Celebrate Ramadan in Canada

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau stated that “each day Muslim Canadians help build a better Canada” in celebration of the religious fasting known as Ramadan. Every year, Ramadan is observed as a time for spiritual reflection, honouring the prophet Mohammad being given the words of the Quran. It focuses on one of the Five Pillars of Islam (fasting) while reminding followers about the other pillars which include prayer and giving to others.

If you are Muslim, you are sure to find your place in Canadian society as there are various expat communities practicing their religion openly and freely. 

On the other hand, if you are not a follower of Islam, take this opportunity to learn more about the diverse nature of Canada and the many cultures and religions that weave together the country’s fabric. With growing quotas for immigration, there has never been a better time to start your Canadian visa application and settle in a place where civil liberties are celebrated.  

Muslim Communities in Canada

According to the Canada National Household Survey, there are over a million Muslims living in Canada. Canada is known as one of the most accepting countries in the world when it comes to foreign nationals as its focus on immigration has always attracted diversity and multiculturalism. Join immigrants originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many others who are all currently celebrating Ramadan in Canada.

If you’re considering immigrating to a region where you can join a significant Muslim community, the following provinces have the highest number of Islam groups across Canada. However, growing numbers of expats are settling in every province and territory in the country.

1. Ontario
2. Québec
3. Alberta
4. British Columbia
5. Manitoba

Ways to Immigrate to Canada

There are plenty of ways for you to begin your journey to Canada with a multitude of streams on offer. These include Family Class sponsorship or the federal programs through the Express Entry system. However, if you would like to settle in a specific province/territory, such as those above, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the most direct option.

The Family sponsorship program allows you to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependant child, parent, and grandparents to join you in Canada. If you are 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen living in Canada you may be eligible to sponsor your loved one to move to Canada. You will, however, need to ensure that you meet the necessary income requirements as you will be required to support your loved ones for a good number of years. This is known as an undertaking.   

The Express Entry System has three federal economic programs that it manages:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program - for highly skilled professional foreign workers who want to live and work in Canada.
• The Federal Skilled Trade Program;  - for experienced foreign trade workers with at least 2 years of work experience and a job offer in Canada.
• The Canada Experience Class - for highly skilled workers with at least 1 year of Canadian work experience.

Express Entry Candidates are rated according to factors such as their age, language ability, education, and work experience (if applicable) and once ranked will receive what is known as a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and enter a draw pool with other candidates. Those with the highest CRS scores will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada.

The Provincial Nominee Program is designed to help fill the current labour gap that Canada is facing in a way that is specific to each province or territory. Each province or territory has its own labour market needs and it is, therefore, no surprise that each one has its own tailored set of immigration streams and pathways to Canada as well as specific lists of in-demand jobs in Canada.   

To get started, you will need to create an online profile through the province/territory’s immigration body. If you are deemed eligible for your selected stream, you will be asked to apply for permanent residence and awarded with a provincial nomination from that region. Provincial nominations are extremely coveted as they are worth an additional 600 points and could guarantee that you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. 

For Express Entry-linked streams, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the selected province/territory from inside the Express Entry pool or wait for a Notification of Interest (NOI). Choosing the Express Entry linked route is extremely beneficial as it means Express Entry processing time which means your application processing times could be reduced from 15 to 18 months to as little as six to eight months! 

Below are some online support groups for the Islamic communities in Canada:   

• Muslim Association of Canada
• Muslim Link
• Muslim Community Services

Non-Muslims Observing

There is most certainly a place for non-muslims in the Islam community, in the role of supporting freedom of religion and combatting Islamaphobia with education about the religion and its different branches. Residents can attend workshops at their local community center to get better acquainted with Muslims in their neighborhood as well as the different customs that come with practicing this faith.  

Many mosques are open to others learning more about the faith, even inviting outsiders to join worshippers in breaking their fast at the end of the day. With Canada’s growing population, creating a diverse national identity is a top priority. If you’re in the process of creating your Canadian visa application, rest assured that everyone is welcome among the various different groups living across the country. 

How We Can Help You Celebrate the Next Ramadan in Canada

We have a service that makes use of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are experts when it comes to immigration policy as well as the different pathways open to individuals based on their backgrounds. These professionals have all been through the immigration process themselves and can ease all your fears during the application period.  

Get a personalized immigration strategy that is designed to give you the best possible chance of achieving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This includes help with gathering the correct documents, boosting your profile, and submitting all the information on time.

Sign up with our service today in order to get started on your Canadian visa application. With over 60 different programs to choose from, there is a path for everyone to follow in order to start a life in Canada that is full of freedoms.