Conditions for immigrating to Toronto
According to the existing investment immigration policy in Quebec, Canada, the application conditions for immigration to Canada are: having net assets of more than 6.5438+0.6 million Canadian dollars (about 6.5438+0.000 million RMB) and reasonably explaining the process of asset accumulation; At least 2 years of business management experience in the last 5 years; The applicant's family meets the medical examination requirements and has no criminal record.
According to the existing investment immigration policy in Quebec, Canada, another condition for immigration to Canada is the amount of investment: an investment of 220,000 Canadian dollars or a full investment of 800,000 Canadian dollars. At present, the investment immigration project in Quebec, Canada has not yet been opened and will be restarted in August this year. Interested Canadian investors, please seize the opportunity!
According to the existing investment immigration policy in Quebec, Canada, the application conditions for immigration to Canada are:
The net assets exceed 6.5438+0.6 million Canadian dollars (about 6.5438+0.00 million RMB) and can reasonably explain the process of asset accumulation;
At least 2 years of business management experience in the last 5 years;
The applicant's family meets the medical examination requirements and has no criminal record.
Immigrant expenses
If you invest in immigration, you need 800,000 Canadian dollars, equivalent to more than 5 million yuan; You can only choose to study abroad, Canadian master plus federal immigration score plus 25 points. As for studying in Canada, IELTS 6.5 is enough! If you want to go to the third year of high school, the guaranteed100-10.5 million yuan must be frozen for 18 months, and there must be a guarantor.
rent a house
Although the rent in Toronto is not high compared with Vancouver, it is still the bulk of the living expenses. Let me talk about it first.
The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is $65,438 +0. 103. The average rent of the same house in the surrounding Chinese community is as follows
Markham: $65,438+$0.092.
Richmond Hill: $65,438
Vaughn: $65,438
Mississauga: $65,438+$0.066
London: $7,865,438
Kitchen: $830
On the whole, the average rents in Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill and Wang Shi are all around 1, 100 USD. If you want to live near the subway station or at a convenient intersection, you have to pay $65,438+0,300 per minute every month. If you want to live in the city center, it is estimated that you have to prepare a monthly rent of $65438+0,600 to $65438+0,800.
According to the data released by Toronto Real Estate Bureau on July 2 1 6, the average monthly rent of one-bedroom in most areas has reached 65,438 Canadian dollars +07 10! (about 8900 yuan)
If you live in Toronto, young people in their twenties have to pay at least 300 Canadian dollars (about 1500 yuan+) for car insurance every month. If you get a ticket or have an accident, the car insurance will increase, and it is rarely heard that the premium will decrease.
monthly ticket
If you choose not to drive, then a monthly bus pass is essential. The adult fare of Toronto TTC monthly ticket is $ 14 1.5 (about RMB 735), and the senior citizen/student monthly ticket is $ 1 12 (about RMB 582). The price of a single coin is $3.25 for adults (about RMB 17 yuan) and $2 for the elderly/students (about RMB 10 yuan).
Common sense of Toronto life
1. What areas does Toronto include and which areas have the best living environment?
? The city of Toronto consists of six districts: Old Toronto, scarborough, North York, East York, York and Yitaobi Valley. Greater toronto area also includes some neighboring cities. Generally speaking, the law and order in Toronto is quite good, and the crime rate in no district is significantly higher than that in other districts. Generally speaking, the living environment in the east of Keyang Street in NATO, northern and western scarborough, and parts of Yitaobi Valley is generally good, while the old city of Toronto (including downtown, Toronto East in the east and Toronto West in the west) is relatively dilapidated and crowded because of its early development and old houses (mostly around 50 years to 100). The living environment in the peripheral towns of greater toronto area is generally good, especially markham, which has been rated as the city with the highest quality of life in the world by the United Nations for many years.
