The first major wave of Indian immigrants to Canada arrived in Vancouver in 1903. Most were Sikhs, who had heard about the country and its high wages from British Indian troops in Hong Kong.
Today India is Canada’s number one source of international talent, by a big margin. And many Indian immigrants still choose to make Vancouver their home.
Moving to Vancouver from India
Multicultural Vancouver has plenty to recommend it to immigrants. It’s the capital of British Columbia, Canada’s most ethnically diverse province, where immigrants make up more than 30% of the population.
This multiculturalism isn’t just a fact; it’s a celebrated way of life. So you can expect a warm welcome and respect from your fellow Vancouver residents.
Here are some other great reasons to consider Vancouver if you’re immigrating from India.
Great job prospects
Vancouver has a thriving job market and offers a high standard of living, adding to its appeal for immigrants. All kinds of industries are represented in Vancouver, including healthcare, tech, tourism, food and drink, beauty, forestry, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.
You can expect to earn good wages in Vancouver, and many employers also offer medical and dental coverage as part of a strong benefit plan.
The Work.BC website is a great place to start if you’re looking for a job role or want to know more about the province’s job market or high-growth industries and in-demand careers.
One of Canada’s mildest climates
While the weather certainly can’t be compared to India’s, Vancouver does have a considerably milder climate than much of Canada. It has some of the country’s hottest and driest weather, and B.C. can’t be beaten in winter, when snow is rare and frosty nights are fewer than anywhere else in the country.
A taste of home
Vancouver even has a neighborhood known as ‘Little Punjab’. Found in the heart of Surrey, it’s home to the Payal Business Centre shopping mall and a mix of traditional clothing and jewelry stores, as well as Indian restaurants, sweet shops and cafés.
You can also find a number of Indian grocery stores and eateries located throughout the city.
To help you find community and stay in touch with fellow Indians, you may want to visit the Indians in Vancouver website.
Sending Money from Canada to India
If you move to Canada, you may want a reliable way to send money back home – or elsewhere in the world. You’ll have no trouble in Vancouver. With Western Union, money transfers to India from Canada are quick, easy and reliable. With our dedicated app, it’s even simpler.
Interested in Moving to Canada from India?
Over recent years, Canada has made updates to its immigration policies that may be beneficial to Indians looking to move to the country.
For instance, to support its economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is increasing its immigration targets. By 2024, Canada plans to welcome 450,000 immigrants each year.
The Express Entry system, which was launched in 2015 and used to manage most economic immigrant applications, introduced a new ‘Comprehensive Ranking System’ to assess candidates. Applicants are given a score based on factors including education, work experience, language skills and age. People from India tend to score well on many factors, partially thanks to the country’s growing middle class population with strong education, work experience and language skills.
For students, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Student Direct Stream (SDS) that allows eligible students to fast-track their study permits in 2018. It also has a higher approval rate than the normal pathway for study permits.
Indian immigrants have been welcomed into Vancouver for over a century, but there may be no better time than now to move there.
