A new survey has revealed Canada as one of the best places in the world for new immigrants to live and work.
The HSBC study ranked Canada as the fourth best country in the world for expats, behind Singapore, New Zealand and Germany.
The global survey of 22,000 expats in 163 countries asked a range of questions on quality of life, financial well-being and ease of raising a family.
Top 10 Countries For Expats
1. Singapore
2. New Zealand
3. Germany
4. Canada
5. Bahrain
6. Australia
7. Sweden
8. Switzerland
9. Taiwan
10. UAE
For Canadian newcomers, 54 per cent said they chose the country to improve their quality of life, while 24 per cent came here looking to progress their careers.
Meanwhile, 68 per cent said they found Canada more welcoming than their home country, and 70 per cent feel safer in Canada.
The survey results show seven in 10 expats who come to Canada find a better quality of life. It means they tend to stay, with a quarter of those surveyed having been here for 30 years or more.
A further 60 per cent of those survey said they saw themselves becoming Canadian citizens.
Getting used to Canada’s weather was an important factor in whether expats felt at home here. Of those surveyed, some 56 per cent said they felt at home within a year.
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As other countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., succumb to protectionist politics, Canada stands out with its intention to welcome nearly 1 million new immigrants between 2018 and 2020.
Through innovative skilled worker immigration policies, Canada is setting about boosting its labour market by welcoming newcomers with the skills and experience it lacks.
Through the Global Talent Stream and Express Entry, the pathway to Canadian permanent residence for economic candidates with the right qualifications is smoother than ever before.
Candidates and their families can be in Canada on a work permit in two weeks from receiving a job offer. The target processing time for permanent residence after receiving an Express Entry Invitation To Apply is six months.
On arrival, Canada is equipped to ensure newcomers are integrated as quickly as possible, with the federal government motivated to limit the burden on public resources.
The Expat Explorer survey was completed by 22,318 people aged 18 or over currently living away from their country of origin.
A minimum sample of 100 expat respondents and at least 30 expat parents is required for a country to be included in the league tables, with 31 countries qualifying in 2018.