o start off, English and French are Canada’s two official languages.Being able to speak in one of these languages is absolutely essential for day-to-day living.We know that it takes time, energy and commitment to improve your language skills, but communications skills may be the most important tool that will help you successfully settle in Canada and find a good job.If you have a limited ability in either English or French, you should consider improving your language skills before you come to Canada. This is up to you, but it will depend on where in Canada you intend to settle.In short, English is the most common language in the majority of provinces and territories, while French is the main language spoken in Quebec. But with Canada being a bilingual country, there are also well-established French-speaking communities in Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and most other parts of Canada.And Quebec has a large minority of English-speaking residents.So, do some research on the place where you’ll live to see which language is most widely spoken in the region.
Next, be sure that you have all the proper documents that you and your family will need once you’re in Canada. Examples include birth certificates, passports, education diplomas and transcripts,medical and dental records, marriage or divorce certificates, driver’s licenses, adoption
records for adopted children and other official documents.A word of advice: it can be much more difficult to get these documents after you have left your country of origin, so take the time to gather them before leaving. If any of your family members are immigrating at a later date, make sure to bring copies of their documents with you as well in case you need them for any reason prior to your family members’ arrival. Another thing to do before leaving for Canada is to translate your documents into either English or French. Be sure to get a certified translation.This means you need to choose a translation agency with a good reputation.The translator should also give you an affidavit.This is a document on which the translator has sworn that the translation is accurate.
The affidavit must be sworn in front of a person authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator lives.Record the name and contact information of the translation agency in case you need it once you’re in Canada.You must keep the original versions of your documents as well.
One of your first needs after arriving in Canada is, of course, finding a temporary place to stay until you find long-term accommodation.If it’s convenient, you can arrange to stay with family or friends
for your first days in Canada.Or if that’s not possible, search for a hotel or hostel in a central location. Try to book your hotel or hostel at least several weeks before flying to Canada.
By booking in advance, you will likely save money and have a better chance of finding
available rooms.To help you choose, most hotels and hostels have websites with prices, photographs, a location map and a description of the services they offer.A word of caution: beware of very cheap hotels or hostels.They may be located in unpleasant areas or be of very low standard.
One of the most important tasks is preparing to find work in Canada. Providing for yourself and your family will depend mainly on being able to find a suitable job. For many people, the first job in Canada may not be the most satisfying.But, keep in mind it can take time to build your qualifications and gain Canadian experience before finding the job you really want.There are a few things you can do before you arrive in Canada:Gather all your educational diplomas and certificates and get letters of reference from your past employers As mentioned, be sure to get these documents translated into English or French.Learn how you can get your educational and professional qualifications officially recognized in Canada, and begin this process.Being accepted to immigrate to Canada doesn’t mean that your education, work experience and professional qualifications will automatically be recognized in Canada.There are processes you have to follow to make sure the education, training and job experience you obtained in another country are equivalent to the standards applied to Canadian workers.The Foreign Credentials Referral Office can provide you with valuable information on how this process works.As part of this, find out if your profession is “regulated” or “unregulated” in Canada: Regulated occupations—in fields like health care, engineering, skilled trades, and others—have set standards for how the profession is practised and require a certificate or license.Standards can be different across Canada.Most jobs in Canada are non-regulated occupations,which don’t require a license or certificate.In thes