Comanch09

Hi,

I'm currently 18, living in the USA, and attending a University. Anyways, long story short, I'm sick of living in the USA, and would like to immigrate somewhere else. I have plenty of reason, not just some idea I came up with, but it would take up too much of this post. Also, I dont have plans on doing this until after college.

The two countries I was looking into were Canada and the UK. MY first choice is the UK right now, but from who I have talked to and some stuff I have looked up, it seems its not very easy immigrating there. Although, I'm not 100% sure about that, it may not be too hard.

But, anyways, I have some questions about Canada, hopefully some people on here could help me out.

1.) Is it hard for someone from the USA to emmigrate to Canada? Does it cost much? How long would the process probably take for a US citizen?

2.) I heard there is "free" health care there for citizens. I assume this means higher taxes. Does anyone know much about that? Here in the USA, they rob me via the social security tax (I wouldnt recieve it anyways if I stayed here, because the money will run out by then), so honestly I wouldnt mind paying higher taxes for health care. Also, are there any real "limits" on the health care?

3.) Are there racial issues in Canada? Over here in the USA, racial issues are getting very bad. For example, in getting accepted to colleges, races get bonus points (or points taken away) on there SAT when getting accepted to college via a law called Affirmative Action. Here is how it breaks down:

Blacks: +230
Hispanics: +185
Asians: -50
Recruited athletes: +200
Legacies (children of alumni): +160

Link: http://www.answers.com/topic/affirmative-action-in-the-united-states-1

These numbers were based on a study done by Princeston. These numbers are just based on race, not income or anything like that.

Are there laws or things like that that exist in Canada? Are there any real issues with race in society as well? I myself don't wish to live in a country where racial issues are widespread and even effect the government. I would like to see equality.

Anyways, those are basically my questions. Sorry for the rant on question 3, but I figured I would explain where I was coming from. Thanks for any information, I would very much appriciate it.

Andrew Miller

Sorry, but being just 18 years old gives you almost zero chance - you have no qualifying education and no required work experience. Start your learning process here:

www.cic.gc.ca

If you can afford it you can come to Canada as international student, gain education and work experience and then apply for PR visa.

There will be no instant solution my friend as it all will take many, many years all together. By the time you gain education and experience qualifying you as skilled worker you will be at least 5 years older than now. Then add 2 years or longer for PR process. And at your current age anything what takes more than few months is probably too long.

liquidsuite

America is such a big place and each city is like a new country. Why dont you just move somewhere else in US. Be alot cheaper and you dont have to wait in a long waiting list. I think with your age this may be the best solution for you for right now. Maybe in another 10 years then you can move abroad. If I was living in US I would just move to another city as each one is so diferent.

ABW

***All comments and opinions expressed in here are my own. I do not speak as a representative of any organization nor any special interest.***

This is the first time I’ve heard someone who has a somewhat similar attitude as me.
How many are there out there?
“I'm sick of living in the USA, and would like to immigrate somewhere else.”
Amen….Brother.
OK, here are several answers based on my experience as a “Fresh of the boat/plane/bridge” recent immigrant from the USA.
1.) How hard is it??? From scale 1 to 10, I’ll give it 7. I did the entire process myself with the help from fellow experts here such as Mr. Andrew Miller, PMM, JAJ, and other folks whose names I forget to mention. You have to do your own due diligence gathering all required paperworks. Basically, dot all eyes and cross all teeth. The immigration process for myself cost me $2871(medical, associated cost gathering paperworks, FBI fingerprints, state police clearance, RPRF, medical test, etc) and settling in Canada cost me $1928 (importing/registering my car, establishing credit, down payment on rent, etc.). It took me one year and a half to complete the immigration process.
2.) All taxes and healthcares are relative issues depending where you are in the US and Canada. There are plusses and minuses for healthcare anywhere. Yes you pay more taxes in Ottawa, Ontario compare to that of Sioux Falls, South Dakota but you will be paying more taxes living in San Fransisco, CA; New York City, NY, and Boston, MA compare to Ottawa, Ontario. Free healthcare is good but certain surgeries may have to wait longer. Social Security will run out in the US anyway eventually, that’s why you save your money in Roth IRA for your retirement. There are limits for healthcare here. There are many things that you have to look at. You can’t think one dimensional nowadays; you have to think multi-dimensional.
3.) Racial issues are EVERYWHERE around the world. SAT and racism are totally separate issues. Some dumb politicians try to push whatever agenda they have .Here in Canada (especially eastern parts), we have Francophone and Anglophone if you want to discuss racial issues. It’s all political.

You are still young so lose the silver spoon attitudes, enjoy life, and think multi-dimensional before you become old, bitter, lonely, angry person like me.

Comanch09

First, let me just say I have no attitude of this. I fully realize that there are no utopians out there (but if someon know about one, hit me up). I came to ask about Canada, that was it.

Now, back to the questions . Thanks for the responses.

As far as when I would plan on doing this (if I do go to Canada), would be after college and having a job/work experience. So, that might put more of a timeline on things if it happened.

Anymore information and opinions would be great, keep it coming .

