British Expats - Should I use a migration agent???????????

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- - Should I use a migration agent??????????? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/should-i-use-migration-agent-349876/)

Should I use a migration agent???????????

Help!! I am married with 3 sons and we are just about to start the ball rolling to migrate to Canada (haven't got a clue where about in Canada though!). We are wondering if anyone has used a migration agent to deal with the application process and if so, does anybody recommend anyone who has helped with housing, jobs, schools ect.???

My hubby is a crane driver and instructor and I am an outreach worker. Recommend anywhere to live where it will be easier to find employment????

We are coming to Canada this year to visit but as you can probably guess, we don't know where to go for the best!. We have thought about Nova Scotia, what do you think??

Please, can anyone advise us on what to do, where to go???
Thanks, Gail

Re: Should I use a migration agent???????????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Welcome to the forum. Having read different threads on using a migration agent, it just depends who you use. Migration agents refused us and we applied and were accepted with out their help. We just took time over our application and made sure it was clear and precise. I know people that have used them and loved them, and those that thought they wasted their money. As to where to live in Canada..... I would say come to Calgary, but every other person on this forum will tell you to move to their area. You have to do the research to decide what you want, based on your finances, jobs etc.

When we were thinking about coming over it was February 2001 and went to the immigration trade show in Sandown, (there is also one in Glasgow this year) in the March. I would recommend this, you can then meet all immigration lawyers together and get information on the various parts of Canada.

Good luck

Re: Should I use a migration agent???????????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Hi Gail. I would only recommend using a migration agent if you have money to burn! :D They cost a fortune and whilst it is nice to have a professional on board who can help with any questions, it is still you who has to do all the leg work, filling in all the forms and getting all the information. However, if you are very unsure on the whole application thing and haven't got a clue where to start then by all means go ahead and use one. Personally, we didn't and we had no problems getting our visas.

I would recommend coming over to Canada and seeing the areas first hand. I don't know Nova Scotia I'm afraid, only the GTA which has it's lovely areas but is very very busy traffic wise and Toronto is getting worse with the number of shootings.

Unfortunately, things haven't worked out for us over here and we are heading back home to the UK this year, mainly due to the fact that we miss our families too much but for other reasons too. I would recommend getting as much information as you possibly can on Canada and doing some research into the different areas. Sometimes it works for people, but not for us. However, I am extremely glad I had the opportunity to come over here and "give it a go". It has definately made me realise what is important in my life and what makes me happy.

Best of luck with everything.

Re: Should I use a migration agent???????????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

Hi Gail

Hubby, myself and 4 year old son have just applied via skilled worker route. We couldn't make up our minds initially about using an agent but having read this forum extensively decided to do it ourselves. We just received our AOR yesterday so are assuming our forms were all completed correctly. You will gain a lot of valuable information through the forum - if you use the search function you will find almost every question can be answered, if not just post your question and you will get very helpful replies.

At the end of the day I think whether or not you use an agent is a very personal thing. If you don't feel comfortable completing the forms then use one - Andrew Miller is very helpful on the Canadian Immigration Forum. But if you do feel confident then go ahead and do it yourself. I didn't find it difficult, just extremely time consuming.

On the subject of where to go - hubby and I initially thought Ontario as I have friends and family there and we are planning a holiday there sometime this year. However, we have been doing some research into Alberta and this may be an option now. At least we have 39+ months to decide where to go and plenty of holidays to help with the decision.

Only you can make the decision about what to do next and I wish you all the best with whatever you decide.

Welcome to the waiting game. :)

Jacqui

Re: Should I use a migration agent???????????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

We are wondering if anyone has used a migration agent to deal with the application process and if so, does anybody recommend anyone who has helped with housing, jobs, schools ect.???

We didn't. Most people we spoke to regret paying for a consultant. There is plenty of people on here and on the immigration forum able and willing to help with specific minor and quite major information. If you are very unsure or extra-worried about the whole thing then maybe DIY and then get a consultant to review papers for you. But IMHO I think that anyone with a decent brain and ability to research and pull together paperwork can go it themselves, NOI. Once you start e-networking with people here, they will recommend realtors and point you in the right direction, or you can contact a local resource and speak/email with them.

My hubby is a crane driver and instructor and I am an outreach worker. Recommend anywhere to live where it will be easier to find employment????

Cities are often considered 'easier; but some backwaters offer great opportunities with a slower pace of life and lower living costs. You might need to start looking for potential employers, find out about whether you need Canadian/Provincial certification to work in your skill area. It is maybe a chicken and egg syndrome; do you go where the work is, or go where you love and risk less work availability. Only you can research this. Part of the fun and overall learning experience is asking questions, getting advice and input and then finding out for yourselves in contrast to others experiences. Never be afraid to ask questions on here. Successful migrants all have done.

We are coming to Canada this year to visit but as you can probably guess, we don't know where to go for the best!. We have thought about Nova Scotia, what do you think??

You need to assess what you are looking for - weather climate cost of living real estate city or rural west coast east coast rain snow bitter cold hot dry summers etc..... the list is absolutely endless.

Please, can anyone advise us on what to do, where to go???

Once you have done some basic research or asked a few questions, searched this forum, you can then ask more specific questions like "we want to ski and hike but need to be near a city with high levels of civil construction, where is best for us" = Vancouver (for example). Then you might find out about real estate prices and other issues in BC which will affect your final decision.

Hope this helps, you'll only get answers by researching, thinking about what you wnat in life here and asking specifics on here and by e-networking with people.

Good luck to you,

Rich.