Immigration and Citizenship – Being Expat https://beingexpat.com Expat blog, Directory, Resources Fri, 26 Feb 2021 02:04:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 Saskatchewan Immigration: Is it a Good Move? https://beingexpat.com/saskatchewan-immigration/ https://beingexpat.com/saskatchewan-immigration/#comments Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:55:09 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=737 Over the past decade, the province of Saskatchewan has witnessed a surge in its overall economic growth and population. The province has become one of the most popular destinations for immigrants from around the world.

If you wish to move to Saskatchewan permanently, then you are not alone in this. More and more people are relocating to Saskatchewan for its vibrant economy that is backed by minerals, oil and gas, and potash.

The province also boasts of its enticing wage rate, a plethora of job opportunities, a simple immigration process, and favorable government.

In this article, we’ll shed some light on the key factors that make Saskatchewan immigration an excellent option.

Low Unemployment Rate

This Canadian province is known for its low unemployment rate in comparison to other Canadian provinces. The unemployment rate is as low as 3.9% against the national unemployment rate of 7%. With more and more prominent organizations as well as startups choosing Saskatchewan to set up their offices, the province is nothing less than a job seekers’ magnet, creating a plethora of job opportunities for skilled immigrants every day.

Lucrative Salaries

Saskatchewan is known for offering the best lucrative salaries to skilled immigrants. For the past five years, Saskatchewan’s average weekly wage for workers has stood approximately 1,284 CAD, making it the third-best weekly wage in Canada.

Unprecedented economic growth

A few fastest-growing Canadian cities like Saskatoon and Regina are a part of Saskatchewan. Thus, the ever-growing economy of the cities helps the province in creating ample of job opportunities for skilled workers as well as business immigrants so that they can invest and run their own business in Saskatchewan.

Accommodating Immigration Policies and Procedures

Saskatchewan invites around 9,000 newcomers annually from different countries. One of the main attractions is its Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (SINP), which is designed to make the entire process of immigration easier for people.

Through SINP, the province invites those skilled and qualified immigrants who are willing to work and live in the province permanently and whose occupation is in high demand in the province.

This Provincial Nominee Program by the government of Saskatchewan is a big hit among business and skilled immigrants. Under SINP, applicants are invited by the province through the Provincial Nomination based on the points scored based on the key selection factors like age, education, work experience, etc. An applicant can calculate his or her overall score using a SINP points calculator before actually applying for Canada PR through SINP.

The Graduate Retention Program

Saskatchewan’s Graduate Retention Program is another key factor that makes the province the best choice for graduate students. If you are a graduate of Saskatchewan post-secondary institution, then you can apply for the GRP (Graduate Retention Program), and your application will get handled on your behalf automatically. You will also get a rebate of up to $20,000 in your tuition fee amount.

To conclude the article, we would like to say that moving to Saskatchewan is nothing less than a reward. It offers you new opportunities to explore.

Applying to SINP for Canada PR is like paving your path towards a brighter future.

You may also want to read 5 Advantages of Acquiring a Second Passport in Antigua and Barbuda

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5 Advantages of Acquiring a Second Passport in Antigua and Barbuda https://beingexpat.com/second-passport-antigua-barbuda/ Thu, 06 Jun 2019 02:30:50 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=599 On March 28, 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) Act was passed by Parliament which allows foreign nationals, with their parents, spouse, and dependent children to become citizens of the beautiful twin island state in the Caribbean – Antigua and Barbuda. The program aims to attract investors to make contributions to the development of these islands. It can be a great opportunity for a second passport if your country offers dual citizenship.

The CBI programs in the Caribbean started in St. Kitts in 1984 as a means to attract wealthy individuals to these small island nations. Today, five Caribbean nations offer citizenship by investment: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia.

Antigua and Barbuda, albeit the most developed and economically the most prosperous island via a booming luxury tourism industry, is currently the most cost-effective of the five. There may never be a better time to apply to become a citizen here for reasons of visa-free mobility, future tax structuring, or giving one’s family a secure backup citizenship or a second passport.

5 Primary Benefits of Becoming a Citizen of Antigua and Barbuda

1. Dual Citizenship

Applying to become a citizen of Antigua through the CBI program won’t require you to renounce your current citizenship*. You’ll get to enjoy the benefits of being a citizen of both countries.

*Antigua & Barbuda allows dual citizenship; however, advice must be taken in the home country as to whether they allow dual citizenship.

2. Tax Advantages

Under the CBI program and if you choose to become a tax resident*, you will enjoy no personal income tax. Antigua levies no estate duty tax, personal income tax on your worldwide income, net worth tax, capital gains tax, gift tax, or inheritance and death tax.

*Residency requirements apply, and professional tax advice must be taken in the home country.

3. Travel Without a Visa

Getting a visa if you want to visit Europe, for instance, can be time-consuming and inhibiting. Imagine going to these countries visa-free. Well, becoming a citizen of Antigua allows you to do so. You can go to over 132 countries without having a visa. The list also includes Singapore, the U.K., Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, France, Poland, Greece, and Austria, and soon will include Russia and the UAE.

4. Stress-free Lifestyle

Once you become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, you can spend most of your time sailing along the coast, diving, or enjoying the many beaches in this island paradise (apart from traveling to other countries). Most importantly, you get to enjoy the sun as it shines daily.

5. Affordability

When it comes to the cost of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, the passport investment program in Antigua is considered one of the most cost-effective CBI programs in the world.

Furthermore, this is one of the fastest ways to acquire second citizenship. In just a few months, you will receive your passport – you do not have to wait several years, which usually happens if you opt for naturalization programs.

Apart from getting your second citizenship in Antigua & Barbuda, you can also include your spouse, dependent children of up to age 29, and dependent parents more than 58 years old.

3 Investment Options

There are three options for acquiring the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship through investment. These include:

●      Donating to a government fund

If you are single or have a family of four, the donation amount is US$100,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF). But if your family has more than four members, you will need to donate US$125,000. In addition to this donation amount, you will also be required to pay passport fees, a due diligence fee, government processing fees, and Licensed Agent fees.

The donation minimum is set to double for applications made after 31st October 2018.

●      Buying a property

You need to invest a minimum of $200,000 in a government-approved property in Antigua and Barbuda. Other costs include real estate broker fees and application fees.

●      Investing in a business

This investment option requires the most money, with a minimum of $1.5 million if you are a sole investor or at least $400,000 for joint investors.

Required Documents

  • Current passports and National Identity Cards of all applicants
  • Original passport-sized photos of all applicants within the past six months
  • Certified copy of birth certificate
  • Certificate of no criminal record
  • Medical Certificate

Aside from these, the main applicant may need to present supporting documents. These include:

  • Bank reference letter from an internationally recognized bank
  • Professional reference
  • Evidence of residential address
  • Statement of source of investment funds
  • Affidavit of support for every dependent
  • Written confirmation that dependents aged 18-25 are in full-time education

If you are to invest using the real estate option, you have to present the Purchase and Sale Agreement and evidence of title transfers.

A letter of “Approval in Principle” will be issued by the Government once they perform a successful background check and due diligence on your application and no issues are identified. This letter means that your citizenship has been approved. This is also the time for you to pay the NDF contribution, real estate, or business investment.

The benefits of becoming a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda are endless. If you want to enjoy such benefits, apply for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda now. Make sure to have all the required and supporting documents readily available to make the process easier and faster. Good luck!

About the Author

Kaline Kennard is the co-founder of Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship investment into the Caribbean. Based in the Caribbean for the past 15 years, she is an experienced professional who works directly with many professional partners and advises clients worldwide.

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