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Relocation package - what to expect

Relocation package - what to expect

Old Nov 19th 2018, 6:42 pm
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Default Relocation package - what to expect

First post so please be gentle!

We're considering a move to Nova Scotia, currently in the interview process for a medium seniority role. We're trying to work out our finances/family budget (and the cost of the move) to see what the minimum salary requirement would be. Key element of this is the potential value of any relocation package, the specifics of which we won't know until (if) an offer is made.

Based on previous experience, I would hopeall removal fees to be paid as a minimum. Which of the following could we also realistically optimistically anticipate/realistically negotiate over?
- accommodation for first X months while we find a rental/buy a house
- assistance with sales tax/fees of house purchase
- rental car for first X weeks OR
- covering shipment costs and fees for bringing my car over (I know, red-tape alert!)
- help with finding a school
- ad-hoc fees for registration with authorities etc
- immigration fees

Many thanks in advance
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Old Nov 19th 2018, 7:20 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

I received realtor/estate agent costs, removal and shipping costs ( inc family flights plus dog ), work permit costs. I thought I'd done rather well as the total bill for the company came out at around $33,000
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Old Nov 19th 2018, 8:16 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Originally Posted by Tangram
I received realtor/estate agent costs, removal and shipping costs ( inc family flights plus dog ), work permit costs. I thought I'd done rather well as the total bill for the company came out at around $33,000
gosh that's a chunky number. Did your dog need to go into quarantine? That alone would've cost $$$$$.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 1:14 am
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Are you relocating with your current employer or interviewing with a new customer. If the former then all good. If the latter I would think you might have a hard time to get much of a relocation package (notwithstanding what Tangram seems to have managed!!). Certainly immigration costs I cant see them paying, unless it is your employer opting to move you.

My personal experience was that companies were interested in employing me once in Canada but since it was me choosing to move to Canada they expected me to pay my own relocation costs. Just think if they can find someone else local and not have to incur extra costs then why would they choose you.

I did manage to negotiate additional bonus' payments (sales role) for the first 6 months, and a small contribution towards living expenses for the first month while I transitioned. So I suppose all in I got around $10,000 but it wasn't discussed as relocation money per se. I also got the loan of one of the spare company trucks for about a month until I got my own vehicle. They were also extremely helpful providing letters of proof of employment, proof of income, expected earnings etc to assist with a car loan, mortgage, etc.

Good luck.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 1:18 am
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Originally Posted by ldsau93
gosh that's a chunky number. Did your dog need to go into quarantine? That alone would've cost $$$$$.
Hello and welcome to BE!

I've moved your thread to the main Canada forum as the Maple Leaf is for 'off topic' chit chat rather than serious questions about Canada

There's no quarantine for dogs coming from a non Rabies area to Canada - pet transport on Air Transat is around $200.


There's another thread about relocation costs that you might find useful: Relocation Package how to?
Do bear in mind that depending on how you receive the relocation costs you could be liable for taxes on them.

Just briefly going over your points - schools are much of a muchness here - it's not like the UK - and your child(ren) will attend the school in the catchment area you are living in.
If your profession is a regulated one, you will need to complete registration for that before you can work - if you'd like to mention what it is you do, perhaps we can help with that.
Is it your intention to move to Canada permanently with a view to applying for Permanent Residency or are you relying on this job / employer to obtain an LMIA and come over on a TWP initially before applying for PR or potentially only remaining for a couple of years? If so then relocation costs are more likely to be down to you to cover.
Rental costs on first moving over would be expected but house purchase costs would be unlikely unless you are very senior.. (there's no cost for a Real Estate Agent to you as the purchaser - just deposit, standard land transfer taxes / property taxes and legal fees for the purchase etc.,)
Unless your vehicle is over 15 years old you won't be allowed to bring it. If it is then you would bring it in your main shipment container.

Have you visited NS? Is it an area you have chosen or is it more that happens to be where a potential job is?
You might find our Wiki of help: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada

Exciting times ahead - good luck with the interview!

