mrmcgoo

I applied for Skilled Immigration in March 2005 and I'm patiently sitting out the 2 year wait. But an opportunity has come my way that I think I can use to sit out a year of that wait in Canada.

I'm interested in anyones thoughts on whether this is feasible or not!

I've been offered effectively a full time contract for a UK company (I've worked for this company on and off for over 10 years now). And it's specifically to work from home. It's an IT development job so working over the internet is not an issue, I've already done loads of work for them that way. They are aware of my desire to come to Canada and I don't think they will have a problem with my plan (I'm already 100 miles away so a few thousand more won't hurt ).

The plan is to come to Canada in June with my family as visitors, which gives us 6 months, which can be extended (but I'm not sure how accommodating Canada is on that score). We will rent a property, get student permits so the kids can go to school in Canada. Hopefully, we will be allowed to stay long enough on this basis until our immigration visa is sorted.

I could speed up the immigration by getting a job in Canada - but to get UK IT contract rates in a country where the cost of living is much less is very appealing.

I'm aware we'll have to come back for medicals and interviews.

Can anyone see any snags or pitfuls?

steve of 5-0

You can work in Canada, if your employer is in another country.
And your salary goes into you other country account first before being moved to your Canadian account.
You would need to check out the immigration sight for exact visa procedure.
One could leave the application you have going at present as still live.
The file number you have for that is the one you use when you file any other types of applications.
Your kids education?
You will have to check that one out.

If this company wants a few meetings where your presence is required, won`t you spend a fortune in commutin`?

mrmcgoo

Thanks for the reply Steve, in terms of the company, my on-site costs are already high that they already avoid needing me in person! Anyway we have video conferencing! Although it will be unsociable working hours!

My real area of uncertainty is being able to extend my stay from 6 months to 12. As a Brit I don't need an initial visitors visa but beyond that I'm not sure.

I've trawled the CIC site and can't find conclusive details which would cover my situation.

Cheers
Chris

Posidrive

One nasty financial snag. Since you will be "non resident" (i.e. not paying Canadian taxes), your kids would be classified as overseas students, even with a study permit. Most municipalities will then charge you at least $10,000 per year per child in tuition fees.

mrmcgoo

Ooh! Thanks for that Posidrive - I thought the study permit seemed cheap. My kids are 6 and 9, is it any cheaper at elementary school?
Anyone know how much in BC?

Posidrive

My son is 10 so same grade. I only found about these figures when there was some initial confusion about what fees are payable when you are here on a work permit as opposed to being a PR. Fortunately Calgary and the surrounding district of Rocky view took the sensible approach. I've heard that some areas (Ontario??) will charge these sort of rates to those on a work permit as well which would really stink since you are then paying Canadian taxes. Can't confirm that this latter point is any more than a rumour though.

It is possible that education in some private (public to we British) schools could actually be cheaper. Again not confirmed.

mrmcgoo

Thanks, I'll have to do some more digging on that one but it's not insurmountable (but I'm now glad I've only got 2 kids ).

My plan is still looking like a good one, just more expensive now!

Cheers
Chris

hankim2

For one, kids will have to pay international rate for schoold fees which could be pretty steep.

Bleech

Keep the kids in England!!
I'm in a similar situation but I'll be working from home for a UK company whilst a perminant resident. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

hankim2

So there are exceptions to practice ie Calgary and surrounding district of Rocky will charge domestic school fees for kids whose parents are on work permit visa. Will that apply for parents on study permit ?

Judy in Calgary

I don't know about Rocky View. As far as the Calgary Board of Education is concerned, the way I read its web site, it does not charge the international student fee to the minor child of a "lawfully admitted permanent or temporary resident."

However, if the parent is in Canada on a study permit, then the parent most likely is paying more for his/her tuition than a Canadian citizen or permanent resident would pay.

Let's say the parent who is in Canada on a study permit is studying at the University of Calgary, for example. The tuition that U of C charges foreign students is considerably higher than the tuition it charges citizens and PRs.

So, while the minor child of a study permit holder does not pay international student tuition in Calgary (as far as I know), the adult student permit holder does pay the international student tuition rate at any institution at which that's applicable.

hankim2

thanks Judy for the info. Well at least it is cheaper than also having kids pay international rate.

hankim2

Hi Judy

I was checking the Calgary Board of Edu website and could not locate the section which states... does not charge the international student fee to the minor child of a "lawfully admitted permanent or temporary resident." Could you kindly let me know under which section?

Thanks very much

MartinTheBrit

Unfortunately (and I know this because yours was my original plan) I believe it is illegal as you are working "IN" Canada whilst being on visitor status.

If you are under 35 and a university graduate you could apply for a BUNAC Work Canada temporary one year visa. That's what I did.

I hope this helps.

M.

MartinTheBrit

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257302 has details.

Regards, M.