Thread by @ThinkCanadaVisa

What is the cost of immigrating to Canada as a skilled immigrant?
What should I budget for?
What amount is needed as settlement fund for my family?
How can I show proof of settlement funds?

Our #ImmigrationCorner Information session starts now! Join us to know this and more.

The decision to immigrate (move permanently) to another country is one that comes with some financial responsibilities. This may range from obtaining an international passport, paying relevant fees, and even the funds needed to settle down upon arrival. #ImmigrationCorner

The Canadian Government understands this & is making conscious efforts to keep official fees directly payable to Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as affordable as possible. There are, however, third-party fees also payable to other agencies #ImmigrationCorner

Such third-party fees are required to obtain the relevant documents to show applicants' eligibility for the immigration program(s). Therefore, they are the sole responsibility of applicants. IRCC cannot, for instance, obtain an international passport for you. #ImmigrationCorner

In addition, the situation of an applicant may necessitate more or less cost. A principal applicant with family members immigrating would incur more cost than a single applicant. But below we present an overview of what to budget for when immigrating to Canada. #ImmigrationCorner

We have identified four (4) categories of cost that may be incurred when you are planning to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker:
1) Application fees
2) Third-party fees
3) Proof of settlement funds
4) Administrative fees #ImmigrationCorner

1) Application fees

The total fee payable for your Permanent Resident Application under the Express Entry System is $1,040. This covers the application fee of $550 and $490 for your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) when your application is approved. #ImmigrationCorner

This payment is, however, only needed after you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Every other interaction with IRCC until you receive an ITA is free of charge, and you also have the option of paying just the application fee ($550) to begin with. #ImmigrationCorner

If you pay only the processing fee when submitting an application, you must pay the $490 for your Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) before permanent resident documents are issued. For applicants with children, no additional fees for dependent children #ImmigrationCorner

2) Third-party fees

As earlier stated, there are third party fees needed to obtain required documents such as Education Credential Assessment (ECA), medical exams, and police (character) certificate, English Language Tests, International Passports, etc #ImmigrationCorner

The designated organizations have their fee structures which are slightly different from each other. To begin with, you must do an ECA for any Degree obtained OUTSIDE Canada, and for which you want to claim a point, and write your English Language Test. #ImmigrationCorner

Designated organizations for Education Credential Assessment (ECA) are:
World Education Services (WES) - bit.ly/2F6zr9N
Comparative Education Services (CEC) - bit.ly/2FKeX3N
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) - bit.ly/2F9ZfSw

Others are:
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)- bit.ly/2GXRCei
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)- bit.ly/2oIXWyE
Medical Council of Canada - bit.ly/2CWB97W
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada - bit.ly/2CTY0Rg

Visit the website of any of the organizations (related to your profession/degree) and familiarize yourself with the assessment process and fees. The seven (7) above listed organizations are the only recognized organizations for Canadian Immigration. #ImmigrationCorner

For your English Language Test, you need to take either the IELTS General test or CELPIP General test. Right now, CELPIP is only available in Canada, UAE, Philippines & United States. Applicants in other countries are advised to take the IELTS (General) Test #ImmigrationCorner

The registration fee for the English Test may depend on your country. If you are in Nigeria, and need help with the registration and preparation, please see the attached information below #ImmigrationCorner

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While the minimum required score in the English Test is CLB 7, we also recommend CLB 9 for applicants. This is needed to have a comfortably high CRS score. CLB 9 for IELTS starts from Listening - 8; Reading, Writing and Speaking- 7. This can make a difference! #ImmigrationCorner

Other third-party fees are also only needed after you have received an ITA. They are for additional documents such as a Medical Exam (to certify you are in good health), Police (character) certificate from any country you have lived for more than 6 months, etc #ImmigrationCorner

3) Proof of settlement funds

You must show you have enough money to settle in Canada. You can use a variety of ways to show proof of this. The amount you need will depend on the number of family members you are moving to Canada with. Details available at bit.ly/2nQcjEr

4) Administrative fees

You may need to pay administrative fees if you employ the services of an immigration firm to assist you in ensuring that your applications are made in a manner devoid of error, or any misrepresentation that could affect your application. #ImmigrationCorner

The services rendered to you and the administrative fees would also depend on the immigration firm you contract. However, note that the decision making is done solely by the Government of Canada through the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) #ImmigrationCorner

At @thinkcanadavisa, our administrative services include pairing you with an expert & certified immigration consultant, guiding you through the immigration process, providing updates on your application, and helping you with your arrival/settlement in Canada. #ImmigrationCorner

Those who contract our services are not clients, we call them friends and we know the value of friendship. But whether you contract our services or not, we hope our free information sessions are of use to you and love to see you join the Canadian family. #ImmigrationCorner

If you have any question or need clarification, please feel free to ask us on the TL, email us ([e-mail]) or send them to our DM, we are always happy to be of help! We look forward to welcoming you to Canada. Thank you, Merci beaucoup! #ImmigrationCorner

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