As a visitor in Canada right now - what options to stay longterm?

[vancouverBC2017]

Dearest Members of Canada Visa,

First of all thanks a lot for your answers in my previous thread : ), much appreciated.

I got in as a visitor - no stamp, one-way-ticket and can stay here up to 6 months, as a Euro citizen (German),
was curious what the options might be to end up as a permanent resident? I know there is the possibility to fall genuinely in love - but what other legal options are there to make my way to Canada permanently?

It is so good to be back here, and seeing all these people here from all over the world, I mean they have also made it somehow. So, how can I make it?

Any suggestions would be amazing and so helpful to me -
thanks a lot in advance,
and have a good evening,

ciao from Vancouver,
: )

 

[Rob_TO]

All of Canada's immigration programs are here, you need to see if you qualify for anything: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

Outside of family class apps, basically most of the programs require education and at least 1 year skilled work experience in an eligible field, in order to qualify.

 

[vancouverBC2017]

All of Canada's immigration programs are here, you need to see if you qualify for anything: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

Outside of family class apps, basically most of the programs require education and at least 1 year skilled work experience in an eligible field, in order to qualify.

Thank you very much for your quick answer @Rob_TO -
I am having a look right now.

Can someone non-family, like a friend who I know for more than 13 yrs sponsor me / or can I get adopted by a family who has already adopted kids?

 

[scylla]

Can someone non-family, like a friend who I know for more than 13 yrs sponsor me / or can I get adopted by a family who has already adopted kids?

No - they can't.

You need to qualify to immigrate on your own through one of the programs described in the link provided to you earlier.

 

[Rob_TO]

Can someone non-family, like a friend who I know for more than 13 yrs sponsor me / or can I get adopted by a family who has already adopted kids?

100% NO to both.

 

[spousalsponsee]

100% NO to both.

This is not entirely correct.

If the friend lives in Manitoba, and you both meet the criteria, then you may be able to - http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/immigrate-to-manitoba/swo/swo-eligibility/

 

[Rob_TO]

This is not entirely correct.

If the friend lives in Manitoba, and you both meet the criteria, then you may be able to - http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/immigrate-to-manitoba/swo/swo-eligibility/

Yes it is indeed correct as a "friend" can't simply sponsor anyone they want, even if they live in Manitoba. The applicant must first meet education/work criteria, and having the friend in that province simply adds to their application. This is common for most PNP programs.

Plus the OP is from BC here, so doubt anyone in Manitoba would be able to help them.

 

[spousalsponsee]

Yes it is indeed correct as a "friend" can't simply sponsor anyone they want, even if they live in Manitoba. The applicant must first meet education/work criteria, and having the friend in that province simply adds to their application. This is common for most PNP programs.

Plus the OP is from BC here, so doubt anyone in Manitoba would be able to help them.

If the friend lives in Manitoba, and you both meet the criteria, then you may be able to

It is not correct to say "100% NO". It could be considered correct if you had said it is far from certain, and requires specific things to happen. In the MB PNP, having a good friend there prepared to vouch for a person & support them does not 'simply add to their application', it serves as a source of the vital 'Manitoba link' that all nominees are required to have.

 

[Rob_TO]

It is not correct to say "100% NO". It could be considered correct if you had said it is far from certain, and requires specific things to happen. In the MB PNP, having a good friend there prepared to vouch for a person & support them does not 'simply add to their application', it serves as a source of the vital 'Manitoba link' that all nominees are required to have.

OP asked specifically "Can someone non-family, like a friend who I know for more than 13 yrs sponsor me"

And right from the specific link you posted: "Important: The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is not a sponsorship program. Because the MPNP is a labour market-driven, economic immigration program, all applicants must be employable and adaptable skilled workers with job-ready English, sufficient settlement funds and the genuine intention and ability to economically establish in Manitoba as permanent residents."

If the OP meets certain education/skills requirements, they can certainly investigate PNP programs and will have better chances of success in those provinces where they have family/friends. But this is different from sponsorship which is what OP is asking about, and to which the answer is still NO.

 

[vancouverBC2017]

@spousalsponsee & @Rob_TO Wow: First of all - I am impressed by the dynamic here and help, and detailed answers from you both:
THANK YOU SO MUCH (!) - this is much appreciated.

I mean it sounds interesting to me, the question would be - with anything else:
So, I am in Canada, if I apply to ANYTHING - let it be the Manitoba option, or let´s say I want to apply for a job sponsorship or studying, would I have to leave the country again to change my status from visitor to e.g. skilled worker at arrival? Or, could I find an employer here when I am already in Canada and then get sponsored by the employer hence province?

