Unusual candidate who doesn't fill any of the major categories

[wollam11]

I've been looking at the categories under which someone would apply for immigration. And none of them fit me. The closest I come to is the one for extremely rich people to invest a quarter of a million dollars in a business. But I am nowhere near that rich.

Here is my situation: I am 100% disabled, as rated by my government (the United States). I have been deemed PERMANENTLY disabled and have been collecting disability benefits for the past 19 years. My government will pay me these benefits no matter where I live in the world because I became disabled during my military service for my country. So, I could live anywhere and not require one penny of help from the Canadian government for the rest of my life. And I do not pose any risk for unemployment (and collecting those benefits from the Canadian government) either. I am a gay veteran who served during the first Persian Gulf conflict (1991), with ultra left wing politics. I would like to move to Canada because I just do not like the general way my fellow citizens hold themselves -- bitter, selfish, suspicious, uptight, etc. In short, UNKIND. I find myself unhappy most of the time and unable to make friends. Though, my travels internationally have always resulted in the opposite. I fear what the U.S. will become in the future, especially if Donald Trump and his movement of hate is validated through his election to the office of President. No doubt the climate will be worse.

Given all of that, this leads to my question. Which is: Under what provision could I immigrate to Canada? Which province would be best for me to apply? I think I read that Nova Scotia would allow any citizen of my country to move there if Trump is elected. Is this true? And how would I go about doing that?

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately what you have read about Nova Scotia is not true.

Given your situation, your options are unfortunately extremely limited. If you have a Canadian spouse or common law partner (common law partner is someone you have lived with for a minimum of one year continuously) - that person could sponsor you for permanent residency. If you have an adult child who is a Canadian, living in Canada and making sufficient income, that child may be able to sponsor you for permanent residency.

That's pretty much it unfortunately.

 

[Rob_TO]

Agreed with above, there is practically no chance to immigrate to Canada outside the family class, unless you have specific education/skills/work experience that would qualify you under one of the current immigration streams.

 

[wollam11]

What about the visa for artists? How does the government define what art is and define those who practice it?
I like photography and take photos. I consider what I do to be art. Does that qualify me (assuming I scored high enough otherwise to get in)?

 

[scylla]

What about the visa for artists? How does the government define what art is and define those who practice it?
I like photography and take photos. I consider what I do to be art. Does that qualify me (assuming I scored high enough otherwise to get in)?

Only if you are an internationally recognized photographer who has at least a few years of paid work experience. For example, if your work has been featured in magazines like National Geographic and Time - then you would likely qualify.

If it's an unpaid hobby - no.

 

[wollam11]

Only if you are an internationally recognized photographer who has at least a few years of paid work experience. For example, if your work has been featured in magazines like National Geographic and Time - then you would likely qualify.

If it's an unpaid hobby - no.

Who's to say it's a hobby?
If I spend 40 hours a week on it?

And why just successful artists? Plenty of now very famous artists were nobodies when they were alive. I read the requirements again and it only says 2 years relevant experience. Not a word about being internationally recognized or famous.

 

[scylla]

The program requirements contain the words "at a world class level". When you apply, you must prove you are world class level through showing publications where your photos have been published, exhibits where your photographs have been shown, etc.

Also, experience is not counted unless it's paid and this must be supported through invoices, pay slips, bank deposits, etc. Unpaid experience unfortunately won't be counted as experience.

 

[scylla]

One of the main challenges you're going to face is that pretty much all immigration programs (apart from spousal sponsorship) require you to have at least one year of full time and paid work experience within the last five years. If you don't meet this requirement - you only path to immigration is through having a spouse or common law partner in Canada.

 

[wollam11]

Do people live in Canada on the three month tourist visas? Renewing them every three months?
After a few years, wouldn't that qualify as residence (knowing most countries require a few years of residence before they can apply to become a citizen)?

 

[scylla]

Do people live in Canada on the three month tourist visas? Renewing them every three months?
After a few years, wouldn't that qualify as residence (knowing most countries require a few years of residence before they can apply to become a citizen)?

Tourist visas allow people to visit Canada - not live here. You can apply to extend your visit - however sooner or later the extension will be refused and you'll be told to go home since you're not permitted to actually live in Canada. Generally speaking, if you want to avoid issues with Canadian immigration, you want to be spending more time outside of Canada than inside of Canada each year. You may also need to demonstrate ties to your home country such as property or assets in order to be admitted to Canada as a tourist and assure the border official you have no plans on remaining in Canada long term. (Also keep in mind that visitors aren't covered under Canada's health care programs - so you'll want to take out comprehensive private health insurance.)

No - living in Canada as a tourist doesn't qualify you for PR. You must still meet the requirements of one of Canada's immigration program. You can't do that based on residency alone. So you'd be back to your original problem. Without recent paid and full time work experience, there's no path to PR for you apart through sponsorship by a Canadian spouse or common law partner.