Immigration in Canada

Immigration in Calgary, AB

If you are thinking of immigrating and living in Canada and are from Argentina, Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, Peru o Mexico, here are some are important points to consider before you can make the move to Canada (as according to the Hispanic Guide in Alberta "Hola Calgary").

Essential immigration documents for citizens who come to live in Canada:

When you migrate to live in Canada, you will need:

- An immigration visa and a confirmation Canadian permanent residency for each family member traveling with you;
- A valid passport or other travel document for each family member traveling with you;
- Two copies of a detailed list of all personal or household items you are bringing with you;
- Two copies of a list of items that are arriving later.
    Note: The lists should state how your personal worth and the house.

You should also bring with you enough money to cover costs to live in Canada, such as rent, food, clothing and transportation for one semester; you must show proof of this money.
Do not save your documents in a suitcase. You need to have them available at the airport in the Canadian city that you are arriving at, to show to immigration and airport officials in Alberta, Canada (in this case).

Important: Immigration documents for citizens of Latin America who come to live in Alberta, Canada:

Depending on your personal situation, it may be is a prerequisite to have the following immigration documents upon arrival in Canada (when immigrating):

- Birth certificates or baptismal certificates;
- Family books;
- Adoption papers, separation or divorce;
- Records, diplomas or degrees from the school for each family member traveling with you;
- Trade or professional certificates and licenses;
- Reference letters from previous employers;
- List  of your educational qualifications and experience and professional work (this is called an abstract);
- Immunization records, vaccination, dental and other health for each family member;
- Driver's license, including an International Driver's license;
- Photocopies of all essential and important documents in case the originals get lost (keep copies safe place separate from   the originals), and
- Car registration documents (if you are importing a motor vehicle in Canada).

What you should know about immigration and health care:

 Canada has a public health system (provides insurance coverage for health-care services to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents (You will be a "permanent resident") ). The federal government sets health-care standards for the entire country, but the programs are run by provincial health ministries. More information about the health-care system can be found in the Latin Portal Hola Calgary.

Note: If you are going to live in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or New Brunswick, there's a three-month waiting period before you become eligible for insurance coverage. If you are planning to live in any of these provinces, you should buy private health insurance coverage for the first three months. Listed insurance companies can be found in the Yellow Pages of all Canadian telephone books, under "Insurance."

What you can bring to Alberta, Canada as an immigrant:

 There are strict laws about what you can bring in Alberta Canada.

Cars must meet Canadian standards of safety and control of pollution. Many cars are not allowed in the country. Contact Transport Canada for more information before you send your car.

Transport Canada Vehicle Import
330 Sparks Street, Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

Phone: 1 (613) 998-8616
(When calling from outside Canada)

1 800 333-0371
(Free, within Canada)

Web site: www.tc.gc.ca
(Follow the link to import the vehicle)

The following items cannot be brought in Alberta Canada:

- Firearms, explosives, fireworks and ammunition;
- Narcotic, except for prescription drugs;
- Meat, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables;
- Plants, flowers and soil;
- Endangered species of animals or products made from animal parts, such as skin, feathers, skin, bone and ivory;
- Cultural property, including antique and cultural objects considered to have historical significance in their country of origin (you may, however, bring family heirlooms);
- More than 200 cigarettes (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 18 years of age if you are immigrating to Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, or per person over 19 if you are immigrating to Ontario or any of other provinces and
- More than 1.5 liters of wine or 1.14 liters of commercial alcohol (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 19 years of age.

If you are not sure about an item, you can write to or call:

The Canada Border Services Agency
Customs, and taxes abolished
Information Services
2265 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4K3

Phone: (506) 636-5064 or
(204) 983-3500
(When calling from outside Canada)

1 800 959-2036
(Free, within Canada)

Web site: www.cbsa.gc.ca

Work for immigrants in Calgary, Alberta who are permanent residents in Canada

 If possible, have your reference and immigration documents translated into English or French before you leave for Canada. Essential documents for looking for work include:

- A summary of their experience of education, work and volunteer and their skills and qualifications;
- Diplomas, degrees, certificates and other qualifications;
- Letters of recommendation, and
- Records or transcripts of school.

It is also helpful to research the job market in the part of Canada where you plan to live. The following Federally funded sites may also be helpful:

- www.directioncanada.gc.ca: This website raises awareness of the opportunities, challenges and barriers to immigrants awaiting anticipated, so they can better prepare for the labor market before coming to Canada;
- www.workdestinations.org: This Web site contains information on various jobs, working conditions, trends in the labor market, living conditions, and training and educational opportunities in various regions of Canada. It also lists regulated work in Canada. You can find out if their work is regulated and what you need to do to get a license to practice.
- www.hrsdc.gc.ca: This Web site provides labor market information that can help you search for work and general employment decisions, training and the race.
- www.theworkplace.ca: This Web site offers practical information and links to newspapers' Canadian, "On-line Help Wanted" ads.

