Gen Z: Considering moving to Canada Immigration to Canada for Gen Z: Reasons, Success Factors, Pathways
Following the recent federal election and the re-election of Donald Trump, the United States faces deep political division. Many are feeling anxious and uncertain about the future.
Consequently, at BIC, we have experienced a notable increase in inquiries about immigrating to Canada. Although individuals from diverse backgrounds are contemplating relocation due to the election outcomes, a significant representation comes from Gen Z, as reported by Fortune Magazine. Common motives for this desire to move include concerns over planned mass deportations, LGBTQ rights, societal changes, reproductive rights, healthcare access, gun safety, and other vital issues.
It's essential to recognize that relocating to Canada isn’t as simple as packing up and moving. There’s not only an immigration process that applicants need to navigate, but they also must meet specific criteria to qualify for Permanent Residence in Canada. Fortunately, this process presents opportunities for many Gen Z individuals, making them strong candidates sought by the Canadian Government due to their age and other factors. Let’s explore why Canada appeals to so many, consider the factors that can impact eligibility, and examine some concrete immigration pathways that may be relevant to you if you are considering the move to your friendly and liberal neighbour.
Why Canada?
Regardless of politics, Canada has long been the most popular destination for US residents looking to relocate. Canada is a vast, diverse country that is economically strong. It is safe, offers affordable healthcare, and a prestigious yet relatively affordable education system. To top it off, Canadians are known to be friendly and welcoming people.
Another significant reason for Canada’s popularity among Americans is not only its language and geographic proximity but also its cultural and economic closeness, as both neighbours have been intertwined for years. These factors make adjusting to life in a new country easier, and many Americans have family or friends in Canada, motivating them to make the move.
Finally, despite a recent reduction in immigration target numbers, Canada still boasts one of the most welcoming immigration systems in the world, accepting more new Permanent Residents annually than the rest of the G7. The trends for the last few years also show that young, educated individuals remain Canada’s priority when attracting immigrants.
What Makes You a Successful Candidate to Immigrate to Canada?
Canada aims to attract youth, especially those in their 20s and early 30s, to fill gaps in the ageing workforce. Therefore, if you are part of Gen Z, your age, post-secondary education and years of skilled work experience are among the most significant factors that may help you on your immigration journey.
Language skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English and French, are also essential to boost your chances. While most Americans already possess a high level of English, knowing French increases your chances dramatically since Canada currently prioritizes attracting French-speaking candidates through several immigration programs.
Lastly, having family relations with a Canadian may pave the way to immigrating to Canada for some. If you live with a Canadian spouse or common-law partner, you may be eligible for family sponsorship, while having a Canadian parent may even entitle you to apply for Canadian Citizenship immediately. Moreover, you may receive additional points for Express Entry (introduced below) if you have a family member in Canada.
Immigration Pathways
Having discussed critical factors of immigrating to Canada, here’s a brief overview of three immigration pathways where those aspects may be advantageous for you:
Express Entry System:
The federal Express Entry System is Canada’s main pathway to Permanent Residence. It is based on the country’s labour market needs and is known for its relatively fast processing time of six months or less. The Express Entry System uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, according to which candidates are evaluated based on factors such as their age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English or French, and adaptability factors.
One can receive additional points for a provincial nomination or a Canadian job offer. Applicants submit their profile under one of the three main programs:
· Federal Skilled Worker Program
· Federal Skilled Trades Program
· Canadian Experience Class
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for Permanent Residence through regular draws. In 2023-2024, Canada introduced draws for new categories such as healthcare, trade occupations, and French-language proficiency.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another points-based Canadian immigration pathway that allows applicants with strong ties to specific provinces or territories to gain Permanent Residence. Said provinces and territories can select individuals with the right skills, education and work experience to meet specific local labour market needs. Like Express Entry, the PNP offers different categories to apply under and depending on their situation, applicants can either link their application to the Express Entry System or apply separately.
Family Sponsorship:
This program allows eligible Canadian Citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members to become permanent residents of Canada, irrespective of their language skills, work experience or age. This includes spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and other relatives.
Temporary Options
If you don’t qualify for Canadian Permanent Residence quite yet, other temporary options may be available. While living in Canada on temporary status, you may complete your education, gain Canadian work experience or learn French to boost your chances of eventually obtaining Permanent Residence in Canada. Some of these options include obtaining a Study Permit and subsequent Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or a work permit using the LMIA process. Some Americans may even be able to relocate while staying with their current employer through an intra-company transfer. This is also a good approach, as it allows you to live in Canada for a few years to see if it is the right fit for you and your family.
Explore Your Options
While many Gen Z Americans may be strong candidates, the process is not always straightforward, and not everyone qualifies. If you would like to explore your options, feel free to contact us at Beaudoin Immigration Consulting (BIC). Annie Beaudoin is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (license #R533869) and former Canadian visa officer at the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles. She has over 20 years of experience in Canadian Immigration. Apart from her expertise in Canadian immigration law, Annie has a profound understanding of Canada as well as the US and will assess your probability of success fairly and honestly.
Visit the following link to our website to book a consultation:
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