2. How many Chinese are there in greater toronto area? Which districts do you mainly live in?
? There are more than 460,000 Chinese in greater toronto area. They are distributed all over Toronto, but concentrated in the north of Escarport 40 1 Expressway, east of North York, Markham City, East York City, China City in the east of Old Toronto and China City in the middle. Except Vietnamese, there are fewer China people in Yitao Bigu. The Chinese in Toronto are mainly from Hong Kong. Because the housing price in Toronto is much lower than that in Hong Kong and Taiwan provinces, Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan are more likely to buy houses, so apart from the city center and the eastern part of Old Toronto, most Chinese are concentrated in better areas in Toronto.
3. Where is a better place for new immigrants to live? Should we focus on the city?
? New immigrants should first consider living near public transportation, and they can choose to live near their work units after they settle down. Toronto is well-developed in public transportation, and adopts the system of uniform fare and changing trains (including buses, subways and trams) at the same time, without additional charges. Therefore, it is convenient to live in a place with convenient public transportation and go anywhere in the city.
? There is no need for new immigrants to live in downtown areas. First, most of the downtown areas are old houses around 50- 100 years old, and the living environment is relatively crowded, which makes it easy for new immigrants to be disappointed and resistant to Canada. Second, the government agencies that new immigrants need to contact, such as applicants for medical insurance cards, social security cards and milk funds, as well as community centers, human resources centers and public libraries, are distributed in all districts of the city. The two largest community centers in the city that provide settlement services for new immigrants in Putonghua are also not in the city center (one in the north of scarborough and the other in the east of Old Toronto).
? Because new immigrants didn't know much about Toronto before they came, many people chose to live in downtown, which made the service resources in downtown seem to be in short supply, such as free childcare, ESL travel subsidies, and free resources for newborn mothers, which were not as good as those outside downtown. Another example is the HRDC Human Resources Center, which is assisted by the government in job hunting. In downtown areas, its computer use often has to wait in line, and each use is limited (ranging from half an hour to two hours). Its fax machine is also limited to sending to this city, but its computers rarely need to be queued for use outside the city, and there is no time limit. Faxes can often be sent to all parts of the country for free. In addition, the professional jobs of new immigrants after settlement are rarely in downtown areas.
What's the best way to get from the airport to downtown?
? There is bus No.58A from the airport to Lawrence West Subway Station, which is the cheapest way to get into town. There are also long-distance buses to the city bus station. However, new immigrants are new here because of their heavy luggage, and they are not familiar with the traffic in the city, so the best way is to call a taxi. Generally speaking, taxis in Toronto are very safe, and the charges vary from taxi companies or individuals. Generally, taxis in urban areas or nearby areas charge about 30-40 Canadian dollars, and taxis in the east of the city charge about 40-50 Canadian dollars. Toronto Chinese New Immigrants Home can also arrange airport pick-up for new immigrants in need.
5. What are the types of rental houses in Toronto, what is the rent, and how to find rental information?
? According to the internal structure, renting in Toronto can be roughly divided into: single room: single room, sharing kitchen and bathroom with others, mainly private houses, and the rent is about 250-400 Canadian dollars per month; Bachelor: single room with kitchen and bathroom, mainly apartments, and the rent is about 600-680 Canadian dollars per month; One bedroom: one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen and one bathroom. The rent is about 750-850 Canadian dollars per month. Two rooms: two rooms, one living room, one kitchen and one bathroom. The rent is about 850- 1000 Canadian dollars per month. Two bedrooms: three bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen and one bathroom. The rent is about 950- 1200 Canadian dollars per month.
? From the appearance of the house, it can be divided into multi-storey apartments and private houses with one to three floors. Most apartments are managed by specialized companies, and the rent is about 10-20% higher than that of private houses. Some companies may require sufficient income and credit certificates.
? Housing rental information mainly includes: newspapers (Chinese newspapers include Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily and World Daily), rent-free housing magazine RENTER (in some tabloid boxes beside the busy streets of the city), bulletin boards at the gates of some shops, introductions and recommendations from friends, and related news groups on the Internet. Toronto Chinese New Immigrants Home provides consulting services for new immigrants to find a house after their arrival, and links relevant information on the Internet here.
