Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hello everyone

I've found the info on this site very very interesting, however, I feel like I don't know where to begin. I'm a single parent of two children, I work as an Immigration Officer and also have Training and HR qualifications. I've lived abroad before for 10 years, have spent the last 10 years in the UK and now wish to move to Canada. But it all seems so daunting. Although I qualify, I've read on here that it takes 5 years!! Are there any faster routes that people are aware of? I'm also considering employing a solicitor to deal with my application - any advice?

Thanks very much

Daisy x

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi and welcome to BE - Use the link below to do some research it is really useful and could help you get a better idea of the programmes you need.http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canada

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi Daisy and welcome to BE lots of info on here for everyone,
sure you will find the info you need on the Link

cheers sue

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Nova Scotia has a Community Identified stream - it took us 15 months from start to finish and is free to apply. You need to buy property here, spend 9 months in the "community" then the application took 6 months to process.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Thanks very much for the help, it's much appreciated. Ontheboatout - where can I find more details about this scheme?

Thanks
Daisy

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Here is the link to the Nova Scotia immigration website that has the forms you need.
http://www.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-page1095.aspx

Here is a recent news release - they have removed the numbers of applicants restrictions too

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/departm...2007-09-19.asp

If you need any advice about what you need to do just ask away!

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

NS should be paying you eh!:rofl:

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

I'm starting to think they already do.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

I wish! Do you think they will?

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Absolute rubbish!!! There is no requirement to buy property in NS to apply under this stream. The scheme actually requires that you have "long established connections to a Nova Scotia community" which could mean that you have close friends or family here, have studies here, be a member of religious or community organisation etc. The criteria are fairly flexible but there is definitely no requirement to buy property in NS.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi Paul, Nice to see you back. A touch of sanity in an mad world. You been away?

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

No, just a bit busy. How are things going with you (job, house sale etc)?

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Got a sniff of interest in the house - fingers crossed. Waiting for the LMO on the job. I didn't go with the offer I got in October. Going to Eastern Shore Memorial (very rural I know). We hope to live about half way between there and Halifax.

We planned to come over in August but if everything goes well it may be sooner.

Happy New Year

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

The Community Identified Stream interview with the Licensed Authority is to demonstrate a commitment to the Province, so that it is not used as an easy stepping stone to another. I would argue that purchasing a property is a good demonstration and although is not essential, you have to live somewhere anyway.

Our "long established connections..." was 9 months.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

That comment was a bit harsh and uncalled for in my opinion :( to discredit another member of BE especially one who has been giving useful information in general doesn't seem to me to be the best use of this site.

Ontheboatout may have made her own judgement about Novia Scotia's requirements but in the end it's up to the individual to find out exactly how they and their family fit into the scheme.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

True.
I would encourage the OP to look at the NSNP documentation for the "official" line on the requirements for Community Identified. I hear different things.

It appears to me that it helps to have property and savings. It also helps is you have skills the community needs both professionally and culturally. Then there's friends, memberships etc. Also it helps if you are the right age. Having young children is good. Having some qualifications is good too as is experience of living in North America and having done business or visited a few times in Canada. Doing a couple of recce's on your own hard-earned cash seems to be good pursuader too.
So I don't think there is a list of criteria as such. It seems to be pretty flexible, certainly for the communities that are not in striking distance of Halifax and that need a bit more latitude.
I (unofficially) heard Community Identified is basically sometimes used as a catch-all for people who look like they would fit it but who dont (yet) have a job offer, or don't have family, or fulfil the requirements of other streams.

I think staying there 9 months and buying property would certainly nail it though.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Thanks for the advice. I am looking into the programme and will update when I decide. This site has proved to have a mine of information - just takes so long to take everything in.:)

Daisy

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi all,

We are also at the very beginning of this process. We've been procrastinating for what now seems like an eternity but we are going to move ahead with things. We have looked at the NSNP in particular the Community Identified Stream. Tell me, how can one stay 9 months in NS - I thought visas were only available for a max of 6 months unless of course you are on a TWP.

I do have a friend who lives in Halifax and we are likely to visit him later this year on our first recce trip.

We are a family of 3, me, my wife and son who has just turned 2 (bless the cutey). Having looked at the criteria for NSNP we both meet their requirements, but of course a job is required, hence why we have looked at the Community Stream.

