Immigrating to Canada

I have come to a decision.

2008-12-19T18:25:00.002Z

The list of 38 occupations was released a couple of weeks ago and whilst my legal job was not on the list accountants and financial auditors were. However, I have only just started my AAT course which does not even come close to the level required for Canadian immigration.

For now my plans to move to Canada are on hold. I am not a great studier and the thought of doing another four to five years really does not thrill me. Who knows what the future might hold. The immigration rules might change again in which I will gladly reconsider.

Life is too short to worry about the right choices to make. For now I am just going to see where life takes me; if I end up in Canada then so be it.

Pulling on the stress strings.

2008-10-24T22:58:00.002Z

Everybody who is thinkng or have applied for Canadian immigration after February 2008 are waiting for an announcement that may well end their dreams of immigrating to Canada. There are rumours that immigration in the skilled workers class will be limited to only 38 occupations. Nobody is sure what exactly this means; whether those who have applied and come under those 38 occupations will simply have their applications fast-tracked and the other applications will have longer waiting times; or whether those whose occupations are not included in the 'big 38' will have their applications terminated altogether.

From what I have read those in the 'big 38' and those with job offers will have their applications fast-tracked, and other applications will be placed in a quewe for processing. Let's hope so, I'd rather wait longer for my visa then not to have any hope of leaving England.

An offical announcement will be made sometime in November. Until then everybody is on tenderhooks.

Nearly There!

2008-09-21T15:00:00.002Z

Wow, has it really been that long since I updated? Well just another 12 months of full time work and I will be able to apply for immigration to Canada. I will have 67 points by then, so I don't think I will gain anything by taking a French test, but we'll see.

I have also decided to get another qualification. I am starting an accredited accountancy course in a few months which should hopefully be finished by the time I move. This doesn't really have anything to do with moving to Canada. I lost my job a few weeks ago working as a conveyancing assistant and have decided that a career in law in too volatile to continue with. By re-qualifying as an accountant there are a lot more opportunities available here in the UK. It is also a lot more transferable to Canada than my Law degree is. So accountancy is an added bonus as far as adaptability goes.

I have also seen a number of videos on youtube about how immigrants find it hard to find jobs at the level they practiced at back in their home country. I am not surprised that some feel cheated. However, I also understand that to start again in another country will be hard work and sometimes you just have to accept that starting again really does mean that. I always accepted that no matter what level I got to in my career in the UK it would not count for much in Canada. That was clear from the beginning. I am fine with that, so long as I accept that a job is a job and you have to work your way up the ladder just like back home. It is true for other countries as well. My friends have just moved out to Australia and are finding jobs at a basic level. They knew that was always going to be the case and are fine with it. They have always felt that a move abroad was a better option than staying in the UK.

The rules have changed.

2008-04-20T16:52:00.002Z

I have just seen on the immigration website that the rules regarding immigration processing have changed. The Immigration Department can now be more selective of those they want to immigrate sooner to fulfil short term labour needs. From the information I have gathered they are interested in people who have post secondary education (university) and they will be looking to process those applications faster, depending on the degree/job. What this means for me I have no idea, I do fall into the wanted category, but from what I can see there does not seem to be a major lack of Legal Assistants in Canada.

The processing times have also changed. The minimum processing time for the London Office is now 31 months, up from 26 months previously. On the plus side the maximum processing time is now 38 months, a big drop from the 5 years previously. I am assuming the new processing rules may vary these times.

In all honesty it takes as long as it takes. So long as I get there in the end it will all be worth it.

Time to get serious.

2008-03-23T23:12:00.002Z

OK, so it's nearly April already and time is flying by. I need to get some things in order. First of all I need to get my academic credentials assessed. I have no idea how long that is going to take, but is OK because I have until February 2009 to get that sorted. I then need to decide when to take my French test. It will be some time after February 2009 as this will mean that I will only have to get basic levels in French to qualify for immigration. The money requirement is not a problem.

It will probably happen at the very last minute because time has a habit of creeping up on me. It will get done eventually though.

Well I will be able to hear first hand the pros and cons of moving overseas. One of my friend is leaving for Australia in a month. It will be slightly different for her because she is going with her husband, but there are always challenges no matter how many people you move with. She is terrified, but I am sure she will not regret this adventure she is embarking on. I am sure her experience will help me when the time comes to leave this green and pleasant land.

New Year, New resolutions

2008-01-06T14:27:00.000Z

Well, it is now coming up to the 12 month countdown to apply for immigration. I now only have to reach basic level for French language ability to get the points, I just have to get off by arse and start learning! I should start as soon as possible givent how fast last year went. I am going to draw up a timetable.

