Canadian Immigration from Ghana – The Only Guide You Need!

Are you looking to immigrate to Canada in the near future? Have you always wondered why many people want to move from Ghana to Canada? Here are a few reasons why.

1. A higher standard of living – People move in search of better healthcare, infrastructure, and social services.
2. Political stability – Canada is very stable politically, making it attractive to people who live in unstable countries.
3. Better opportunities – There are a lot more employment and educational opportunities in Canada for anyone who has the right qualifications.
4. Economic stability – Canada has a stable economy that offers immigrants job security and better economic opportunities.
5. Educational opportunities – The educational standards in Canada are very high and there is a strong emphasis on higher education.
6. Opportunities for permanent residency and citizenship – Canada has more opportunities for these than other countries in the West, and the application process is easier to navigate.

Canadian Immigration Checklist

Here is a list of the steps you must go through during the Canadian immigration from Ghana process.

1. Choose the right program

• Select the immigration program that works best for you based on its eligibility criteria and your circumstances. Some of the programs available include Provincial Nominee Programs, Family Sponsorship, and Express Entry System.

2. Check if you are eligible

• Every Canadian immigration program has its eligibility criteria, e.g. education, work experience, personal circumstances, and language proficiency. Make sure you meet all the criteria before you continue with your application.

3. Follow the specific instructions for the program you have selected

• Read through the instructions carefully before you proceed so that you do not leave anything out. Take note of whether you are expected to apply directly for immigration or via the Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

4. Complete Language Tests

• The immigration programs require that you be proficient in English or French and that you have the documentation to prove this. You will also be required to submit test results of IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF.

5. Acquire Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs)

• You will need to have your educational credentials verified to determine whether they are equivalent to Canadian educational standards. This only applies if the immigration program you choose requires educational credentials.

6. Create an online profile

• An online profile is required for the Express Entry System. It is created on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website. Note that all the information you put on this profile must be accurate.

7. Submit your application and required documentation

• Your application must be filled out correctly and have all the required documents attached. These documents include identification documents, employment records, language test results, etc.
• The processing period varies depending on the number of applications received for the program you are applying for.

8. Go through medical and security checks

• Medical examinations are conducted by designated physicians in Ghana who will examine you to ascertain whether or not you meet Canada’s health requirements.
• In addition, you may be required to submit a police clearance certificate indicating that you do not have a criminal record and you are free to leave Ghana.

9. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

• If you apply for Canadian immigration through the Express Entry System, you may receive an ITA for permanent residency. An ITA is usually given to those people who meet the criteria of any program that falls under the Express Entry System, so keep your fingers crossed!
• After you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your Express Entry application and all the supporting documents.

10. Receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence

• This is the most exciting part of the process! Receiving your COPR means that your application was successful and you can immigrate to Canada!
• As soon as you receive your COPR, start making your travel plans so that you get to Canada before it expires and you can apply for your Permanent Residence (PR) Card. Note that the COPR expiry date depends on the validity of your medical exam results.

Now that you know what steps you need to follow to immigrate to Canada, check out these ways to immigrate to Canada.

Top 5 Ways to Immigrate to Canada

1. Express Entry-Based Programs

• The Express Entry-Based Programs work faster than all the others, taking as little as six months for the whole process. It is a points-based system that assesses applicants based on education, age, work experience, and language proficiency.
• Three programs fall under the Express Entry system, as follows:
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
    • This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who desire to immigrate to Canada permanently.
    • To qualify for this program, one must obtain a minimum score on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
    • This program applies to skilled tradespeople who would like to use their expertise in a skilled trade to get permanent residency in Canada.
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    • Canadian Experience Class applies to individuals who have worked in Canada for at least 12 months and want to become permanent residents.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs

• Provincial Nominee Programs are immigration programs that are operated by provinces in Canada. Each province or territory nominates individuals who have the skills, work experience, and education with which they can contribute to their local communities and economies for permanent residency.
• Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick all run provincial nominee programs.
• There are two streams of provincial nominee programs, as below.
  • Express Entry Streams
    • These are streams that are aligned with the Express Entry System. Provincial governments can select applicants from this system.
    • The eligibility criteria for these streams are similar to those of FSWP, CEC, and FSTP, and the processing takes a shorter time than the non-express entry streams.
  • Non-Express Entry Streams
    • To get into these streams, candidates must apply directly to the provincial or territorial government to secure a nomination. If they are nominated, they can then apply for permanent residence in Canada.
    • Your employer may also choose to nominate foreign workers for permanent residency, as long as they meet the basic eligibility requirements.

3. Family Class Sponsorship

• Next on the list of avenues for Canadian immigration from Ghana is the Family Class Sponsorship. It is another of the top 5 ways to immigrate to Canada. Because The Canadian government is big on family and does not advocate for families to be separated, it set up this program to encourage family reunification.
• This sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their family members for Canadian immigration.
• The relatives eligible for this sponsorship are:
  • Spouse/Common-Law/Conjugal Partner – The spouse must be legally married to the applicant, while those in a common-law relationship should not be legally married. In addition, those in a conjugal relationship should be at least 18 years old and have been in that relationship for at least 12 months.
  • Dependent Child – This dependent should be under 20 years old, and not married or in a common-law relationship.
  • Parent and Grandparent (PGP) – The Canadian permanent resident or citizen may choose to sponsor a parent or grandparent to immigrate to Canada.
  • Adopted Child – This child should be under 18 years of age and legally adopted in the applicant’s home country.
  • Relative (siblings, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren) – These relatives should be under 18, unmarried, and orphaned to qualify for sponsorship.

4. Federal Immigration Pilot Programs

• Federal Immigration Pilot Programs help to attract newcomers to lesser-known communities in Canada that need skilled and unskilled workers. This results in labor gaps being filled and the local economy getting a much-needed boost.
• These programs include:
  • Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
    • This program provides a platform for skilled, non-seasonal agricultural workers to immigrate to Canada.
    • Work opportunities are available in meat processing, greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, and animal production.
  • Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
    • The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is a community-driven immigration program that offers permanent residency for immigrant workers at all levels.
    • This program is available in 11 Canadian cities and towns, including Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
    • The occupations available under this program include carpenters, mechanics, truck drivers, etc.
    • After one gets a job through the RNIP, the community requests for the individual to receive permanent residency.
  • Caregiver Pilot Programs
    • This is another pathway to permanent residency, targeting caregivers who provide care for children (Home Child Care Provider) or individuals with high medical needs (Home Support Worker).
    • To qualify for permanent residency, the caregivers under this program must have at least two years of work experience in Canada, meet the eligibility requirements, and have a job offer at an institution offering these services.

5. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs

• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs were set up to address the labor challenges that Atlantic Provinces are facing. These provinces include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
• Designated employers hire foreign workers for positions that are vacant due to a lack of locally qualified and skilled personnel. Once these workers are employed, they can apply for permanent residency.

Now that you know how the Canadian immigration from Ghana process works – try your luck!