Canada is one of the most popular countries in the world to immigrate to and it isn’t hard to see why! With such stunning landscapes, an amazing climate, and friendly locals, there are lots of reasons to choose Canada as your home away from home. However, what many people don’t know is that you can also immigrate to Canada through a lottery system called the Canadian Visa Lottery (CAL). If you think this could be something you want to try out, here’s what you need to know about applying for the Canadian Visa Lottery.
How do I get into the Canadian visa lottery?
You can apply for a visa under Canada’s visa lottery if you are a citizen of one of these countries. Please note that applicants need to pay a fee (USD 5) in order to apply. Once your application is submitted, you should see a confirmation page like below: That’s it! As long as your name is on the list and you haven’t received an email stating otherwise, it means that your application has been successfully submitted. It will now be processed by CANLOTTER and it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive an email response indicating whether or not you were selected as an eligible applicant from among all submissions. The lottery is done on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much does it cost?
The application itself is free, but you’ll have to factor in costs for mailing materials, paying an expediting service, and/or paying someone else to help you fill out your forms. Be sure to check on these costs as they can quickly add up. It may be worth it though; if you win a visa through a lottery system, you can save over $1,000 CAD on your application fee! If that’s not enough incentive for you, think about all of those delicious maple-leaf cookies (try saying that 5 times fast) that are waiting for you just around the corner. Yum!
SEE: Steps to Get Canada Visa – Canada Immigration 2022
What are my chances of winning?
The website mentions that it is first-come, first-served meaning that you have a better chance of winning if you submit your application within an hour of when the registration period opens. However, statistics show that your chances are not much better if you register in those opening minutes or if you wait until later in the day. In fact, The New York Times reported on June 12th 2018: But while many mistakenly think they have a higher chance of being selected by registering immediately after registration opens at 9 p.m., data shows there’s little correlation between when someone enters and his or her chance of selection.
When can I enter?
If you’re interested in applying for a permanent resident visa through Canada’s Global Skills Strategy visa program, here are some things you need to know. First off, you can start entering as early as October 3rd, 2022. It won’t actually open until October 16th; however, if you want a shot at it—and only if your timing is right—you should enter then. Keep in mind that applications will be sorted by lottery after they close on October 31st at 5 PM EST. If your name isn’t selected by November 30th of that year, then unfortunately you missed out on one of 10,000 opportunities for an expedited immigration process through Canada. However, don’t lose hope!
If I win, how soon can I move to Canada?
If you win, you have up to 60 days from when you enter your confirmation number in our online system to apply for a visa. If you win, we will ask for an email address where we can send information and updates about how to get your visa. As soon as we send out that first email, it’s time for action! You’ll want to register and submit your application as soon as possible so that if there are any issues, you can contact us before your window closes. Here’s what happens once you’ve submitted your application
Who else can apply in this program with me?
To apply under Canada’s Express Entry immigration program, you must have a valid job offer in a skilled occupation in Canada and be able to prove your proficiency in English or French. However, there are ways for other individuals who do not qualify for either of these requirements (or whose application is currently being processed) can also become eligible for Canadian permanent residence. For example, if you were born outside of Canada but at least one of your parents was born or raised in Canada, you may be eligible for a provincial nomination from certain provinces; otherwise known as an Immigrant Investor program. If you are interested in immigrating through a similar Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), we can help with that too! Interested?
SEE: Unskilled Jobs with Visa Sponsorship Canada – 2022
Where do I get started on this program?
To apply for a 2022 Canada visa through a special lottery, you’ll first need to fill out an online application. While some applicants may be eligible for expedited processing, most will have an approximate 6-month waiting period before their entry passes are issued. During that time, it’s important that you stay on top of any communication from CIC (the Canadian Immigration Center) or their contractor(s). These notices should detail why you haven’t yet received your entry pass and what steps you can take to remedy any problems. Please note: regardless of whether you receive an entry pass in 2017 or 2022, there is no guarantee that you will actually get into Canada once your time has come.