Calling People of Canada. Advice Needed

[customersruinmylife]

OK, I am just going to cut to the chase. I want to emmigrate from the UK to Canada.

There are many reasons why I want to do this, but many of them would plunge this thread into Fratching territory (if you want a full detailed account, please feel free to PM me) The basic run down is that a combination of personal life, work and wanting a change have prompted me to bring this forward. I have had a sudden realisation that I am only 25. I am not married, I don't have any children, and there is nothing tying me to the UK. I have always wanted to emmigrate, but have been too chicken to do it.

I have been to Canada many times. I have family over there and absolutely loved it each time. I was once invited to spend an entire summer over there with my cousins, but it all fell through due to me having some very important exams.

So yeah, if anyone here can give me any advice on what the first step should be, I'd really appreciate it. I have not told anyone of my thoughts yet, so I thought this would be a good starting point.

[TowelKing]

Yep, talk to Immigrations. Try and get a work visa at first, once you have that then I believe you can apply for permanent residency.

[Frantic Freddie]

Develop a taste for hockey,poutine & bad beer

[Sapphire Silk]

I would imagine it would be easier for you than for me since Canada is a Commonwealth state.

I've been to Canada several times myself and have really liked it. Nice people, beautiful country. A friend of mine took me ice fishing in northern Saskatchewan province and it was an absolutely awesome experience!

Here's a thought for you! I know you've been wanting to get a degree in education. I went to a university in North Dakota for my BSN degree. Many of my friends were Canadian students studying in America on student visas. I have no idea how the educational system in Canada works, but in America if you can pass a placement exam and pay the tuition, you can go to any state university anywhere in the country. You don't need to have taken the SATs if you have some prior college credits or unless you are going to a school with competitive admissions. So depends on where you decide to live, if attending a Canadian schools is not in the cards, then an American school might work as a back up.

Hope things work out for you!

[lordlundar]

First step would be to find the Canadian Embassy in the UK and talk to them. They have people trained for immigration policies and procedures and will be able to help you out in any manner you need.

[Moirae]

Welcome to Canada. I'm moved from Canada to the US (My husband is American), and I did it by myself without a lawyer or anything. The first thing to do is look up Canada Immigration. You're from the Commonwealth so likely it will be fairly easy for you.

[It's me]

Ditto on attending school here... there are provisions in the immigration process for people who have attended university/college here in Canada. Otherwise you will have to rely on the merits of having skills that are in demand, or be sponsored by a family member all ready living here.

Also read this -- maybe of use -- if not for Canada, maybe elsewhere:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/mon...cle4029272.ece

[the_std]

Yeah, it would be hard for most of us Canadians, at least, those of us who were born here, would have pretty much zero knowledge of our immigration procedures - never having to go through them ourselves. :P

[Pony_Boy]

I might be wrong but didn't a board member here immigrate to Canada from New Zealand last year or so ? They could give you plenty of insight I would imagine

[SansDoute]

I just moved to Canada from Australia.
I was on a 2 year Working Visa which has just finished, but I've just reapplied and been approved for a new 2 year Visa.
I'm actually just starting the processes to get Permanent Residency, which meant that I had to have been living in Canada for at least 2 years (check) to even be considered. As an Australian, I've been told the processing time is roughly about a year (it differs for every country).

You might have it even easier coz you have family and friends here who could sponsor you, that way you won't have such a long waiting time.

When you apply for your Work Visa you want to do it through a working holiday program. They help you get set up with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. Without that, you're not allowed to work in Canada.

Good thing is, after 6 months of living here, you're eligible to apply for the Medical Services Plan (MSP). You want that. Anything that makes doctors visits free is always good. Once you have that, you can apply for extended medical coverage, which by your age would be about $40 a month.

Only downsides;
-Minimum wage is like $8-10 an hour (In Australia it was $16)
-You will have the credit score of a 5 year old.
-People make fun of me coz I still don't understand power plays in hockey. Learn Hockey. They take it VERY seriously.
-Everyone thinks I'm a Kiwi. Or British. Or South African.
-People are shocked I haven't been to Whistler yet (I dislocated my knee a couple of times. That doesn't translate to skiing fun happy times!)

[Moirae]

Only downsides;
-Minimum wage is like $8-10 an hour (In Australia it was $16)
-You will have the credit score of a 5 year old.
-People make fun of me coz I still don't understand power plays in hockey. Learn Hockey. They take it VERY seriously.
-Everyone thinks I'm a Kiwi. Or British. Or South African.
-People are shocked I haven't been to Whistler yet (I dislocated my knee a couple of times. That doesn't translate to skiing fun happy times!)

lol.

That minimum wage is actually better than in the US.

Screw hockey. Seriously, I grew up in Alberta, and hockey is BORING. But yes, most Canadians do take it very seriously, and there have been riots over the Flames or Oilers winning hockey games. Don't ask me why. I have better things to do with my time than watch someone hit a stupid hockey puck.

How could anyone mistake the Australian accent for anything else? Its so sexy. Nothing about you, of course. I just love that accent and always have.

I've never been to Whistler either. I'm not much for skiing.

Welcome to Canada. What province are you in? Doesn't sound like Alberta because the health care would be simply called Alberta Health Care Plan.

[Dave1982]

Don't forget that the Australian, Canadian, and US Dollars aren't worth the same, so comparing minimum wages directly doesn't mean much.

Saying "screw hockey" in Canada is like coming to the US and badmouthing baseball or football. Not a smart move.

[SansDoute]

Welcome to Canada. What province are you in? Doesn't sound like Alberta because the health care would be simply called Alberta Health Care Plan.

I'm in Vancouver, British Columbia.

And yeah, dollar values are different, especially right now.
That's why it's fun every so often to take my Canadian dollars, convert it, then go shopping across the border. A lot more bang for my buck that way.

But yeah, regardless of where you move to in Canada, apply for a CareCard. It's the top reason why I could never permanently live in the USA. I like my medical care. And I like it to be cheap/free.

[Jester]

Develop a taste for hockey,poutine & bad beer

And make sure you have lots of warm clothes. It gets damn cold in Canuckistan!

...in America if you can pass a placement exam and pay the tuition, you can go to any state university anywhere in the country.

Not entirely true. There are a lot of state universities that have higher standards than simply that. I often joke about the bare bones education I got at Arizona State, but to be honest, it is a good school, and both them and the (hated rival to the south) University of Arizona would require more to get in it than simply what was mentioned.

[telecom_goddess]

Don't forget that the Australian, Canadian, and US Dollars aren't worth the same, so comparing minimum wages directly doesn't mean much.

Saying "screw hockey" in Canada is like coming to the US and badmouthing baseball or football. Not a smart move.

screw 'em both