Whether you’re attending one of their highly ranked universities, migrating for career purposes, or simply wanting to give your family every possible opportunity, Canada offers you a bright future.
Disclaimer: The purpose of the E2 Blog is to provide general information based on publicly available sources and does not constitute legal or migration advice in any way. Anyone seeking advice on relocating to Canada should seek advice from a registered migration agent.
Hello from the E2 team!
Canada is a highly sought-after destination among students and migrants. With a great quality of life, diverse population, and plenty of job opportunities, Canada has a lot to offer you. In the wake of COVID-19, Canada is putting the pedal to the metal, speeding up work permit processing and increasing its immigration targets.
Read till the end to find all the reasons why the modern version of ‘The Last Best West‘ can be an amazing opportunity for a temporary or permanent international experience, and how E2 Test Prep can help you make your Canadian dream a reality.
Key takeaways:
- The Canadian government announced an ambitious plan to welcome 1.3 million migrants in the next two years to fill the skill shortage created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The impact of COVID-19 has created thousands of opportunities in many industries like hospitality, transport and supply chain.
- Regional areas (less populated cities and provinces) offer greater benefits for skilled migrants and even express entry pathways for permanent residency.
- English proficiency however is very important! – Wherever you stand in your English learning journey we are here to help!
- If you would like to know more about Canada we have prepared a free downloadable country guide.
Canada is open: Now more than ever
COVID-19 has created shortages in many industries in Canada. Despite employers offering increased wages and more flexible work options, the pool of available employees is simply not keeping pace with demand. Industries such as hospitality and food service, health care, manufacturing, construction, and trucking are reporting shortages in staffing.
As a result, the Canadian government is fast-tracking work permit applications, and increasing goals for immigration numbers to a whopping 432,000 by the end of 2022.
The Canadian education authorities have also advised that offering tertiary degrees to international students encourages them to stay in the country with their valuable skills and knowledge. The Post Graduation Work Permit, allows graduates to stay in Canada for up to 4 years while working in their field of study.
The highlights of Canada’s 2022 -2024 immigration plan
- The federal government has increased its immigration targets to 432,000 in 2022, 447,055 in 2023, and 451,000 in 20241.
- The Canadian Government has reiterated its intent to make Canadian citizenship applications free2.
- Changes to COVID requirements mean that fully vaccinated adults with a negative antigen test, and unvaccinated children no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days3.
- The immigration department has committed to reduce processing times for work permits and study permits4.
- Recent research has found that three in ten undergraduate students become permanent residents within ten years, five in ten with master’s degrees, and six in ten doctoral graduates5.
Regional areas will have a key role
There’s a strong demand for skilled workers and often students in areas outside the main centres. If you are willing to move to a smaller town or rural area, this can help your application. There are express entry pathways for migrants wanting employment in roles that are experiencing shortages. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows you to apply directly to the province or territory that you want to live in. Each region has their own program and conditions.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
There is also the community-driven Rural Northern Immigration Pilot. This creates a pathway to PR for skilled migrants who want to live in:
Even if you decide to go down this route, note that you still need to fulfil all the immigration requirements, including an English test.
Canada English Test Requirements
Non-native English speakers have told us at E2 that English language requirements can be a significant barrier to their education and migration aspirations. But we know that if you are willing to make the effort and have access to the right preparation resources it is possible for you to ace any test. See the story of our E2 success student Aamir who passed his IELTS with flying colours and is now pursuing his degree in Aerospace Engineering in Canada.
Canada currently accepts PTE, OET, TOEFL, IELTS or CELPIP as English proficiency proof, some exclusively for education, others only for migration. Whichever test you decide to take, it’s important to get a good score to avoid disappointment and unnecessarily wasting time and money.
How to improve your English band scores
The best way to get good at any language is total immersion. We realise that’s not always possible or realistic, so we’ve put together a selection of resources for you. Improving your English will take time and effort, but you can make it easier by making the process suit your lifestyle.
Did you know we offer preparation courses for all the English proficency tests accepted in Canada for both migration and education?
Needing to truly level up? Start today to make it happen! Remember, although Canada has increased their migration targets, you are still competing against other candidates. Spending your time and money wisely on test preparation with a proven track record will increase your chances to get the score you need to pursue these opportunities.
Once you’ve done our free placement test, take time to look at the resources we have. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you need to focus on written English? And what’s your timeframe like—do you have six months up your sleeve or are you in a hurry?
In a hurry: Our express packages offer three months of lives classes, video lessons, and practice tests. They are great if you’re self-motivated, and need to improve your English fast.
Ace your writing test: If your speaking skills are great but your writing skills have room for improvement, select any of our Writing Intensive packages which include three months of writing-specific English tuition.
Act Now and Get One Step Closer to Your Dream
Our final advice: Regardless of whether you want to leave in three months, or in a year, you can start improving your English right now.
If you’re serious about a future in the Last Best West, then Canada beckons. Promising career prospects, some of the best universities in the world, and an enviable lifestyle. At E2 Test Prep, we believe the smallest step can become your biggest leap. If your plan is to take your next step in life in an English speaking country, we are here to help you accomplish that goal. Sign up to E2 Test Prep (for test preparation) or E2 English (for language skills improvement) today and let’s get to it!
Disclaimer: The purpose of the E2 Blog is to provide general information based on publicly available sources and does not constitute legal or migration advice in any way. Anyone seeking advice on relocating to Canada should seek advice from a registered migration agent.
Interested to know even more about Canada? We have prepared a free downloadable guide for you!
Want to book your CELPIP test in advance?
References used in this article:
- https://www.cicnews.com/2022/02/canada-immigration-levels-plan-2022-2024-0221165.html
- https://www.cicnews.com/2022/01/canadian-immigration-in-2022-a-preview-of-the-year-ahead-0120148.html
- Ibid.
- https://www.cicnews.com/2022/02/immigration-minister-commits-to-speeding-up-work-permit-processing-0222318.html#gs.rhce4q
- Choi et al. 2021. International students as a source of labour supply: Transition to permanent residency. Canada’s Bureau of Statistics.
