What makes Canada more appealing to Indians than the US?
For nearly a century, Indian immigrants have been a part of life in Canada. In reality, the first documented evidence of Indians in Canada is from 1904. The bulk of the Indian newcomers to Canada at the time were Sikhs looking for a better life in British Columbia.
Fast forward more than a century, and by 2022, Canada will have more than one million Indian residents. When Canada's population was counted in the 2016 census, it revealed that about 670,000 Indian people had settled in the country as permanent residents or naturalized Canadian citizens. Since then, over 200,000 more Indians have been granted permanent residency, and the latest statistics indicate that there are currently over 220,000 Indian foreign students in Canada. When you factor in all of the additional temporary work visa holders from India, many of whom may eventually become permanent residents, Canada's Indian community has a population equal to that of Ottawa. According to all indicators, the Indo-Canadian community in Canada will continue to grow.
According to Statistics Canada, Indian-Canadians are the second-largest non-European community after Chinese Canadians. The seventh-largest Indian diaspora in the world is in Canada. The provinces of Ontario and British Columbia have the biggest populations of Indian Canadians, with Alberta and Quebec following closely behind, with the majority of them being foreign-born.
The number of Indians getting permanent residency in Canada has more than quadrupled since 2016, owing to increasingly stringent immigration rules under the Trump administration and the difficulties of obtaining green cards in the United States. According to current trends, Indian scientists and engineers will continue to consider Canada as a desirable place to pursue their careers and establish a family.
Why is Canada the best country for Indians to immigrate to?
Many American and Indian technology firms have established affiliate operations in Canada. The Canadian government, for its part, has simplified the work visa procedure for IT employees and has established a clear path to permanent residence.
Indian nationals are well-suited to Canada's points-based selection system, which prioritizes youth, post-secondary education, and high-skilled international and (particularly Canadian) employment experience.
High-level English language abilities are necessary to qualify for permanent residency under Canada's Express Entry points system, which might explain why the number of Chinese immigrants has stayed relatively stable in recent years. Chinese nationals who do not receive enough points through Express Entry may still be able to obtain permanent residency through programs established by Canadian provinces that focus on skills.
Things have altered considerably since 1904 when the first known Indian subcontinent immigrants arrived in Vancouver and carved out a niche for themselves. Today, the situation has changed dramatically, with a large number of Indians migrating to Canada in search of better job possibilities and a better life in general.
Even during the COVID-19 epidemic, Canada had a low unemployment rate of 5.67 percent, making it an appealing emigration destination. Furthermore, university tuition in Canada is 27% lower than in the US. Canada is also rated as one of the world's safest countries. The Global Peace Index ranked Canada the sixth safest country in the world in 2021. Canada received higher marks for internal conflicts, crime rates, and governmental stability. Canada is also regarded as having some of the nicest people on the planet. Canada's crime rate is around a third of that of its neighbor, the United States (1.6 incidents per 100,000 vs 4.5 per 100,000 respectively). According to a Gallup study conducted in 2018, 84 percent of Canadians believe their nation is safe.
Furthermore, the World Happiness Report 2020, published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranked Canada as the world's tenth "happiest" country, ahead of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Many individuals attribute the sharp increase in Indian immigration to Canada to the challenges Indians face in acquiring or updating H-1B visas in the United States. "Canada is benefiting from a diversion of young Indian tech workers from US destinations," Peter Rekai, founder of Toronto-based immigration law firm Rekai LLP, told Forbes Magazine. "This is largely due to the challenges of obtaining and renewing H-1B visits and finding a reliable route to US permanent residence."
What do the results of Canadian polls imply for Indians?
Immigration has been viewed in Canada as a means of increasing population, economic growth, and cultural diversity. Unlike the United States, where immigration is a source of significant political conflict, Canada has a broad consensus on the benefits of immigration, particularly for addressing the challenges of an aging population and a low birth rate.
However, there are calls in Canada to broaden the country's immigration pool by including people from countries other than India. However, these voices remain in the minority. So far, no major political party has called for country-based quotas like those in the US. Whatever happens on September 20, Indians will very definitely be allowed as students and permanent residents in Canada in the coming years.
The Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada
There are several immigration possibilities available to Indian nationals seeking to settle permanently in Canada. Indian nationals will account for roughly one-third of all new permanent residents in Canada in 2021. In this essay, we will discuss the best options for moving to Canada from India right now.
Federal Skilled Worker: Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applicants must have at least one year of skilled job experience. It is extremely competitive, with all candidates receiving a points-based score through the sophisticated Comprehensive Ranking System. Only the most qualified candidates will be chosen for immigration.
In 2021, Indian citizens received more than half of all Express Entry invites, largely via the Federal Skilled Worker stream.
Programs for Provincial Nominees (PNPs)
Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs, are immigration programs run by each of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories. Because each province has a varied population and economy, each province's immigration plans are unique and designed to meet its economic and demographic demands.
PNPs are popular because they can provide the quickest route to Canadian permanent residency for individuals who do not have enough CRS points to acquire an ITA. Provincial Nominee Program immigration accounts for a sizable share of total economic immigration to Canada. A total of 232,500 economic immigrants are planned for 2021, with 80,800 earmarked for applicants under the Provincial Nominee Program. Canada granted three times as many invites to PNP-specific Express Entry lotteries in 2021.
Quebec Skilled Employees (QSW)
Quebec operates its own skilled worker immigration scheme. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) is a provincial immigration program for individuals with skilled job experience who will be able to make long-term contributions to Quebec's economy as members of the workforce.
Applicants are rated using a points system, similar to Express Entry, and then selected candidates are asked to apply.
Permits to Work
Certain Indian nationals may be qualified for a work permit in Canada. An employment offer is frequently necessary to acquire a work visa. However, there is one notable exception: intra-company transfers. If your firm is a worldwide corporation with locations in Canada, you may be able to be relocated to a Canadian office with minimal paperwork!
Sponsorship by a family
You may be eligible for family class sponsorship if you have a qualified relative residing in Canada. Canada has several immigration options that allow Canadians to sponsor family members to come to Canada.
Indians who become permanent residents in Canada reap significant perks.
- A flourishing economy with plenty of job opportunities.
Canada has one of the largest economies in the world, and its job market has been rising in recent years. The unemployment rate in Canada is at an all-time low, indicating that there are plenty of work opportunities.
- Free medical and health care treatment.
You will be eligible for free health care services as a permanent resident of Canada. In other nations, world-class health care is a pipe dream, yet Canada provides PRs with world-class health care for free. If you bring your family with you, they will be able to make use of Canada's cutting-edge services and facilities.
- Free education of great quality.
As if free healthcare wasn't enough, all children under the age of 18 in Canada receive free schooling. This covers basic and secondary school education up to and including a Canadian high school certificate. Access to this sort of education as a permanent resident might be a game-changer for your family's future. Being able to send your children to well-established schools that teach current courses while not spending any money on their education is a parent's dream come true.
- A secure country with plenty of open space.
As one of the safest nations in the world, you may rest assured that your family will be safe in Canada as permanent residents. In the 2019 Global Peace Index, Canada was named the 6th safest country in the world.
- Benefits from social services and social security.
In addition, the Canadian government makes significant investments in social services and social security. Subsidies, basic pensions, family tax benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and other programs are available to citizens and PRs.
- A tolerant and multicultural society.
Canada is recognized for having a varied and cosmopolitan culture that welcomes people from all around the world with open arms. In reality, more than one in every five Canadians is a first-generation immigrant. Almost half of the population of Toronto is made up of first-generation immigrants.
What Comes Next?
Due to its high standard of living, citizenship, and other factors, Canada is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants. Several families have settled in Canada, giving immigrants a sense of belonging. It's time to get started on your project. We want you to select us. Because immigration rules and laws are always changing, it is best to speak with Canada's immigration consultants who can assist and guide you throughout the process. Our main goal at Pelican Migration Consultants is to give you all of the information you need to make the best possible decisions.
We are one of the leading immigration experts in Dubai, and we can assist you in planning and managing your immigration to Canada so that you may live a happy life in the country of your choosing.
We provide experienced guidance to ensure that you portray yourself in the best possible manner to the Canadian immigration authorities. We assist clients by estimating their chances of being compelled to obtain a visa, preparing them for visa interviews and offering feedback, and building a personalized immigration strategy plan for each client. Best wishes!
