Tens of thousands of Salvadoran citizens have immigrated to Canada since the 1980s. There is no single route to immigration from El Salvador to Canada. It will depend on your personal circumstances, your work experience and skills, and whether or not you already have family or economic ties to Canada. Immigration applications from El Salvador are processed by Canada's embassy in Guatemala City.

How to Begin the Immigration Process from El Salvador to Canada

Before you contact the Canadian embassy in San Salvador, check to see which immigration category in which you fall. Canada does not have a specific immigration process that is tailored to Salvadorans, nor does Canada have a specific immigration quota for El Salvador--people from El Salvador fall under Canada's general immigration procedures. These procedures apply worldwide. Check to see if you qualify to submit a "federal skilled worker application." This is a special immigration category offered by Canada to workers in certain high-demand areas of employment. This category focuses on workers who work in health care, petroleum and oil sands engineering or the mining industry, but other skills also are included. For a current list of these skills, check the website of Canada's "Citizenship and Immigration" ministry, located here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp If you qualify under a skilled worker category, then print out and complete your Federal Skilled Worker application, and submit your materials and fees to the address listed in the current version of the package. If you do not qualify to apply as a skilled worker, check to see if you qualify for other special immigration categories. If you are proficient in French, you may be eligible for special immigration consideration to the province of Quebec. If you have previously worked or studied in Canada, there are special provisions available. If you have family members residing legally in Canada, your family may be able to sponsor you as a migrant. If you can make an investment of at least $400,000 in Canadian currency and have a net worth of $800,000 Canadian currency, you may qualify to immigrate as an investor. Other provisions apply for entrepreneurs and self-employed immigrants. If your life is at risk from persecution, you may be able to apply as a refugee. For a complete list of immigration categories, check the Canadian government's "Going to Canada" website at: http://www.goingtocanada.gc.ca/CIC/display-afficher.do?id=0000000000035&lang=eng If none of these categories apply to you, you may still be able to find a work permit sponsor within Canada. Obtaining a work permit can be your first step toward becoming a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Some Salvadorans hire lawyers to help guide them through the immigration process. However, if you fall outside Canada's migrant categories, be aware that your chances of legal immigration to Canada are probably low. If you have a criminal record, you will need to seek a special waiver to apply.

How to Submit your Immigration Application from El Salvador

Canada's embassy in San Salvador can handle initial application processing in most cases, but Canada issues final decisions for Salvadoran applicants from its embassy in Guatemala City. In some cases, you may need to travel to Guatemala City before your application is complete.

Source:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Eligibility criteria for federal skilled worker applications

Going to Canada - Entry requirements

Resource:

Embassy of Canada in Guatemala

Embassy of Canada in El Salvador