Yes, that's fair and warrants an entry on the "Alternatives to Emigration" thread.

Hello. Welcome to the forum. I am an authority here on nearly all levels.

Did you visit Hooters?

Can you get rid of your partner? Would you take sand to the beach?

Do you have children?

My advice is an IEC and bring just enough money to tie you over a few months. You can fully commit down the line if it is for you.

With regards to salary try and push for $2 for every GBP you earned but don't be surprised if you only get $1.5.

With 2 years experience, it's not really a big difference is it? But I did comment on that with reference to LMIA. If you can gather 500 points without a job offer you should be fine for EE/ITA.

Why haven't you done the application?. Or perhaps you have? Just more food for my earlier comment that your original question was a bit ludicrous.

OK. IEC is out then, or as James suggested dump your partner if you think it's all worth it.

I'm sorry if I seem unsympathetic but I've been commuting for the last 24 hours.

I guess the answer to all these is no. Hooters no, partner can't be left, no children, no to IEC as OH over 30

Procurement manager and buyers are different jobs. I work with a team of people who buy and renew products, deal with purchase orders, request quotes for pricing etc- they are the buyers. I am involved and often lead on global contract negations, reviewing licence agreements worth millions of £ and manage a range of contracts with the big player such as Microsoft and IBM. Junior buyers do the bare minimum hours, I'm doing at least 10 a day and work some weekends.

Yes I've only been in the job 2 years but as I said earlier, I was very lucky to wangle this job (and double my salary) after only a year.

I haven't done my application yet as want to save more money and be in a better position to move before starting the process. I don't see why asking for some advice on here makes any difference to my application status (or lack of atm)

Firstly congratulations on doubling your salary.......

My research leads me to the following conclusion but there are others who are far more knowledgeable than me here who may correct; you can apply now for Express Entry, if you get given an Invitation To Apply (ITA) then you have 60 days to apply for your Permanent Residence (PR) card. Once you have this card, I believe it is valid for 5 years and you must stay for 2 years within Canada in any 5 year period to keep the PR status. So I believe this means once you have your PR card, you have effectively 3 years to move to Canada which would give you a remaining 2 years in Canada allowing you to keep your PR status.

I think it would be best to apply for EE right now, get your PR card, then save up. At least then you know you are able to go. If you don't do this, you may find that you are no longer eligible. I believe the new EE system has made it so many people are no longer eligable due to insufficient points.

I would check that your points are getting you above 500 though as I thought your gf would technically be unskilled (no disrespect). I don't get 500 points despite having a BTEC, BSc, MSc, 10 years experience in engineering, 30 years old and I've assumed max language test scores with a gf who has 4 years nursing experience, BSc in nursing and she's 26. It doesn't sound like you have Canadian work experience so I'm not sure how you'd get above 500 points. Obviously I don't know your situation but I think that's just something potentially worth checking.

I did the calculation yesterday and it's 486 (close enough). Based on current draws that should be well enough...he says.

We don't have all the cash yet as proof of funds but I've read on here elsewhere you can use evidence of equity etc as proof.

Guess I need to pull my finger out and get on with it, booking the language tests etc

We're looking to start practising next week and get the language tests booked.
I'm currently looking at who's best to get my qualifications checked out.
Getting applied asap, like you say based on current draws, 486 is enough. The numbers required seem to be on a downward trend.

Keep us informed how you get on.

We got a book off Amazon that seems pretty comprehensive and gives loads of practice tests. You can't really practice the writing part (I don't think) and there are a few listening examples on the internet. We did one a few months ago and it was OK.

I'm sure there's an abundance of advice on here about the tests and education

I found this:

http://www.canadavisa.com/ielts/free...ice-tests.html

Have you got a link for the book?

Cambridge Ielts 9 Student's Book with Answers (IELTS Practice Tests) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/110761550X/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_atzXwb6BNWSV0

Not sure why it won't turn into a hyperlink but if it doesn't work just search for the book itself

Cheers for that. Just ordered.

See bolded: not quite right. If/when you receive an ITA, you then complete the application for a PR *visa*. If this is granted (generally called COPR on this & other fora), you would have ~1 year from the date of Medicals to LAND in Canada & activate your PR status. *Once landed*, you *then* get the PR card which is proof of that status, & has to be renewed every 5 years.

As a landed PR, you then need to spend 730 days in each rolling 5 year period to maintain PR status. The clock starts ticking for the first 5 years from the date you officially land as a PR with your COPR.

Assuming English is your first language and you have a modicum of intelligence (if you score 500 points i assume you have some education) you will easily score over CLB 10 to get max points. These test are designed for people who have English as a second language.

I got max points no prep and out in 1.5 hours of a 3 hour test. also failed a level english so would not be to worried about it.

Thanks for the correction, much appreciated