South Korea slipped to the number 12 most important source of new Canadian permanent residents during the first six months of 2020, ousted from its spot as one of the top 10.
COVID-19 and the international travel restrictions that came with it greatly reduced the number of South Koreans who were able to make Canada their permanent residence in the first half of this year.
Last year, 6,105 South Koreans made that move. That made South Korea the ninth most important source of new Canadian permanent residents in 2019.
This year, COVID-19 travel restrictions wreaked havoc with the ability of many people throughout the world to immigrate to Canada, including many South Koreans.
In the first six months of last year, 2,840 South Koreans became permanent Canadian residents. During the comparable period this year, 35.2 per cent fewer South Koreans, only 1,840, made that move.
At the end of last year, South Korea ranked slightly ahead of Iran, which had provided 6,055 new Canadian permanent residents.
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Even during the pandemic, Canada has continued to bring in permanent residents who had qualified before the international travel restrictions were put in place and welcomed temporary foreign workers that were vital to securing the country’s food supply.
Although the pandemic did cause a major slowdown in Canada’s immigration processes, the opportunities to immigrate remain and the country is still committed to its immigration levels plan that was released shortly before COVID-19 made itself felt in Canada. In that plan, Ottawa announced its intention to welcome more than 1.1 million new permanent residents through to the end of 2022.
The message from Canada’s federal government is clear: Canada wants and will continue to welcome immigrants to Canada.
South Korea is no exception.
The East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula has in the decades since the Korean War always had an American military presence on its soil to deter against encroachment by North Korea. That American policy may soon change – at least somewhat.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been given options by his defense department to reduce American forces in South Korea. During the American presidential elections, though, it is unclear whether Trump will act on those recommendations and what impact, if any, that might have on the number of South Koreans who choose to emigrate.
After years of remaining fairly stable at the 4,000 mark, the number of South Koreans moving to become permanent Canadian residents spiked last year, jumping almost 27.2 per cent from 4,800 the previous year.
After falling from 500 to 70 during the four months ending Apr. 30, the number of South Koreans taking up permanent residence in Canada rose to 265 and then 355 in May and June this year.
Last year, South Koreans accounted for almost 1.8 per cent of all new permanent resident arrivals to Canada.
The biggest source of new permanent residents in 2019 was India with almost 85,590 people from that country choosing to make Canada their home, roughly 25 per cent of the total number of new permanent residents to Canada that year.
China was then next-biggest source of new permanent residents to Canada, with 30,245 Chinese citizens immigrating to Canada.
If you are looking to apply for Canada permanent residence from South Korea, the first step is to assess which programs give you the best chance of success.
Broadly, the options are:
1) Federal Economic Class
Canada accepts the largest number of immigrants under the economic class, with annual levels set to move over 200,000 in the category over the next three years.
The largest group within the economic class is the Federal High Skilled category.
There are many immigration streams to be considered when considering applying for Canadian permanent residence from South Korea.
Canada operates its federal economic class immigration system using Express Entry. Many provinces also follow a similar approach.
Express Entry requires candidates to submit a profile, with the highest scoring profiles issued an Invitation to Apply to one of the above immigration programs.
Candidates then get 60 days to submit a full application.
Under Express Entry, candidates score Comprehensive Ranking System points for core factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.
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Several of Canada’s provinces also operate Express Entry streams, allowing them to tap skilled workers from the pool.
A provincial nomination is worth 600 points and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply.
If you meet the requirements, Express Entry can be a fast way to achieve Canada immigration, with target processing times of six months once the full application is received.
If you do not qualify through a federal economic program, the next step is to consider provincial streams for your application for permanent residence from South Korea.
Each one of Canada’s provinces runs its own immigration programs, targeting the specific demands of local labour markets.
If you have specific skills, there could be a provincial stream waiting to accept you.
Quebec has autonomy over its immigration system, with the right to set its own immigration levels and the power to operate its own programs.
Quebec recently launched an Expression of Interest system similar to Express Entry, where candidates submit profiles to the Arrima system and are issued periodic invitations to apply.
Canada also aims to attract entrepreneurs and investors through its business immigration programs, with many applications accepted from South Korea.
At the federal level, options include:
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program offers Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs.
The program targets innovative entrepreneurs and links them with private sector investors in Canada who will help establish their start-up business.
Candidates can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canada-based investor, before qualifying for permanent residence once their business is up and running.
There are three types of private-sector investor:
Initially a three-year pilot, the program was made permanent on March 31, 2018.
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The basic candidate eligibility requirements for the Start-Up Visa are:
A designated entity is a Canadian private sector angel investor, venture capital fund or business incubator.
The required commitment must meet the following criteria:
For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:
NOTE: Up to five candidates may have their permanent residence application supported by the same business investment. However, certain candidates may be designated essential to the business. If any essential candidate withdraws their application, or are refused, all other candidates under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.
One of Canada’s most popular business programs is the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
It is the only passive investment program that leads to Canadian permanent residence.
Intake for the Quebec Investor is currently paused as the provincial government reviews the requirements.
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Quebec also runs Immigrant Entrepreneur and Self-Employed programs.
Several of Canada’s other provinces also operate business programs as a route to permanent residence from South Korea.
Increasingly, the provinces require time spent in Canada setting up a business as a temporary resident before candidates are nominated for permanent residence.
Candidates looking to immigrate to Canada from South Korea should also consider the Buy a Business and Move to Canada Program.
Federal owner-operator rules allow a candidate to buy a business and move to Canada on a temporary work permit, before transitioning to permanent residence further down the line.
Under this policy a work permit is issued following the sale and transfer of the majority share ownership of an existing profitable Canadian business to the immigration candidate.
Increasingly, immigrants are coming to Canada as temporary residents and transitioning to permanent residents.
Canada continues to accept temporary workers in priority occupations during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is a popular route for candidates who do not immediately qualify for permanent residence when applying from South Korea.
Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident counts towards a permanent residence application.
Work permits are issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, International Mobility Program and International Experience Canada Program.
Caregivers also have their own streams for work permits (under the TFWP) and transition to permanent residence.
Candidates in South Korea with family members who are already permanent residents or citizens can apply through Family Class Sponsorship immigration.
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