I am a lot more montivated than a couple of months ago. I have recently found out that one of my colleagues had live in the Niagra Falls area for six years. She loved it out there and wished she hadn't come back. Another colleague had a friend immigrate out there who said that standard of living compared to England makes it all worth it adn more.

So there you go, a renewed enthusiasm for a new life.

Sorry for the lack of updates

2007-11-04T12:35:00.000Z

Well, I can't believe that it's November already. I have been meaning to update for a while but to be truthful I have had the attack of self doubt about whether a move to Canada will work. I work as a Residential Conveyancer Paralegal and I am fully aware that the laws are very different in Canada (although they are based on English Common Law). There are plenty of work available for those who have experience in litigation or corporate law, but those are the areas of law I have absolutely no interest in. I have been looking at job websites and there are very few jobs available for Residential Property. The requirements are not necessarily a problem, there are training courses in Canada that will get me trained in the common software that will be used, it's just convincing the employers that I am willing to learn and that I am fully aware that the system in Canada is different.

I guess I shouldn't really worry, but I can't help but wonder that when the time for interview with the immigration office comes they will pick up on this weakness and possibly refuse my visa. I really don't want to change my job or the area of law a work in. I have learned that if you change things like that it just makes the situation worse. I guess that I will just have to see what happens. If anybody has any information about the situation please feel free to leave a comment.

Am I eligible to Immigrate?

2007-09-21T20:29:00.000Z

Well, the last couple of weeks I have been busy at work,not really having much time for other things. I did manage to do another immigration test though. This one was more detailed than the other ones I have done and the results came back saying that if I could increase my French level to moderate in any of the four areas there is a possibility that I will qualify for immigration.

This has confused me somewhat. The tests that I have done before have tended to say that I will get the points only after three years full time employment and the basic level of French.The test I have just taken was done honestly, with only 1.5 years in work and basic French. If I can increase it to moderate in one area of French that I will have only increased the points by 2, meaning that I am only 2 points away from qualification. This makes me think that once the 2 year mark comes around in February I will have gained an Extra 2 points meaning that I will only need a basic level of French. I'm confused. I guess i'll just have to take the test again in February, but that still leaves me with the problem of having to prove that I have basic level French!

Off to sunny Spain

2007-08-31T20:17:00.000Z

Well, there has not really been much going on at the moment with regards to my immigration process. However, I am off for a week in Spain so I will have plenty of time to learn some more French, and get a suntan at the same time.

I am in denial about how fast this year is going. I can't believe that its September already. It just goes to show that even if it takes 3 to 4 years from the date of application to move over there,it will go fast. In the meantime I have to get on with my life. I find myself thinking 'there's no point doing that because i'm moving to Canada'. Life's too short to worry about little things. There is always a way, and I can't stop myself from doing things just because it 'might' interfere with the immigration process.

Savings all done, French learning going better.

2007-07-25T19:33:00.000Z

Well, sooner than expected I have reached the savings that I require. As it stands at the moment my total savings are $10,342.97 with the current conversion rate. According to the official Canada Immigration Department (CIC) the funds needed to qualify are $10,168.00. I will have to keep an eye on it due to the inevitable currency fluctuations, but there is plenty of room to correct any negative moves in this respect.

Now on to my next and final hurdle. French. I have managed to start learning again,it's now just a matter of time before I get better at it. The question is whether I will have learned enough to apply in February. At the moment I don't think this is a real possibility. I may have to defer my application for another year, which means that I will not need such a high score to qualify for application as two extra points would have been taken up by the additional year in employment. However, no matter how long I defer the application there is no getting away from the fact that I have to know French to the basic level. There is always the option of taking the French test early if I feel that I'm ready, but once again, there is no point rushing things.

Where's the sun?

2007-07-01T13:11:00.000Z

Well, the weather here in England is more like winter so here’s some dreaming of the sunshine in Cancun, Mexico. There are plenty of cheap hotels in Cancun to suite every taste, from modest 3 start accommodation to the fabulous 5 star resorts at affordable prices. What’s more important is the sun actually shines there! By brother has just returned from Cancun and I wish I was there right now!

He used this discount website Cheapterthanhotels. You can book Cancun Hotels from $47.00 per night for a 3 star hotel to $221.00 per night for a 5 star hotel.

