Philippines: Your Pathway to Canada

Canada has long been a popular destination for Filipino nationals due to its high quality of life, diverse culture, and broad range of immigration pathways. Whether you’re seeking education, work, or permanent residence, Canada offers numerous opportunities.

Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)

As a Filipino national, you have two options for tourist travel to Canada: applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

You’re eligible for an eTA if you meet three specific criteria:

1. You have been granted a Canadian visitor visa within the past 10 years or you currently have a valid nonimmigrant visa for the United States.
2. You’re planning a short trip to Canada, either for a visit, business-related purposes, or tourist activities, typically for stays of up to 6 months.
3. You’re traveling by air to Canada or transiting through a Canadian airport with a valid passport from one of the eTA-required countries.

It’s important to note that all three conditions must be met. If you don’t meet all these requirements, you will need to apply for a TRV to travel to Canada.

Study Permit:

For Filipinos aiming to pursue their education in Canada, they must first apply for a study permit. This requires acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada, proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses, a clean criminal record, and medical examination results. Also, students may be eligible to work part-time on or off-campus while studying, which can provide valuable Canadian work experience.

Work Permit:

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP) are typical avenues through which Filipino nationals may work in Canada. A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is often necessary for TFWP, though there are exceptions. Under IMP, work permits may be LMIA-exempt, depending on the nature of the job or the worker’s international status.

Home Child Care Provider & Home Support Worker Pilot:

Canada’s Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots offer a clear path for qualified foreign nationals, such as Filipinos, to Canadian permanent residence. These programs are designed to address the country’s labor shortages in specific fields, particularly in providing care for children, the elderly, or those with medical needs.

To qualify for either pilot, Filipino applicants must have:

1. Job Offer: A genuine and valid job offer in Canada for either a Home Child Care Provider (NOC 4411, excluding foster parents) or a Home Support Worker (NOC 4412, excluding housekeepers). The job offer must be full-time and non-seasonal.

2. Language Skills: Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 in English or French, demonstrated by taking a designated language test.

3. Education: At least a one-year post-secondary credential equivalent to Canadian education. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is necessary if the education was completed outside Canada.

4. Admissibility: Be admissible to Canada, which means no serious criminal history, no serious health problems, etc.

Unlike the previous caregiver programs, these pilots allow the caregiver’s family members to accompany them to Canada. Spouses or common-law partners are eligible for an open work permit, and dependent children are eligible for a study permit.

Once in Canada, Filipino caregivers must acquire two years of full-time work experience in their respective occupations within the first three years. After meeting this requirement, they can apply for permanent residence. The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots both have a maximum limit of 2,750 principal applicants per year, not including their immediate family.

Express Entry:

Express Entry system manages applications for three economic immigration programs – Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Filipinos with skilled work experience, language proficiency in English or French, and other eligibility criteria can create a profile in the Express Entry pool. Candidates with the highest-ranking scores receive an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence.

Family Sponsorship:

If a Filipino national has a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, they may be eligible to be sponsored for permanent residency under Family Class Sponsorship.

Remember, each pathway has its own set of criteria, and understanding which one is the right fit for your specific situation can be complex. That’s where Pathway2Canada can help – we guide you in choosing the most suitable program and support you throughout the application process.