Hi All,

My names Matt I've recently hit a bit of a dead end here in the UK and wondered about emigration to Canada. I've read the thread about asking silly questions and I understand Canada is a huge place, so I'll mention a few things about myself before I ask any questions... I'm a 32 year old plasterer, although work for a general builder currently and will try to work at most things. I'm single so would be looking to move on my own. I enjoy hiking, keeping fit and socialising, and love a nice beer so I'd be looking to make new friends. Unfortunately, I didn't really do that well at school so I'm hoping the fact that I've been learning a trade for at least the past 5 years will help. But most importantly I was wanting to fly over to Canada to check out potential areas to live and work. Now, I understand this is completely and utterly down to all of the processes that get you anywhere near a visa, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend to me areas that I could travel to look before I try? I've been recommended Calgary and Vancouver, but looking into Vancouver I didn't realise it's basically the second most expensive city to live on the planet (correct me if I'm wrong). I'm certain it's a great place to live anyway but with it being so big I just wondered if anyone had any similar experience of moving across alone and making a success of it.

If anyone responds to this and needs more information I'd be happy to chat and very grateful!

Thanks!

Matt

Have you read the Wiki articles? Look at the heading right at the top of the page, then click on Canada and look at the Quick Guide to Immigration and the other suggested articles. They’ll point you in the right direction and give you guidance as to ways you may be able to apply. That may also give you better advice as to where to visit.

As always, the biggest question/factor is whether you are eligible for a visa in the first place. Have you looked into this aspect?

Hi,

No I haven't because I thought I'd better go first. I completely understand what you're saying but there's no point applying if I don't know where to go.... I guess in my head thats how I saw it. Also I checked the wiki pages, yes.

Thank you

Hi,

No I haven't because I thought I'd better go first. I completely understand what you're saying but there's no point applying if I don't know where to go.... I guess in my head thats how I saw it. Also I checked the wiki pages, yes.

Thank you

It is all a bit chicken and egg isn't it? It's a beautiful country to visit, even if the permanent visa route turns out to be a challenge. We've just spent 2 weeks in the Rockies with the kids (made it a road trip) and we were reminded - very dramatically - just how beautiful it is. From a purely personal point of view, I would find quite a bit of Canada a bit too isolatory. The distances are so vast, you can travel for 4 or 5 hours and still effectively be in the same place/scenery!

Yea, I understand. I think I'd agree with you. I mean I'm all for quite villages with beautiful scenery,but at this point in my life its not quite what I'm after. I think the best thing for me to do would be to take a few weeks off and travel the big cities and try to squeeze in a few other places if possible....

So you have been to Saskatchewan as well

Welcome to BE.

The thing is, that until you've checked to see if you're eligible for a visa, you may find you don't get a choice in where to go anyway. A lot of people need a job offer to get a visa, and if you're one of them, you'll just have to go wherever you can find a job offer from a sponsoring employer. So there may not be much point in spending thousands visiting Calgary and Vancouver, if the only place you can get a visa for is in Manitoba. So personally, I'd look at the visa side first and then see if would qualify for a visa without a job offer, and if you therefore have the freedom to live wherever you like.

I'd also look at what you'll likely earn, and how much of a decent life that would give you somewhere like Vancouver (as you say, very pricey!). If you do have the freedom to go wherever you like, then you may decide you'd have a better qualify of life somewhere with cheaper housing. It looks as though the median salary for a plasterer in BC would be $27ph (approx £17.50ph). Only you will know how that compares to what you're currently earning, but I can't imagine that would give you a great quality of life in Vancouver unless you have a large chunk of savings to buy a house with.

Right, I understand. And I guess at the end of the day you have to get a foot in the door before you can make any other moves. While that's a great wage here, maybe you're right. Am I right in thinking that rent includes utilities? I checked and saw a few places. But didn't look too deep into it. Also I read a really low percentage of housing is actually up for rent in Vancouver. OK, so I guess I'll look into the visa! Thanks

Plenty of work for all kinds of construction in Nova Scotia. I work with some construction companies who are very open to looking at helping workers move to Canada to work. So many new homes going up and not enough people to do the work

Thank you, that's awesome to know! I'm just trying to get a bit more money together before I start an application. I understand the application might take time but it's better to be ready to go, right?

You definitely need a good chunk of money to move. But if you’re eligible for a visa now I’d recommend you apply asap - remembering you’ll have approx 3 years before you have to move after getting the visa, so plenty more time to save. The Express Entry criteria is changing next year so it would be awful if you waited and then found you were no longer eligible.

Right, I understand. Thank you for that. I know it's what this page is for but thanks to everyone so far for the help. Really appreciate it!

Hi all,

Does anyone have any recommendations for immigration services, I've seen a few, MDC, great North visa, Canadian immigration services but not sure which one to use. A Google search doesn't really clarify best rated ones either. I know they're all private company's but I just wondered if anyone had any memories of who they used?

Thanks again!

Matt