Here is a selection of the cheap hotels in Cancun. The first is the 3 star Club Verano Beat Hotel Cancun. It is a comfortable breach front hotel with all the amenities needed for a comfortable holiday, and for $80.00 per night you can’t really go far wrong.
If it’s luxury you are after then check out Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun. It’s a 5 star resort with rooms available for $561.00 per night, or if that’s a little too much then try the Presidente Hotel InterContinental Cancun. It’s a 5 star hotel for a more modest price of $221.00 per night (which is cheaper than some of the more expensive 3 star hotels). There really is plenty to chose from.

For the more adventurous there is plenty to do outside Cancun. There are the pyramids in Chichen Itza, or take a trip into the jungles of Belize.

If you just want to stay in the area you can always visit Isla Mujeres, a snorkeling paradise, just 20 minutes by boat from Cancun.

So, if cheap hotels, pyramids to explore, hot weather and a tropical island don’t tempt you to go to Cancun then the cold wet weather in England might.

Everybody's at it

2007-05-24T21:44:00.000Z

Well, last week one of my friends announced that she and her husband have just been approved by the Australian immigration department. They are waiting for their visa to be processed and then their off. Just 6 months it will take them, whereas it will take me 2-5 years to get to Canada, and I haven't even applied yet.

On the up side I have nearly saved the minimum amount of money required to apply for immigration. The exchange rate has dropped quite a bit; which was to be expected, but is still at a healthy rate. I estimate that I would have enough money in about 2 months, if not sooner.

I need to get motivated on the French issue (yet again). This weekend is a bank holiday and my computer is working a little better (it cut off randomly) so I can download the French stuff to my MP3 player without it being cut off. Hopefully this will be the incentive to get learning. it really is not that difficult to learn like this.

Savings going good!

2007-04-29T11:44:00.000Z

I am almost there with the Settlement Funds I need to apply. I have however has mixed messages about the amount of money I will need. The Official immigration sites say about $10,200, whilst others range from $7,000 to $12,000. I think I am going by the official ones for now.

I have read something that I am not too impressed about. I will have the funds in about 2 to 3 months time, but at least £1,500 of those funds are held in Premium Bonds. I have read that the Immigration Department gives a set amount of time in which to liquidate these funds. It's not going to be a problem to liquidate them, it takes only 8-10 days to cash them in, but I really don't want to. They are valuable, especially at the moment, I just don't want to get rid of them unless I really have to. I don't see why they would force me to cash them in, especially as they are considered valuable. The way I see it is that they are there as a backup, and if I know in my head that they are only to be cashed in in an emergency then I will have more incentive to get a job. As far as I see it they are there as a psychological safety net, and nothing more.

I am going to have to get some clarity on this. If it is the case that they will have to be cashed in no matter what then I will have to consider the possibility of delaying the application for another year.

Oh, OK. Is Toronto really that bad?

2007-04-13T19:39:00.000Z

I have just read on CNN that people in Canada hate Toronto. I don't really know why, but they do. I was looking to move there. Yes it does strike me as a Corporate city, but that's the reason why it would be a good choice to settle there when I first immigrate. There are plenty of jobs to choose from, a lot more that in other Canadian cities. It makes me wonder whether its the best place to head though.

If anybody has any other suggestions about any cities that have reasonable accommodation costs and a decent amount of jobs please let me know.

Still Struggling

2007-04-09T14:58:00.000Z

Well, I have finally managed to upload some French onto my MP3 player. About time too. However, that's as far as I got. It's a step in the right direction though.

Something that is going much better than my pathetic attempts to learn French is my savings. An unexpected lack of spending has meant that I have had more money left over each month than I thought I would. I anticipate that I should have enough money by July/August. I have to keep an eye on it tough. Maths is not my strong point and I have probably messed up somewhere along the line. Then I have to throw all my money at saving for my trip to Africa next year, only 14 months to save £3,000. Wonderful!

March already

2007-03-10T19:31:00.000Z

Oh my! Time really does fly doesn't it? A month has gone by since my last post and it only seems like yesterday.

Well, not much has happened to be honest. Its getting busier at work, which is a good thing because it means that there is a much less likelihood of me losing my job, at least over the summer anyway. There are even asking for people to do extra shifts!

I still have not learned any more French. This has got to be the hardest part of the whole immigration process. I cannot seem to get my head around the fact that if I don't learn at least SOME French then I am not going to be moving to Canada at all.

Happy birthday to the real world!!!!

2007-02-03T20:54:00.000Z

Well, I've officially been working full time for 12 months. One hurdle down on the way to Canada. The saving side is not doing too badly either. I won £50.00 on the Premium Bonds!!! Wish it was more, but hey its the most I've ever won on anything, and it may just be the first step to moneydom!!(hopefully).

