Allright

Just wanting to know if there is anyone on here who has moved to Canada by themselves, preferably younger people . How did you do it ? Was it hard ? What are the costs like ?
Any replies will be greatly appreciated.

My friend from Glasgow is 29 and has just arrived in Toronto on Monday. She has a new apartment and starts a job in IT sales tomorrow.

We are very proud of her, it can be done!

To do so, she learned French to business level, and completed a masters in IT. I must stress however this was under the old points based system, and her full application took over 4 years!

If she had tried to apply now under the new rules she would not have been successful

Are you aware of the 38 job categories which you now have to match one of to qualify to apply?

Are you aware of the 38 job categories which you now have to match one of to qualify to apply?

Thanks for your reply. Im not too sure about this, could you explain it a bit more ?

Here you go - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/THE_LIST-Canada

But bear in mind that (a) this list is about to change; and (b) that this is only relevant to Skilled Worker visas, which is only one route in to Canada (there are over 50!), so there are plenty of other options if you don't have a job on the list of 38.

i think there are a number of people on this board who have moved here on their own, me included.
unless you come over on a bunac visa (which is limited to a year) you have to go through the exactly the same work visa / immigration process as somebody with a spouse or family. just that the according costs are accordingly smaller. so, i'm not exactly sure what information you're after?

i've been 30 when i got a job opportunity on vancouver island, came over on a youth exchange program like bunac (i'm not british), fell in love with the island, applied for pr through the bcpnp program and the rest is history (in the process to get citizenship now).
my immigration process was essentially sailing through - because i was at the right time at the right spot and willing to give it a go. another way to put it is: it's meant to be.
the thing that can be hard once in a while is leaving friends and family behind, i find modern information technology a mixed blessing in that regard. i personally think that being on my own has given me different opportunities to integrate into society here - you have to make an effort to build new friendships, coming over with a partner could lure you into mainly relaying on your existing relationship.

but what do i know?

The list only applies to those who are wanting to emigrate to Canada without a Job offer in Hand.

It wouldn't apply to someone who already has a job offer and a skilled profession who wanted to emigrate or perhaps someone who is on a TWP working in Canada already and wanting to emigrate there.

Just thought id throw that in just in case its relevant

I was 39 when I came across, but I wouldn't have thought about it if I hadn't had a job to come to.

Well i was wanting to do plumbing -im still only 17 - and i see thats on the list. Any idea when the list will be changing ? And if plumbing will still be on it ?
Ive spoken before on here and learned that after a four year apprenticeship i could look for jobs in Canada and if i do get one then i could get in that way, would that now be different ?

Thanks again

As long as the economy is good I think Canada will always have a need for plumbers. There has been a shortage in my area. I know, because I have needed plumbing work done last year and I had to wait a few months for a plumber to be available. They make very good money too.

The economy everywhere is so unstable that who knows what is going to happen in the future. Canada is in a good position to do better than other places because it's a resource rich country unlike Britain.

It's on 'the list' at the moment, but no way of knowing if it will still be when the list is changed (which is due to happen any day now). And certainly no way of knowing if it'll be in demand in 4 or 5 years time!

Do plumbing if that's what you really want to do with your life, but don't do it just to get in to Canada as there's no way you can know what the visa situation/requirements will be when you're ready to go.

Good luck.

I did it. It's harder now than it was 3/4 years ago because of the exchange rate.

This is actually my seond stab- the first was via Bunac and it was definately easier at $2.3 to the GBP than $1.6 to the GBP.

The process has also changed.

As always it largely depends on the job you land and how quickly you land it.

I have an ok life style and cover my costs but not making the same cash as the UK yet. I'll see how it plays out over the next twelve months or so. I won't be sticking around if I can't improve my earnings.

I think it's worth the gamble if you decide that Canada is where you want to be.

I'm 33, single and have just started the process of applying for a visa. I realise that the chances of walking into a job that pays the same as I'm earning now are slim but am willing to work through the ranks again because of the better quality of life Canada can offer.

Yeah well plumbing is definatley what i want to do. All i can do is hope that its still on the list when i finish my apprenticeship

Money will be a big part of it im guessing. Is it acheivable tho at a young age?
I was thinking about BUNAC, seems a good way to go about it.

James, how big is the difference in earnings from Uk to where you live now? And will that vary from area to area in Canada ?

Hi

Re Plumbing - Did you know that having the 4 year apprenticeship is not always enough? Most provinces require you to have 9,000 hours of work experience as a Plumber on top of the apprenticeship before you are able to sit the exams that allow you to work there.

Depending on where you are looking at moving to, you would be looking at another 5-6 years on top of the 4 year apprenticeship before you would be able to apply to sit the exams!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thought you should be aware - Which province are you looking into moving to?

Here are some links for info on Plumbing in Alberta and British Columbia:

http://www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca/in...ex_content.asp

http://www.itabc.ca/Page674.aspx

Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

I'm heading over alone on a bunac work visa and would like to apply for PR or a LMO if can get a good job. Otherwise will return in Nov 2011 and reapply to Bunac on the non-student route in dec 2011.