Hi everyone I'm new here as you'll probably notice.

I've tried having a quick go of the search function but I'll be honest there's so much info to go through I thought I'd just ask.

I'm 34 my wife is 30 and we have a 12 and 9 year old girls. I'm a time served motor mechanic, my wife has her own small business doing party decoration.

We are looking into the possibility of relocating to either British Columbia or Alberta and need some advice on how to go about everything. I have family in BC that I've been in touch with regarding moving and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

With our girls being school age we would like them to have access to good education.

Is there a demand for motor mechanics?

Would I be best trying to gain a TWP for say 6 or 9 months before applying for PR?

What forms will I need to fill in?

How much are visas going to cost?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions and pick up more helpful info from doing more research.

Thanks in advance and please don't shoot me down lol

Michael

Your problem is finding an employer willing to apply for a Labour Market Opinion for you stating that there are no Canadians available to do your job unless you are a very specialized motor mechanic.
Heavy duty equipment mechanics are on the Federal Skilled trades list
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigra...plications.asp

This would be a good place to start http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Quick_...an_Immigration.

Look at PNP as well, you will need an employer to do this with you.
http://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate/Immigrate.aspx

The big issue is if your skill are in short supply in Canada. If not this makes it harder.

From what you've said, that's your only option anyway unless you are a HG mechanic or have another route to a visa such as investment?

That will depend on the visa route. If you are going over on a TWP, then it's the employer that has to do all the application and pay the fee for the LMO, and you can get the TWP at the airport in Canada, so there may be no forms at all. For PR, there will be a lot of forms, but it will depend on the route you use.

Again, it will depend on the visa. For a TWP, it's only $150, but for PR it'd be around $2400 for the four of you, plus medicals (perhaps £200-300 per person) and then other costs such as police certs and courier fees. So figure about $4k in total as a rough guide. For other costs, this thread is useful - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735341.

HTH a bit at least, good luck.

Thank you everyone for the replies. Gives me some more reading and options to consider.

What type of motor mechanic? Heavy duty mechanic can pick up LMO's easily.

Just a regular car and light commercial mechanic.