immigrating

[Tajin]

Just throwing this out there, but if worse comes to worst you know that you can always move to Texas right? Immigrants there flat out run shit and get free amenities for life. The locals even have to learn to speak their language and assimilate into their foreign culture, how fucking boss is that?

You always need a plan W and that was it.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

[Cyn]

Go for it Tajin.

[Stumblingdrunk]

I hear they let you keep your outpost warps now, go for it

[nitsuj]

I hear they let you keep your outpost warps now, go for it

Win.

[Tajin]

^ agreed.

[Lovian]

Good luck! I moved from Australia to Belgium last year and it was a huge thing. I basically sold off all my big things, electronics etc. and bought them again when I got here. It sucks a bit but it's much cheaper than shipping it all over! Don't forget that when you take the plane you'll probably have only about 20kg, which isn't very much! I had friends and family bring over extra suitcases for me (about another 50kg total) but that was mostly cooking equipment and spinning and knitting wool so you may not have that problem ;D

I also sold all my non-precious novels and bought a Kindle, best decision I made really lol.

See it as a new stage in life, it's a good opportunity to get rid of all the stuff you don't really need. As for when you move in: try to get out and make some friends pretty quickly; it'll make the transition a lot easier, especially if you've left loved ones at home. Get into a good routine, get exercise, eat well, and you'll be fine.

If you have any other Q's feel free to PM me.

Looks like i will be shipping over my PC and other expensive electronics, computer books, blu-rays and some clothes that i won't be taking via the plane. Taking all my important documents and anything that i can't possibly replace with me as i have a friend that lost everything in shipping including his only copies of his wedding pics.

Well it might help to know where you plan on moving to in Canada, I think we have most of the provinces covered on here so we can give you the ins and outs of most places.

Research in Motion (Blackberry) has offices in Waterloo and Halifax, maybe more, but these are the main 2, and if you don't mind starting off in a call center, this has a lot of room for advancement. And Halifax wouldn't be as much of a culture shock to you.

Looking to move to GTA, Mississauga or oaksville ideally but will move to where is nice and not to far to commute. Already looked into RIM but as i will be in Ontario to start so that would be near waterloo, but if an opportunity arises to move to NB or NS then i wouldn't turn my nose up at it.

I hear they let you keep your outpost warps now, go for it

LMAO <true strike>

[ziegh]

That's funny, I am moving also to Canada next month, except I'll be in Montreal, since you're from the UK, you may want to check britishexpats forums for tips and other UK experiences.

[Lovian]

That's funny, I am moving also to Canada next month, except I'll be in Montreal, since you're from the UK, you may want to check britishexpats forums for tips and other UK experiences.

Cool, are you moving over with a PR or work visa. I understand that Quebec has different rules on moving over and while i have passable french I don't feel its good enough to have to use everyday. Where are you moving over from?

I have read through lots of forums i was just wanting to get a perspective from members of BG.

[Chocoboy]

Applelov? :D

[Lovian]

yup thats me Applelovian and lovian aka Chris IRL

[ziegh]

Cool, are you moving over with a PR or work visa. I understand that Quebec has different rules on moving over and while i have passable french I don't feel its good enough to have to use everyday. Where are you moving over from?

I have read through lots of forums i was just wanting to get a perspective from members of BG.

Under PR as well, my french is passable as well but shouldn't take me long to get used to their accent, I'd move out of Quebec if I get a job out of Quebec. I'm moving from Honduras, 3rd world country, etc. This is the 2nd time I've moved, I used to live in Mexico before and that wasn't as much trouble as I forsee Canada to be, mainly out of cultural differences, not really implying anything shady.

[Despain]

Hi all, i`m in the process of moving from the UK to Canada paper work is all in and just waiting on London to finish processing it. Has anyone else moved countries and have any help and advice?

Also going to need to ship some of my stuff over going to leave behind my TV and white goods as I think going from 240 120v will kill them even with adapters. However going to take my Sony amp, ps3 and tannoy speakers if anyone one has done this will they work ok?

Considering you're moving from an English speaking country to another shouldn't really pose too many problems.

Only advice I have for you is to go out as soon as you land. Fuck the bullshit.

[Lovian]

Considering you're moving from an English speaking country to another shouldn't really pose too many problems.

Only advice I have for you is to go out as soon as you land. Fuck the bullshit.

yup intend to get out and make friends as quickly as i can, going to have to hit the ground running get work, own place to live and everything I can. Waiting on the all clear, once that comes through will be over as soon as possible.

Has anyone had any interactions with CIC or any immigration agency?

[ZarakiKujata]

Has anyone had any interactions with CIC?

