christmasoompa

Nope, great grandmother doesn't give you any benefit, doesn't even give you any extra points for a FSW application I'm afraid.

You can get Canadian citizenship if you have a parent born there (assuming you also meet the other criteria), but a great-grandparent is too far removed to help.

HTH.

Canuck Fan

Aww thanks for confirming what I thought to be the case. I nearly have all the paperwork done for FSW application this year (except police certs), but unlike last year I don't quite have the £7000 in proof of funds. Am I correct in thinking that it is a strict stipulation by CIC that proof of available funds NOW is required?

scribe123

Just picking up on your last sentence there.

I may have misunderstood, but that sounds like you have found people in Alberta that may be able to find you a job, but they will charge you for the service. That is illegal! Nobody is allowed to charge you to help you find work in Alberta (that probably applied to the whole of Canada).

If I've misunderstood then please ignore this

christmasoompa

Yes, you must have it when you send your application or it'll just be rejected. Remember you can use equity in your house if you are applying via the London visa office, does that help? If you don't have equity, then sell everything you own if you have to!

IIRC you are a nurse, is that right? So you'll need to get it sorted asap, as you must send your application in for the first week in July - remember all the nurses visas went within 3 weeks last year, so you can't hang about if you want one this year (assuming they are still on the list, etc, etc).

Good luck.

Canuck Fan

Yes that's correct I am, you have a better memory than me, lol. I need to get my house re-valued so as to prove my equity then. I haven't done so as I've read conflicting comments on this forum saying you can and cannot use equity. Because it will cost me £200 to obtain the valuation I didn't want to waste my money. I still need to obtain my police cert also. I have done neither up until now also because I wanted to keep my account balance up.

christmasoompa

You can definitely use equity, but only if you are applying via the London visa office - it's the only one that allows equity to be used, so perhaps the comments you've read have been for other visa offices?

I understand why you don't want to waste your money, and it's particularly tricky as you won't know if nurses are still on 'the list' until nearer 1st July, but you'll only have a couple of weeks window to get your application in if your NOC code fills as quickly as last year, so if you definitely want to apply you might have to risk it.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Canuck Fan

Do all applications for fsw from UK or England eventually end up being processed in London via Sydney? Otherwise how will I know, because I think equity is my only option to get my application in sooner. Thanks.

christmasoompa

Sydney isn't a visa office, so you send it there but then have to choose your visa office - which will be wherever you are. So if you're in the UK, then yes, it will be London.

scribe123

If I'm not mistaken you state the visa office on the generic application form. I think it's on the first page. We just wrote 'LONDON'.

We'll be sending ours off in a few weeks also.

Waggle

Well I am a software developer and got a good job reasonably quickly once we'd got our PR. My wife is an industrial pharmacist and is on "the list" and is the reason we were able to apply FSW1.

After 6 months, although she's hopefully closing in on one, she still hasn't secured a job in her field.

Kinda shows how out-of-date this list can get in a relatively short space of time. IMO an occupation 2 years on the list, and then probably at least another year in processing, is not enough to respond to market needs. Since someone could be arriving in Canada whose occupation was in demand 3 years ago, but is not in demand today.

Wayne.

Canuck Fan

Thank you for your prompt replies.

Wiggle I agree with you. I also think the processing could be more efficient in respect to CIC who could be more pro-active in contacting applicants after say a year or so to make sure they still wish to proceed, as there must be thousands who drop out but let their applications run on.

christmasoompa

They do do that every so often, to try and reduce the backlog. Not many people take them up on it though, most choose to carry on.

Very few people will 'drop out but let their applications run on', as then they'll be subject to all the fees, whereas if they cancel before processing starts they can get a refund.

alcat2010

FSW quick + easy ?.. Someone forgot to tell CIC that!....

So if (and not being negative but it IS more than likely) our application this year is unsuccessful. Which route would you suggest we take?

Circumstances are:
Wife- 33yrs old, Registered Nurse with Bachelor degree, 4 years experience in Orthopaedics ward... IELTS done....

Myself - 32years old, Firefighter 7 years, previously qualified gas engineer / apprenticeship (qualification expired), LGV licence... and all round good guy

Oh and 2 little sprogs aged 22 + 3months..

-Have the required proof of funds available...
-No real preference in Canada (but gearing towards Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia...
- Not tied to a uk mortgage
- career breaks may be possible (if temporary work placements / permits on offer?...)

Any crystal ball or genuine knowledgable advice much appreciated!

christmasoompa

Job offer or Community Identified Stream.

Although do you want to stay working as a firefighter? If so, and given all of your 'shall we/shall we/happy with our life in Scotland' posts, tbh I'd stay put.

JMO though.

alcat2010

Ok, that's two other methods... what about the other 48??!

I'd look into continuing as a firefighter, but would pursue other uniformed services... I'm aware its difficult to get into..

You know, I'm surprised people act the way they do when I've posted my feelings of uncertainty. Surely I can't be the ONLY one in the history of immigration who has had the odd doubt?? weighed up the options?

A lot of people seem quick to say, "its not for you"..
But its dragged on for so long we've had plenty time with nothing else to do but mull over it!
Me saying positive things about our set-up her in Scotland is a change in attititude, as I have to be realistic and say we might NEVER get into canada... it is not a straight forward process, and don't make it simple for so called in demand skilled workers..

It's a relatively big decision, if not THE biggest someone is likely to make in life. Id bet my proof of funds a high % of people question whether its all worth it..

But anyway, back to our many 'other routes in'...