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Do you live in Sweden and want to make a new start in Canada? Now you can. Our “How to Immigrate from Sweden to Canada Guide” is here to help you get started.
We have created a simple checklist you can use to help make your immigration to Canada much simpler. Whether you want to move for study purposes, work or any other reason, we are sure that one of Canada’s immigration streams can fit your needs.
Here is an easy to follow list to help get you started on your way |
|---|
| Find the best province for you to live in; |
| Have clear immigration goals in mind; |
| Pass the basic requirements; |
| Get your basic documents in order; |
| Make sure you pass your health examination; |
| Prove your language ability in French or English; |
| Have a clear criminal record; |
| Get your Biometrics in order (if applicable); |
| Get an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment); and |
| Get your application started |
Find the Perfect Place to Live in Canada
Finding the right place to start your new life is important.
Each of the thirteen provinces and territories have their own unique languages, economies, job sectors, climates and cultures that can make a real difference on your journey.
The province of Ontario, for example, is one of the most popular provinces for immigrants. One of its cities, Toronto is a multicultural hub making it one of the most diverse cities in the world. Not to mention that it is also has natural wonders like Niagara falls. Toronto is also the financial and technological centre of Canada.
Certain provinces like Quebec are best if you are a French speaker. On another note, Quebec is also one of the most family friendly places to live if you intend to immigrate with your young ones. The province's aftercare services and education systems are considered one of the best in the world.
Saskatchewan is a great province to start if you work in the agricultural sector. As one of the largest food producers in the country, Saskatchewan has long been called the “breadbasket of Canada”.
Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Then the province of Prince Edward Island may be for you. As one of the quieter provinces, the quaint towns and cities like Charlottetown are a must see. Anywhere in the province is only 30 minutes from the ocean and the province itself employs around 6,000 people in the fishing industries and owns one of the biggest lobster exporters around America.
Still unsure about where you can start your journey? Want to know a bit more about the difference provinces and territories? Check out our interactive map. Discover everything you need in our comprehensive articles, including job opportunities, living costs, best cities to live in, provincial life and more!
Have Clear Immigration Goals
When learning how to immigrate from Sweden to Canada, you have to have some pretty clear immigration goals. Do you want to come as a temporary worker to earn extra cash and then go home? Or do you want to study in Canada and later apply to become a permanent resident?
No matter your reasons, it is always a good start to map out what you want for the future. This is an important step to help you research visa types that fit your immigration needs perfectly.
One of the most popular routes to Canada is through the Express Entry System that helps process applications in six months or less.
The following are managed by the system:
- Canadian Experience Class;
- Federal Skilled Worker Program;
- Federal Trades Program; and
- Some Provincial Nominee Programs
Your online Express Entry (EE) profile scores you using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This takes into account factors like your age, qualifications, job title, work experiences, language abilities and more before giving you a score and entering your profile into the EE pool. Those who get the highest CRS scores are then given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) that allows them to apply for permanent residence in the country.
To keep up with the aging Canadian population, the country has created many unique visa programs designed to allow skilled immigrants into the country.
Programs like the Global Talent Stream were solely created to help talented IT workers find permanent employment in Canada in under two weeks!
The Atlantic provinces from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick also got together to create the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Originally it started as a test immigration program, but because of its popularity it has been extended to 2019. The provinces have also stated that they aim to increase the cap for the program by an additional 2,000 applicants.
Canada also has some of the best economic immigration programs for select occupations, one such example is the British Columbia (BC) Healthcare Professionals Stream. Under this program qualified medical professionals can immigrate to the province, these include:
- Registered nurses;
- Psychiatric nurses;
- Family doctors;
- Lab technicians;
- Physiotherapist and several other occupations.
Don’t worry if you are an international student. Canada has not forgotten about you. The country has a number of immigration programs designed to help graduating students make Canada their permanent home. One such program is the International Graduate Programin British Columbia. The program works through Provincial Nomination to help select the best candidates to become permanent residents.
Even if you are not immigrating alone, there is the family reunification program. This program was created to help reunite family members once you become a permanent resident of the country because family matters to Canada.
Pass Basic Requirements
Did you know that all visas will insist that you pass a set of basic requirements before you go ahead with your visa application?
Here is what you need to know before you jump into it.
- Work experience;
- Language skills;
- Clear record; and
- Sufficient funds
Why is work experience so important you ask? Because many immigration programs require that you have a set amount of work experience before you can apply.
Depending on the program, some will require you to only have a year’s worth of work experience in your occupation to apply. The average work experience needed by most programs is three years or more.
Another thing to look out for is that some programs will not accept work experience unless it is: |
|---|
| Canadian work experience; and |
| Work experience gained under full time employment (not part time, volunteer work or during an internship) |
So as always make sure that your work experience will be counted before you start the visa process!
Language Ability
Language skills are also an essential part of your application’s success. Remember that most Canadians are either French or English speakers, so your ability to talk and communicate well is necessary.
You can prove this through two language exams the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the TEF (Test d’evaluation). We will go into more detail about these exams later on in our How to Immigrate from Sweden to Canada Guide.