Last edited by Siouxie; Nov 20th 2018 at 1:32 am.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 6:29 am
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Many thanks, all good points to consider.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 8:31 am
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

It will rather depend on your job and how specialist your skills are. If they need you, you may be lucky and get a relocation package, but these days they're rarer and rarer and I've not heard of anybody on the forum getting anything other than the visa paid for for quite some time. When we were moving we had a substantial relocation package that included all of our costs, housing, flights home each year etc, but that was about 10 years ago and the company were desperate for my husband to move (it was a company transfer).

Have the company indicated a relocation package is usual?
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 12:17 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Just to add, mine was 11 years ago, so just be mindful of that. Times change.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 12:55 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

- covering shipment costs and fees for bringing my car over (I know, red-tape alert!)
To be quite blunt, I'd cross that one off the list right away. Unless the car is somehow linked to the occupation, or modified to fit the occupation, then it might make sense to ask this, otherwise it seems a bit silly.
Asking for financial assistance in obtaining a new car would likely be a better idea.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 2:51 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

As Christmasoompa says, the value and scope of a relocation package will be intriniscally linked to your value to your new employer. If you are highly sought after and/or they are desperate to have you then then all things are possible. If it's a medium seniority role and you are interesting, then it's feasible I think for flights, removal costs perhaps. I don't think you say whether its an intercompany transfer or not. If it is, then presumably there is a policy that covers it. If not, then put yourself in the reverse position - as a medium seniority person, would you be able to justify a relocation package in the opposite direction?

More relevant I think is trying to assess the salary range for similar roles in Halifax and then what that does in terms of standard of living compared to UK when you take into account housing costs, car(s), insurance etc. Check out Taxtips.ca or the revenue canada site to understand what you'd see after taxes.

On car importation (whether paid for you or by your employer) review riv.ca for eligibility. Essentially anything newer than 15 years old can't be imported into the country anyway.

EDIT: Oh yes, and a sort of data point - 15 years ago I got my flight paid. But then I was in the process of emigrating anyway and happened to fall into a job while waiting for PR.

Last edited by Atlantic Xpat; Nov 20th 2018 at 2:55 pm.
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Old Nov 20th 2018, 6:45 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

All good points. It is a potential new post with a new employer, my skillset is fairly scarce hence they are targetting the UK resource for roles they can't fill locally.
Re: the car, the shipping cost isn't too bad and will most likely pay for myself. It's less than 15 years old and believe it can be brought in on a temporary basis - to begin with i'll have a TWP. My car is bought and paid for, and I believe it makes sense financially to bring it over, plus it's my pride and joy. I know bringing a car over is complicated and deserves it's own discussion thread! NS cars in my price range appear to be, how shall I say, rust buckets!
We haven't visited NS yet, it's where the job opportunity is so no other locations under consideration.
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Old Nov 21st 2018, 2:12 am
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Originally Posted by ldsau93
All good points. It is a potential new post with a new employer, my skillset is fairly scarce hence they are targetting the UK resource for roles they can't fill locally.
Re: the car, the shipping cost isn't too bad and will most likely pay for myself. It's less than 15 years old and believe it can be brought in on a temporary basis - to begin with i'll have a TWP. My car is bought and paid for, and I believe it makes sense financially to bring it over, plus it's my pride and joy. I know bringing a car over is complicated and deserves it's own discussion thread! NS cars in my price range appear to be, how shall I say, rust buckets!
We haven't visited NS yet, it's where the job opportunity is so no other locations under consideration.
The potential employer will still likely need to advertise Canada wide and apply for an LMIA in order to employ you - not a cheap or quick thing to do .. unless the position comes under the Atlantic Provinces Pilot Program and they have been approved, by any chance? https://novascotiaimmigration.com/he...gration-pilot/

You might want to read about importing a vehicle temporarily - yes, theoretically you can do so - but are you prepared for the expense of exporting again (or potentially destroying it) if it doesn't meet the requirements for importation permanently if your temporary work permit changes to Permanent Residency or exceeds 36 months?

