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Canadian Immigration Journal

Resourceful articles for anyone interested in visiting or relocating to Canada.

Immigration – is Canada for me?

As a young immigrant to Canada, I often reflect on my emigration from my country of birth to Canada when I was a child. My grandmother, parents, brother and I moved to Canada when I was very young and at the risk of giving away my age, I spent a vast majority of my life in Canada for 25 years until I moved to Ghana 9 years ago. A question that always stayed with me is whether Canada was for me.

Was it difficult to leave my country of birth and nationality? Of course it was.

Was it difficult to adjust to a nation that was entirely different from the one I had known? Most definitely.

Did I crave to go back home and meet the people and eat the foods and walk the streets that were most familiar? 100%

BUT, there is another important side to the coin as well…

When I ask myself the question: what is the best gift that my parents have ever given me? The answer is a decisive one, hands down…they brought me to Canada.

Canada is a country that gave my family equal opportunities and a good welcome. While there are now many amazing opportunities in my home country, at the time of our emigration, it was not possible for a majority of professionals to access the kinds of jobs, salary and quality of work and life that they deserved. My home country had a small and very affluent upper class, a small middle class and a large population of those who did not fare all that well. Therefore, going to school, working hard and putting in all your efforts, did not translate to the employment opportunities and quality of life that were deserved by many. It would break your heart to see how hard someone worked and how their potential was not being appreciated or realized. This is where Canada was great for my family. The moment we moved to Canada, my brother and I were able to get a high quality education and my parents had access to decent jobs. I attended good public schools in safe neighbourhoods and had access to any university I wished to study at, including schools that are well-known and well-respected globally. My parents were able to buy a home within a few years of moving to Canada thanks to their ability to save and also access reliable credit facilities and a mortgage. Life was peaceful, predictable and fair. Within a few years of entering Canada, we all gained Canadian citizenship and the beautiful passports that come with it.  

While many immigrants go through many challenges when they move to a new country, I remember one thing…nothing in life that’s worth it, comes easy. If we want to put the work into a situation or a goal, it will be challenging, but it will be worthwhile. For my parents, the work that they put in to move us to a new country is one of the best things they ever did for us. Canada gave me the confidence that if I want to realize my potential, then I can. It is within my reach.

And for that I will always be grateful.

Niloufer “Niki” Ali
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
One Heart Immigration Services Ltd.
Accra, Ghana

Everything you need to know about your Post Graduation Work Permit

We often receive inquiries from people like you who are eager to work and make a living here. Canada offers decent minimum wages, great benefits, and in some cases, even higher compensation compared to other countries. It's no wonder why so many people want to secure employment before making the move.

But here's the thing: getting a job offer in Canada before you arrive can be extremely challenging. Most Canadian employers prefer to hire workers who are already in the country with a work permit. It's a frustrating situation for many foreign workers.

Fortunately, there is a solution - the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This amazing work permit is specifically designed for international students who have studied in Canada and want to work after graduation. With a PGWP, you can work for any employer you choose.

However, there are some important things to keep in mind to make the most of this opportunity and avoid any mistakes along the way.

Here are some key tips and common errors to watch out for:


Choose a PGWP - eligible school: Not all schools and programs make you eligible for a PGWP. Check the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) to ensure that your school or program is approved.

Check program eligibility: Even if your school is on the PGWP list, not all programs may be eligible. The online list specifies which programs at each institution qualify for the work permit.

Duration matters: Your program must be at least 8 months long to qualify for a PGWP. The duration of your program also affects the length of your work permit. Programs between 8 months and less than 2 years usually have a work permit matching the program's duration. Programs of 2 years or longer typically result in a three-year work permit, which is the maximum duration.

One-time opportunity: The PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You cannot do a short program, get a PGWP, and then do another program for another PGWP. To enjoy a longer work permit, make sure to choose a program that lasts at least 2 years.

PR qualifications: While the PGWP can help you qualify for permanent residence (PR), it's not automatic. Applying for PR is a competitive process, and you'll need to meet specific requirements and accumulate sufficient points under programs like the Federal Skilled Worker or Canada Experience Class. It's also worth noting that the availability of certain pathways, like the CEC draw, can vary. To boost your chances, consider improving your French language skills and exploring other PR options, such as obtaining a job offer.

Meeting conditions while studying: To take advantage of the PGWP, ensure that your chosen school/program is PGWP-eligible and lasts at least 8 months. Additionally, you must maintain full-time status throughout your academic sessions/semesters (except the final one), obtain an official completion letter and transcript from your school, have at least 50% of your program delivered in person, and apply for the PGWP within 180 days of completing your program.

We hope these tips help you navigate the world of studies and work in Canada for your PGWP. Good luck, and we're here to support you every step of the way! Keep updated on the latest immigration news and opportunities by following official IRCC channels and consulting with licensed immigration consultants for personalized advice. We can't wait to see you thrive in your career in Canada! #WelcomeToCanada #PGWP #InternationalStudents #StudyAndWorkInCanada

Additional Resources:

Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself during the job search process. It can be stressful and overwhelming at times, so make sure to prioritize self-care activities like exercise, mindfulness practices, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing hobbies. A healthy mind and body will help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your career goals in Canada.


