Realize Your Canadian Dream: The Ultimate Guide To Moving

Are you considering relocating to Canada? You’ve visited Canada.ca and calculated your Express Entry score, but it’s not quite enough. Don’t worry, there are several strategies to improve your chances of qualifying for Canadian immigration.

Steps to Enhance Your Express Entry Profile:

1. Preparing for the IELTS Exam
2. Enrolling in a Post-Graduate Diploma or Certificate Program
3. Securing a Job Offer or Working in Canada for at Least One Year

1. Preparing for the IELTS Exam

One of the essential requirements for Canadian immigration is proving your English proficiency. Before moving to Canada, it’s beneficial to take a comprehensive IELTS preparation course. For instance, both Emre and I took a 20-hour one-on-one IELTS course in Istanbul/Kadıköy at DDM (Dünya Dilleri Merkezi) with Sahand Hoca. It helped us significantly in understanding the exam techniques and brushing up on our English skills.

If you’re a couple, it’s crucial to prepare together since your spouse’s IELTS scores also contribute to the overall application score. Recently, French language proficiency has also been added to the scoring criteria. If you can prove your French skills, it will further boost your profile. Unfortunately, we don’t speak French, but if you do, it’s a great advantage.

2. Enrolling in a Post-Graduate Diploma or Certificate Program

If your IELTS score is still below the required threshold, consider enrolling in a post-graduate program in Canada. This option is particularly viable if you have savings to support your education.

We opted for this route by attending a Canadian school. Emre applied for a one-year post-graduate certificate program at Centennial College. Here are some key considerations he made:

• Program Duration and Cost: A one-year (two-semester) post-graduate certificate is more affordable than a master’s degree or a two-year program.
• Designated Learning Institutions: Ensure the college offers post-graduation work permits, allowing part-time work during studies and full-time work after graduation. Emre confirmed these conditions before enrolling at an Ontario college.

After receiving approval from the school, Emre applied for a study permit through vfsglobal, including my work permit application. As a spouse, I received a work permit valid for the duration of Emre’s study permit, giving me 1.5 years to work in Canada.

3. Securing a Job Offer or Working in Canada for at Least One Year

Once you create an Express Entry profile, you’ll be directed to websites like Job Bank. Receiving a job offer through these platforms can earn you additional points. If you plan to start job hunting after arriving in Canada, remember that you need to work for at least one year to gain extra points. This work experience must be completed within your visa’s validity and your spouse’s post-graduation work permit period to avoid any barriers to becoming a permanent resident.

For more tips on moving to Canada and navigating the immigration process, subscribe to our blog or reach out with your questions.

Also, do not forget to check the official immigration website of Canada!

Good luck on your journey to Canada!