How to Immigrate From Chile to Canada

Since the 1970s, Canada has been the go-to destination for those living in Chile seeking a new home. Initially, the majority of Chileans settled in French-speaking Quebec and there is now even a monument in Parc Jean-Drapeau, Île Notre-Dame in Montreal in honor of Chilean Canadians’ heritage.

Since then, the numbers have continued to grow and now you can find large and small Chilean communities throughout the 13 provinces and territories of Canada.

If you want to join those who made the journey before you in Canada, you will have to know how to immigrate from Chile to Canada. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we detail everything you need to know to make your immigration to Canada successful.

Once you have scaled the hurdle of choosing an immigration visa program or stream, the next you have to take involves the application process. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada’s immigration department, has some of the most strict and stringent immigration visa application processes among the major immigration destinations of the world.

Should you undergo this process on your own, you may become subject to various pitfalls and unforeseen blunders that can affect the success of your application and/or hinder and delay the pace of the application processing times.

Step 1: Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility

The first step in making the journey to Canada is to take a long hard look at what you want to do there. Do I want to visit? Do I want to study in Canada? Do I want to work in Canada? Do I want to live in Canada? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself before you begin your application.

Furthermore, you will have to make sure that you are eligible to apply through the immigration visa program or stream that you want to utilize to immigrate to Canada. This will be conducted through an eligibility test that assesses your personal demographic data such as,

• Age;
• Work experience;
• Education;
• Medical history;
• Language Proficiency in English or French
• Criminal record/police clearance;
• Prior Education or work experience in Canada

For example, a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) will be awarded to you on the basis of your eligibility assessment, which can be used to improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Provincial Nominee Program or Express Entry system through one of its Federal Skilled Workers or Federal Skilled Trades program.

This is an essential step because your needs determine what program you should apply for and subsequently the requirements you need to satisfy. It may be easier to study in Canada before applying for permanent residency or perhaps you should visit Canada first to get a better idea of the country.

Step 2: Choose a Canadian Immigration Program

There is an extensive list of over 100 different Canadian immigration programs at your disposal. Narrowing down your choice, to some, is the most difficult part of the entire process.

It is very difficult to keep track of them so we recommend you pay a visit to our comprehensive guide here. We will make sure to keep you informed and up to date with all the trends and changes in immigration.

If you want to know how to immigrate from Chile to Canada quickly, you should get familiar with the Express Entry system. Express Entry manages several immigration programs, like the Federal Skilled Worker Program and some Provincial Nomination Programs, for faster processing times.

If you satisfy the requirements of Express Entry and one of the immigration categories, you can earn permanent residency status in Canada within just six months.

The table below outlines some of the more popular immigration programs and streams that lead to the grant of permanent residency status.

Step 3: Create an Express Entry Online Profile

If you want to immigrate to Canada from Chile, you will need to create an online profile expressing your interest (EOI) in immigrating to the country or a particular province.

This can be a simple step, but it is important to remember that Canada’s immigration system is a merit-based system. This means that those who hold higher human capital are more likely to receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Your core human capital is determined by your work experience, age, language proficiency, educational background, ability to adapt to Canadian life, and more. Once these points have been tallied, your profile will be ranked against other candidates and once your profile meets the cut-off point for an Express Entry draw, you will be invited to apply for immigration to Canada.

After you have created your online profile, you can still improve your score and update your profile to better your chances. For instance, you can retake your IELTS or TEF language tests for better marks and more CRS Canadian immigration points. IELTS tests your listening, speaking, writing, and reading in English whereas TEF measures your French.

Step 4: Prepare the Proper Required Documentation

While you wait to be selected for immigration, you should collect all the relevant documents needed for your immigration application. These include your ECA (Educational Credential Assessment), ID, birth certificate, marriage certificate, letters of reference, biometrics, police clearance, medical exam, and bank statements. Seeing as the majority of these are easy to come by, we will discuss the more complicated ones below.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

This is a document to prove that your education meets Canadian standards. You will only need to apply for an ECA if you were educated outside of Canada, so we recommend that you consider applying to study in Canada first.

An ECA is a report used by immigration officials, employers and schools to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equal to a Canadian one. If you’re immigrating to Canada then it’s important to apply for an ECA report for immigration purposes from an approved ECA organization.

Your ECA report may help when you’re looking for a job but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a license to practice in a regulated job. Also, the original ECA report must not be mailed to the IRCC offices. Instead, you need to give the report reference number and submit copies when asked.

You can only get your credentials validated from approved IRCC organizations listed in the table below. We recommend that our clients get their ECAs from World Education Services (WES) since they have the quickest processing times of 35 business days.

Approved ECA Organisations for Canadian Immigration Purposes.

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• World Education Services (WES)
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Medical Council of Canada (Doctors)
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (Pharmacists)

Medical Exam

Only a panel physician identified by the Canadian government can administer the medical examination. In other words, an examination conducted by your local GP will most likely not be accepted by the Canadian authorities.

