Leaving your own country for another is a big step. You basically need to pack up and leave behind everything that you've always known and venture into the unknown. Before you take this step, you need to be sure that it's the right thing to do and that your adopted country will welcome you. Therefore, before you start packing for Toronto or Vancouver or even Yellowknife, first check the Canadian immigration requirements and whether you meet these.
Canada's government doesn't allow just anybody to immigrate. They want to be sure that you'll be able to support yourself and adapt to Canadian society. When you apply to immigrate, your application is assessed according to several criteria. You get a certain number of points for each criterion that you meet and then your overall score will show your suitability as a candidate.
For instance, your education can earn you a good number of points. Highly skilled people are in demand, especially in fields such as law, medicine and the veterinary sciences. If you have a doctorate degree in one of these fields, your score will be very high. If, however, you only have a high school diploma, you will only score a few points.
One of the main reasons for the point system is to see whether you'll be able to support yourself and your dependents in Canada. While a good education will certainly help, you also need work experience. This makes you more employable and the more experience you have, the easier it will be to find a job. Therefore, you also get points for the number of years you've been employed.
You also need to be able to communicate in at least one of Canada's official languages. Understanding, speaking, reading and writing English will score you extra points but you can also show your proficiency in French instead. Take a language test in either or both these languages and supply the results when you send in your application.
Your age is a determining factor as well. Canada prefers immigrants who are at the right age to be economically most active, so people who are between 18 and 37 earn more points. People in this age category also tend to adapt more easily to new surroundings. If you've been to Canada before or have friends or relatives who live there, this earns you points in terms of your adaptability to Canadian culture.
The success of your application will also depend on your financial situation. If you have enough money in your bank account or if you already have a job lined up in Canada, this will help you a great deal. It's important that you're a law-abiding person without a criminal record and that you're in good health too, so that you won't be a burden on Canada's taxpayers.
Your partner will be assessed too, especially for adaptability if it's clear that you'll be the breadwinner. Having a partner who's already a citizen of the country will help because this person can sponsor you and increase your chances. To make the process as easy as possible, it's advisable to contact an immigration agency or lawyer to help you with the details.
Read more about The Canadian Immigration Requirements Every Prospective Immigrant Should Know About.