Welcome to Canada
Are you considering immigrating to Canada? We welcome international applicants, because diversity is what makes Canada great.
This section of the website is intended to help you choose the right province for you and your family. You will find links to other websites that will help you through the immigration process, as well as information about living in Canada, and becoming a Canadian optician.
Many of our opticians have followed a similar path, joining us in Canada from abroad. The following video is the story of one international applicant’s journey.
To learn more about the immigration process and becoming an optician, explore this website or contact the regulatory body for opticians in the province where you want to live.
College of Opticians of British Columbia
Alberta College and Association of Opticians
College of Opticians of Saskatchewan
College of Opticians of Ontario
Ordre des opticiens d’ordonnances du Quebec
College of Opticians of Nova Scotia
College of Opticians of New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island: acseamus@gmail.com
Newfoundland and Labrador: E-Mail, Phone/Fax: 1-709-579-2605
Immigrating Successfully
Immigration can seem intimidating, but if you do your research before you begin you will have an easier transition. Researching provinces for demographics, geography, and climate may help you make a decision.
While you are researching, look for schools and any houses of worship specific to your religious beliefs. Also, look for the provincial nominee program for immigrants. Under this program immigrants who have special skills, work experience and education can sometimes qualify for express entry to Canada and to that province.
To begin this process, visit the link below:
Visit the Living in Canada page of this website for more information on what Canada has to offer.
Choosing a Province
Before you become an optician in Canada, you need to choose where you would like to live. Each province has something unique to offer, and there are a range of living environments. You can live in a remote rural community, a town, a small city, or a busy metropolis. A good place to start research is on provincial government websites.
For information on life in each province, visit the links below:
Immigration Services
Once you have chosen a province, it’s a good idea to look for immigration services in your chosen area. These services range from helping you get settled, helping you find a job, and improving your English language skills, among other things. Take full advantage of what your community has to offer to help you integrate into Canadian society.
There are too many immigrant organizations across the country to include on this page, but the following list should help you get started in each province:
British Columbia
Multicultural Organization Database
Immigrant Services Society of BC
Alberta
Calgary Multicultural Centres and Resources
Edmonton Multicultural Family Resource Society
Saskatchewan
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Manitoba Ethnocultural Organizations
Ontario
Ontario Services for Newcomers
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization
London Cross Cultural Learning Centre
Quebec
Cultural and Ethnic Communities – AMI Quebec
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Multicultural Council
Nova Scotia
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Cultural Associations of Halifax
Newfoundland and Labrador
Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
Prince Edward Island
PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada
Documentation
To become an optician in Canada you have to submit educational and professional documentation through the PLAR process. This is a separate application, with different documentation than what you will need to supply to the federal government for the immigration process. The length of time it takes to complete the immigration process varies according to the entry stream for which you qualify.
For specific information about immigration in Canada, visit these areas of the Government of Canada website:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Preparing Your Family
Immigrating alone is enough work, but many people who choose Canada as their new home have a family coming with them. There are volunteer organizations across Canada ready to help you and your family transition to live in a new country, but finding them can be a challenge before you know where you’re going.
The Government of Canada website has a portal for newcomers that is a great resource to get you started:
Before you move, you can begin to prepare your spouse, parents, and children, by introducing them to the environments and cultural practices they may encounter in Canada. The internet is a valuable source of information, and a great way to get excited about this new adventure.
Keep in mind that when immigrating to a new place, people can feel a range of emotions, from excitement to extreme sadness. Feeling homesick is common if the society you’re joining is very different from your own.
Young children tend to be more resilient and able to integrate quickly, whereas seniors may feel isolated. That is why finding an immigrant community to support and guide you as you settle is so important. Having someone to talk to and share your experience with will help ease your worries if culture shock threatens to overwhelm you.
At the same time, don’t be afraid to make friends outside of your ethnic or religious group. Most Canadians are friendly and welcoming, and part of becoming Canadian is integrating into the multicultural fabric of our society.
Here are a few links to help you, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, excited, or you just have questions:
Canada Immigration Discussion Forum
