A Canadian visa from Ghana allows you to enter Canada to work, study, visit, immigrate, or start a business in the country. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Ghanaians apply for Canadian visas each year to pursue better career opportunities, education, and a higher quality of life in the Great White North. The good news is that Canada plans to welcome over one million immigrants between 2020 and 2022 through a variety of immigration and visa categories. If you meet the eligibility criteria for one of these programs or visas, you can call Canada your new home.
Canada boasts one of the fastest skilled worker immigration systems in the world, known as Express Entry, which processes applications in as little as six months. This means you could have a permanent resident visa in less than a year! Additionally, workers in transportation, healthcare, construction, hospitality, and mining are in high demand across Canada, especially due to job losses caused by COVID-19.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at how to apply for a Canadian visa from Ghana, as well as the most popular immigration and visa programs available.
Why You Should Apply for a Canadian Visa from Ghana
1. Job Opportunities
Ghana’s economy has struggled to create enough jobs for its citizens, particularly for the youth. Approximately 825,000 Ghanaians have faced challenges in finding work since 2019. In contrast, Canada has a surplus of job openings but lacks enough people to fill these vacancies due to an aging population and remote areas. Currently, there are hundreds of in-demand jobs in retail, restaurants, hotels, construction, and manufacturing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that now more than ever, Canada will rely on immigration and temporary workers from abroad to help strengthen its economy.
2. Enjoy Equality in a Multicultural Nation
In Canada, you have the right to marry the person you love and LGBTQ+ rights are celebrated nationwide. You won’t have to worry about discrimination or homophobia, as you can express yourself freely in Canada. The country hosts the largest pride festival in Toronto each year, where thousands of LGBTQ+ members celebrate alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. You’ll also find traditional Ghanaian dishes, such as Waakye and Tuo Zaafi, served in Canadian restaurants. Canada is proud to be one of the most multicultural nations in the world and is home to a large and thriving Ghanaian expatriate community.
3. Get Excellent Healthcare at No Charge
If you move to Canada from Ghana, you will receive all medically necessary healthcare free of charge. This includes surgeries, childbirth, doctor’s visits, and much more! Canada has one of the best public health systems in the world, ensuring that the health of your family will always come first.
3 Steps to Apply for a Canadian Visa from Ghana
Step 1: Discover Which Canadian Visa or Program You Qualify For
Before you can apply for a Canadian visa from Ghana, you need to determine which type of visa you are eligible for. This is a crucial step and forms the foundation of your journey to Canada. Not everyone qualifies for all types of visas, and applicants are often rejected. There are currently over 70 visa and immigration programs available, each with its unique eligibility criteria (age, language proficiency, work experience, education, etc.) and application process. This makes the first step quite tricky if you don’t know all of your options. Successful applicants from Ghana often utilize the professional services of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) to help identify the most appropriate visa type based on their needs and goals.
Popular Canadian Visa Types
1. Express Entry
You can apply for a permanent residence visa through the Express Entry immigration system, which processes skilled worker applications in as little as six months. You do not need any Canadian work experience to qualify for Express Entry, allowing you to apply directly from Ghana. However, you must have qualified work experience in a professional, managerial, commercial, or technical job, among other criteria.
2. Student Permit
Thousands of students from around the world study at Canadian universities and colleges each year. Not only do they gain world-renowned qualifications, but after graduation, they have several exciting options to choose from. Graduates can apply for a graduate work permit to work anywhere in Canada to kickstart their careers. Some students with eligible degrees, such as medical graduates, may apply to provincial nominating programs in the province where they studied to obtain permanent residence visas.
3. Work Permit
If you want to work in Canada, you will need a work permit. This is one of the most popular types of visas to obtain, as many categories of Canadian immigration require you to work in Canada for a specified period before you can apply for permanent residence. Let’s take a look at some of these popular immigration pilot programs below:
Immigration Pilots
4. Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador have established the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. If you enjoy coastal living, this program is for you! It offers three immigration pathways allowing foreigners to apply for a permanent residence visa and settle in these four beautiful provinces. The programs include the Atlantic High-Skilled & Intermediate Skilled programs and the Atlantic International Graduate Program.
To qualify, you will need a valid job offer from a designated employer located in one of the four participating provinces. The job must be a full-time paid position and should be for at least one year of work.
5. Agri-Food Pilot
If you have experience as a farmworker or possess farm management skills, you can work in Canada under a Seasonal Worker Program or a Temporary Worker Program, which will make you eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Agri-Food Pilot Program.
6. Saskatchewan Truck Driver Pilot
Truck drivers are in high demand across Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan, which is responsible for much of the country’s agricultural production. This province has a special immigration program dedicated to truckers from countries like Ghana. Ghanaians can apply for immigration under this pilot program after working in Saskatchewan in truck driver positions for six months, among other criteria.
7. Caregiver Pilot
Home child care providers and home helpers, such as au pairs, babysitters, and foster parents, can also find opportunities through the Caregiver Pilot Program, which allows them to work in Canada and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Applying for a Canadian visa from Ghana opens up a world of opportunities for work, education, and a better quality of life. With various immigration programs available, including Express Entry, student permits, and work permits, you can find the right pathway to make Canada your new home. By understanding the eligibility criteria and utilizing professional services, you can navigate the application process more effectively. Whether you are seeking job opportunities, a multicultural environment, or excellent healthcare, Canada welcomes you with open arms. Don’t miss your chance to embark on this exciting journey!