad applications, and possibly, even affecting your ability to ever come here should you make a fatal error on your application.

Where to Begin?

It is always recommended that you start with an initial consultation. Now before you say, “here we go, he’s trying to sell me on a consult!” Bear with me, I want to tell you the reason why these consultations are important.

Any professional service always starts with an initial consultation. I always tell people that an Initial Consultation is advised as you are obtaining professional legal advice on how best to proceed with your future to ensure it is done properly. A consultation consists of our immigration professionals offering you a thorough assessment of your qualifications and information as it stands.

The assessment conducted during the initial consultation allows our immigration professionals to assess your information and determine the available pathways of immigration that you will be qualified for. Through the knowledge you receive from the initial consultation you will have a clear picture of the program(s) that you will be qualified for, allowing you to make an informed decision on how to proceed. The goal of the session with our immigration professionals is to look at all of the available options that may be possible for you and layout the immigration path forward.

By laying out the path forward, this will allow you to prepare for your future immigration application accordingly. Being prepared for your application will additionally enhance your chances of being successful and ensuring that the process is smooth.

In addition, during your consultation, you can ask any questions that you may have, in order to ensure that you understand the information being provided to you fully. It is important that you understand all of the information being given to you as it will be important for your immigration application that will follow.

This initial meeting is a good investment as you will have all of the answers on how best to proceed and you will not waste time or money proceeding in an improper fashion. 

Who Should I Do a Consultation With?

You should consult with a licensed professional who has the knowledge and expertise to serve you. Ensure that you are meeting with a licensed immigration consultant so that you can be confident that you will be obtaining legal advice that is relevant, valuable for your situation, and up to date.

Licensed immigration consultants obtain their licensing by completing an exam to ensure that they are qualified to offer immigration services. Part of maintaining the license includes attending annual courses to ensure their knowledge is up to date so they are prepared to serve you through all of the changes regularly made to the Canadian immigration system. Want to ensure that your immigration consultant is legit? You can visit the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) website and you will be able to search your consultant and verify their license status.

How Long is a Consultation & How Much Do They Cost?

Consultations are normally between 45 to 60 minutes. The length of a consultation can often depend on an individual’s case as more information may need to be discussed for some cases in comparison to others. Our Immigration Consultants are aware that it can sometimes be difficult to discuss everything necessary in the allotted time slot, and thus are able to accommodate and go over a few minutes if necessary. The cost varies depending on the services you are looking for and the work that needs to be done by the immigration consultant.

When should I book my Consultation?

You should book your consultation before you start the process of the application to ensure that you have a clear path and know what program you qualify for. This way you can get an idea of what your application will look like and what to look forward to.

Who Should Book a Consultation?

Everyone who wants to immigrate to Canada should book a consultation to ensure that they have the necessary information to proceed with a good and strong application.

If you are already in Canada and want to remain in Canada once your status expires, a consultation will be a good tool to understand the pathways available for you to remain in Canada longer or the possibility of settling down in the country.

The consultation is additionally beneficial for those who have already submitted an application but were not successful. In this case, the immigration consultant can review the reason you were not successful and advise you on how to proceed in a proper fashion to ensure that you have a stronger application going forward. Since immigration consultants have the knowledge and expertise in Canadian immigration law, they are better equipped to notice mistakes or errors in an application that you may have missed. They also have more experience knowing what visa officers tend to look for in their applications.

Also, since immigration consultants are regulated and are knowledgeable on Canadian immigration law, they are a stickler for following the rules and guidelines and you know your application is in the right hands!

Another key thing to remember is that immigration laws and regulations are always changing and updating. As part of their licensing requirements, immigration consultants are required to stay up-to-date and informed on these changes. It may be difficult for potential applicants to be informed with current immigration law if they do not have the educational background or experience. That is why it is best to use the services of a licensed immigration consultant that can guide you along the way.

What if I don’t want to book a Consultation?