6. Can I entrust others to rent a house before entering the country?
? Generally speaking, except for close friends, it is difficult for everyone. First, there are many factors to consider in renting a house, and it is difficult for others to make decisions on their behalf; The second is to pay the deposit; Third, apartments generally need to sign a lease, and the lease must be signed by the lessee. Therefore, for new immigrants, the most appropriate way is to contact temporary accommodation first, and then rent a house by yourself.
7. What are the main types of temporary accommodation in Toronto?
? There are roughly three options for temporary accommodation after the arrival of new immigrants, one is the home of relatives and friends, the other is a regular hotel, and the third is a Chinese family hotel. Regular hotels are generally more expensive, and the cheapest motel costs about 50 Canadian dollars a night. In addition, there is no kitchen and you have to eat out, so the cost is higher. Family hotels in China have developed rapidly in recent years because they charge less than regular hotels, provide kitchens and facilitate language and cultural exchanges with new immigrants. They are also the first choice for most new immigrants to stay temporarily after arriving in Canada. Toronto Chinese New Immigrants Home provides temporary accommodation services for new immigrants.
8. Can I contact temporary accommodation after arriving at the airport, or do I need to make arrangements in advance?
? You'd better contact in advance. A few Chinese family hotels will attract guests at the airport when there are many Chinese immigrants, but first, there is no guarantee; Second, many homeowners with good service and housing conditions do not go to the airport to solicit customers. Therefore, contact in advance, not only has the guarantee, you can rest assured, but also may be more secure in quality, because you can contact the owner in advance, understand and choose.
9. How much money should I bring into the country at least? Will the money brought in later be taxed?
? The government stipulates that new immigrants should bring enough living expenses for at least six months to adapt to the first six months. The specific amount is roughly 10 thousand Canadian dollars for one person, and 2,000 Canadian dollars for each additional person in the future. For a family of three, it costs about 14000 Canadian dollars. Personal funds brought into Canada in the future will not be taxed, but if the funds brought in at one time exceed100000 Canadian dollars, the tax bureau may trace whether they have declared overseas assets before.
10. How cold is it in winter in Toronto? What clothes should I bring?
? The coldest winter in Toronto can reach MINUS 20-30 degrees Celsius. However, all indoors and buses are kept above 20 degrees Celsius. So it's not terrible to feel cold in winter except for less outdoor activities. Generally speaking, a thick and long coat that is easy to wear when you go out and take off when you get started is very suitable, but few people wear it, such as woolen pants.
1 1. How to install the telephone?
? New immigrants need to go to Bell Call Center to fill out the application form, and generally need to pay a deposit of 200 Canadian dollars. If the schedule is not busy, the telephone company will send staff to install the telephone within 3-5 working days. If there is a telephone socket at home, the telephone company usually can connect it without sending someone into the house, just plug in the phone. New immigrants with good spoken English can try to apply by telephone. If they are approved, they can usually go to the call center without the $200 deposit.
12. When did the government health insurance come into effect? Do you need to buy temporary medical insurance yourself?
? Ontario government health insurance does not take effect until 90 days after immigrants arrive in Canada. During these 90 days, new immigrants are not covered by the provincial health insurance plan. However, whether it is necessary to buy temporary medical insurance within these 90 days depends entirely on the new immigrants' own personal decision, and the government has not required them to buy medical insurance. For further consultation, please contact Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home.
13. I got pregnant when I entered the country. What benefits can the government provide?
? Pregnant immigrants can't enjoy OHIP medical insurance in the first three months, but they can enjoy free dental examination and treatment from the government, free nutritionists, free prenatal classes and shopping vouchers. For further consultation, please contact Toronto New Immigrants' Home.
