Immigrate to Canada from Lesotho – Workers, Students, Family
Families, workers and students immigrate to Canada from Lesotho every year because of the quality of life in Canada. Most families who move to the country do so looking for a greener pasture. Similarly, students prefer Canada as their destination for university education because of the quality of education in the country.
Whereas, workers move to Canadian cities because they believe that there are more job opportunities in these cities. Therefore, in this article, we are going to show you the best immigration pathways for workers, students and families who want to move to Canada.
In addition, we are going to demonstrate the best steps to immigrate to Canada. And this is not all, you are also going to see the major reasons why Basotho prefer to go to Canada. Follow us!
Why immigrate to Canada from Lesotho?
The question of why you immigrate to Canada from Lesotho boils down to the reason why you are moving to Canada. While many Basotho move to Canada for their education, some go to look for better job opportunities and a few others go to Canada looking for a good life for their family. So, let’s look at the common reasons why Basotho immigrate to Canada from Lesotho.
Quality education
A good number of Basotho in Canada move to Canada to study there. This is because of the cheap and affordable cost of education in Canada. Canadian universities are among the cheapest in the world. This is true when you compare them with universities in the developed world. For this reason, many Basotho like to study in Canada from Lesotho.
Job opportunities
Many residents of major cities in Lesotho like Maseru, Teyateyaneng Berea and Mafeteng believe that there are better job opportunities in Canadian cities. So, they hope to get better job opportunities once they arrive in Canada. Lesotho is renowned for its skilled workers and Canada is in search of skilled workers who will help to improve its economy. Therefore, many Basotho prefer Canadian cities to cities in their country.
For a better life for their family
Good healthcare, education, and security are some of the driving forces for many families who want to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. Many believe that with these, they can spend less and invest their money in other things that will improve the lives of their family.
Moreover, Canada has free and accessible healthcare for all citizens. In addition, children have access to free education up to grade 12. For these reasons, many families from Lesotho move to Canada. Above all, the cost of living in Canada is power than in Lesotho.
Welfare of Basotho in Canada
Basotho in Canada are sure that their lives and properties are respected. Also, their human rights are respected. This is taken care of by the Lesotho Embassy in Canada. if you are a Mosotho, you can visit the embassy if you are in need of consular assistance or in times of emergency.
Requirements to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho
You may need the following requirements if you wish to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. They include:
Language proficiency
One of the compulsory requirements to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho is proof of language proficiency. This can be in either English or French. To show this, you will need to present a test result from an approved exam body. You can use the tables below to know the language proficiency requirements.
Express Entry Language Proficiency for the First Official Language
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner  (Max. 128 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner  (Max. 136 points)
Less than CLB 4 0 0
CLB 4 or 5 6 6
CLB 6 8 9
CLB 7 16 17
CLB 8 22 23
CLB 9 29 31
CLB 10 or more 32 34
Express Entry Language Proficiency for the Second Official Language
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner  (Max. 128 points) Without a spouse or common-law partner  (Max. 136 points)
Less than CLB 4 0 0
CLB 4 or 5 6 6
CLB 6 8 9
CLB 7 16 17
CLB 8 22 23
CLB 9 29 31
CLB 10 or more 32 34
International passport
Of course, you will need to show proof of your Lesotho citizenship. Without this, you will be inadmissible to Canada. However, in case you dint have your international passport, your Lesotho passport can cover as your proof of identity.
Medical report
The medical report is proof that you are medically and physically fit to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. Therefore, you must visit a recognized hospital to get a medical report within 12 months of submitting your application.
Work experience
You will need about three years of work experience if you want to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. Use the table below to know if you meet the required work experience.
Express Entry Skill Transferability Factors
With good official language proficiency (CLB 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degree Points for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9 Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
 (Max. 25 points) (Max. 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree Points for education + 1 year of Canadian work experience Points for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
 (Max. 25 points)  (Max. 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50
Foreign work experience with good official language proficiency Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under CLB 9 Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
 (Max. 25 points)  (Max. 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50
Foreign work experience with Canadian work experience Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience Points for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
 (Max. 25 points)  (Max. 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50
Certificate of qualification (trade occupations) with good official language proficiency Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 5 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 7 Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 7 or more on all four first official language abilities
 (Max. 25 points)  (Max. 50 points)
With a certificate of qualification 25 50
Proof of funds
This is the amount of money you need to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. Usually, the amount for proof of funds is LSL 123,961. This will be enough to cater for yourself and your family members for a year.
5 best pathways to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho
These are the best five ways to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. They include:
#1. Provincial Nominee Program
The best pathway to migrate to Canada from Lesotho is the provincial nominee program. This program allows Basotho who meet the eligibility requirements to work in any Canadian province to apply for the program of the province. However, you must get a valid job offer from an employer in that province to use the program.
The processing time for this program is 12 months though some provinces may vary. This also applies to the processing fees which are determined by the provinces.
Use the table below to know the rental prices in Canadian provinces and know the best PNP for you.
Rental Prices in major Canadian Cities
Table shows average rental prices for 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom houses in major Canadian cities. Updated October 2021.
