4 Ways to Migrate to Toronto

If you’re an American and are thinking about moving to Toronto, here are possible ways to do it.

1. Express Entry

Express Entry is a system of the Canadian government for attracting skilled workers to Toronto with the opportunity of permanent residency.

It’s a points-based system that assesses your eligibility based on your educational background, work experience, and language skills.

There are two major steps to acquiring Express Entry:

1. Express your interest in becoming a Canadian permanent resident to the Canadian government
2. Wait for the Canadian government to issue the top-scored applicants with the Invitation to Apply (ITA)

To qualify to apply for Express Entry you need to meet the following criteria:

• At least one year of full-time employment in a skilled occupation
• Score of at least seven in English or French on an approved language test (Canadian Language Benchmark)
• Completed post-secondary education that has been evaluated under Canadian criteria

Note that these are just the minimum requirements to apply for Express Entry. Meeting these requirements does not immediately guarantee receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Below are some important pieces of information that you must know about the Express Entry programme in Toronto. 

1. Immigration Programmes through Express Entry

Data from Canada.ca

For more detailed information on the Express Entry programmes and the qualifications for each, check out Canada.ca.

2. Express Entry Factors and Corresponding Points

Data from Canada.ca

As mentioned earlier, the Express Entry programme relies on a points-based system. This means that applicants are being evaluated on the factors above with corresponding points. 

The points scale has a maximum score of 1,200. So, the higher your points, the greater your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

Additional factors take the most points in the process. Applicants will be scored based on the following:

• Sister or brother living in Canada either as a citizen or permanent resident
• French language skills
• Post-secondary education in Canada
• Arranged employment 
• PN Nomination (provincial nominee)

3. Express Entry Cost Breakdown

Data from Canadim

The process for Express Entry application depends on which programme you are qualified for. The general details of the application process can be found on the Government of Canada website.

The government of Canada does not provide any financial aid or subsidy for applicants of the Express Entry programme. 

In fact, the applicants are required to show their financial capability when applying for Express Entry so the government would know that they are able to support themselves. 

2. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP)

The OINP is another immigration channel that opens the door for foreign people to 

settle permanently in Canada.

This programme is designed to attract immigrants in the fields that will benefit the province. It’s divided into three categories:

1. Ontario Human Capital

This programme includes several immigration streams that aim to attract applicants for Ontario’s labour force.

This program places a focus on knowledge, proficiency, and experience.

You may find success in this stream if you meet the minimum requirements:

• Work or education experience in Ontario
• Proficiency in both English and French languages
• A competitive Express Entry profile
• Intent to live in Toronto

Below are the additional requirements for every stream under the Ontario Human Capital Programme.

Data from Canadavisa.com

These streams do not necessarily require a job offer to apply.

2. Ontario Employer Job Offer

The Ontario Employer Job Offer programme is directed at foreign nationals who have accepted legitimate employment offers from qualified companies.

Foreign nationals with job offers in occupations such as agriculture, construction, and other specific occupations will have the chance to apply for permanent residency.

Successful applicants of this programme will receive an official nomination from the province. This will then make you eligible to apply for permanent residency.

The Minimum requirements to be eligible for this program are as follows:

• Expression of interest and Invitation to Apply (ITA)
• Work experience
• Valid licence (if your job requires a mandatory licence) or other authorizations
• Language
• Education
• Intention to live in cities in Ontario
• Legal status (if applicable)

Below are the additional requirements for different streams under the Ontario Employer Job Offer Programme.

Data from Canadavisa.com

Note that under this programme regardless of the stream, a job offer is required.

3. Ontario Entrepreneur

The Ontario Entrepreneur Stream is designed to cater to businesspeople who are interested in making investments for the growth of businesses in Ontario.

Entrepreneurs with a track record of success can start new businesses in any city in Ontario under this program including Toronto. Successful participants will then be nominated for permanent residence in Canada.

Below are the criteria for an individual to qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme under Ontario Entrepreneur Stream.

Data from Canadavisa.com

3. Family Sponsorship

If you have a family member in Toronto and you’re considering moving there, then the Family Sponsorship Programme may be for you. This program is designed to help residents move their entire families to Canada.

You can get sponsored by a resident if he/she has met the following basic criteria:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• At least 18 years old
• Has the capacity to support the sponsored person for several years

A sponsor is required to sign a Sponsorship Agreement. This is a commitment that they are able to provide the basic needs of their sponsored family members such as food, shelter, and clothing. 

Aside from the sponsorship agreement, the sponsor is also required to sign an Undertaking. This is to make the sponsor legally responsible for the sponsored individual.

This Undertaking is the time frame for which you are financially liable for the individual you are supporting.

Below is the guide for the length of Undertaking for the different family members you sponsor.

Data from Canadavisa.com

The process for sponsoring a family member to move to Toronto can be challenging. If you want the process to be as efficient and legal as possible, having your own immigration lawyer can help make the process easier.

4. Start-Up Visa

Entrepreneurs that are considering moving to Canada, specifically to Toronto, can take advantage of  Toronto’s Start-Up Visa Programme.

This programme helps international entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses that can create jobs for Canadians.

To qualify for the Start-Up Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a qualifying business 
• Secure a letter of support from the designated organisations under Venture capital funds, Angel investor groups, and business incubators
• Must have a minimum investment of $75,000 (for Angel investors) and $200 (for Venture capital funds)
• Meet the language requirements
• Have enough money to relocate to Canada and support yourself before you start to profit from your business

Note that a qualifying business means you are able to meet the conditions such as:

• You hold 10% or more voting rights to all shares of the corporation
• You and the designated organisation jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares
• Once you receive the permanent residence, you must be an essential part of the operations and your business should be incorporated in Canada

Here’s how you can apply for a Start-Up Visa:

1. Fill out the application form 
2. Gather and complete the document checklist
3. Pay the application fee
4. Submit the application

Another way to qualify for a Start-Up Visa is by getting into a business incubator. This is essentially an organisation that funds startup businesses and provides management training, mentorship, and even seed funding. 

The difference between this process with the normal Start-Up visa process is that in a business incubator, you don’t need to show investment and funds. 

For as long as there is a confirmation that the applicant has been approved in the incubator programme, your visa will also be approved. 

The process for applying to a business incubator is simple. You just have to submit a proposal to any of the designated business incubators, and if accepted your permanent residency is almost guaranteed. 

Below are additional information that will give you an idea of how much a Start-Up Visa would cost. 

Required Funds Based on the Number of Family Members

Data from Canadim

Cost of Application for Different Types of Applicants

Data from Canadim

The current processing time for Start-Up visa is around 31 months to complete, but there are applications that have been approved in as fast as 12-16 months. 

In order for your application to be processed immediately, make sure you have all the needed documents ready. 

FAQs on Migrating to Toronto from America

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It’s not an easy undertaking, but it’s definitely worth it. Here’s hoping that you’ll find all that you’re looking for in this lovely city!