|
|
| Subject: US or Canada - How do I decide? |
|
|
|
I am in USA on H1B visa for last 5 years now. In the mean while I got the Canadian residency and went to Canada to get the Permanent residency card this year.
I am sure there others who are in the exact situation as mine. I need their and experts´ advise in this matter. I applied for US green card in 2005 and I see no progress on that front. It´s a long wait before I can even start thinking about getting the GC. Mean while, I have to be in Canada for 2 years out of 5 years in order to the permanent visa. Here I need your help. What do people do in this case? Do you give up GC and go to Canada? Stay for 6 months in Canada and 6 months in the US?
I want to continue staying in the US and hope that I´ll get the GC but don´t want to give up the Canadian visa. I am in a fix. What should I do? I know I can only get citizenship of one of these countries but that deciding factor comes later in the process.
Thank you all for your help !
[03-11-2008,06:14]
[**.255.0.161]
Shalini |
|
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
Are you really asking a bunch of absolute strangers to make up your mind for you? Well, here´s my two cents:
My suggestion is to do some major soul searching. Spend as much time as you can in Canada, see as much of the country as possible and talk to as many people--immigrants and Canadian born--as you can. You have internet access: use it. Read the Globe and Mail everyday. Read the Toronto Star and the Vancouver Sun. Get a sense of the issues, of the culture, and get an idea of what your life would be like in Canada. Browse the classifieds regularly; it will help give you an insight into job availability, housing costs, etc.
You have already immigrated once. Surely you did your research on the US before going over, but maybe since you´re not convinced it´s the place for you, continue your research. After 5 years you must have formed some ideas about your community. Can you see yourself with a future there? How about for your kids? How would it change if you start over again, in another new country?
Canada and the US are not equal cousins. They are distinct countries with entirely different ways of doing things. Just as France and Belgium are not interchangeable, neither are the US and Canada. It is a big mistake to think otherwise.
Are social systems important to you? Access to health care? Is diversity important, are environmental laws important, is the education system for your children important? How will the politics of each country affect your decision? Is it important to you to choose your leader or do you like the idea of a parliamentary system?
You are assimilated, I suppose, into American life now after 5 years. Can you afford to move? Factor in that goods are on average 50% more expensive in Canada than in the US, and that wages on average are much lower. Can you absorb this reality?
Where is your social network? Do you have many close friends in your new community or do you feel you associate more closely with people you´ve met in the new community you are considering?
What about weather? I kid you not, it can be an important consideration for your mental health. Perhaps you live in Florida and are comfortable with the heat and humidity. Could you live in Toronto with the winter snow, or in Vancouver with its endless rain?
You have a lot to think about as you head down this road. Good luck with your decision.
[03-11-2008,13:23]
[**.252.125.242]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
Everybody has different views, choice of preference so none can suggest you here in general. If you raise any particular concern like job, weather..social life then probably we can give some insights about the comparison.
"Canada and the US are not equal cousins. They are distinct countries with entirely different ways of doing things. Just as France and Belgium are not interchangeable, neither are the US and Canada. It is a big mistake to think otherwise"
Keep this is your mind. Most people like you do this common mistake. Your research should always be based on this.
Best may be to to get the feedback from your own community members in Canada especially in your profession. Ask them about the job prospects.
[03-11-2008,13:53]
[***.254.208.246]
DC |
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
wannabecanadian, DC,
I appreciate your patience and cool response. I would expect most people to get agitated with a question like this since this person took up one PR spot and also a spot in US GC queue without having a clear decision on where to immigrate while there are thousands with clear decision are in the queue to clear up.
Shalini,
I will try to answer you without offending. You said you are in H1B, I assume you have a job in US, not a dependent. Last paragraph in your message indicates that you already have a strong intention to reside in US.
If you applied for GC in 2005 that means you have a chance to get GC within next 5 years. Since you are in H1B at the end of your 6 years period you will be eligible to get extension of 1 year at a time until your GC is processed. That will serve your need to stay in US as long as you want unless GC decision is negative. Your attorney should be able to advise you more on this.
You can have the Canadian PR for 5 years and let it expire.
I am not able to understand your intention for Canadian PR.
It is difficult to suggest without knowing your primary goal.
The following is my personal general opinion, not directed specifically to you - Please do not get offended.
I am assuming you are from India/ Pakistan/ Srilanka or surrounding countries. Most people in these countries go to US due to good job opportunities, luxury life, pride back home, dollar value/ exchange rates with an intention to live there for some time and bring all the money back to the home country and settle down (Not that anything is wrong with it as long as it is legal) or they may have dependent relatives that they need to feed with their earnings abroad. But some of them get confused in the half way. Not everyone that applies for GC/ PR have intention to settle down in that country or think about kids future, retirement, contribution to the society and welfare of the immigrated country etc.
Some of their goal is to remain in Northern America (1st preference is US, 2nd Canada). If exchange rates of Canada goes way higher than US dollar value, they will start moving to Canada, provided job opportunities also gets better. Most likely this is the factor that contributes to most of the dilemma. Intention to stay in Northern America is the reason most of them apply for GC and PR at the same time with PR as the backup plan. I am not in a position to suggest what is right or wrong.
Wannabecanadian?s reply exactly tells what needs to be done before making an immigration decision.
Shalini,
I am not sure what is going in your mind and other facts, I just expressed my opinion based on the information you provided. Hope this helps you to make a decision.
Good luck!
[04-11-2008,13:38]
[**.140.200.227]
Nathan |
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
I do not 100% agree with Nathan on "I appreciate your patience and cool response. I would expect most people to get agitated with a question like this since this person took up one PR spot and also a spot in US GC queue without having a clear decision on where to immigrate while there are thousands with clear decision are in the queue to clear up."
There are so many people who have US GC and apply for Canadian PR. This not unheard for. If you check any forum related to immigration to US or Canada you will find many people who are in exact same situation.
Shalini, I suggest that you weigh pros and cons of both the countries, which will be different for every person, and make decision based on the facts.
[04-11-2008,15:56]
[**.255.0.161]
tobecanadian |
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
Canada is horrible - stay away.
[04-11-2008,19:29]
[***.20.92.250]
john |
(in reply to: US or Canada - How do I decide?)
If you think to change your nationality, then Canada will be a good option..three years for citizenship..for US citizenship, it takes for ever..
If you look for a good life, money..then US is the place to stay in..US is better than Canada on all the aspects (economy, technology, ..etc).
[04-11-2008,22:37]
[**.115.77.146]
Anonymous |
|
