You might already know that there are around 40,000 Chileans living in Canada. Since the 1970s, a huge influx of Chileans has made Canada home. With so many options to immigrate to Canada from Chile in 2023, you too could make the beautiful, large northern country your home.
Once you’ve decided that you want to live in Canada, and even work in Canada, the next thing to do is figure out which immigration program works for you. Canada and Chile have years of history of trade agreements and good relations. This makes the process of applying for Canadian permanent residence easier than for many citizens of other countries. However, there are 100s of immigration programs to choose from. You won’t have to worry, because we’re going to tell you the best ways to immigrate to Canada.
While there are three very important immigration programs we’ll take you through: Express Entry System , Family Sponsorships Visa and Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) . You should also be aware of a very important temporary work program for Chileans: The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) Work Permit. This only offers temporary work permits, but there are avenues to apply for Canada permanent residency after working in the country for some time.
Here are the 3 best ways to immigrate to Canada from Chile in 2023.
1. Express Entry
The best way to immigrate to Canada from Chile in 2023 is through the Express Entry System. Canada’s immigration authority board called the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses this system to choose the most eligible people to give permanent residency to. You’ll create an online profile with essential details such as all your personal information, education history or trade credentials. Your profile will be placed into a pool of candidates and the best candidates will be selected.
How to apply for Express Entry:
- Check if you meet the minimum requirements for one of the three programs set out below
- Create an online Express Entry profile
- Receive a CRS score
- Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Collect your supporting documents
- Pay your fees and submit an application
There are 3 Programs under the Express Entry System:
Express Entry Programs | |
---|---|
Program Name | Requirements |
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Skilled workers with work experience. Work Experience 0, A, B 1 year work experience Canadian Language Benchmark(CLB) 7 in all 4 abilities certify credentials proof of funds 67 pts minimum using the six selection factors |
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | Skilled trade qualification Completed the tasks outlined in the lead statement of the NOC's occupational description. no education requirement certify trade credentials from a Canadian Authority trade assessed by a province 2 years of Work Experience Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing Proof of Funds |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Canadian work experience which they gained through a temporary work permit integrated into Canadian culture shortest processing times in Canadian immigration one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada For NOC B occupations, achieve or exceed a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 or CLB 7 for NOC skill levels 0 and A jobs. |
2. Family Sponsorship Visa
If you have a family member already living in Canada, who is a permanent resident or a Citizen, then you could be eligible to apply for a Family Sponsorship Visa. This special visa was created to ensure immigrants have family support in their new homes. Family values are incredibly important to Canada, and this shows in their policies toward reuniting parents, children, spouses, and even grandparents.
If you have any of these family members living in Canada as permanent residence or citizens, you could qualify for a Family Sponsorship Visa.- Parents and grandparents
- Dependent children
- Spouses and common-law partners
- Orphaned family members
- Other family members under very specific circumstances
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
3. Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs)
Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) are some of the best ways to Immigrate to Canada from Chile. This visa program is for people who have the skills and expertise that a specific province requires and who want to settle and work in that province. The process can take anywhere between 12-18 months, but it is well worth it as a successful application can mean having Canadian permanent residency. The first step is to choose a province, as your application procedure and criteria are dependent on where you want to live.
Canada is a federal state, which means that although there exists the overarching law of the land that everyone has to follow, each territory has its own governmental system that regulates its own needs.
PNPs were established by the different provinces to ensure each territory has enough workforce to maintain the standard of living and quality of life rooted in the economy.
If you know where you want to live and have a job offer from a certain province, it's a great way to apply for permanent residency in Canada. There are three ways you can apply for this program:
- This visa can be applied for via a paper-based approach where you apply to the province for a nomination that is not part of the Express Entry pool
- You can contact the province where you intend to live and work and apply for a nomination through the Express Entry System.
- When you establish your Express Entry Profile, you may also select the provinces you're interested in visiting.
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
4. Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) Work Permit
The Canada-Chile Partnership Framework, was formed in 2007 to strengthen collaboration between the two countries through business, trade, and even immigration. In 2017, the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), the foundation of the bilateral trade and investment partnership, celebrated its 20th anniversary.
One of the biggest benefits for you if you’re thinking of immigration from Chile to Canada in 2023, is the CCFTA Work Permit. This is a temporary work permit that can be processed in just 14 weeks, this agreement allows Canadian firms to hire people for more than 60 occupations. The permit is valid for three years and can be renewed for a further three years.
Even better, if you are Chilean and want to apply for a temporary work visa through this program, you can do so without completing a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- you must be a citizen of the Chile
- have a profession in 1 of the 60 jobs set out by the agreement
- meet the qualification to work in that profession
- have a valid work offer
- your intention must be to provide a professional level of labor
- comply with existing immigration requirements for temporary entry
Further, you will be required to have the following documentation:
- a proof of Chilean citizenship (e.g. Passport, Birth Certificate, etc.)
- a valid job offer
Your documents must contain the following:
- details of the proposed employer in Canada;
- the profession you’re in;
- details of the position (title, duties, duration of employment, arrangements as to payment;
- the educational qualifications or alternative credentials required for the position; and
- evidence that you have at least the Minimum Education Requirements
Changing a work permit to Permanent Residency
PNPs
We mentioned PNPs before. If you’ve been working in a particular province with a temporary work visa, you can use a provincial nomination to immigrate to Canada and get your permanent residency.
Applicants of PNPs must plan to live in the province in which they are applying. If your temporary work permit has found you working in Alberta, for example, then applying through the AINP might give you a better chance of getting permanent residency.
CEC
Temporary workers in specialized professions can apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program using the work experience they’ve accumulated in Canada. If you arrived in Canada from Chile with a temporary work permit, your Canadian work experience can give you a huge advantage.
You must have at least two years of work experience in Canada or have finished post-secondary education in Canada and have one year of work experience to be eligible for the CEC.
What do I do next?
Next, we will help you Immigrate to Canada from Chile in 2023 to provide a better future for your family, have a healthy work-life balance or improve your education. You may just want to trade your busy life in Santiago for the trendy smaller cities and endless landscapes that Canada has to offer.
We’re able to do this by putting you in contact with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), a specialized immigration consultant that can draw up an immigration plan tailored to you and your family. Get an evaluation today and be one step closer to Immigrating from Chile to Canada in 2023.
FAQs:
Does Canada have a big Chilean community?
There are many organized Chilean communities spread out in Canada. In addition to the television news show “Nosotros” (We) and the radio program “Hispanoamérica” in Edmonton, the Chilean community has also set up “Arauco” cooperative housing in Toronto as well as different groups and publications in Alberta. Chileans create pan-Latin American groups that assist political and economic refugees of Hispanics in adjusting to life in Canada.
Do I need an LMIA for a work permit if I’m from Chile?
The CCFTA allows Chileans to work in Canada without a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The process of applying for an LMIA is usually expensive, the cost of which is incurred by the employer, which means not all employers would want to go through this to hire you. It also takes time. For you, though, as a Chilean employee, you are exempt from this step, and you can start work immediately after arriving in Canada with a valid work visa.
What’s the cost of living in Canada compared to Chile?
It’s important not to try to compare or convert too much when you move to a new country. Although your living expenses are more, you’ll also be earning more money when you work in Canada.
Ready to make your move?