If you're unsure which physicians are accepted by Canadian authorities, you can search online to find a panel physician in your location.

You will only need a medical certificate if you intend to permanently reside in Canada. If you are planning a temporary stay of fewer than 6 months, you can skip this document unless you plan to work in Canada in the healthcare professions.

Police Clearance

This document proves that you do not have a criminal background. It is essential for immigration to any country because it ensures the safety of a country’s residents. In Chile, this document is called a Certificado de Antecedentes (for criminal convictions) and Hoja de Vida del Conductor (for driving-related convictions).

You can apply for your documentation in person at your nearest Registro Civil e Identification or you can apply online on their official website. The website is only available in Spanish so make sure you have a trusted friend nearby if your Spanish isn’t too great.

If you live outside of Chile, you can apply for your certificates at your nearest Chilean embassy or consulate. You also have the online option available to you too.

You must bring the following with you:

• Your “RUT” Rol Único Tributario (taxation unique contributor role identification number)
• Your “RUN” Rol Único Nacional (National Identification Number); and
• Enough money to pay for application fees

Biometrics

Biometrics is a new way for Canada to verify your identity. Using fingerprint and facial recognition technology, Canada has upped the security for traveling to and living in Canada.

If you have Chilean citizenship, you do not have to give your biometrics if you only plan to visit the country. Starting in 2019, however, all Chileans must submit their biometrics for a new study permit, work permit, or permanent residence application. This new legislation does not affect you if you plan on visiting the country.

Step 5: Submit Your Canadian Immigration Visa Application

Once you have collected all of your documentation and you have received your Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must submit your visa application. The last step is quite basic, just make sure you bring along some money and photographs when you get your visa stamped in your passport. The general immigration application fee is set at 100 CAD.

Why Move to Canada From Chile

Employment Opportunities

Canada is in need of supplementing their labor force with foreign workers as a consequence of their perennial labor shortages. Apart from the thousands of existing vacancies, many jobs are also created yearly. The country is therefore in need of not only skilled and semi-skilled workers but also low- and unskilled ones too.

Permanent Residency Benefits

Becoming a Canadian permanent resident comes with many benefits. As a Chilean permanent resident you will have the same benefits that come with being a citizen of the country. This includes having access to free universal healthcare, as well as free schooling for all children up to the high school level.

World Renowned Universities

Canada's colleges are amongst the highest-ranked post-secondary educational institutions globally and with significant numbers of world-class universities, the opportunities for yourself and your loved ones are endless.

Canada values post-secondary studies highly, which is reflected in the high percentage of adults (over 50%) with a post-secondary education certificate . It may even be a requirement for you to obtain permanent residency, depending on the program you choose to apply through.

Visa programs like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot have streams for foreigners who complete studies at Canadian institutions. By completing a qualification at a Canadian post-secondary institution, you could be eligible for permanent residency.

Canada is a Democratic Nation

The rights of Canadians are protected by a liberal government that values freedom above all else. People are free to be who they want, news broadcasters are free to report on interesting events without restrictions, and human rights are respected with complete dignity.

You Can Bring Your Family With You

Canada is serious about keeping families together. If you meet the minimum settlement fund requirements, you can bring your family with you. Alternatively, once you have obtained PR status in Canada, you can use the Family Sponsorship programs to sponsor your families to move to Canada visa pathway that will eventually lead to them becoming permanent Canadian residents.

You Can Join Canada's Melting Pot

The big concern about immigration often comes down to how well you think you will adjust to a new country. Because Canada is such a multicultural hub, welcoming thousands of new immigrants every month, it is one of the easiest societies to integrate into.

Immigrants from all over are settling and making Canada their home and are being warmly welcomed by Canadians and other immigrants alike.

How We Can Help You Immigrate From Chile To Canada

As you can see from the above, learning about how to immigrate from Chile to Canada can be quite difficult. The Canadian visa application process is complex, confusing, and time-consuming. With us on your side, we eliminate all the stress and make your application quick and easy.

Ensure your visa application is successful with our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). An RCIC will help you determine your eligibility and ensure all your documents are in order before submitting your application. Learn more about how an RCIC can maximize your chances of getting a Canadian Visa here. Sign up today and get a head start.

FAQs

Can you Immigrate to Canada From Chile With Your Family?

You can bring your family to Canada as a Chilean once you’ve become a permanent resident. You can do this by using the Family Sponsorship program wherein you sponsor a family member to move to Canada by providing them a pathway towards permanent residency.

Does Canada Have a Large Community of Chileans?

There are approximately 26,000 Chileans nationals in Canada, 4,838 of which are eligible to vote.

What is the Best Place to Immigrate to Canada as a Chilean?

Toronto, Ontario, Canada's bustling center of commerce and finance, is the prime location for most new immigrants to Canada and we recommend it to any Chileans considering making the move to the North American country in 2023.