How an immigrant should go about starting a business

 If you are an immigrant coming to live in Canada as an immigrant entrepenur or business owner, use the Internet to find out about sources of funding opportunities in the Calgary housing market in business services exports and investment, interest rates on mortgages self-employment assistance and information on small businesses. There are many rules for starting a business in Canada. The following government web sites in Canada will help you get a head start on your planning:

- www.cbsc.org: The website of the Canada Business Service Centre's is your single point of contact for information about services, programs and rules of governance for the business.
- www.strategis.gc.ca: This Web site of Canada's business information industry has to help you find partners, do market research, find new technologies, and learn about funding opportunities and areas of growth in the Canadian economy .
- www.bdc.ca: This is the website of the Business Development Bank of Canada. It provides financial and consulting services to Canadian small businesses, especially those in the fields of technology and the export economy. It also offers information on starting a business and make it succeed.
- www.strategis.ic.gc.ca / epic / internet / incsbfp-pfpec.nsf / en / home: This is the website of the program of small business financing in Canada. The program can help you finance your own business.
- www.contractscanada.gc.ca: This Web site has information on how and what the Canadian government purchases (goods and services).
- www.cic.gc.ca: This is the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Describe the program of the Business Immigration. You will find many answers to your questions at this site.

Advantages of living in Alberta, Canada

The majority of Latino newcomers to Canada tend to live in the three largest cities - Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. But many other immigrants and many Canadians choose to live in medium-sized cities, such as Calgary, Edmonton, etc which they feel have as much to offer as the larger cities, with a better quality of life.

Among medium-sized cities are St. John's, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, St. Catharines, Oshawa, Windsor, Sudbury, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria.

All medium-sized cities have diverse populations, multi-ethnic ranging in size from approximately 150,000 to one million people, and all have the variety of public and private institutions and services found in larger cities.

Some Latin American immigrants newly arrived from Argentina, Guatemala, San Salvador, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, etc like the idea of ​​living in cities or smaller cities like Moncton, Fredericton, Red Deer and Kelowna or prefer to live in a rural area. Depending on your skills or professional qualifications, some regions may have better job opportunities than others.

It is a good idea to visit the web sites of each province and territory to see what each has to offer. To find these web sites, visit canada.gc.ca /othergov/prov_e.html.

Weather in Calgary, AB:

Calgary temperature and most of the climate in Canada has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The temperatures and weather in each season may be different from one part of the country to another. Here is what you expect:

- Spring: Spring is a rainy season in most parts of Canada. Daytime temperatures rise steadily, but nights remain cool. Average daytime temperatures are above 12 ° C in March, April and early May.

- Summer: Summer officially begins on June 21, but July and August are considered the summer months for most Canadians. In summer, the weather is very hot in most parts of the country. In southern Canada, daytime temperatures are usually above 20 ° C and can sometimes rise above 30 ° C.

- Autumn: The autumn season, or fall, as it's often called, begins in September. The weather cools and the leaves on many trees change color and fall to the ground. It can also be very rainy at this time of year. In some parts of Canada, especially northern or mountain regions, snow may begin to fall by late October. Average daytime temperatures are above 10 ° C to 12 ° C in most of the country. The autumn months are September, October and November.

- Winter: During the winter months (December, January and February), the temperature in most of the country usually stays below 0 ° C, day and night. Temperatures in some parts of the country periodically drop below -25 ° C, while along the West coast, temperatures rarely drop below 0 ° C. In most of Canada, snow will be on the ground from mid-December to the middle of March. The higher in elevation and the farther north you go, the longer and colder winter becomes.

Canada Schools 

There is no national school system in Canada. Schools and universities in Canada are governed by the provinces and therefore, education varies somewhat from province to province. Elementary and secondary education is public, meaning it is free and open to everyone.

Depending on the individual province, primary eduation starts at the kindergarten and continues to the end of grade 6 or 8. This is followed by secondary education or high school. In some provinces this may be divided into junior high (grades 7 to 9) and senior high (grades 10 to 12). Normally, students must complete the required academic courses in high school in order to be admitted to college or university.

The regular school year in Canada runs from late August or early September until mid to late June. New students can usually be placed throughout the school year. Most schools are closed on national holidays. Also, all schools are closed between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, and most are closed for a week in March for spring break. The longest holiday of the school occurs over the summer months of July and August.

Colleges and public universities in Canada hold their regular classes from late August or early September until April, although a smaller number of courses are available over the summer months .The courses of university and community colleges are not free and costs vary among provinces.

When you enroll your children in school, you must have:

- Canadian immigrant visa (permanent resident card);
- Birth certificate or baptismal certificate;
- Vaccination certificate;