Sorry to Daisyboo for hijacking the thread - were all in it together :)

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi and welcome to BE someone will be along to tell you whats what i think you can apply to extend your visa if i remember rightly,

you will find lots of help on here good luck on your first trip do it asap you will love it

cheers sue

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

We started on a six month visitors visa and as it was due to expire we renewed it from within Canada.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

We were told by our local MP that so long as we applied before the expiration (the website says 30 days) we could stay until we were refused or extended. As the wait was 3 months for a reply we knew we could stay at least a further 3 months. As it happened our request to be extended for a further year was granted without issue.

We were honest in our letter regarding awaiting the outcome of our (then federal) immigration application and showed proof of funds.

I should add that before the application for extension we took someones advice that you could just cross the border into the US and get renewed for another six months on return. It was a nice weekend but didn't work. "we had someone coming in today who has been doing that for two years and we have decided to clamp down on it". Maybe we were unlucky but is not a guaranteed method.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

I dont think its far to say I was being harsh - I was just pointing out that the statement wasnt true. There is no requirement to buy property to immigrate to NS through this or any other scheme and it would be really negligent to get everyone thinking that buying a house here is their ticket into Nova Scotia. It isnt. If you want to buy a house here fine but it wont get you a visa.

To be honest it concerns me when I read things like that - the information might be encouraging to many people (because its what we all want to hear) but it isnt really useful information because its completely misleading. In this, and in a million other posts it seems, Ontheboatout is promoting the North Shore area of Nova Scotia and encouraging everyone to buy property there. Like in this post for instance: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...66#post5730566 and this one: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...27#post5725927 and this one especially!: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...35#post5723235.

In pretty much all of these posts the advice is: move to the North Shore (Amherst and the like), buy a house there, live of your savings (presumable the equity from selling your house in the UK) for 9-12 months and, hey presto, you will get permanent residency. Except that, even if you do get PR there are a couple of problems with that strategy:

1) the area in question is an economically depressed region and there is now work. So even when you get your visa and earn the right to work it wont do you much good.

2) the real estate market is also extremely depressed so your chances of selling your house if you need to move elsewhere are next to none. Especially if you buy a large expensive house - your only hope would be to sell to another Brit because nobody locally would be able to afford it. You need to be aware that in some areas of NS houses are on the market for several years (not months) before they sell! It isnt like the UK (was).

3) in the meantime you plowed through all your savings because you hade to live for 1-2 years without a job.

So it might all seem like "usefull information" to lots of people out there but it sure doesnt to me.

Sorry if I seem like a killjoy - I'm not really that way. But I am a little cautious and that has always severd me well to date.

My advice is move to an area where there is at least some economy, try and have a job lined up if you can (which will get you in through the NS PNP program anyway), buy in an area where you are likely to be able to sell on and dont plough through all your equity in the process of pursuing the dream of moving to Canada - you might change your mind and you will never be able to go back!

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Thank you for clarifying your feelings :).

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

You've painted an unrecognizeable picture of the North Shore area and I certainly wouldn't be here, or advising others to come here, if it were true. We are living our dream through the fast Community Identified stream and others can do so too. Surely that is useful information and worth spreading the word.

1) Property market on the North Shore

Last year there were 84 properties on the MLS listings in our area now there are only 24. We purchased our property for $94000 two years ago and it has just been valued by three Realtors for $225000. I know people who would buy it in an instant. We purchased another property in June this year whose value has increased $30000 in 6 months. Yes, there are some that stick but turnover is generally fast. Our local agents wishing people in the area a Merry Christmas took out a two page spread of properties sold here this year. Realtors report the market here is bouyant even in winter now. Many people in Halifax and the South Shore region have holiday cottages here. Similarly many people are so wealthy they can afford to spend the winter months in San Francisco (Barry), St Vincent and Barbados (Ken) or Florida (Ira).

