If you want to move to the Annapolis Valley from another country, how do you start the immigration process?
Make your first stop Nova Scotia Immigration. This site probably answers all the questions you've thought of and a few you haven't.
The Government of Canada's Immigrate to Canada portal explains how you can immigrate to Canada. It also explains how to protect yourself from fraud, and what to expect after you arrive in Canada.
Further information is on the Immigration and Citizenship Canada site. Here, you can apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada, apply for citizenship, apply for a permanent resident card or refugee protection, check the status of your application, or find a form.
The Government of Canada also provides information about working in Canada. You may want to fill out the online questionnaire to assess your eligibility for coming to Canada as a skilled immigrant.
Help available in your own country
The Government of Canada provides a list of visa application centres (VACs) around the world. The site also provides information for you to consider or prepare before you visit a VAC. VACs are private companies that have formal contracts with the Government of Canada. Their staff speak the local language, and they accept applications for the following:
- study permits
- work permits
- visitor visas (temporary resident visa)
- travel documents for permanent residents
You can also apply for a visitor visa online.
Settlement services
Once you arrive, services are available to help you settle into your new life in the Annapolis Valley.
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) works with newcomers to help them build a future in Canada. They can help you get settled, learn English, find employment, do business here, connect with community, and more.
YREACH is a new YMCA program. YREACH provides information, orientation and settlement support to new immigrants and temporary foreign workers and their families. Their Annapolis Valley office is in Kentville at the Valley Community Learning Association (see below).
The Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) is a not-for-profit charitable group. It works to raise the literacy levels of adults in Kings and Annapolis Counties. VCLA offers a range of free classes and one-on-one tutoring in such areas as basic literacy and English as an additional language.
Contact us to learn more about the international help that's available to you. We want to hear from you.