I get it, a lot of people do not want to spend money on a consultation as they see it as a significant cost. Actually, you should see this as an investment in your future as that is what it is. You are getting the proper information and understanding your chances from a professional before starting or spending larger amounts of money on a venture that may be flawed from the outset without you even knowing.

While I do understand this, if you have heard me speak previously you would know that I am all about planning and taking things through a process therefore I have created The Immigration Success System™. The Immigration Success System™ was conceived and created by Brandon Miller who over the course of a decade has used this system to help thousands of people immigrate and settle in Canada. The system is comprised of three stages (Planning, Implementation, & Settlement) that are further broken down into eight distinct steps.

Please be wary of people offering free consultations, we are all old enough to understand that nothing is free in life, and you will essentially pay at some stage. Funny enough in speaking with people who have done “FREE” consults with less than scrupulous people, I find that they have a lot of the time, paid 2-3 times more for services that have gotten them nowhere and left them in a bad spot.

Do Your Research and Plan Ahead!

Planning to immigrate to Canada is a huge step in anyone’s life. For many, it is a life-altering decision. There are so many options to consider, depending on whether you’re looking to temporarily reside in Canada or start a new life and settle down. You may want to think about whether Canada is a good fit for you and if successful, whether you are able to transition smoothly. Some things you may want to think about are employment prospects in the field, you and your family’s financial needs as well as the physical and mental well-being of those planning to immigrate with you.

Moving to a new country is not an easy step to take for many people. It may affect us in more ways than we’d imagine. So, that is why it is important to do your research and see if this is a change you want to pursue before you begin your journey. That way, you can move forward in your immigration application process feeling more confident about your decision.

Not to mention, researching the program you wish to apply for before you apply is very crucial. You do not want to jeopardize your immigration dream by applying for a program you’re not eligible for, submitting the wrong documents, not disclosing crucial information, etc.

To be prepared and as successful as you could possibly be, research the path you’re going to take before you embark on the journey. When I say research and plan ahead, this could mean reading blogs such as the one you’re currently reading, reviewing the checklists on government websites to make sure you meet any requirements, creating a settlement plan that works for you, etc. Speaking with an immigration consultant could be beneficial to you if you are unsure which pathway to pursue or want assistance finding one that works in your circumstances.

Be Flexible!

It is a great thing to be prepared as much as possible, but you need to make sure your plans are flexible to any changes or unforeseen circumstances. As much as we want it to, things do not always go according to plan. You might find out that a program you thought you were qualified for does not work out, you do not score enough points to be considered eligible for permanent resident status, your application gets rejected, etc. It is always a good idea to have a backup plan, or two for these types of scenarios. What if you cannot afford to pay the application processing fees? What if a family member is found to be inadmissible into Canada? What are your next steps if your application gets rejected? How will COVID-19 affect your immigration journey? These are just a few things among many others that you should think about when planning your immigration journey to Canada. 

Be open to different pathways and options. See what best fits you and your family’s interests and needs. If this seems overwhelming for you, this is where hiring an immigration consultant would be beneficial.

An immigration consultant will be there for you every step of the process. They will help layout your options for you, help you think about what your next steps should be, how to be successful in your application, and what to look out for in the process. But you need to remember that hiring an immigration consultant does not automatically guarantee success in your immigration process. With that being said, they are knowledgeable and experienced professionals who can guide you in the right direction.

If you’re interested in booking a consultation with one of our Regulated Immigration Consultants, you can book an appointment here!

Alternatively, if you want to jump right in and learn more about Canadian immigration and your options to come to Canada, check out our 5-Day Immigration Blueprint Challenge here! This 5-day Challenge will provide you the information you need to start your “Strategic Plan” to Canada.

Ready to get started? Here are three ways we can help: 
1. Join our Facebook Community to connect with an amazing group of Second Passporters... This is a space where the community can share information, updates, and connect as a group of people with all the same goals!
2. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to help you prepare for your new journey of immigrating and settling in Canada!
3. Ready to begin your journey? Join our 5-Day Immigration Blueprint Challenge. By the end of the 5 days, you will have an Immigration Blueprint™ outlining your pathway to Canada.