2) Expanding economics on the North Shore

New businesses in our local area (many have websites):

Thyme and Place Nursery (Brits), Sunrise Mercantile Gourmet Restaurant and Gifts (US), Dally's Art Store (Can), Business in a Box (Can), Grants (Can), Mon Repos Day Spa (Can), Malagash Market Golf (Can), Holly's Jewellery (Can), Meadow Brook Organic Farm (Can), Oyster Lodge (Brits), Jenny's Soaps (Can), Ocean Bowling (Can), Riding School (Can), new golf course under construction and others if I stopped to think about it. Opportunity knocks here - never mind "get a job", you have the chance here to be imaginative and start a business instead.

Tony Blair and family holidayed here last year on the North Shore at the (so far) secret and exclusive Fox Harb'r Resort and Spa, resort of the rich and famous - clients fly in as they have their own runway. We have three world class golf courses nearby, helipads, light aircraft runways, 4 marinas, Buddhist Centre, Peace Exchange and a large Tim Hortons Camp. All these employ people and have service needs providing employment for many others.

Nearly everytime we go into Truro there seems to be a new big box store opening or expanding. As examples Kents Hardware has just doubled in size to be huge and Bulk Barn has just arrived.

These are all indicators of a fast growing economy and not the third world you describe.

In the end it is up to the individual to decide for themselves. When they step into our very warm sea, sip wine at a tasting at Jost Vineyards, sail the calm waters of the bay, crunch lobster overlooking the ocean, ferry across to Charlottetown PEI, I think they will make up their minds pretty fast.

I do bang on about the North Shore because it is so brilliant.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Well thank you for at least clarifying one thing - you are a property speculator and that now explains you reasons for continually trying to promote your region! Your hope is obviously that you will manage to drive prices up in the area by getting lots of Brits to move there. No doubt you have probably entered into some kind of commission kick-back arrangement with your realtor too and will be trying to introduce other immigrants to them for profit.

As much as I admire entrepreneurial activity, those businesses you list (which all sound lilke small home-based sort of businesses to me) were probably started out of desperation because the owners could not find work. You are obviously in the same situation - I assume you havent found a job?

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

I see you agree with my post. Brits are moving here anyway. The businesses I listed are not home based - sounds like you need to get up here so that you know what you are actually talking about rather than sounding like an authority.

I will refrain from obsenities - how dare you? I have invested my savings and equity in property rather than leave it in a bank. I have no dealings with any Realtors or others - I can just see where it is going here.

I am a microbiologist since you ask though mind your own business was my first thought. Whatever your problem is with me I have no idea -- people, visit the North Shore and make up your own minds.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

In which case why are you trying so hard to persuade people to move to the north shore? Why not simply enjoy it yourself? Why do you want everyone else to visit and buy property there?

Providing helpful information about how to move to NS is one thing. And if people are asking questions about what an area is like then by all means tell them (though it helps to tell good and bad if you ask me). But phrases like (and I quote from your post above) "step into our very warm sea, sip wine at a tasting at Jost Vineyards, sail the calm waters of the bay, crunch lobster overlooking the ocean, ferry across to Charlottetown PEI" take it to a whole new level! :eek:

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Free advice is worth every penny but good counsel has no price.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Bit of a ding-dong going on between you isn't there?

Whilst I don't want to become embroiled in this one, I do feel the need to make a comment or two here.

ontheboatout
Fair enough, your job is your job. You are a microbiologist as you have said before (employed or otherwise is none of my business).

I do think that it is fair to make a point here though.

Your second ever thread on BE asked the question "am I allowed to advertise on BE?" You told us that you have "alot of experience in buying and selling property in NS" and were at present selling a "cheap guide to buying property in NS" on ebay.

A couple of threads down the line you go on to tell us that you are planning to start up as a relocation agent for the North Shore. Call me an old cynic, but doesn't Paul have a point when implies that you appear to have some kind of vested interest in attracting people to the North Shore. A sudden influx of residents would be good business for a relocation agent.

Don't get me wrong. I can see that some of the info you have provided would be very helpful to someone moving over, I have learned a few things which I can use myself. There is a fine line however between letting your enthusiasm for an area get the better of you, and offering balanced information on a area to someone who is interested.

NSPaul
I can see why you are concerned that a very one sided view has been presented of Northern NS. All I can say is think of your blood pressure. Anyone moving to another continent should go and see for themselves. If they are daft enough to make their decision on the say so of just one person, then they deserve all they get so don't lose any sleep over it.

