Moving To Canada From Bahrain: A Comprehensive Guide

Canada is a popular destination for people from all over the world, including Bahrain, due to its reputation for safety, high quality of life, and world-class education. The Canadian government offers several pathways for immigration, including skilled worker programs, family sponsorship, and business and investment opportunities. For students, Canada is an attractive option because of its affordable tuition fees, scholarships, and the opportunity to work part-time while studying. After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit and eventually, permanent residence. The Federal Express Entry System is another fast-track option for skilled workers to obtain Canadian permanent residency. This system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System to assess applicants based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability.

Student Visa

Canada is a popular destination for students from around the world, and the country has a reputation for welcoming international students with open arms. The Canadian government has various immigration programs, including the Student Visa, which allows students to migrate to Canada from Bahrain for their higher studies. Here is a detailed guide on the Student Visa process:

Eligibility for a Student Visa:

To be eligible for a Student Visa to migrate from Bahrain to Canada, you must meet certain requirements. Firstly, you need to be accepted by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada. This means that you should apply and gain admission to a recognised Canadian educational institution, such as a university or college.

Application Process:

The application process for a Student Visa from Bahrain is straightforward. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Obtain Proof of Acceptance: Once you have received an offer of admission from a DLI, you will need to provide proof of acceptance. This is usually in the form of a letter or document from the educational institution.
• Prepare Required Documents: Along with the proof of acceptance, you will need to submit other documents, including passport-size photos, results from an Immigration Medical Examination (IME), and proof of English language proficiency. Additionally, you may need to provide a Statement of Purpose (SoP) or essay explaining your reasons for studying in Canada.
• Demonstrate Financial Capability: International students are expected to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living expenses. For undergraduate programs, you should be prepared to show funds ranging from $15,000 to $22,000 annually, while graduate programs typically range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year. Additionally, you should have at least $10,000 per year to cover requirements like food, textbooks, housing, and health coverage.
• Apply for the Visa: You can apply for the Student Visa by creating an account on the official website of the Canadian government or through the website of the Canadian embassy or consulate in your country. Fill out the application form, pay the required fees, and submit all the necessary documents.

Processing Time and Fees:

The processing time for a Student Visa can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your application and the volume of applications being processed. It is recommended to apply early, at least a few months before your intended start date. The visa application fees may also vary, so it is important to check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Work Opportunities:

One of the advantages of studying in Canada is the opportunity to work part-time during your studies. With a Student Visa, you are typically allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacation days. This can help supplement your income and provide valuable work experience.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

After completing your studies in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for a PGWP. This permit allows you to gain valuable Canadian work experience and can be a pathway to permanent residence.

Permanent Residence:

If you decide to settle in Canada after your studies, you can apply for Permanent Residence (PR). After working for one year in Canada, you can explore the various immigration programs offered by the Canadian government, such as the Provincial Nominee Program or the Express Entry System.

In conclusion, migrating to Canada from Bahrain as a student is a feasible option, and the country offers a range of opportunities for international students. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully apply for a Student Visa and begin your educational journey in Canada.

Federal Express Entry System

The Federal Express Entry System is an online system used by the Canadian government to organise and process applications for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada and acquire permanent residence status. The system manages three main federal economic programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

To be eligible to submit a profile through the Express Entry system, candidates must meet the requirements for one of the three federal programs. The requirements for each program are as follows:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

This program is for skilled workers who have work experience and want to become permanent residents. The minimum requirements for this program are:

• Skilled work experience: This means you have worked in one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories and have performed the actions in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. Your work experience must be in the same type of job as your primary occupation (the job you want to base your immigration application on), and it must be paid work. It must also be at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week) and have been obtained within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad.
• Language skills: You must take approved language tests in English or French and meet the minimum score required in all four abilities (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
• Education: If you have a foreign education, you must have a completed educational credential and an Educational Credential Assessment that shows your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
• Valid job offer: This is not mandatory, but having a valid Canadian job offer can add up to 200 points to your score.
• Adaptability: This is based on how well you are likely to settle in Canada.

Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program

This program is for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade. The requirements for this program are:

Valid job offer or a certificate of qualification.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program is for skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience. The requirements for this program are:

• Canadian work experience: Your work experience must have been gained in the three years before you apply.
• Language skills: You must take approved language tests in English or French and meet the minimum score required in all four abilities.

Once you have determined your eligibility for one of the programs, you can submit your profile through the Express Entry system. Your profile will include personal details such as age, work experience, education, ability in French and English, family details, and ties to Canada. Based on these details, your profile will be ranked against other candidates in the pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS score is out of 1200 points and is based on factors such as language proficiency, age, work experience, education, and Canadian connections.

If you are chosen, you will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. You will have 60 days to submit your application, and you will need to provide a comprehensive set of documents, including reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and the results of a medical examination. The processing time for Express Entry applications is typically six months.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a popular way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. The program was launched in 1998 to help spread the benefits of immigration across Canada. Each Canadian province and territory, except for Quebec and Nunavut, operates the PNP to welcome skilled workers from around the world to strengthen their economies.

The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in a particular province. Each province and territory has its own "streams" (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target semi-skilled workers.

To apply for the PNP, you must first check your eligibility. Make sure you qualify for the PNP of the province or territory where you want to live and for one of the three programs managed through Express Entry. The next step is to get a nomination. Contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination. After that, you will need to update your Express Entry profile and show your nomination. You will be awarded 600 additional points that will help you get invited to apply for permanent residence. The final step is to apply for permanent residence if you are invited.

