Moving to Canada from Spain

You can take various routes to move permanently to Canada (e.g., Toronto) from Spain. These include using Canada’s Express Pathway, applying through the Provincial Nominee Program, immigrating via the Family Sponsorships Program, moving after receiving a job offer, or applying through the Occupation in-demand opportunity.

Moving to Canada permanently differs from temporarily visiting or living in Canada on a short-term visa. So, make sure you know which legal pathway you want to take from Spain to Canada.

Contact Total Law for the team to explain possible difficulties for Spaniards in immigrating to Canada and an overview of the steps needed to apply to move to Canada.

Page Contents

• Move to Canada from Spain in 2024
• Immigrating to Canada from Spain with the Express Pathway
• Moving to Canada from Spain through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Moving to Canada from Spain through the Family Sponsorships Program
• Moving to Canada from Spain via the Work Visa Route
• Differences Between Temporary and Permanent Residence Options
• Requirements Needed to Immigrate to Canada from Spain in 2024
• Steps to Take When Planning a Move to Canada from Spain in 2024
• Possible Difficulties in Immigrating to Canada for Spaniards
• How Can Total Law Help You?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Express Entry is the fastest way to immigrate to Canada from Spain in 2024. Through this immigration pathway, applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scoring based on factors including age, education, work experience, and language knowledge.

Under Express Entry, you can choose from the programs below and create your profile in the ranking system.

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canada Experience Class

There is a high demand for opportunities in Canada for people moving from Spain, such as Madrid. If you have a strong level of English or French, you may also receive a higher wage.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an immigration pathway to Canada that has been created to help address the business gaps in the labor market at the provincial level throughout Canada.

You can choose one of these provinces to live and work in and then submit your application accordingly. If you receive a nomination from a province, your CRS score increases significantly by 600 points.

Below are eleven provinces currently taking part in the PNP:

• Alberta’s AINP – Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
• The BC PNP – British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
• MPNP – Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
• NBPNP – New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
• NL PNP – Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program
• NTNP – Northwest Territories Nominee Program
• NSPNP – Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program
• Ontario’s OINP – Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
• PEI PNP – Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program
• SINP – Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program
• YNP – Yukon Nominee Program

The Family Sponsorship Program is designed to bring families together so they can live together permanently in Canada.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents over 18 years old can sponsor their spouse or partner, dependent children, and/or relatives to immigrate to Canada. To sponsor family members, you must prove that you can support those you are sponsoring financially in moving to Canada from Spain until they can do this themselves.

Having a Canada work visa along with a job offer significantly increases your immigration chances to from Spain to Canada. It also maximizes your CRS score in the Express Entry immigration pathway.

If you receive a job offer, your chances of getting an invitation to apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada are high. A job offer just has to be made by one employer. A job offer should ideally be for full-time work, which is at least thirty hours a week, and for a one-year minimum.

The main difference between moving to Canada temporarily or permanently is that obtaining a temporary visa is for an exact duration of time. On the other hand, permanent residence means you can stay in Canada for a longer period, usually permanently, unless your visa ever gets revoked.

A temporary residence visa is needed for the following purposes:

• To study –  requires a study permit or a temporary resident visa.
• To work – requires a temporary resident visa for most types of work in Canada
• To visit – you may be required to obtain a temporary resident visa if you want to stay in Canada for a specific duration may require to apply for a temporary resident visa

Two popular temporary visas include the Working Holiday Visa and the Caregiver Visa.

For the Working Holiday Visa, the Canadian government agrees to a visa quota each year for countries that have a working holiday visa agreement with Canada, of which Spain is one. This temporary visa allows candidates to live, work, and travel in Canada for 12 months.

The Canadian Caregiver visa program is a popular visa route in Canada and allows applicants to work for a Canadian family as a caregiver for children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

The documents, forms, and requirements for immigration to Canada will differ depending on which province you want to immigrate to within Canada and through which pathway.

Generally, you will need to make sure you have the following prepared for your immigration application or embassy visit:

• A passport
• Biometrics for the government of Canada
• A medical exam (if applicable for the role)
• Police clearance for the government of Canada (if applicable for the role and depending on your history)
• Language tests for Spanish, English or French like TEF an IELTS
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (if applicable)
• Your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code
• Passport photographs

Our team at Total Law can help you with the requirements of the immigration pathway you have chosen to ensure your application can be as successful as possible. Contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 for assistance.

Steps to take when moving to Canada will differ depending on which immigration pathway is suitable for you. But generally you should take the following steps when trying to immigrate from Spain to Canada:

First check your eligibility for the specific immigration pathway. Before you begin your application, you need to make sure you are suitable for the immigration program you have chosen. Gather all your documents together and make sure your passport is in date and valid.

The next step is to create your profile with the Express Entry system for the government of Canada.

If your profile ranks high enough on the system, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a visa or permanent residency in Canada. You may have to visit a local embassy.

Once you receive an ITA, you must immediately apply for the permanent residency status in Canada. After undertaking any required tests or assessments, you will obtain a permanent residency (PR) status in Canada which means you can freely live and work in the country.

Difficulties you might come across when moving permanently to Canada include not knowing which legal route is most suited to your particular circumstances. You might be unsure if you are eligible for the immigration pathway you want, or you may be struggling to know what documents are required.

There is also the cost factor. It is understandable to be worried about how much the move from Spain to Canada is going to cost you and whether you can afford it. But, don’t worry, our immigration specialists are here to help with any questions you might have about the entire process.