All you can do is carry on doing what you have always done so well - provide balanced advice from your wealth of experience. Many people, including me, appreciate all the help and advice you have given in the past.

Happy New Year to you both.

Lynn

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Yes, I see from your threads that you two are close.

Yes, it would be good business for a relocation agent but if you read the thread you will find that people were not interested and that service is provided free by many anyway, so I did not follow that route. Yes I did try to sell a guide to buying property in NS as a result of my experiences but it didn't sell and much of the "Masterclass" series comes from that and new experiences - for free. You should have bought it if you are coming.

As you say, let people make up their own minds - as a new resident and full of enthusiasm I am keen to share my love of this wonderful area and perhaps encourage one or two to venture somewhere other than the foggy South or hasn't anyone mentioned that to you, about the fog? We get around a half a day a year but to give you the balanced and accurate information you suggest I'm not providing:

Environment Canada "...Halifax's reputation as a foggy and misty city is well deserved. Each year there is an average of 122 days with fog at the International Airport and 101 days at Shearwater, on the Dartmouth side of the harbour, although on most days fog persists for less than 12 hours. The period from mid-spring to early summer is the foggiest time....Besides Halifax, other foggy places are Yarmouth (118 days), Canso (115 days) and Sydney (80 days).....Because of the extensive fogs, as well as mists, low cloud, and smog, sunshine amounts throughout the province are usually less than half the total possible."

We get less than half a day a year on the North Shore.

History of the County of Pictou "....Its meteorology exhibits little interest as distinct from the other portions of the Province. Like the rest of the north coast it presents a remarkable contrast to the southern, in its almost entire freedom from fog.... "

As I say we get around half a day a year and it is usually gone by lunchtime - that's why we grow grapes here (See Jost Vineyards), it's so dry, sunny, hot and fresh.

We have some visitors coming from the UK next week to look at property here - we took a lot of photos for them of the house and surrounding land they are interested in, have had a look inside for them and spoken to the owner for them before he goes on a trip.

What are we getting out of it I hear you ask - the pleasure and excitement of helping someone find what we have found - we would do it for anyone. British cynicism, knocking goodness and success, suspicion and negativity we left behind.

Happy New Year to you too.

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Yes, I know about the fog. It has been mentioned on BE many times. It tends to be along the coast - areas such as Fall River tend not to get it. Personally, I don't mind it as it soon burns off when the sun comes up. But everyone is different and some wouldn't like it.

Not sure its possible to be "close" to someone you met online and have seen for about and hour with a group in the pub, but if you mean I have benefited from his advice, then yes, I have.

I have also benefited from yours (the how old is old was particularly useful to me) - does that make us close too?

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi Daisy sorry your first introduction has gone to this you will get used to it ;)

How are you getting on with your research,
it gets a bit daunting if your like me you want to learn everything,:blink:

theres lots of people on here that will help if you have any questions :thumbsup:

cheers sue

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Ditto the welcome. sorry for butting in.
lynn

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Well said, I'm off helping!

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Hi Daisy,

I'll be moving to Canada in Aug 08 and have for many years worked as a UK Customs Officer. I contacted Canada Border Services Agency last summer to see if I'd be eligible to apply for one of their many vacancies. I was told that I'd have to get my PR status sorted out first. However they did add the following info:

"However, there is in fact a program that would allow you to do the switch quickly and it is called Interchange Canada. This program promotes stronger ties between organizations in the federal public administration and organizations in all other sectors both within Canada and internationally:

http://www.psagency-agencefp.gc.ca/ic-ec/about_e.asp"

Its not something I'm going to use but thought I'd mention it in case it helps, especially with the new UK Border Agency starting up.

Best of luck,

Sarah

Re: Starting at the very beginning...help.
 

Actually its as well you butted in - you were being the voice of reason after all!

Anyway, thats the hatchet burried as far as I'm concerned - there's no point prolonging the argument forever.

And, Ontheboatout (if you are still reading this thread), I really dont care what you do or how you plan to make a living. If you want to start a relocation business or make money from providing advice about buying property, dealing in property or whatever then good luck to you - its really none of my business. There's only one thing I ask: just be upfront and open about it! Dont try to dupe people into becoming your customers by promoting your region and dressing it up as impartial advice. The only reason I started picking on you in the first place is because I suspected that's what you were doing.