The PNP has been a success and is seen as a key driver of economic growth across the country. Since its launch, Canada has seen a broader distribution of immigration, with smaller provinces attracting more immigrants.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) is a program developed by the Government of Quebec and the Canadian Federal Government. It enables highly educated and trained foreign nationals to immigrate to Quebec as skilled workers. Prospective immigrants are evaluated according to a selection grid of factors, and applicants who score enough points are awarded a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) which they can use to apply for Canadian permanent residency.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Quebec Immigration Skilled Worker Program is determined by nine selection factors. Quebec Skilled Worker Program points are awarded according to these Immigration Quebec selection criteria to identify which immigrants are most likely to flourish economically once in Quebec. To qualify for immigration to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, a solo applicant must score at least 50 points. Potential immigrants who apply with a spouse or a common-law partner must score at least 59 points.

The nine selection factors are:

• Training (maximum 26 points)
• Work Experience (maximum 8 points)
• Age (maximum 16 points)
• Language Proficiency (maximum 22 points)
• Quebec Connection (maximum 8 points)
• Characteristics of Spouse (maximum 17 points)
• Validated Job Offer (maximum 10 points)
• Accompanying Children (maximum 8 points)
• Financial Self-sufficiency (maximum 1 point)

Application Process

It is mandatory to use the "Mon projet Québec" online immigration service to begin the Quebec Skilled Worker immigration process. The last intake period ended on March 31, 2017, and a maximum of 10,000 applications were accepted. A new intake period accepting a maximum of 5,000 applications is expected to be announced soon. Candidates who are already temporary residents of Quebec with a job offer validated by Quebec immigration authorities are permitted to apply at any time.

Supporting Documentation

The following supporting documents should be included with a QSWP application:

• Financial self-sufficiency contract (Quebec immigration form A-0522-OA)
• Power of attorney mandate (if using a legal representative)
• Declaration for practicing a regulated trade or profession (if applicable)
• Declaration for being a teacher (if applicable)
• Declaration for having attended Medical School in Canada or the USA (if applicable)
• Photocopy of valid passport (showing issue date and expiry date)
• Photocopy of birth certificate
• Photocopy of marriage certificate, judgment of divorce, and/or certificate of death of spouse (if applicable)
• Photocopy of 2+ civil status documents attesting to de facto spouse status (if applicable)
• Photocopy of valid residence permit if residing in a country in which you are not a citizen (if applicable)
• Photocopy of proof of enrollment as a foreign student (if applicable)
• Photocopy of letter from educational institution indicating the start date for the foreign student as well as the expected end date (if applicable)
• Original declaration of parental consent if a child under 18 years of age will be accompanying you to Canada without the other parent (if applicable)
• Photocopy of adoption papers for accompanying child (if applicable)
• Original medical certificate indicating physical or mental incapacity of accompanying adult child (if applicable)
• Original passport-sized photos of all family members immigrating to Quebec
• Certified true copy of all degrees and diplomas, as well as all corresponding transcripts (if applicable)
• Photocopy of official work attestation for each job declared in your Quebec Skilled Worker application (if applicable)
• Photocopy of internship attestation on company letterhead and containing company contact information (if applicable)
• Certified true copy of all internship agreements completed as part of a study program
• Photocopy of documentation supporting your work as a self-employed person or contractor
• Photocopy of certificate of company registration (if applicable)
• Photocopy of documents demonstrating membership in a professional order (if applicable)
• Original or certified true copy of income tax return to prove legality of work experience
• Photocopy of professional practice permit in Quebec as well as authorization to practice a regulated trade in Quebec by a local regulatory body (if applicable)
• Photocopy of certificate of competence or qualification by a regulatory body in Quebec (if applicable)
• Photocopy of mutual recognition arrangement (ARM) eligibility for residents of France (if applicable)
• Photocopy of French language testing: TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TCF, TCFQ, DELF or DALF (if applicable)
• Photocopy of English language testing: IELTS (if applicable)
• Photocopy of proof of relationship with Quebec (if applicable)
• Photocopy of proof of family in Quebec (if applicable)

Parents and Grandparents Program

The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to migrate to Canada from Bahrain through this program:

Step 1: Submit an Interest to Sponsor Form

Firstly, you need to submit an Interest to Sponsor form, expressing your interest in sponsoring your parents or grandparents. This form was submitted in 2020 for the 2024 intake. It is important to note that submitting this form does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply

If your Interest to Sponsor form is selected, you will receive a random invitation to apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents. This invitation is required to proceed with the application process. For the 2024 intake, invitations were sent out starting May 21, 2024, with a goal of accepting up to 20,500 complete applications.

Step 3: Application Process

Upon receiving your invitation, you can proceed with the application process. There are two applications to be completed: one for you to become a sponsor and another for your parents and grandparents to apply for permanent residence. The application process involves filling out forms, providing required documents, and paying the necessary fees.

Step 4: Medical Exams and Biometrics

After submitting your complete application for permanent residence, your parents and grandparents will be instructed to undergo medical examinations. Additionally, they may be required to provide police certificates if they are 18 years of age or older and are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Biometrics, including fingerprints and photos, will also be collected from individuals between the ages of 14 and 79.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Once you have submitted your application and supporting documents, you will need to wait for processing. You can track the status of your application through the Permanent Residence Portal. The processing times may vary, and you may be requested to provide additional information during this period.

It is important to note that the Parents and Grandparents Program has specific deadlines and requirements. The last day to apply for the 2024 intake was August 2, 2024. Therefore, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest information provided by the relevant Canadian government websites.

Frequently asked questions