Do you have a squeaky clean criminal record? If not, you may be in for some trouble in your application. Something as simple as an unpaid speeding ticket can really have an impact on your application because Canadians are obsessed with safety.
If you are not sure about your record, you can apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through your local police authority. This document will be sent to the Canadian Immigration Office later on in the visa application process.
We will talk about this in more detail later in our article when we discuss how to complete a Police Clearance Certificate application.
Of course whether you have enough funds to support yourself can be a major deciding factor on your application. Canada needs proof that you can look after yourself well and anyone you bring with you as a dependant.
Normally you can supply a bank statement to show that you are a viable candidate.
Below is a table that shows the basic funds you need under the Express Entry System.
| Number of Applicants | Cost CAD$ |
| 1 | 12,475 |
| 2 | 15,531 |
| 3 | 19,093 |
| 4 | 23,181 |
| 5 | 26,292 |
| 6 | 29,652 |
| 7 | 33,014 |
Get Your Documents in Order
Although each visa program has its own unique requirements and forms you need for your application, there are some documents that you will generally need in every case.
Below are some of the basic documents you need |
| A valid identification documents, this can be your birth certificate, ID, passport or driver’s licence; |
| A Police Clearance Certificate; |
| A medical examination report; |
| Language results from either IELTS or TEF; |
| A Biometrics account; and |
| An Educational Credential Assessment |
If your passport expires during the application process, do not worry. You can update your passport number on the IRCC (Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada) website to match your application.
Get a Police Clearance Certificate in Sweden
As we mentioned earlier, Canada takes its security very seriously and will not let anyone into the country if they have a criminal record.
To prove that you are right for Canada, you must apply for a Police Clearance Certificate. We will explain how to do it below.
You must first apply to the Rikspolisstyrelsen. You can download the form off the Police’s website and upload any documents to send via email.
Things you need for your Police Clearance Certificate application:
- Application fees (please note this varies if you are applying outside our inside or Sweden); and
- A copy of your Population Registration Certificate “Personbevi” or copy of your passport
If you are having trouble applying, you can visit the Rikspolisstyrelsen at the following address.
| Physical Address | Telephone Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Utlandsutdrag, 981 81 Kiruna, Sweden | 46 (0) 10 - 56 33501 | brud.rps@polisen.se |
Pass Your Medical Exam
Of course, if you want to move to a new country, you have to prove that you are healthy and ready to travel and work.
You can prove that you are in good health with a medical examination. Just make sure that you use a doctor who belongs to the Canadian Panel of Physicians.
Below is an approved doctor that you can go to for your medical exam.
| City Name | Doctor Name | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | Hans Berglund | (46-8) 662-8100 |
Bring the following to your medical exam:
- Your ID;
- Prescription glasses (if you have any);
- Medical form IMM 1017E if Hans Berglund does not use eMedical; and
- Medical records if you have a pre-existing medical condition
Your medical exam will only be valid for one year, so please be aware when you apply.
You should also request a copy of your medical exam because you will not be able to get your original back when you apply to the Canadian Immigration Office.
Pass IELTS or TEF Exams
In order to apply successfully for a visa you must prove your skills in either French or English. This takes into account your ability to speak, listen, read and write in these languages.
For immigration purposes, you must select the General option for your IELTS and TEF exams. You should only ever select the Academic exam if you wish to study in the country.
These exam results are normally valid for around two years, but it is best to apply a year before it expires.
If you apply for an IELTS exam in Sweden, you can expect to pay around SEK2,500 if you apply through the British Council.
Get Your Canadian Biometrics
If you do not know what Biometrics are, it is a security measure using facial and fingerprint recognition to show who enters and leaves Canada’s borders.
You do not need to immediately apply for your Biometrics before you reach a certain point in your immigration. You will get an email message from the IRCC office that will ask you to apply for your Biometrics.
Just make sure that you apply within 30 days of receiving that email or you may run into trouble a bit later on in your application.
You can apply in person for your Biometrics in Stockholm by either booking an appointment or walk in.
Applying for an ECA in Sweden
An ECA or Educational Credential Assessment is a document that proves your education is on the same standard as Canada’s. If you have a Canadian degree or diploma, you won’t have to worry about the ECA.
But if you do need to apply for an ECA, you can do so on a website called WES (World Education Services). They will assess your education and will process your application within about seven working days. Then it will be sent to the Immigration Office in Canada where it can take up to 20 days to be completed.
Make sure that you select the ECA for immigration purposes! Please also be aware that WES cannot evaluate your qualification if you have a trade certificate or if you are a medical professional. You will have to be assessed by the province you apply to, so please be aware.
If you want to know how to sign up on the WES website you can watch the following video.
Your ECA fee will be around SWK2,756 if you order the basic package.
Start Your Application
We know that immigration can be complicated with lots or red tape and paperwork. Which is why we offer professional Canadian consultancy services to help you make your immigration simpler.
Are you unsure about how to immigrate from Sweden to Canada? Do you want to talk to a expert? Just complete our contact form and we will call you personally to discuss your immigration to Canada.