There are many threads on importing a vehicle if you do a search on the forum - here's a few for you:
Shipping my beloved car from UK to BC - is it worth it?
Importing a vehicle into Canada from UK.
Is it worth importing a car?

I'd suggest also reading this: Importing vehicles from countries other than the United States - Transport Canada
If you are considering importing a vehicle you bought in a country other than the U.S. you need to know that:
  • It is a criminal offense to import a vehicle into Canada that does not meet the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the Act). Offences and penalties are described in Section 17 of the Act.
  • Inadmissible vehicles are denied entry into Canada and detained. All storage and disposal fees are the responsibility of the importer.
and
Frequently Asked Questions - Importing vehicles purchased in countries other than the United States - Transport Canada
My status has changed from temporary to permanent resident while in Canada with my vehicle. How does that affect my vehicle?
If your vehicle is eligible for importation, you will need to formally declare the vehicle along with your personal effects to the Canada Border Services Agency and fulfill all import requirements. If your vehicle does not comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, you must export or destroy it when your temporary entry status becomes permanent.
https://www.riv.ca/RIVExemptions.aspx
  1. Temporary ImportationThe vehicles are entering temporarily with:
    • visitors, for a period of 12 months or less; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution for their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits for a period of 36 months or less;\A vehicle imported temporarily under one of these conditions cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada, and cannot remain in Canada longer than the time limit listed on the person’s work permit, student visa, or other Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) or immigration documents. Once the time limit has passed, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry and must be exported. If the temporary status of the person importing the vehicle changes while in Canada, the vehicle must be permanently imported, if it qualifies, or exported.

Last edited by Siouxie; Nov 21st 2018 at 2:27 am.
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Old Nov 21st 2018, 12:52 pm
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Default Re: Relocation package - what to expect

Originally Posted by ldsau93
Re: the car, the shipping cost isn't too bad and will most likely pay for myself. It's less than 15 years old and believe it can be brought in on a temporary basis - to begin with i'll have a TWP. My car is bought and paid for, and I believe it makes sense financially to bring it over, plus it's my pride and joy. I know bringing a car over is complicated and deserves it's own discussion thread! NS cars in my price range appear to be, how shall I say, rust buckets!
Out of interest what is the car?
One other thing I forgot to mention is insurance. As a newcomer you'll likely see higher rates anyway, but that could be even higher due to the imported car, and perhaps moreso if it's a RHD.
Back in the day I had a '94 Impreza Turbo, grey import from Japan, somewhat modified (yeah, I know, I know ), insurance in the UK was around £950 (8 years ncb, alarm, immobilizer and tracker) and that's with an insurance company that would consider covering the car, most wold not. When I came over here, I had a '92 Jetta GL, nothing fancy, and I believe the insurance worked out to around $2500. That was 2003, so pricing might be a bit better now, but even still, an imported car will cost more to insure.

I would very strongly recommend getting a few insurance quotes from Canadian brokers to see what comes back.

There is also the case of servicing and maintaining the car. If it's a marque that doesn't exist here then there would be no dealers to use. Granted going to the dealer is usually not much fun anyway, and independent garages can be better, but that could be your only choice, and again, they might not be familiar with your car, plus getting parts could be problematic and expensive.

Siouxie's post also makes some very valid points too. If the car doesn't meet the requirements then you could end up having to destroy it, so you'd be in the position of needing a new car at that point, and being out of pocket for getting the car over here.

I'm a bit of a car nut, so I know where you're coming from, but I really do think it'd make more sense to sell the car there and get something here. It may mean having to finance or lease something, rather than outright purchase. Doesn't have to be a brand new car, could be a few years old. You could possibly end up with newer model of what you have now.

Last edited by sharkus; Nov 21st 2018 at 12:56 pm.
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