Greener Pastures: What you need to know about moving to Canada temporarily or permanently

By Farrah Auguste (Immigration Lawyer – FA Immigration)

Have you ever thought about starting a new life in another country?

Not just visiting… Not just studying… But truly starting over.

Because immigration is not just paperwork… it is a very important life decision.

My name is Farrah Auguste, and I am a Canadian immigration lawyer. I work with people who have dreams. People who take risks. People who sometimes succeed… and sometimes get refused.

My goal is simple; to help you understand how to accomplish your dream of coming to Canada the right way. I will highlight the different ways you can prepare yourself with information and resources and how to make your applications stronger. 

YOUR JOURNEY TO CANADA

There are four main ways to come to Canada: Visit, Study, Work, or settle permanently.

But these are not separate paths, they are steps. And if you take the wrong step from the beginning, it can affect everything that comes after.

WHY CANADA

Why do so many people choose Canada?

Canada represents opportunity. Canada is a country that is built on immigration, since the 1980s, millions of people have made Canada their new home.

• In the 1980s, Canada welcomed about 1.3 million immigrants 
• In the 1990s, that number increased to over 2.2 million 
• In the 2000s, more than 2.5 million people immigrated to Canada 
• And in the 2010s, over 3 million new immigrants arrived 

And today?

Canada welcomes over 400,000 new permanent residents every year. Almost 1 in 4 people in Canada today is an immigrant.

It is one of the highest immigration rates in the world. So if you have been thinking about immigrating to Canada…You are not alone, millions have done it before you. But the difference is those who succeed… do it with strategy.

Canadian immigration regulations have been getting more strict and the selection criteria for those who are accepted for the different paths require strategic thinking, timing and mental/emotional preparation.A strong immigration strategy is not only about eligibility; it is also about when you apply, how early you prepare your documents, and how long you may need to wait before you can travel, study, work, or settle.

VISITOR VISA

I always encourage my clients, if they are thinking about settling in Canada, to visit first. It’s not mandatory, but it can make a big difference. It allows you to experience the lifestyle, explore neighborhoods, and really ask yourself: can I see my life here? You are not applying to visit Canada, you are proving that you will leave Canada before the end of your authorized stay.

This is the most important concept to understand.

From a planning perspective, visitor visa processing times can vary significantly depending on the country where you apply and the complexity of your file. So if you have a family event, graduation, wedding, business trip, or future study plan, do not apply at the last minute.

Immigration officers will ask themselves:

• Do I believe this person will respect their visa? Will he or she go back to her country of citizenship before the end of the authorized stay? (Most of the reasons for refusal are because the immigration officer was not convinced the applicant was going to leave Canada.) 

In my 15 years of experience, this is where most people fail.

Because Immigration is not about what you have. It is about what you can prove. As a lawyer, I can tell you, most refusals are not about money but about credibility. I’ve seen applicants with money get refused because their file was inconsistent…and others with average finances get approved because their story was strong and clear and they had submitted all the proper and required documents.

Today (March -April 2026) a tourist visa processing time for a Kenyan citizen is approximately 72 days.

Key point: a tourist visa does not give you the right to work or study in Canada. The only exception is short-term studies, if your program is less than six months, you may study without a permit. Anything longer requires proper authorization. Failure to which you may be penalized/deported.

STUDY PERMIT

Studying in Canada is popular, but not every study plan makes sense.

Again, you must convince the immigration authority that you will respect the conditions of your stay

Your program should match your background, and your study plan must make sense. Remember, visa officers are assessing the logic behind your decision. If you studied mechanical engineering and want to pursue a master’s in the same or a related field, that’s a clear and logical progression. However, a major shift without strong justification can raise concerns.

For example, an applicant who studied engineering but applied for a program in business or hospitality without explaining the connection. In those cases, the visa officer may conclude that the applicant is not a genuine student, but rather someone seeking to enter Canada by any means. And that is often enough to justify a refusal. 

So your study plan is not just a formality, it is your story and it must make sense.

Canada also enforces a cap on approved study permits as of 2025 which is another reason you must be strategic and consistent when pursuing this path.

A study permit is not just about school. It is also about your future immigration strategy (if you wish to settle and work permanently).

The processing time matters here as well. As of late March and early April 2026, outside-Canada study permit applications were being processed in about 60 days in many standard streams, but that timeline can still change. So once you receive admission, you should move quickly with your documents, finances, study plan, and explanation letter.

Key elements: A study permit not only allows you to study in Canada, it also gives you the opportunity to work. You can work up to 20 hours per week during your studies and full-time during scheduled breaks like holidays and school closures. You may also benefit from medical insurance, depending on where you study in Canada.

WORK IN CANADA

Working in Canada from abroad is possible but not easy.

Employers in Canada must first prove they could not find a Canadian to do that same job (Therefore, your skills must match the Canadian market.)

For example, I have a client that is looking for construction workers, but he told me that the candidates must be familiar with North American construction standards, not European standards. Skills must match the Canadian market. So if you have the skills and relevant experience, there is an opportunity for you here.

Timing here is very critical so it is also good to be up to date with current affairs and events in the country you hope to immigrate to so that your strategy remains sharp.

Key point: with a work permit, you would have access to public healthcare.

JOB SCAMS

Work permit is a big market in Canada and scammers are aware of that so it is important to protect yourself from becoming a victim and losing not only money but sometimes life through being misled. Scammers can either lure you with a real job and improper immigration channels or fake job offers.

If someone asks you to pay for a job offer, it is a scam.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY

1. The most popular program is Express Entry.

Express Entry is a points-based system used to select candidates for permanent residence. Factors such as language ability, work experience, and education all play a key role. It is kind of a competition of who has the highest score. 

For language, you generally need at least a CLB 7 level (CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks. It is the system used in Canada to measure your level of English or French), which corresponds to an intermediate to advanced proficiency. However, strong French language skills can significantly increase your chances. In fact, candidates with a high level of French — CLB 7 or higher — may benefit from additional points and targeted draws, which can greatly improve their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence).

It is also important to understand that Canada is composed of 10 provinces. Quebec operates its own immigration system, separate from Express Entry. The other nine provinces primarily use Express Entry, and the federal government actively encourages French-speaking candidates to settle outside Quebec to support francophone communities across the country.

Therefore, if you speak English and French, you are a strong candidate. And your chances of getting invited to obtain permanent residency increases significantly.

1. PNP: If you are already working in Canada:

Your employer can support a provincial nomination.

And this can almost guarantee your permanent residency

Permanent residence also requires patience and planning. In early April 2026, recent published snapshots showed Federal Skilled Worker applications around 6 months, while some other economic streams such as the Canadian Experience Class or Express Entry-aligned PNPs were closer to 7 months. So even when you qualify, you must build your life plan around realistic waiting periods.

WINNING STRATEGY

So what makes the difference, what separates refusal from approval: (slowly) Planning, guidance, preparation, consistency, and strategy.

Immigration is not luck, it is a decision followed by the right strategy.

So whether your goal is to visit, study, work, or become a permanent resident, the message is the same: start early, prepare well, and always plan for processing time, not just for eligibility.

In Canada Immigration is a privilege and not a right. 

For inquiries/Consultation reach Farrah Auguste via farrahauguate@hotmail.fr