I hear Adm. Adama is a pretty cool guy, just dont bring your iPhone into his CIC to avoid unwanted networking with draedus contacts.

[Lovian]

I hear Adm. Adama is a pretty cool guy, just dont bring your iPhone into his CIC to avoid unwanted networking with draedus contacts.

LOL, in this case CIC is Citizenship and Immigration Canada

[Bikpik]

Looking to move to GTA, Mississauga or oaksville ideally but will move to where is nice and not to far to commute. Already looked into RIM but as i will be in Ontario to start so that would be near waterloo, but if an opportunity arises to move to NB or NS then i wouldn't turn my nose up at it.

If you're interested in RIM you should apply now before you move. If you get a position, there's a chance they'll help pay for the cost to move. In 2006, a couple of friends of mine got entry level position with RIM and they moved them from St. John's Newfoundland, to Halifax Nova Scotia. I'm not sure if they'll still do that, but it doesn't hurt to try.

[Lovian]

If you're interested in RIM you should apply now before you move. If you get a position, there's a chance they'll help pay for the cost to move. In 2006, a couple of friends of mine got entry level position with RIM and they moved them from St. John's Newfoundland, to Halifax Nova Scotia. I'm not sure if they'll still do that, but it doesn't hurt to try.

At the moment I don't have SIN which won't happen till I am "landed" though I will still apply and see what happens. Having our 3rd winter here in scotland at the moment so having worse weather than either Vancouver (which could do with the snow) and southern Ontario which is having snowy drizzle.

[aduidarnenye]

Has anyone had any interactions with CIC or any immigration agency?

How are you applying as a permanent resident? Are you married to a Canadian? How long did it take you to get a visa?

[Elesirdur]

Just a piece of advice: Don't move to New Brunswick. I've got relatives there and it's the province I like to call "the South of the North". No real cities to speak of, just a bunch of small towns filled with maritimer hicks and not-quite-Quebecois up North. It's not all bad, but unless you really want to live in a rural setting filled with Canadian stereotypes then just pass the Maritimes by (except for Halifax, which is a pretty cool city).

As for the weather, pretty much anywhere except for Greater Vancouver/Lower Mainland, and Vancouver Island in British Columbia will experience more "winter" than you might be used to in the UK. Although when we get snow out here everyone freaks the fuck out because nobody knows how to drive or get around in the stuff. Probably the only place in Canada you'll see people with umbrellas in the snow too, haha.

Canada's big cities (Toronto-Vancouver-Montreal) are very welcoming of immigrants, just as much as other large populations centres (Ottawa, Victoria, Edmonton, Halifax, Calgary, etc) are too.

I wouldn't imagine you would encounter much difficulty getting your education credentials recognized if you went to uni in the UK. Immigrants to Canada educated outside the USA, UK, France, Germany, and maybe Japan, have some pretty serious problems getting their education or trade credentials recognized in Canada. As a Canadian, I would say it's one of our nation's greatest shames that we make it so hard for trained and talented people to get into our country, then have post-graduate educated people unable to get jobs in their fields and end up driving taxis or working in food service when you have a PEng. from the Philippines. Nonetheless, hiven that you are educated and speak English you should integrate very easily into Canadian society. Just don't forget that Elizabeth II will be your future Queen of Canada

Good luck with your CIC application process and your job hunt.

[Lovian]

How are you applying as a permanent resident? Are you married to a Canadian? How long did it take you to get a visa?

PR through CL sponsorship the timeline given at the moment is 2-3 months and i am at the 1 1/2 month stage, so if all goes well shouldn't have to long to wait. If i was to go through the skilled workers or fedral worker scheme then i would be looking at years instead of months.

I wouldn't imagine you would encounter much difficulty getting your education credentials recognized if you went to uni in the UK. Immigrants to Canada educated outside the USA, UK, France, Germany, and maybe Japan, have some pretty serious problems getting their education or trade credentials recognized in Canada. As a Canadian, I would say it's one of our nation's greatest shames that we make it so hard for trained and talented people to get into our country, then have post-graduate educated people unable to get jobs in their fields and end up driving taxis or working in food service when you have a PEng. from the Philippines. Nonetheless, hiven that you are educated and speak English you should integrate very easily into Canadian society. Just don't forget that Elizabeth II will be your future Queen of Canada

Good luck with your CIC application process and your job hunt.

My issue is my work experience and qualifications are a bit random to say the least (genetics to post grad I.T, workwise web design and maintance & I.T support to a graphic design job) been working on accreditation since i started to look at moving over as they are more readily accepted than university qualifications. Thanks for the heads up on locations good to hear about them from different perspectives.