I still haven't learnt anymore french, but that's another story.

Wow!

2007-01-29T21:05:00.000Z

Well, next week I would have been working full time for 12 months; quite an achievement for somebody who had to give up one job, got made redundant from another, and survived three more redundancies and still counting! I'm in the frame of mind that if I lose my job then so be it. I love working there, but there is nothing I can do about it if they decide to let me go.

On a more positive note the money side of things is coming on. The Canadian dollar is currently $2.31 to £1.00. So saving is half the effort at the moment. I'm just hopeful that it will stay like that when I apply.

I still haven't learnt any more French. but hopefully I will get motivated soon.

Getting There

2006-12-31T12:30:00.000Z

Managed to load the next unit of the French course to my computer but that's as far as I got. I have looked thought he second stage of the course I got for Christmas and it's a lot more detailed. I will have to fully understand the beginner stage before I move on to the next stage.

I anybody reading this post has any experience I learning a language from CD please leave some comments. I just need to get some motivation together. Anybody can leave their comments on this blog!!!

Well that's it for now, have a Happy New Year!!!!!!!

"Get your act together"

2006-12-23T15:42:00.000Z

Right, I have been told!!!! Learn French,or you won't be going. I have ten days off work for Christmas and plenty of time on my hands. I am getting the next level up on my French course for Christmas, and I haven't even finished the second unit of my beginner course yet. Maybe this will be the incentive to stop being so lazy!

It's not actually all that hard to learn French from a CD course. It much easier than learning in school anyway. I bet I could learn loads of languages by this method if only I had the motivation to get off my arse and do it!!!!!

It's not helping that it's I'm only at the beginning of the immigration process. But I'm just going to have to get over it!!!

More posts soon.

Why?

2006-12-19T20:00:00.000Z

"Why move to Canada when you have the USA next door?" say some of my friends.To which I answer "Why move to the USA when you have Canada next door?"

I was thinking about moving to the USA. I have wanted to live there since I was about 9 or 10. And i did live there, for 6 months in San Antonio, Texas.It was the best time of my life and I have good friends there. However, in the 4 years that I have been back in England things have changed.

For starters Bush was re-elected back to power; then there was the war with Iraq; then there was hurricane Katrina; then there are too many horror stories about health care and lots and lots of other things that I do not want to go into because I will never stop.

Yes, the USA has got a hell of a lot of opportunities. Yes you can do very well for yourself; yes you can afford big houses; yes you can go to University; yes you can have excellent (if expensive) health care; and yes, you can get all of this in Canada.

Quite frankly I just can't be bothered trying to get into the USA. As far as I see it Canada is a lot easier to get into if you have the skills they require. I can move there just being a Legal Secretary, for the USA I have to first do a Bar Conversion Course (for either New York or California), then try and get a job before I apply for immigration papers, then I have to prove to the Immigration Board that the job I have cannot be filled by any US Citizen, and that's if i want to go to New York or California. I am ruled out of at least seven states altogether as they don't accept foreign qualified lawyers, and most of the other states either require your education to be evaluated (fair enough) or to have worked as a lawyer in your home country for a number of years (3-5) (usually both of the above).

So there you go, the first (very probably not the last) of my arguments about moving to Canada over the USA.

Here I go

2006-12-16T14:02:00.000Z

Well, this is my first entry on my long road to moving to Canada. In February 2007 I will have passed my first qulifying milestone - to have been in full time work for 12 months. (This is one of the criteria that has to be met). The second milestone is a bit further away (I have to have at lease $11,000 CAD before I can apply). Not sure how that's going. At the moment it looks like i'm half way there, but the exchange rate is $2.00 to £1.00 at the moment and its unlikely to last (but i hope is does!!!)

I'm looking at starting the immigration process in winter 2008. This will give me more chance to raise finances and get everything sorted out, like getting my education evaluated and all necessary documents together. It also takes the pressure of getting points in the languages. I don't have enough points at the moment to immigrate (you currently need 67). If i get moderate marks in my French test i can possible reach the mark. But it is difficult to get started on the languages, and given the fact that the finances won't be in place until at least January 2008 there is no point starting just yet anyway.

In the end there is no point rushing it. Once the application is submitted it takes between 2-5 years to process (in London at least). An extra year won't make much difference; and if all the documents are properly prepared beforehand it should work in my favour.

Well, that's it for now. I will try and update regularly.

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