MarcP

I have a dream?

I have a dream, that dream is to leave the rainy, overpopulated and insanely expensive shores of blighty in the hope of settling myself and my family in the delightful continent of Canada, preferably Vancouver.

My situation is as follows.
I am 38 years old, currently work as a web design executive for the last 10 years.
I have 2 children aged 1 and 6
I live with my partner, currently un-married (I know diabolical)
I have a criminal record from about 20 years ago when I was young and dum.

Any questions are:

Am I too old to be considered?
My skills do not seem to be in demand, will this negatively affect my application?
Will having 2 children negatively affect my application?
Should I get married before applying.
How will my criminal record effect my application.

I have attended an Canadian EXPO in London in search of a good immigration expert, however the companies in attendance wanted a lot of money and did not seem very genuine.

Basically I would sell my limbs to move to Canada, can anyone direct me to a business or person that can help...

Thanks

Aviator

You would need to get a job offer with a positive LMO. Take a look at the Wiki section on this site re TWP and the Provincial Nominee Program.

In my view, immigration representatives cannot give you any better chance of getting in, they can advise on information readily available on the internet for us all to read and they can fill in forms, which you can do your self.

Former Lancastrian

What route are you thinking of applying under FSW, PNP LMO from employer
there are over 50 ways to apply.
FSW Cat1 is on hold at the moment.
Age should be no barrier and the same for having kids.
Criminal record could be a factor depending on how many convictions and what the offences were.
You should get married for love not for a job or application.
If no jobs on offer for your skills then yes it is a problem unless qualified to do other jobs.
Read through this site
http://www.canadavisa.com/
or search the wiki button at the top of the page and go to the Canada section.

el_richo

Before you move to the rainy, overpopulated, and insanely expensive shores of Vancouver, you really might want to do some more research

Former Lancastrian

Im glad it was somebody from BC that said that

el_richo

But it's true. If you want to get away from rain, higher population, expensive living costs, etc, Vancouver as a destination shouldn't be anywhere near the top of the list.

If it is, much more research is needed

With regards to the original questions:

You're not too old
Kids won't impact you
You don't need to get married as long as you can prove common law relationship
The criminal record shouldn't impact anything as long as you're truthful
If your skills aren't in demand, you'll need to find a job first before you can move over and work.

But seriously, Vancouver rains a LOT. It's a very expensive place to live. Many areas have high population.

nerdherd

Although to be fair, Vancouver also has quite a lot more sunshine hours per year than London.

Former Lancastrian

I totally agree with you.
Is it me or just lately that there are more numerous threads about people wanting to move or choosing to move to Vancouver than normal.
I think some are in for a shock and wake up call if they ever get here unless they have a wad of cash behind them.
I like Vancouver but seriously you wont find me wanting to move there in a hurry and thats keeping my same job and transferring there.

el_richo

True. Days of rainfall is about on a par though i think (Vancouver has much more in winter and much less in summer than London). But if you want to get away from rainy (and expensive, and higher population), Vancouver isn't the place

el_richo

Vancouver is the best place to live in Canada (in my opinion), as long as you can afford it

Former Lancastrian

Some of your friends in Nova Scotia might beg to differ

el_richo

I'm sure they would, but they'd be wrong

Simon Legree

Not wrong. Just happy that you are where you are and not here because we're not all there !

nerdherd

Oh, absolutely! Still a great city though, shame it's so expensive

Aviator

None from November to March though.