How to Apply for a Canadian Visa from the Philippines
Want to know how to apply for a Canadian visa from the Philippines, but don’t know what your options are or where to start? In this article, we’ll cover some of your main immigration options, as well as the visa application process.
But why should you consider Canada and why should you migrate now?
The Canadian government recently announced that it will increase its original immigration plans as of October 30, 2020, to invite 401,000 skilled immigrants to become permanent residents in 2021. This target will increase by 10,000 in 2022 and again in 2023. This target will increase by 10,000 in 2022 and again in 2023. This goal increase is due to the deficit caused by the pandemic.
The government is not only dedicated to family reunification and the well-being of citizens but will focus on the economic growth of the country in the years to come. If there has ever been a time to start your application to move to Canada, now is!
How to Start the Visa Application Process to Move to Canada
Applying for a Canadian visa from the Philippines can be daunting and take up a lot of time, especially if you’re new to the process, but with these five easy steps, it doesn’t have to be. Let’s take a look at how to get started on your Candian journey.Advertisements
Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility
To be able to apply for a Candian visa you will first have to find out if you:
- Are eligible to enter Canada; and
- Qualify for any immigration programs.
This is extremely important as it will save you both time and money in the long run. With over 100 different Canadian immigration programs and visas to choose from, each with its own set of criteria, the selection process can be quite overwhelming. Having a licensed and knowledgeable person to guide you through the process makes things a lot easier and you could be presented with options that you never knew you had.
Step 2: Choose Your Destination
Choosing where you want to move to in Canada is not a must for all immigration programs and visas but it will help you narrow down your options when deciding which immigration options are best for you. For example, programs such as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilots are specific to certain provinces in Canada. It is also a good idea to do research on provinces and territories that suit your specific needs, particularly which places will be most affordable for you and your family in Canada.
Step 3: Choose Your Immigration Program
Choosing the right program is also very important because if you don’t meet one of the requirements and submit your application anyway, it will be rejected. For example, Express Entry is one of the most popular ways to immigrate to Canada but did you know that if you express interest in a particular province or territory or apply through an Express Entry-linked PNP, you could get a Provincial Nomination (PN), which is worth 600 extra points and seeing as the average Express Entry draw cut off score is 470, having a PN will boost your Express Entry profile way above other applicants and almost guarantee that you’ll receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.
Step 4: Gather Your Supporting Documentation
Although you will only need your supporting documents when you actually start the visa application process it’s always a good idea to gather everything you need as early as possible so that they can be verified and ready to submit when you eventually start the application process for your Canadian visa. The Canadian government has strict deadlines that must be met if you want your application to be considered.
Step 5: Start Your Canada Visa Application
Once all your forms and supporting documents are in order you can now start the process of applying for your Canadian visa from the Philippines. Ensure that you’ve completed each section accurately and have not left any unanswered sections as any mistake or omission could result in your application being returned and ultimately delay the entire process.
What Are Some of my Top Visa Options for Canada?
The top immigration options for Filipinos are:
Express Entry
The Express Entry system is extremely popular amongst most immigrants not only for its ease and accessibility but because of its fast processing times of 6 months! There are 3 programs that you could qualify for, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trade Program and the Canda Experience Class. Express Entry candidates are scored and ranked and those with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores will be invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
But if you find that you don’t qualify for Express Entry, not to worry, this next program may be just for you.
British Columbia PNP (BC PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program is another popular immigration program, especially if you can land yourself a job in Canada. The BC PNP, in particular, is popular among foreign workers not only because it offers great immigration opportunities for tech professionals (BC Tech Pilot) but it has one of the fastest processing times of 2 to 3 months! So if you’re thinking of applying for your Canadian Visa from the Philippines and are a tech talent this may be a good option to consider.
Home Care Provider Pilots
If you are an experienced caregiver with at least 2 years of work experience or a job offer in Canada and proof that you have the ability to perform your required duties, you could immigrate to Canada from the Philippines through one of two home care provider pilots:
- The Home Child Care Provider Pilot; or
- The Home Support Worker Pilot.
These new immigration programs have replaced the Live-in Caregiver Programs and have one added benefit that the previous program did not have. It allows you to choose whether or not you would like to take a live-in position (in other words live with your employer) or not.
Study in Canada
Not qualified yet? Why not gain a world-class education in one of the most diverse and vibrant countries in the world. Not only could you enjoy faster processing times than other international students when you apply for your Canadian student visa through the Student Direct Stream (just 20 calendar days to be exact) but you could set yourself up to be able to apply to stay in Canada through programs such as the Post Graduate Work Permit Program.
Family Sponsorship
Did you know that as a permanent resident or Canadian citizen you could sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent, parents, or grandparents to come and live with you in Canada? As we mentioned earlier, Canada values family reunification and has made provisions for you so that your loved ones can live the life they’ve always dreamt of by your side.
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a Visa to Canada from the Philippines?
The application prices will depend on which visa you intend to apply for. You will also be required to have a certain amount of settlement funds to move to Canada, which depends on how many people will be immigrating with you.
Below are some of the visa application fees for the programs mentioned above:
- Express Entry processing – $825
- BC PNP processing – $1,150
- Home Care Provide Pilot processing – $1,050(excluding work permit)
- Student Direct Stream processing – $150
- Family Sponsorship processing – $150 (dependant) to $1,050 (spouse, partner, parent or grandparent)
Please note that these prices are Government processing fees which do not include your immigration agency fees or additional supporting documentation fees such as your language tests, medical exam, police clearance certificate, or education verification.
