Just a question from a newbie on this m/b.

I have been reading up on various literature, internet sites, message boards etc regarding emigrating. Our application for PR is with the Canadian CIC authorities in london, we're expecting a file number in Feb.

Some advice says that before you emigrate your life goes on hold - it's hard to focus on life in the UK, you have things to plan for and organise, it's hard to motivate yourself at work etc.

Others say that to stay sane and make time fly past quicker, you just have to get on day to day and live as if nothing else was going on.

Any thoughts/views from those is the same position as us, or who have been through it all ?

What helped ? How did you survive 'the void' ?

Cheers for any help,

Rich.

That is a bloomin' good question! We've emigrated twice and now heading for the 3rd time and I'm trying to think about how we feel during those 'wait and see times'. Maybe I'm a bit strange but I do love a good build up to something new ie I don't waver at the edge hoping to dip a toe in and run off but at the same time I don't barge in head first without taking care of practical things like finances, houses, etc. etc. During the build ups I tend to focus on the new things as you suggested like looking at job sites, costs of housing etc. and use the time to learn as much about the new country as possible, but also I focus on things going on in the current situation ie. how will I arrange the move, should I buy a travel crate for my dog now and let her get used to it (which we did and luckily she sleeps in it daily so will not find it so daunting when she travels in it in March!), what things shall I take with me and what shall I sell on before I go, how can I make the move as stress free as possible by making sure that ample funds can cushion the blow should something go wrong, should I open an offshore account in advance etc. etc. One thing I'm always scared of is taking too much for granted so although I generally research life in Canada, jobs and so on, I also at the same time research a plan B just in case - whether that's to move to Ireland instead or whatever. Then I cost up various methods of moving, get budgets drawn up, that sort of thing. So I suppose in my answer to your question (which I'm sure is different to some others) I would do several things - concentrate on the move ahead and at the same time plan is if it might not happen and at the same time carry on with normal day to day living!

Sounds like you do three things at once then !

Makes sense I guess. Thankfully we've done loads of research on locations etc, our finances are all costed out and budgeted for. Got a cashflow worked out for 6 and 12 months ahead of the move. Already got quotes for shipping our stuff, cats, etc.

We just finished renovating our house so apart from a couple of things it's ready to sell closer to the time. If we weren't planning on emigrating we'd sell up anyway, so that's kind of plan B as well.

We just get the feeling that it's gonna be a long 12 month (minimum) wait, 2004 might just drag on a bit methinks.

Thanx for the advice.

Just to let you know you are not alone in wondering how to kill time whilst you hear whether you're accepted or not. We've lived in Canada before and the immigration process was certainly much quicker last time - only about 6 months all told!! We applied last August and apart from receiving our file number almost immediately, we've heard nothing else. As the months go by time does seem to be dragging. Maybe its just because its winter. It would just be nice to have some idea of a time frame, but I guess patience is a virtue.
However, since we can't influence the CIC decision, we've decided to use the time to prepare our house ready for sale so that we are ready to go when the word comes - fingers crossed. We have also begun investigating the best way of transferring funds, shipping furniture & effects and I notice that you said you were taking your cat with you. We intend to take our dog with us but I haven't got around to checking out shipping options for her yet. Any advice on shipping and moving pets would be welcome.

Hi Rich - sounds like you've got things under control so now's the time to enjoy yourself! Think of all the things you'd like to do before you go - ie, set up a school friends reunion party, visit Aunt Ethel, patch things up with a family member you haven't spoken to for ages, visit a part of the UK you've always wanted to visit but just didn't get around to, visit countries close by like a weekend in Paris, something like that. The reason I say this is because you may find that once you've moved you'll find it harder to do these things during the short trips back to the UK. Especially a pain when you have rellies living South and North Britain as well. Also, if you regularly visit a favourite spot go back one more time, take photos that sort of thing. We have been away from England for 5 years now and still miss our yearly trips to Torquay!!

Hi Linda - it may be worth as insurance to start a pet passport process for your pooch before you leave. You won't need it to get to Canada but may need it if you need to return to the UK should things not work out. Details can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm I say this because it takes more than 6 months before you're allowed to ship your pet under the passport scheme so it wouldn't hurt to get a jump start. One thing to start would be to arrange for the dog to be microchipped which isn't too costly. Then if you wanted to go ahead get the dog rabies vaccinated ensuring that the vet. marks the microchip number on the rabies certificate and then leave it a month. Once the month is up go back and get a rabies test (unfortunately you'll need to pay the lab. fees). 6 months after this test is when you can arrange for passport papers. After this ensure that the rabies booster is done annually and you won't need to organise a blood test every year then.

Please note - pet passport or rabies certificate is NOT necessary for travel to Canada from non rabies countries http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/...es_freee.shtml - I'm just suggesting as insurance in case the pet has to return to England!!

Linda,

Pets - For pets have a look at www.aircanada.ca/services/luggage/pets they can give you info on flying pets in the hold and in cabin, costs and practicalities. You pay per cat and depending how you fly them, etc, its all on there. I have a quote somewhere from [email protected], eg for two cats to Alberta was about £800 all in from London UK, let me know if you need a contact from Manchester UK as I have a name and phone number.

Finances - try www.caxtonfx.com, www1.HSBC.ca www.moneycorp.com, www.currencyuk.co.uk all helpful about transferring funds. We're using HSBC as they can transfer funds above tourist exchange rate but the foreign exchanges listed before offer even better trems. You can buy 'on spot' or in advance but need 10% cash deposit and pay the rest within some many days. The websites explain everything you need to know about the process.

Shipping - we got a great quote from emailing [email protected], very reasonable. Tell them what you're shipping and they can give you a rough price to budget for. Also I am talking with [email protected] (email) but I'm not sure what areas of Ca they cover, worth a try though. Most will need to know weight and /or cubic volume for a more accurate quote.

If you get in touch with anyone please mention that you heard from them through me.

If you're planning any visits or for relocation I suggest getting a quote from onetravel.com, we got a flight at 50% of UK rates (they're USA based I think).

Hi Rich
Thanks for all the website info for banking, pets and shipping goods to Canada. I will check them out and if I come across any other good deals I will post details here.
I can also agree with the advice crazydaisy posted about visiting UK or European places that you always promised yourself you would get to. For one thing, planning short trips is fun and takes your mind off the Canada immigration thing that seems to sit on your shoulder. The other is that on our short breaks around the country we decided to pick up any quintessentially 'English' or European objects to take with us to Canada. We are quite sure we are making the right move for us and will have no regrets, but after living there before for 6 years I know that homesickness kicks in at times and having some reminders of 'home' seems to help. I know it seems odd to call England home when we seem to want to leave it, but that was the reality for us. Even my sister who has lived there for 28 years still calls England home. Perverse eh!

Linda, Hi just a quickie thought on the pet front. If you need to have them kennelled then you WILL need rabies. We were just lucky we happened on one that accepted they came from a rabies free country so all ok. I don;t think many will though and its stressful enough without nasty surprises!

Yes, that's a good point - other requests from the kennels we use (in the US but maybe similar in Canada) is that dogs need a bortedella booster (kennel cough vaccine?). Also, another good thing to consider for any pets coming to Canada/US is prevention against ticks (some tick bites can be fatal here for humans and dogs) and heartworm tablets (I think mosquito bites can cause heartworm). These are things that aren't usually problems in the UK but somthing to think about once you get to Canada. (Linda may know having lived in Canada before but just a warning for others! )