Canada is a common place for Haitian citizens. It is the 3rd country with the most Haitian immigrants. This is partly due to the diplomatic relations both countries share. Another could be the short traveling distance by air. It takes an average time of 4 hours 30 minutes to fly from Haiti to Canada.
Considering the possibility of accessing quality education and healthcare services or expanding one’s business, a Haitian may see Canada as the ideal place to immigrate to.
There are several pathways to immigrate to Canada as a Haitian, and you may get stuck finding the right one just for you if you are not updated with the necessary information to sail through successfully.
You will discover the right way to go about this in this article. So, sit back and enjoy the article.
Table of Contents
1. The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
This pathway was designed for displaced Skilled Haitian refugees who no longer feel safe in Haiti and are now immigrants from a second country. In most cases, Haiti immigrants who use EMPP wish to make Canada their home country by obtaining permanent residence and becoming Canadian citizens.
Skilled refugees can apply through one of the following economic immigration pathways:
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Suppose you want to apply through the Atlantic Immigration Program. In that case, you must be ready to reside in one of these Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
To be eligible for the program, you need to have a qualifying work experience of at least 1,560 hours in a year, have equivalent educational credentials, meet the language requirements, and show proof of funds.
However, as a refugee, exemptions are made on some criteria, such as proof of funds, work experience, and work with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the Canadian employer.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program gives you the advantage of immigrating to a particular province of your choice in Canada.
To succeed, you will need to get a nomination from the province where you wish to reside.
This pathway has a higher chance of success, seeing that an additional 600 points will be added to your existing CRS score in your entry pool.
Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP)
The Rural and Northern Immigration Program caters to skilled refugees who intend to reside in the rural community of either Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan.
Each of these communities has its different requirements that have to be met before one can be eligible, such as work experience, educational history with a publicly funded post-secondary institution, proof of funds, and language proficiency.
Again, there are exemptions to Refugees. In the case where their available resource is not enough, there is a provision of funds by certain NGOs working with IRCC.
These three immigration pathways are referred to as Regional EMPPs. We also have the Federal EMPPs. They include the Job Offer Stream, which requires a Haitian refugee to have received a valid job offer from an employer in Canada, and No Job Offer Stream. In this stream, having a valid job offer is not a requirement.
When you apply through the EMPP program, you;
- Get exempted from the necessity of having a valid passport.
- Access to the Immigration Loan Program that can cover your cost of traveling and the right to permanent residence fee.
- Access to the orientation programs that can help your settlement exercise in Canada.
To be eligible for this program, you have to be a displaced refugee and be considered to have met the requirements of the program you are applying through.
2. Quebec-selected Skilled Workers
This is another pathway that can be utilized to immigrate to Canada from Haiti. This pathway can be considered by a skilled Haitian who wishes to live and work in Quebec and obtain Permanent Residence.
In Haiti, Canada is regarded as a leading country in terms of its peacekeeping role and humanitarian aid efforts. Also, Quebec has similar cultural ties with Haiti, with similarities in the language spoken too. Both Haiti and Quebec are French-speaking regions. As a result of the effortless pass in language proficiency, Quebec seeks more of Haiti for economic immigration purposes.
In 2016, Quebec was recorded to contain about 86% of Haitians who are now citizens of Canada.
To be eligible for this program, you need to apply to Quebec Immigration Agency with the following:
- A Quebec Selection Certificate, known as the Certificat de sélection du Québec, from the Government of Quebec.
- A permanent residence application.
- Police Clearance documents.
3. Family-based humanitarian program for Colombians, Haitians and Venezuelans
As a citizen of Haiti, you are eligible for this immigration pathway. However, it would be best if you had a citizen of Canada or one with a permanent residence status who is ready to sponsor your application process and cater to your needs for the next year. This begins the moment you arrive in Canada.
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You need the following to be eligible:
- Intended to live in Canada outside Quebec.
- Have a valid traveling passport.
- Show proof of being financially buoyant.
4. Family Class Sponsorship Program
This program is conducive for Haitians who wish to reside, work, and obtain permanent residence in Canada.
In this Sponsorship Program, the applicant is required to have relatives in Canada who are Canadian citizens or have obtained the status of permanent residence and are ready to sponsor the applicant’s immigration process.
This sponsor would cover the application cost and be ready to provide financial aid for the next year when the immigrant arrives in Canada.
5. Start-up Visa Program
Here is another way to immigrate to Canada from Haiti as an individual or a maximum group of 5 starters.
Suppose you are an entrepreneur who intends to reside, work, and become a permanent resident. You have the skill or potential to provide the immediate needs of Canada, creating innovative businesses that can lead to better job opportunities for the residents and drive the economy to compete globally. In that case, you may want to apply using the Startup Visa.
To be eligible for this program, you will be required to:
- Pitch your business ideas to designated organizations to show that the startup can benefit Canada’s economy significantly. This will enable you to get financial support and other support.
- Get a letter of support from the designated organization.
- Meet the language proficiency standard.
- Show Proof of Funds.
The processing time for this program takes an average of 39 months, and its application fee is about C$2,385.
Express Entry Program
This program provides skilled Haitians with the opportunity to immigrate to Canada under any of these two pathways:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Skilled Haitian workers with work experience recognized by the Canadian National Occupational Classification can apply through this means and have the application processed in six months or less.
To be eligible for this program, you need the following:
- One year or an equivalent of 1,560 hours of practical experience in your profession, as recognized by the NOC TEER.
- Language Proficiency Assessment.
- Canadian educational credentials or its equivalent.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Haitians with vocational training can take advantage of the program to immigrate to Canada if they intend to reside, work, and get permanent residence in the country.
To be eligible, you must have the following:
- A minimum of two years of practical work experience in a trade recognized by the government of Canada.
- Language Proficiency Assessment showcasing that you meet the benchmark for both languages, French and English.
- Certificate of Qualification, which shows you have met the job requirements and can perform the lead actions mentioned in the lead statement of NOC Canada.
Conclusion
There are different pathways to immigrate to Canada from Haiti, and your sole purpose of immigration will determine this. For some, it could be to establish a business; for others, it could be to further their studies.
Understanding this will enable you to make the right decision.
Now that you do, you can begin your application process to achieve your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to immigrate to Canada from Haiti using the Quebec-selected Skilled Worker Program?
It takes an average processing time of 9 months, unlike other immigration pathways that require six months or less.
What is the application fee for the Quebec-selected Skilled Worker Program?
To apply for the Quebec-selected Skilled Worker Program, you will need about C$1,525.
What are the Resettlement Programs designed by the government of Canada for Refugees?
There are two programs organized for intending Haitian refugees wishing to immigrate to Canada. They are the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) program and the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) program.
Which immigration program is best for Haitian students intending to study in Canada?
The Provincial Nominee Program is considered to be the best for Haitian students. After obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter from a particular Designated Learning institution, the application process for education is directly to one’s province of choice.
Which immigration program is considered the most considered for Haitians?
The Quebec-selected Skilled Worker Program is considered to be the most considered immigration program for Haitians. This may be due to the cultural and linguistic similarities between both regions.
