Beckie and Morgan UK

Hello everyone, myself and my husband are heading out to Kelowna this summer, I have applied for my study visa that lasts for two years whilst I study for a Diploma at Okanagan College and my husband (qualified Gas engineer and Welder) will hopefully find work whilst we are out there as he gets an open work permit for the duration of my studies.
We are coming over 2 months earlier and hopefully this will be ok with immigration as this gives us time to settle and for my husband to look for work which we are hoping will be easier face to face whilst we are there.
We have been looking at apartments and houses for a long time but we got lucky on Castanet and we are renting an apartment for the summer months in the Pinnacle Resort County Club Drive which is roughly 10 miles from downtown and then from September we will be in the mission area at the Playa Del Sol resort until the following April which is close to where I'm studying.
We are looking forward to spending the next two years in Kelowna and BC and enjoying/exploring everything it has to offer. We have sold our house in Yorkshire which I was worried about as I was advised by a another member on this site that this could be a red flag to an immigration officer when we arrive. We wanted to sell our house anyway but we still need to prove that we have strong links to the UK so that we return home after my Diploma is finished. Both mine and my husbands employers have offered to write us letters stating that they would re-employ us upon return, I also have strong family links and we are hoping this will be ok, has anyone else been in this situation? I think I watch Canada border force too much and it makes me really paranoid!!
Has anyone else been through this as any advice would be very appreciated!

Beckie

chrisro55

I wouldn’t overly worry about the lack of ties to the UK, you will be considered to be entering as a temporary resident, and with a fixed exit date on your permit; so as long as the study permit is in place before you leave the UK then you shouldn’t experience to many issues.

In terms of your partners SOWP as long as he is British citizen (and not inadmissible for any other reasons) that simply apply for the SOWP at POE and pay the $155

Activating the study permit 2 months early may raise some eyebrows with CBSA (presuming you have the acceptance letter from CIC this far in advance?) – but as long as you can offer sensible reasons, and can prove funds and offer an outline plan of what you will be doing in the 2 months, then this shouldn’t be a massive issue.

I presume your partner has investigated, and is fully aware of the exams, certification, and licencing he require in order need to practice as a gas fitter / tradesman in Canada?

withabix

People bring their entire worldly possessions when coming over on a 2 year TFW Work Permit, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I sold my UK house and brought a 40' shipping container containing everything we own including a Landrover Defender as a TFW.

I am of course currently applying for PR, but CBSA didn't officially know that, even though it would have been pretty obvious...

Beckie and Morgan UK

Thankyou both. Think I'm just over thinking things but your views are really appreciated! With abit I would love to bring my car with me but gotta sell her :-(

withabix

Mine is Left Hand Drive and was bought and refurbished specially to bring over.

Cars have to be more than 15 years old or you can't import them anyway.

adele

Hi there,

Sorry I can't help with Kelowna or moving as a student, but I just wanted to say hi to some fellow Huddersfudlians :-) Hope the move goes smoothly and you enjoy your time in BC. What will you be studying?

Adele

Juggernaut1064

With the demise of the Landrover Defender yours will be a collectors item in time.

withabix

I think they will continue to build them in somewhere like China, India or Mexico after they stop making them in Solihull in December.

They are pretty well sought after over here already and there are some fairly large owners clubs, especially in BC.

If I keep it until it is 25 years old it should double in value overnight as being exportable the the USA as well.

Beckie and Morgan UK

Hi Adele,
Nice doe you you to say hi! What's your story? I'm studying early childhood education. It was either that or human service worker but that course was full. I have done my qualificationa over here and completed a degree in Education but I would really like to learn the Canadian way and work on placements in the neighbourhood. Im looking forward to it but obviously terrified at the same time.

adele

Hi again!

Following a one year working holiday in Vancouver in 2003/4, I knew I wanted to emigrate here, so I applied for permanent residence through the federal skilled worker program in 2005 when I'd accumulated enough points. Three years later I obtained my visa and I moved to Vancouver in 2009. I became a Canadian citizen a year ago.

Hope you enjoy the program and life in BC! I'm guessing you'll have to have a medical to be able to work with children on the placements?

All the best,
Adele

Beckie and Morgan UK

Yes Adele I've had a full medical plus a form filled out by my GP. Also had to fill out a police form amongst other things. I'm looking forward to spending the two years studying and getting used to new surroundings. This has been in the planning for two years so we can't wait!

adele

Sounds good - hope it all goes well and you enjoy the program and BC!

Good luck,
Adele

bcmama

Hello from Kelowna. We also rented at Playa del Sol 2yrs ago, when we first moved here, it's a good location for the college. Best of luck with your move and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Beckie and Morgan UK

Hello everyone,
Just a quick update from us! We have been here just over a month now and loving it so far. My hubby had a couple of weeks off and then sent out his CV's and the day after was given an interview and offer for full time work whilst I'm studying. He's working for a great, family run business and they have really welcomed us. We are living at Quail Ridge at the moment so a little far out for now but at the end of September we move down to Playa De Sol which is much closer to my husbands work and my college.
Kelowna is so beautiful in the summer and we look forward to enjoying life as the journey getting here, even as a student has been a long, expensive one! But absolutely worth it!
Beckie

withabix

Time to buy your longjohns and a Canadian-grade winter coat soon....