|
|
| Subject: Canadian Immigration |
|
|
|
I´m thinking of immigrating to Canada as I´ve always dreamed of calling myself Canadian but have some concern.
First of all, I´m single and middle aged and I don´t know anyone in Canada. I´m quite established in the U.S. but don´t own any property here and the idea of pulling up roots to move to a place where I don´t know anyone is disconcerting. However, I think I should move and feel a real need to get out of the U.S. pretty soon.
Does anyone have any advice or encouragement? Any Canadians want to chat and share experiences? Any other Americans who have immigrated to Canada? Should I stay or should I go? Benefits? Disadvantages? Is it worth the expense? Where in Canada should I consider?
I´m just beginning my search.
[16-10-2007,10:47]
[**.37.247.204]
Mary Patton |
|
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
It is older "debate" comes often here. It depends entire on the perspective of yourself. For an example, what should you consider important fot you? A Career or to live in a country with good international face with some apparent social benefits?
I have experiences in both of the countries; In my view the relative comparison of Canada with USA is listed below:
Advantages:
- Extremely easy Immigration specially applying from the US.
- No Cursing from anyone in the world because of foreign policy.
- Universal & Free Healthcare.
- Some Social Benefits.
- Better Public Transportation.
- Overall Low Crime rate.
- Recent Dollar Value Hike.
Disadvantage:
- Very poor job market for the edcuacated professionals.
- Long & Extreme winter in most of the parts.
- High Living Cost & High Tax.
- Life is limited in very few cities, very hard to avoid the mega cities.
- Poor customer service.
There are some other points which may vary from person to person. Like Canadian multiculture; to many it is a great plus, to me it is a negative point.
Do your own research carefully and decide. Specially if you decide to immigrate into Canada, research more on the job market in your field. That could be the pivotal point. Don´t just assume that because of your US credentials you won´t have any problem with jobs.
[16-10-2007,11:10]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Mary,
First of all you have to know whether you meet the Immigration requirements as a Skilled Worker or an Enrepreneur.
You did not give details about this.
www.canadaimmigrationbpa.com
[16-10-2007,11:31]
[**.158.150.85]
Balwant |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
The comparisons listed by Departed_Canadian are very accurate in my opinion. Although one difference is that customer service for us was always excellent and friendly, and better than in the U.S.
Balwant is correct in that you give no indication how you would qualify in having the right to live in Canada. You may not be aware that one cannot simply pick up and move to Canada. Tell us more about that, if you can, and maybe we can help.
Finally, as an American , I think I undertand your feelings and motivations. I too was dissatisfied with the U.S. and felt it no longer represented my values.
Moving to Canada is not easy, however. In addition to much paperwork in the application process, there is a faily long wait of 1-3 years. And as you say, you´ll have to make new friends, as no one will be waiting for you there. It can be lonely, but this is true of any move to a new place where one does not have family or friends. But in my experience Canadians were friendly and always wanting to help.
In my mind, it was well worth it. Although I´ve been back and forth now as to where I live, Canada fulfilled my expectations and provided me with what was missing in the states.
[16-10-2007,13:24]
[**.53.226.12]
Richard |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Hi Mary,
I am just assuming that you will immigrate in the skilled profession category.
Like some have said, do extensive research regarding your job prospects, if your profession needs a certification, you need to start right away. Moreover what I have heard is that if you cannot furnish a Canadian address or phone number, its almost impossible for you to get a call for an interview etc. No matter what people may say about the current job prospects in Canada, its very profession specific, and if you do your research now, it will avoid heartbreak and hardships later. I think given all the values that Canada stands for and how embracing its culture maybe, but the single reason for the new "skilled" immigrants to not be happy with the move is lack of opportunities in "their" field, and I can´t point a finger to blame anyone, partly its the individual and partly its the whole immigration system in general.
[16-10-2007,15:04]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Raj pin pointed the single most important point to consider. Actually I listed the points just to give a general comparison. But If I´m asked to give importance, then I would say the Job factor itself carrys over 90%, I wouldn´t even compare the other points as compensating.
Canada has lot of good sides, however, most Canadians can´t understand about the professionals immigrants that all of those good sides may mean very little to them without any good job or with menial types of jobs. It is like multiplying a big no. with 0, result always comes as 0.
The reasons for this situation is not very easy, it is not important at this point to discuss.
