According to Canadian immigration guidelines, there are good prospects for trained chefs who want to work in Canada. This multicultural society is open to many types of eating experiences. Every large city has its share of ethnic restaurants, including Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mexican. There is a difference, however, between working in Canada and wanting to migrate there. How can a chef make immigration easier for himself?

Migration Complications

First of all, getting into a country―any country―can be more difficult than you imagine these days. Thanks to global terrorist activities, 9/11, and the way technology makes every threat seem so close, immigration authorities are much stricter than they used to be. Even Canada, formerly thought of as an easy-going nation, has made it more difficult for people to visit, let alone live in their country. The Internet allows immigration authorities to check the background of an applicant thoroughly in minutes.

Headaches could include clearing an old DUI. If there is one hanging around on your record, or some other misdemeanor, you need to get rid of this if you can.

There are also countless pieces of information the immigration authority wants when adjudicating an application, and they are not babysitters. If you are skilled and needed in some part of Canada but make a mistake on the paperwork, do not expect immigration officials to call you up and coach you through the details.

Getting Help With Canada Immigration as a Chef

If you want to migrate to Canada as a chef, there are a few things you need to do first. One is to assess the demand for your particular skills. Canadians are looking for

• Gourmets
• Chefs with experience in ethnic cuisine from around the world
• Caterers for senior facilities
• Specialist chefs

Do not think that simply being able to cook is enough to get you across the border. You might need to specialize and train just a bit longer, or perhaps gain more experience. Your application will join hundreds of other similar ones.

Get yourself invited by an employer to work in his restaurant. If you can do this, you are able to cross the border more easily. Also, find a lawyer who will go through the application with you. In particular, as a chef, hire an immigration lawyer whose particular experience is helping Americans migrate to Canada.

Other Qualifications

Besides your skills, there will be other expectations. That job invitation is just one. You will also need to

• Speak English proficiently
• Have no criminal record
• Be able to support yourself financially
• Prove that you will not be a medical drain on the economy

This goes for you and any dependents you want to bring with you. Migrating with a family complicates matters somewhat, but should not prevent someone from successfully immigrating. Overall, migrating to Canada as a chef is possible, but there are some hurdles to overcome.