Andrew Miller

If you plan to immigrate here after college and gaining required work experience then don't worry about anything now as it will take you about 5 or more years just to get to the point of meeting today's selection criteria. By that time rules will be different and quite probably we'll have some sort of path already defined leading to North American union or community or whatever it may be called - sort of a union between Canada, Mexico and US, similar to EU.

ABW

Glad you don't have those attitudes.
Actually Mr. Andrew Miller's advice on coming to Canada as international student, gain education and work experience and then apply for PR visa is a great idea.
Thus you can also fund your education via http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
They also disburse student loans to Canadian universities. I believe some Canadian colleges here also have certain agreements for "in state tuition fee".

Comanch09

ABW,

A question about the "in state tuition" thing. I have heard similar things going on in the USA, ie. If your state doesn't have your major, you can go out of state on in state tuition. But this is not very widespread in USA and has many small writing in it.

Anyways, do you know what colleges are doing this in Canada, or a website that list them out? Im looking to transfer to a certain other college in the North after this semester, but if they have ones in Canada that are good (and taking in state tuition), that may be better for me. Any information on that would be great.

ABW

There is no website or a list of colleges. It varies from one institution to another and case by case as well as your major.
The best way is to contact admission department wherever university in Canada you want to attend.
Be very resourceful.
Typically if you can secure certain jobs (ie. Research Assistant, Teaching Fellow,etc...etc...); you will pay for "in state tuition fee".
Based on my experience, I got accepted for a graduate program for the University of Alberta in Edmonton nine months shy from getting my landed immigrant status. I turned it down because a research assistant only got paid $10/hour while I was making $$$ working for US DOE.

dbd33

I live with one. If you want to meet lots hang around the "Vote Democrat from Canada" booth at the Pride Parade. I expect there's a similar, but different, booth at the Calgary Stampede.

Comanch09

So are you calling ABW gay or something?

dbd33

No. I've no idea about that. I'm just saying that we met lots of Americans who live in Canada at the Pride Parade. iirc the people in the booth thought they were 200,000 US citizens in Toronto; enough to matter from an electoral perspective.

This site is an American's Guide to Canada : http://emily.icomm.ca/immig.html

moving2montreal

i mentioned the north american union, and everyone made fun of me and said i was a lunatic conspiracy theorist. now maybe it is all over the news there by now. i know that its all over the internet, and maybe americans are just starting to wake up and realize whats happening to their country.

swiftchick82

I am Canadian, born and raised, and currently immigrating to the US as my husband is American (we're in year two by the way). I just came across this on the net and wanted to say a few things:

1. Canada DOES NOT have "FREE" health care. I can't stand the fact that Americans think that we do. Yes, it's more socialistic, but certainly not free. You have to be below the poverty line to get 100% subsidized, and when I was your age making a mere $15,000 a year, I got subsidized $3/mo, which meant I was paying $43/mo for my "free" health care after I've been taxed for it. Being in the US now, I know that still, that is not much. Yes, it's better than the costs of health care in the States, but the quality of care is less. Now, do you know what this health care is? Let me tell you:
- Basic care only
- 8 to 18 hr waits in the ER
- No dental coverage or coverage on anything other than life threatening
- 6-12 month waits to get an MRI when you could be dying and you might get one in 3-6 months.
- and more. Anything else, you have to get extra coverage that you PAY A LOT for!
I would rather pay for quality health care for me and my family than have to deal with the health care in Canada. And I grew up with it!

2. Living in Canada is ridiculously expensive. You want to pay $4 - $7cdn a gallon of gas? Check out the exchange rate. It's almost par, you would not be paying about the same as in US, you're paying more. Your "average" house in a decent city where you can actually find a real job is $300,000 - $400,000 for a STARTER home. Even milk costs over $5/gallon. Cars are more expensive up there too! The UK is even worse!

4. I understand the beef with Social Security. But its a part of life and we all have to deal with it.

3. You are only 18. I used to hate it when people would say "You're only" but it's true. You seem tired of where you've been living, so move to another state. Someone else said it, and I agree with it.

4. And immigration to Canada? Someone else said it too, you're 18 and you have no chance. Even after you get your degree, you are going up against people with more education, more experience, and more likely, someone sponsoring them. And a lot of times, comapanies won't hire an American for the sake of it taking a Canadian's job. My mom ran into this a lot and she's been in Canada for 40 years!

5. "Are there laws or things like that that exist in Canada? Are there any real issues with race in society as well? I myself don't wish to live in a country where racial issues are widespread and even effect the government. I would like to see equality". Sorry kid, but everywhere you go, there are racial problems whether its in the US or Canada AND their respective governments. Hate to break it to you, but the myth that Canadians are the nicest people in the world and we all live in harmony and balance is just that, a ridiculous myth. You won't catch a break in Canada.

I recommend finding an exchange program or an internship in another country so you can see that even though the US has a lot of garbage everyone has to deal with, living here you're better off than a lot of places. Or you could always marry a Canadian, though be careful of Canadian immigration busting you for a fraud marriage, they're just as big a pain in the rear as US immigration, and you could find yourself deported back to the states no wiser, a lot poorer, and with an even worse chip on your shoulder. Enjoy the country you were born into. Things could be worse! Turn on CNN if you don't believe me!