Hello every body. I am a new poster to this forum, although I have been reading it for quite some time. I thought it was about time I signed up!
I have found this site to be very useful so far in my quest for immigration info.
I have applied through the SAP for PR via the Skilled Worker program in Sept 2006. Unfortunately through London CHC, which means a long wait ahead.
So I have stepped up the research, trying to fnd a way over there sooner rather than later.
Anyway, just thought I would introduce myself

Hi and welcome. I am quite new too and like you have found this site a great source of info. Great fun too!!!

Quickest route is going through one of the Provincial Nominee Programs. Need to decide which province you are aiming for and see if it has one and what you need to qualify. With some you need a job offer, others you need to be planning to start a business etc. Often can take around 6 months to get PR versus 3-4 years through the normal skilled worker route.

Hi NSpaul!
Yea I am aware of the PNP route, but the need for a job offer makes it pretty much impossible.
The irony is that with 4+ years of admin experience I qualify as a "skilled worker" to apply for PR, but how on earth could you get a job offer in this type of work when the employer has to prove that they cannot get a Canadian to fill the post?!
I'm determined to try though.

Hello and welcome to the madhouse.
I hope you are able to find a qicker way to make your dream of a new life in Canada happen sooner rather than later.
Best of luck.

Rob.

Hello ireland2canada - we are also from Northern Ireland - believe me we have to stick together on here as we are few and far between. Word of warning - beware of the Scots!!!!

Where are you hoping to go to in Canada - we are going to Saskatchewan. My OH is a mechanic and has just got a job and we were out a few weeks ago on our reccie trip and loved it. We are currently in the process of LMO/WP route.

Ask any questions you need to know - as you have noticed we are a helpful bunch.

Hi there, it's good to know there's a fellow N.Irelander out there I do wonder how the Canadians view us crazy folk?!
I have a whole heap of questions, so I'll have to pace myself. I've been working through my CDN research for about a year or so, mostly concentrating on Ontario (GTA) purely as it's easily accessible in terms of flights etc from Belfast.
I'm pretty flexible though, I'm going by myself.
You are so lucky to be going via WP, perhaps some of the luck will rub off!

Hi there. Not sure if your aware of the BUNAC 1 year non-student visa.
Check it out on their site bunac.com they offer a 1 year visa with the only eligibility being an age limit of 18-35 inclusive.
I believe from their site, they are finished for this year, but you could be out there as early as Feb 08. This could be a good option as you can check out
which place you like best, plus I believe you always hear of a whole host more
opportunities when you are actually livng and working in a country, than speculating from afar

Good luck

Hi! Thanks for your message. I am aware of the BUNAC scheme, it seems to be my only option to get some time in Canada even if it is just a year. In fact BUNAC is keeping me awake at night at the moment!
I guess the best case scenario is that you have a year to secure a job and hope for a WP.

If you want to go via the WP route you have to go out there and look for employment. There are some good contacts though through BE as this is how my husband found out about his job. In Canada its about who you know and not what you know.
Try www.jobsetc.com they are good.
Where do you live in NI? We flew with Air Canada from Dublin but we live in South Down which was just as close for us as to Belfast Int. Have you any relatives in Canada or why have you decided to live there?

You can fly to Halifax direct from Belfast with Zoom (low cost airline)

I'm from Co. Antrim, sunny Carrickfergus to be exact. The Zoom flights from Belfast are a great addition, but again, I'm pretty flexible in my options.
I have no immediate family in Canada (only distant cousins from grandfathers 2nd marriage, not even sure if that is a cousin!) I know one person out there & one person who has returned to NI after many years in Canada, so I've been able to hear about the place from a residents' perpective. What about yourselves?
Thanks for the link!
The loose plan is to try for a WHV, giving me year to try & secure a WP. Easy

I thought that too but it isn't. We moved to Halifax through the Nova Scotia PNP program. At the time the two options were the PNP Economic Route (pay $130k!!!) or the PNP Skilled Worker route (with a job offer). For me that was a really good incentive to find a job! It sounded impossible to get a job in Canada whilst still living in the UK but there really are employers willing to offer you a job if you appear to be serious and willing to travel over for interview etc. Generally the companies have to "prove" they have been unable to fill a position with a Canadian but in practice it doesn't seem like there is really much "proof" needed - my employer jost printed the job posting page from their website and said they had advertised for a couple of months but nobody suitable applied. I think some of the programs are made to sound more onerous than they really are in practice. Just give it a try

Yes indeed, anywhere's an option right now, free as a bird as they say

Hi Ireland 2 canada

Welcome to the forum, looks like you have the advantage of being flexible enough to travel wherever a job may arise best of luck with whichever route you decide to pursue