Did anybody attend the Emigrate Show in Sandown today? If so, what did you think?
We went (after getting some complementary tickets at the reception at Canada House on Thursday), and thought it was pretty good. However, as we applied for PR two years ago (and still waiting), we knew most of what they told us.
Also, I still find it strange how everybody (including the staff at Canada House) keep telling us how desperate they are in Canada to find skilled workers) it still takes forever, even if you try and go the PNP route.

Hi Yeh we went again this year but like you just to tie up a few lose ends, speak to removal comapnies face to face and the financial guys see what they thought about the current / near future situation ref moving funds so we were gone by about 1500hrs but it is worth a visit.

PNP route should not take forever aprrox 18 months to gain PR if all goes smoothly and some provinces allow you submit your PNP application prior to arriving as long as you have the correct criteria i.e. Job etc ........ better than 4 years unless your in no hurry

Anybody wanna buy a bloody hoose...going cheap.....

I do think it's worth a visit, too, but it would have been so nice to find someone who had a job and a permit there and then.

I have a contract, job and LMO just need to tip up at Halifax to collect my 2 yr work permit before Nov 08 as my LMO expires then. Also have the paperwork signed by employer to start the PNP process as of now....However need to sort out the problem ref taxation on pension lump sum (which is ongoing on another thread won't bore people here with it) then I'll be off.

We went and found it very useful. We are right at the beginning of the process and chatting to the people in the know was very good. The show is well worth a visit and on again tomorrow, Sunday.

The recruitment agencys where very informative and they have all taken a copy of my CV from me. May or may not come to something.

Hubby and I have just been to the show, and found it quite useful but also confusing!! We are at the begining and thought we knew where we would like to be but after some research we are not sure now where we want to settle. There is so much information my head is spinning

The best thing to do there is to go on lots of wonderful trips. Not only will you have a great time, no matter where you go, but you'll also narrow your search down.

As much as we would love to do this, we are trying to keep all our spare cash for when we get out there. I suppose we just need to do more research and decided where we wish to settle. Hopefully the answer will come quickly!!

Firstly I'd like to say thanks to Julie and Ed for the tickets

Although we did know quite a bit after a lot of researching on the net, we found it very informative and better talking to people face to face on certain issues!

J made some good contacts, especially one in BC which could have a very positive outcome just waiting now for the person in question to get in touch with him

Hi Danny & all,

Yes, well put. The whole thing takes yonks in spite of shortage of work force. I agree with what others said - if you've been to a few Emigrate shows, you start to 'know the ropes' but can only add wee bits to your knowledge. But people come away 'buzzing' then chase up leads. Great place if you go with specific goals on what you want to find out. What about that queue for CIC?? But, again a good place to speak face to face.
I'm rambling, so I'll stop.
Cheers, speedy visa wishes...!

We wanted to go but illness made the 3 hour journey impractical. Will have to hang on for the Expo in Leeds in June - has anyone been to one of those ?

Did anyone see an agency called PeopleMovers Global ? I spotted a few jobs that may be suitable on the emigrate website but can't make out if they are an employment agency or an immigration consultancy (or a mix of both as they seem to charge fees).

We went to the show and met some very helpful people. We too are 2 years into the PR route but are now thinking we are going to try to go down the TWP or PNP route. One lovely lady offered my husband a job so we will be getting in touch with them again when they get back to Canada. Fingers crossed

Hi Monique

Did you manage to have a word with Julie and Ed?

We may have seen each other and not even realised ha ha ha

We went on Saturday as well. It was good to talk some people who were already out in Canada, as it was also very nice talking to some Canadians about general life...

But I certainly agree with Danny's points above.

Still, was definitely worth the trip....

We went last year and felt a bit like this - came away with tons of literature which took weeks to plough through. This year we are much more certain of the road we wish to take and the area we wish to settle in, so were able to be more focussed in our reserach and questions.

Presentations were again excellent- more variety this year. But, having been on the Sunday this year, and last, found the Canadian stands and presentations much, much quieter this year. Oz and Nz as busy as every. Perhaps people put off by the wait? Or perhaps everybody went on Saturday?