City Rank City Name 1 Bedroom Price 1 Bedroom MoM % 1 Bedroom YoY % 2 Bedrooms Price 2 Bedrooms MoM % 2 Bedrooms YoY%
1 Vancouver 2100 0.05 0.05 2890 0.01 0.051
2 Toronto 1770 -0.011 -0.145 2260 0.004 -0.141
3 Barrie 1720 0.049 0.103 1830 -0.011 0.076
4 Victoria 1670 0.006 0.037 2120 0.05 0.065
5 Kelowna 1600 0 0.032 2080 0.051 0.162
6 Ottawa 1500 0.034 0 1800 0 0.011
7 Oshawa 1490 -0.013 0.104 1640 -0.018 0.006
8 Kitchener 1440 -0.007 0.029 1710 0.012 0.069
9 St Catharines 1430 0.051 0.144 1660 0.012 0.107
10 Halifax 1410 0.052 0.205 1770 0.047 0.149
11 Hamilton 1390 0.03 0.053 1730 0.018 0.042
12 Montreal 1350 0 -0.036 1740 -0.011 -0.006
13 Abbotsford 1330 0.047 0.147 1530 0.048 0.15
13 Kingston 1330 0 0.047 1640 0.051 0.101
15 London 1300 0.024 0.111 1600 0.013 0.088
16 Windsor 1140 0.009 0.152 1380 -0.028 0.15
17 Calgary 1130 0 -0.017 1370 0 0.022
18 Winnipeg 1030 0 0.03 1300 0 0
19 Saskatoon 950 0.011 0.056 1050 0 -0.009
20 Edmonton 940 0.011 -0.051 1200 0 -0.04
21 Regina 900 0.011 0 1100 0.028 0.019
22 Quebec 860 0.049 -0.122 1010 -0.029 -0.144
23 St John's 820 -0.024 0.012 910 0 0.058
#2. Express entry
You can use express entry if you are a skilled worker. The express entry allows skilled workers from Lesotho to live and work in Canada as permanent residents. However, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for the program you want to use. There are three programs under express entry which are the federal skilled worker program, the federal skilled trades program and the Canada experience class.
These programs use a point grid system based on age, work experience, language proficiency, your spouse and your dependent children. There is a regular draw every two weeks and all eligible candidates receive an invitation to apply.
The processing time for express entry is usually 6 months. While the processing fee is LSL 6,198. There is also a compulsory right of permanent residence fee of LSL 10,103.
#3. Student visa
Since the majority of Basotho in Canada go study in Canada from Lesotho, using a Canadian study permit will be the best option for them. Moreover, they will have a chance of switching to a Post-Graduate Work Permit program upon graduation. This work permit allows them to work in Canada for some years. Within these years, they will get enough experience to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
#4. Temporary Foreign Worker Program
This is a program for workers from Lesotho. It allows them to immigrate to Canada with a temporary work permit which is valid for 6 months. You can renew the work permit upon expiration for up to four years. To use this program, you must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Your employer must also get LMIA which allows him or her to employ a foreign worker to fill certain positions.
The processing time for TFWP is about 16 months while the processing fee is an initial LSL 1,921. This does not include the biometrics fee of LSL 1,053.
#5. Family sponsorship program
Your family members in Canada can also sponsor you to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho if they are permanent residents. They must also be 18 years or above. To sponsor you, the permanent president must also be able to provide proof of funds to cater for your expenses in Canada for at least one year.
The processing time for a family sponsorship program in Canada is 16 months. You will pay a processing fee of LSL 6,198 with another LSL 10,103 as the right of permanent residence fee.
Steps to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho
You can use the following steps to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho:
Step 1: Choose a Pathway program
Your first step when you want to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho is to find a suitable program. The program you find must suit your conditions. You must also gather all the necessary documents you need for the program.
Step 2: Create an express entry profile
Once you have found a program and gathered all the documents. It is time to create an express entry profile. Your details must be complete and correct. This is because they will appear in your visa.
Step 3: Invitation to Apply
The next step is to get an invitation to apply. This is if you meet the requirements for your desired program.
Step 4: Submit an application
Once you receive an invitation to apply. You must submit your application within 6 months together with the supporting documents. In addition, you must also pay all the necessary fees.
Step 5: Move to Canada
After paying your fees, you will get your visa from the Canadian Embassy in Lesotho. This time for you to move to Canada to study, work or be with your family.
Immigrate to Canada from CyprusFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Temporary Work Permit valid?
A TFWP is valid for 6 months. However, you can extend it for another four years when it expires.
Can I bring my dependents to Canada while on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Canada?
Yes, you can bring your family members to Canada on a temporary work permit.
What is the best province in Canada for immigrants?
The best provinces in Canada for immigrants include Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta.
Can I be deported back from Canada after immigration?
Yes, if in the process of verifying your documents or in the long run the immigration officer discovers some illegal activities about you or forgery. You will be deported immediately.
Conclusion
Finally, it is usually a long process to immigrate to Canada from Lesotho. But with our guidance and direction, it can be simple. Meanwhile, you can contact us anytime you encounter a problem in your immigration process.