[16-10-2007,15:14]
[***.254.208.242]
Departed_Canadian |
I teach for a living. (in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
I am a teacher and highly qualified (a Bush Directive) from Kindergarten to 12th grade and have taught a few college classes off and on. I teach music, English, English as a Second Language (My Master´s is in Applied Linguistics).
When I contacted an immigration attorney, they assured me I would qualify, it would cost $3000, take about 2 years and the attorney assured me that with my qualifications, I would be able to secure a moderately good paying job in Canada without too much problem.
I was told that the economy in Canada is rising and talked to some Canadian tourists passing through my part of the country. They told me that although he wanted to retire, business was so strong that he was too busy and valued at his job to quit. He told me that there were finally many jobs there...that agreed with what the attorney told me later.
Of course, finding a finding a support system there is a major conceren. Finding a good job and suitable housing are other issues.
I´m not unhappy on the Navajo reservation but I´m very disappointed in the American way of thinking. The Navajo´s are good people and I like what I do. I just think its time I get out of the U.S.
[16-10-2007,21:26]
[**.37.247.204]
Mary Patton |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Mary,
Sorry to disappoint you, Teaching is not a demanding profession in Canada, even acknowledged by the most optimists about Canada. However, you still may try, but please DO NOT simply depend on what the lawyers tell you. Such guys ruined many families successfuly with such words.
Immigration itself is now a established business in Canada upon a good number of people rely fort their bread & butter. They always see "Serious Labor Shortage" in Canada.
Read the articles & websites below; all published from Canada. ( In fact there are thousands). If you can compromise with your career, then don´t need to read.
Listen what their Ministers had to say about the Immigration: (Very Interesting, don´t miss it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lY_AP3uELI
Listen the opinons of the recent immigrants...many statistcis...
http://www.canadaimmigrants.com/
See many born Canadians are leaving every year...
http://www.thestar.com/article/238305
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Video/2007/01/18/3400981.html
Anybody wants to know the real picture of Canada immigration I would stringly suggest to read this book:
The Truth About Immigration : Exposing the Economic and Humanitarian Myths by MIKE TAYLOR a former immigration investigator of Canada. Not by any loser immigrant like me.
[16-10-2007,23:26]
[**.154.159.58]
Departed_Canadian |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Unlucky, no scope for teachers in Canada, we have more teachers than students.
[16-10-2007,23:29]
[**.93.32.27]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
I disagree with prior 2 posts.
If you look at the Canada National Occupational Classification (NOC) list, you´ll find classification 4141 - Teachers, Secondary School, and 4142 Teachers, Elementary School and Kindergarten. These are just some of the skills Canada lists as needed, and would qualify you for skilled worker category.
See: http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/work/noc.asp
As someone here once said, many have their own opinions and prejudices about moving to Canada, with some giving pessemistic advice. So you have to make up your own mind based on the facts. I suggest you do some research on your own by going to the official source - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC):
http://www.ci.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp
And as an educated person with a graduate degree, don´t depend on your lawyer to tell you everything. A few minutes research of your own on the internet at above named web sites will give you a clearer idea.
[16-10-2007,23:52]
[**.53.226.12]
Richard |
(in reply to: Canadian Immigration)
Richard,
You probably didn´t understand my point, I did´t mean to say that she can´t apply for Skilled Worker, I just tried to pcrtray her future in Canada as a teacher, specially foreign trained.
To be able for immigration and settlement after immigration are entirely two different things. Mary should be clear in this.
If we have to go just by the official NOC list then all professions listed there shouldn´t worry.
If someone just study the official govt. site and based on that decide then he/she may commit the biggest mistake of the life. There are many other authentic sources available few of which I mentioned. How about the Ex Federal Immigration Minister Volpe & ON Minister Cole´s version? They are the two top Govt. immigration officials. Cole without any word playing clearly told that Immigration System is totally broken. That should clearly tell about the validity of the so called NOC list. Didn´t he mention that "It is nothing different than inviting someone for dinner & then let him to eat the bones"?
Engineers..Accountant...whatever liste there all immigrants have nice future in Canada.
If someone doesn´t want to worry about profession, concerned just to get out of USA for some value related issue then he/she doesn´t need any research. Their concern should be just how to prepare the application forms.
I do agree that Canadian SW immigration process is very simplified process, she should be able to do that by herself without any external help.
[17-10-2007,00:29]
[**.154.159.58]
Departed_Canadian |
|