Thank you for being here,


Niki


Feel free to write to me directly at niki@oneheartis.com 

…and don't forget to register for our FREE Webinar which takes place every Saturday at 11:00am GMT. I answer your questions there for free and help many people like yourself from being victims of fraud and misinformation.

Register Here: https://form.typeform.com/to/yqewG2eI

#CanadaVisa #CareerGoals #JobSearchTips #PGWP


Niloufer “Niki” Ali
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
One Heart Immigration Services Ltd.
Accra, Ghana

Why Choosing the “Right” Program Can Make all the Difference in Your Success for Canada

I remember when I first started university I changed my major three times—from Psychology to Anthropology and I finally landed on my passion, Political Science. Although young domestic Canadian students have the luxury to change their major several times like I did, before landing on what they want to study. This luxury can be less available to international students. I remember my friends who were international students at the university who felt a lot of pressure – pressure at the amount of money their parents were paying from back home to pay international student fees, pressure of complying with conditions of their study permit and of course the pressure of adapting to a new life in Canada. It was not so easy for them to change their majors several times and try out different areas. Therefore, the decision to choose the “right” program can be more important for international students.  

Another reason why choosing the right program is important is so that firstly, not only do you choose a program that you like and that supports what you want to do in the future, but also because the choice of program must make sense to the visa officer making the decision.  You should of course choose the program that you are genuinely interested in and it is never recommended (and it is fraudulent!) to try to choose a program just to get a visa! However, bear in mind that your program of choice must make sense to the visa officer and if it is very different from your current career path or is not a natural progression, you must explain the rationale when you write that so important letter of explanation that you must write, and place right at the top of your application package.

So given the above, what is the “right” program? It is a program that you are genuinely interested in, a program that makes sense given your career path and future goals and a program that brings you fulfillment and opportunities. It can include an option for you to conduct an internship or a co-op work placement which is an excellent way to get the best out of your education in Canada – not only do you get to study in some of the best universities in the world, but also gain valuable and interesting work experience that makes you more marketable back home or anywhere you choose to work!

I hope this article has given you some insight into how to choose a good program for your studies in Canada.

Niloufer “Niki” Ali
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
One Heart Immigration Services Ltd.
Accra, Ghana

Five Tips for Applying for a
Visitor Visa for Canada

There are various types of temporary resident visas (TRV) for Canada, but the most common type of TRV is a visitor visa. Canada welcomed 22.1 million visitors in 2019 alone! People visit Canada for various reasons. Many visit for tourism or to meet family or friends. 

An overwhelming majority of business clients who contact me tend to visit not only for tourism, but also to take advantage of their trips to Canada (even if for tourism) in order to explore business relationships and opportunities.

One of the things that I love about Canada is that it has a lot to offer not only for a friendly and easy vacation, but also for businessmen and businesswomen who wish to develop relationships in order to invest in Canada and grow their net worth. Or those who wish to enhance their businesses back home by purchasing high-quality Canadian goods, equipment or by knowledge acquisition. With the innovative and global-minded businesses in Ghana in this day and age, it is no wonder that Ghanaian businesses wish to enhance their operations from absorbing inputs from countries such as Canada. Concurrently, Canada is looking for successful business persons such as those who come from Ghana to use their inputs in the Ghanainan economy. It is a win-win situation for individuals from both countries. Therefore, I thought to myself, why not write an article with some tips and tricks for Ghanaian business persons (and tourists) who wish to travel to Canada and must put in strong applications to enhance their chances of success in getting their visitor visa… 

So without further ado, here are 5 tips that I have for you!

  1. The purpose of visiting when you are applying for a visitor visa for Canada is extremely important. It is important to demonstrate to the visa officer exactly why you wish to go to Canada. The explanation is one of the key inputs in putting together a successful application.

  2. It is important to highlight the ties you have to your home country. For many reading this article, these may include employment or business ties. But these also include financial, family and social ties. Both formal and informal ties can be included. These ties will convince the visa officer that you will indeed return to your home country.

  3. Do you have sufficient assets to fund your trip and return back home? The assets you must demonstrate will depend upon various factors affecting the cost of your trip such as purpose (costs of conferences or trade shows, for example), duration (the longer the trip, the greater the costs), accommodation and other expenses.  

  4. Are you admissible to Canada? Do you have any immigration-related, criminal or other issues which may deem you inadmissible? Are you in good health?

  5. Have you submitted a comprehensive application package with the required forms or documents? Often, document checklists outline the bare minimum requirements that you must include with your application and you must go above and beyond the documents listed. You must often get creative and ensure that you cover all the elements listed above to make it easier for the visa officer to make her or his decision.

We hope the above tips will help you assess whether your profile may have what it takes to put in a strong application. We at One Heart Immigration are happy to answer your questions or to help put in an application for you to cover the required elements!

Niloufer “Niki” Ali
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
One Heart Immigration Services Ltd.
Accra, Ghana