Unfortunately I do not know anyone in Manitoba, I def. want to make BC my home and want to try out every possible option there is right now.

Thanks again so much for your answers and looking fwd. to continue .

 

[vancouverBC2017]

PS
I also looked into entrepreunerial oportunities.
So what if I start a business plans ( do not have a business ) and find a mentor / sponsor or similar right here in BC, who is going to help me with the creation of a new business -
(not investing money) but if it is a good idea, can I change my visitor status into another one?

I want to find out any possible way to start my new life here right now, as I lived around the globe and it is time to settle at a good place.
So this definitely is the place to be - I have found out - and yeah, I am going to fight for this to make it true and happen, I just need to find a way how to proceed a way that is quickest and most successful, I do not know if the skilled migration program would be suitable for me - as I would have to go through all the paperwork I think... I mean I know there will always be paperwork, but my dream is to find this one way, that is best for me -
and when I see the people on the streets, they also made it somehow, I want to be one of them.

Thank you for listening and your support!

 

[scylla]

PS
I also looked into entrepreunerial oportunities.
So what if I start a business plans ( do not have a business ) and find a mentor / sponsor or similar right here in BC, who is going to help me with the creation of a new business -
(not investing money) but if it is a good idea, can I change my visitor status into another one?

Depends how much money you have. BC's entrepreneur program requires you to have a net worth of at least $600K and have at least $200K you're able to invest in a business in Canada.

Another option would be the Federal Start Up visa program. This program requires you to find an incubator willing to invest actual funds in your business idea. I understand this isn't that easy to do (since only a specific list of designated organizations are permitted to be incubators). So possible but certainly not fast and requires you to have a very strong and typically new business idea and plan. Details here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/business/start-up/index.asp

 

[scylla]

So, I am in Canada, if I apply to ANYTHING - let it be the Manitoba option, or let´s say I want to apply for a job sponsorship or studying, would I have to leave the country again to change my status from visitor to e.g. skilled worker at arrival? Or, could I find an employer here when I am already in Canada and then get sponsored by the employer hence province?

There are typically options for changing your status without leaving Canada - provided you qualify.

If you want to change over to a study permit, you'll need to have a bank balance of at least $25K (likely more) to be approved.

If you want to aim for permanent residency through a job offer from a Canadian employer - you'll need to not only secure a job offer but the employer will also typically need to obtain an approved LMIA (which can be a 4-6 month process). Additionally, you'll want to aim for a job that is skilled - meaning classified as NOC A, B, or 0.

However the first thing you'll need to do is spend a lot more time researching Canada's immigration programs on CIC's web site. What we are telling you here is just scratching the surface and you'll need to dedicate days if not weeks to understanding what it takes to qualify and apply. If this research feels overwhelming - the other option is to hire an immigration lawyer to help you (expect to pay a few thousand dollars for someone decent).

Good luck.

 

[Rob_TO]

@spousalsponsee & @Rob_TO Wow: First of all - I am impressed by the dynamic here and help, and detailed answers from you both:
THANK YOU SO MUCH (!) - this is much appreciated.

I mean it sounds interesting to me, the question would be - with anything else:
So, I am in Canada, if I apply to ANYTHING - let it be the Manitoba option, or let´s say I want to apply for a job sponsorship or studying, would I have to leave the country again to change my status from visitor to e.g. skilled worker at arrival? Or, could I find an employer here when I am already in Canada and then get sponsored by the employer hence province?

.

You have not stated what your education and work experience is to date.

In order to start working for a Canadian employer, that employer must go through the LMIA process with the government first. This means they need to pay a fee (I think $1000), advertise the job for several months to ensure no Canadian could be hired for the role, and do all paperwork with the government. Only if this process is approved, could you then get a work permit for that employer. Obviously this is a lot of effort for employer so generally they will only go through it if you have some specific skills they are looking for and really want to hire you. Otherwise hiring a Canadian is the preferred choice.

Same applies to applying for PR. Practically all PR programs require you to have education and skilled work experience, in certain fields that Canada is looking for (certain NOC code grades). So if you don't have necessary education/experience, then the harsh reality is applying for PR at this time may not be possible for you. You may need to work at upgrading your education/skills first, and if this is not possible in Canada you would need to move back to home country to do this and apply for Canada PR when you are qualified.

 

[vancouverBC2017]

Thank you so much @scylla - This is such an interesting answer, actually sounds great -
the thing is do not have a business, I mean I have many business ideas, could create a really strong one possibly, then try to convince an incubator, and would be fine as well? My status is "visitor" at the moment, but if this is all fine, I might really consider this idea for sure!