14. What support does the Canadian government provide for new immigrants?
? On the one hand, the Canadian government's support for new immigrants has some special programs for new immigrants, such as community services for new immigrants, ESL (English as a second language), LINC (Language Guidance for New Immigrants in Canada) free courses, and job-hunting assistance provided by human resources centers. But more importantly, it is achieved through subsidies to low-income families, such as free day care, children's milk money, goods and services tax subsidies, rental subsidies, government housing subsidies, housing subsidies, low-income working families subsidies, free legal aid and so on. For more information, please contact Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home. The Putonghua Community Service Center mainly includes the Chinese Information and Community Service Center located in the north of scarborough (suite 3 10, No.3852 Finch Avenue East) and the Woodgreen Community Center located in the east of Old Toronto (No.835 Queen East).
15. Is it better to leave the children at their original place of residence and take them out?
? Among the new immigrants we contacted, a few left their children in China when they entered the country. On the one hand, this is a regrettable choice in itself, and families should not be separated easily. Moreover, some new immigrants who do this have to re-apply for immigrant visas because they can't pick up their children in time and have passed the entry deadline. On the other hand, children's tax benefits (children under 7 years old 19 1 Canadian dollars per month, children over 7 years old1Canadian dollars per month). Even if you must leave your child at home, you can consider asking someone to pick it up after landing. On the one hand, you can receive the milk subsidy, on the other hand, your child is not restricted by 183 days.
16. How much is the child care fee? Is it easy to apply for free child care subsidy?
? The child care fee varies with the age of the child and the charging standard of the child care unit. Generally, children under one year old 1000 Canadian dollars, children between one and two years old are 800-900 Canadian dollars, children between two and four years old are 700-800 Canadian dollars, and children over four years old are 650 Canadian dollars. Sometimes you can find some child care institutions with lower fees. Some churches or charities provide low-cost or even free childcare services. It is often difficult for new immigrants to apply for free childcare subsidies from the government within six months. If the couple are studying or working, but their income is low, they can apply for free day care for their children. But in downtown Toronto, because there are many applicants, even if they meet the requirements, they may not be able to get it. For details, please contact Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home.
17. How do I register my child for school?
? After obtaining the residence certificate (lease or purchase contract), you can take your child to a nearby school to register. The materials to be brought include the child's English report card (at least in the last two years) or graduation certificate, vaccination certificate, and recommendation letter from the original school teacher (if any). Some schools may require English and math tests when registering, so please prepare in advance according to your grades. Students can arrange bus transportation. Canada's primary and secondary schools are free and compulsory.
18. What plans does the government have to help job seekers?
? The government mainly provides job seekers with job-hunting skills lectures, resume revision and other consulting services, computers, Internet access, fax machines, photocopying and other job-hunting related free services through human resources development centers, employment centers and some community centers. Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home has collected and summarized such centers in the city, from which you can find the nearest center address. View [a complete list of job centers &; Service facilities in Toronto]. Some public libraries also provide limited-time free computer internet access.
19. Can a foreign driver's license be directly changed into a Canadian driver's license?
? Generally speaking, the English translation of the international driver's license or the driver's license of the country of origin and the certificate of no accident record issued by the automobile insurance company of the country of origin should be prepared before entering the country. You may need these materials when you change your driver's license and apply for insurance. American and international driver's licenses can be used in Canada, but the insurance premium is more expensive. American driver's license can be directly changed to Canadian G driver's license without examination for two years. China driver's license for two years or more can be exempted from the eight-month waiting period after the written test and take the G2 test immediately.
20. What should I pay attention to when driving from America?
? Since 1 April, 19991day, Transport Canada has listed many models that are not suitable for import. Therefore, if new immigrants are going to drive into the country, they should contact the Canadian Customs in advance to determine whether their cars will enter the country. This should not be taken lightly, and some new immigrants have encountered great trouble in this regard.
2 1. Where can new immigrants get help when they need legal aid?
? There are some institutions in Toronto city government that provide free legal aid for new immigrants or low-income families, such as notarization of some documents and legal consultation of civil disputes. For more information, please contact Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home.
22. Can new immigrants get loans to study?
? New immigrants are eligible to apply for student loans from the federal government after entering the country, but to apply for student loans from the Ontario government, they must have lived in Canada for one year. The federal government has less loans and the Ontario government has more loans.
