Hi - a newcomer to this scene so please forgive any glaring errors! My husband and I are looking to emigrate to canada from the UK - we've just about got a handle on the paperwork (i think) but we're finding it really difficult to wade through.

Does anyone have any simple steps that we can follow?
Like - the first thing you do is......

We've read so much and have become blurred by the process...........any ideas from expats living and working in canada (looking at BC area or Ontario)

Many thanks

I would suggest a visit to the immigration forum:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forum...?s=&forumid=33

There are some immigration experts on there who participate frequently (Andrew Miller is one) and you can really get technical in there.

thank you for that........will try this

Hello there,

The 8 steps needed to emigrate to CANADA..


Step 1. This is the best advice i can give, go to Canada and research, research, research. Look at the price's of everything from house's, car's, a weeks food shopping, everything. Look at the standard of living and the way the Canadians do things, if you think this is the place for me then your half way there...

Step 2. Start the process of emigrating, ether apply for the emigration form's direct from the Canadians, or work through an agent that specialise in the emigration field.

Step 3. Receiving your forms can be daunting, its allot of paper and allot of information needed. You should allow yourself about 2 months to complete the forms, as it can take time to get all the information, like police records take about 6 weeks to receive after you first ask for them!

Step 4. Check your forms before sending them back, if your not working through an agent, it slows your application.

Step 5. Ok so your application is approved. You might need an interview with the Canadians, DON'T PANIC. Yes the interview is a nerve racking thought, but more often than not the interview is just to check you know what your speaking about, have the money, and wont be a burden on the country. The interview normally lasts about 30-40 mins and IS pain free..

Step 6. The interview goes well, so the next step is a medical and chest x-ray. You will be given a list of doctors in your area who can do this, and you can book them for whatever suits you.

Step 7. Turns out you'll live a while yet, strange with all the stress you have undergone so far!! Now you will be asked for your passports to be stamped with the all important visa.

Step 8. You are free to land in Canada whenever you want, as long as its NOT one year since your medical, as your visa only runs for one year from your medical date.

You should be looking at anywhere between 1 to 2 years from start to finish..

good luck..

Mick
thanks very much for that info! The 'steps' process you gave was really useful - and tells us that we were on the right track.......
although we've skipped step 1! Have visited Canada but not as a family unit..................but, thanks again. Much appreciated.

Jacqui

You are welcome Jacqui
As someone that loves travelling, i have found that the best way to emigrating to a country, is to actually visit there a couple of times, especially areas that you are interested in, that way you can get to know about things like school for the kids, recreation areas, entertainment, housing, health and all that.

Ontario is a lovely province, you just have to make sure you end up in the right area, not necessarilly Toronto, but areas outside of it that have easy access to it if you want to visit it for theatres, restaurants, sights and all that.

If you intend to buy in Ontario, checkout this site for prices and house types:

www.newhomesandcondos.com

I hope everything goes smoothly for you and the family. If you do end up in Ontario, make sure you visit Niaga-on-the-lake. I love the place, and just keep going back there every now and then with my canadian wife. The kids will love the butterfly conservatory along the way there, and the floral clock on that route also should not be missed.

Good luck

Mick - thanks again - Nick and I are really chuffed (you must be english and therefore will know this word!) that you've contacted us with such good pointers and lots of really nice info..............will keep this thread open so that as time progresses we can let you know of any ups and downs along the way.

I'm sure you have a life but this is my first venture into a) migration and b) sites like these (chats/forums etc) - I'm still pressing buttons like crazy and find the forum threads very interesting - I feel like an intruder - have lots of opinions but I am just weighing the whole thing up.


Again, thanks very much - the photos are fab - we haven't seen snow like that in years!


Jacqui

Hi Jacqui, if you are new to discussion groups you might like to check out these Brit centric Canada immigration ones!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKtoCanada
for people applying to immigrate to Canada through CHC London. Fairly new - some good info

Britain to Canada
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/britai...daimmigration/
(the bit is keeps abbreviating is .... britaintocanadaimmigration )

Brits to Vancouver
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Brits2Vancouver/

Brits to Calgary
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immigrationuktocalgary/

Brits to Toronto
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brits2toronto/

for Spousal immigration there is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canadian_immigration/


And this is the police one...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukpolice2canada/

There, don't think I missed any...

Good luck

Clare

You are welcome Jacqui. Yes i am am english, cockney in fact
As someone that has gone through the whole immigration thing with no hiccups, its always a pleasure to help out when i can.

The sooner you get the ball rolling of course, the better. Immigration laws seem to be changin every year, and all the terrorist attacks are only going to make getting here even more difficult, no matter where you are coming from.

How are things in good ol' blighty? I miss fridays nights over there, so much to see on TV and to do

Hi Clare - thanks very much for that - we'll have a look through those. I notice from your profile that you moved out a couple of years ago......can I ask how long it took? I was (foolishly) optomistic and thought it might all be over and done with by next summer...........but I am beginning to realise that it might be the summer, but 2006!

Thanks again

Jacqui

Hi there
A cockney eh! I like London - but I'm not often understood - the northern accent and all that. Old blighty! well - where could I begin...it would depend on your perspective! The people (as you know) make up for all the inadequacies that we face at the moment.

Friday nights are still very interesting - they're always singles nights - saturdays seem to be when couples go out. That said - I'm on the internet and it's 10.30 ish. That's kids for you...........

it must be the afternoon there - do you all finish early there? it sounds even better than I thought!

Jacqui

Books for your Library:

Culture Shock
By Pang Guek Cheng & Robert Barlas.
A guide to customs and etiquette, so it says on the cover. This book is a good book to find out how the Canadians work. Starts off with a history of Canada till present day. A really handy book to find out how Canadians do things, i.e garage sales ( real big thing in Canada), buying a house, car and such like.

Living and working in Canada
By Janet Macdonald.
This is a good information finder, Plenty of packed chapter's informing you on finding a job, permits & visas, motoring and so forth. A goodread for all information tit bits. This book can be found at www.survivalbooks.net


Lonely planet Canada
By Mark lightbody &Thomas Huhti.
I think everyone has a lonely planet book somewhere in the house. The Canada version is a good genral book about Canada, but if your looking for info about a certain province its a bit lacking.

The official drivers handbook
By Ontario Goverment.
When moving to Canada from Europe you will need to sit the Canadian driving test. You can apply for an international driving licence, but you need to sit your driving test in Canada after 60 days of landing in Ontairo other provinces vary. The waiting time for a test is about 40-50 days so its best to arrange one as soon as you land, Brits can now swap their licence though in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick... This book is avalible on the Canadian goverment web site and most book dealers on-line
.

A trip to waterstones is on the agenda then..........we do have a couple of books that we've looked at (well, read avidly more like it). Thanks for those tips.

Signing off for tonight - the last episode of sex in the city is on tonight so must catch this.

Bye