23. What is the biggest problem in the process of new immigrants' adaptation?
? What new immigrants need most objectively is to find a job, but the biggest problem is often psychological adjustment. Skilled immigrants, in particular, often have a fairly stable income and a certain social status in their original place of residence. After emigration, everything started all over again, including language and cultural adaptation. If the major is not suitable for the needs of Canada, they also have the pressure to change careers. Therefore, all new immigrants have a long or short psychological adaptation period. If you are facing too much psychological pressure during this period, you can contact the China Home for New Immigrants, and we will try our best to make this home provide comfort and warmth to new immigrants.
24. Is Canada heavily taxed?
? On average, the tax rate in Canada is higher than that in the United States. However, unlike the United States, the United States only requires low-income or non-income families not to pay taxes, while the Canadian Taxation Bureau subsidizes low-income or non-income families through housing subsidies, children's milk funds, child care subsidies for low-income families, GST and sales tax subsidies, and housing savings subsidies. In the first year or two, the income of new immigrants is generally low, so most of them take money from the tax bureau, and a family receives various subsidies ranging from several hundred to several thousand yuan from the government every year. For more information, please consult Toronto Chinese New Immigrant Home.
25. Online discussions often say that new immigrants in Canada have a hard time. Is it true?/You don't say.
? It varies from person to person. Generally speaking, it is not an easy process to uproot yourself from your old country and emigrate to other countries. Especially those who can emigrate from Chinese mainland to other countries, most of them have considerable social and economic status in China. After immigrating to other countries, everything starts from scratch, and the difficulty can be imagined.
? However, there are two facts that we can always remember, which may be helpful for us to start a life of immigration struggle. First of all, both the United States and Canada have Thanksgiving Day, which is to thank the Native Americans for giving food to the earliest immigrants in Europe so that they can survive. In any case, our immigrant life today is not so difficult as to threaten our lives. If we can be grateful to the North Americans who created the prosperity of North America today and accept us equally, it will help us to seek development in North American society with a positive attitude. Second, take Ontario as an example. 1998, with an average household income of 68,000 Canadian dollars. Chinese mainland immigrants are mostly skilled immigrants with high IQ. After several years of planning and construction, it is quite good to reach their average level, even if their life is not far above the average level as in China society.
? In addition, immigrants who have found jobs may have less time to express their opinions online due to work pressure and other reasons, which makes the participation rate of immigrants who are anxious to find jobs higher when discussing the lives of new immigrants online, which may lead to biased discussion results. In a word, we expect new immigrants not to give up easily. With a steady income, the quality of life in Canada is still quite good.
26. Many friends say that extra jobs are hard to find, and it is best to go to Quebec to get subsidies and learn French first. Is this a good idea?
? Whether a job is easy to find or not, a person's major and English ability are very important. Many new immigrants who immigrated directly from Chinese mainland to Toronto found professional jobs within six months. If you immigrate to Quebec to learn French only for the subsidy after arrival, it is equivalent to automatically giving up the opportunity to try to find a job. Few new immigrants can master French in a few months and adapt to life in a pure French-speaking society. So after a few months, they still have to move to English-speaking provinces to start a new life, and most of them have wasted a few months.
27. Should I study for a degree after I arrive in Canada?
? In the west, reading is to find a better job, not to think that reading is gilded. In the process of job hunting, apart from teaching and scientific research in universities, employers in general companies rarely ask for the examination of candidates' academic qualifications, or even ask questions. The boss of a private enterprise is not concerned about what kind of education his employees have received, but whether they can complete the work he asked. Therefore, employers pay more attention to the work experience of candidates, rather than academic qualifications. If the employer is convinced that the applicant is the ideal person to complete the required work, he will not think too much about whether the applicant has relevant academic qualifications and where he obtained them. Because of this, we suggest that new immigrants should not study if it is possible to find a satisfactory job; If you want to find a decent job instead of studying, you should also take short and fast universities as your first choice, and you don't have to study for a degree.