What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Hi All,

I was on another thread and was advised to seek some advice on here! I am hoping someone can help.

We have been advised by an immigration consultant to apply for a study visa with a spousal open work permit also to get us into Canada before applying for PR. Based on some comments in the other thread, it’s looking like this is not the most ideal way for us to apply.

I will be a 39 year old skilled worker with over 10 years uk work experience with a senior management/ specialist worker position. I have a BSc. Hons also. My partner will be 51 and he has run his own greengrocer business for 17 years but only studies to A Levels (high school diploma level). Based on this info - the points would be 398 with me as lead applicant as neither of us would have work or study experience in Canada.

if we went over on a study visa (for him) and an open work permit for me and do that for two years - him studying and graduating and me working - the score goes up to 498.

if I magically found a BC employer then maybe we could do the PNP route - however not banking on that.

I have a job that can be done remotely - and can see many remote positions currently being advertised across Canada from different employers (Canadian offices or Canadian based).

We would like to live in BC.

Has anyone got any advice on the best route?

(worth noting this is not the plan until 2026 - when hopefully all COVID has died down and also giving us plenty of time to work out the best routes)

This is the consultant we have used for advice so far: <snip>

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Hi, a few questions - firstly, does it have to be BC or would you look at other provinces? How long is your OH's planned course? Would he be interested in setting up a Canadian shop/business as he's got in the UK or does he now want to do something different? What is your NOC code? Any other jobs either of you have done in the past decade? What kind of funds do you have, presumably quite a good chunk if you're going over on a study permit? And lastly, you mention on another thread about a Canadian company you think you could work for based there, would they be prepared to hire you on a 'normal' work permit (with LMIA) or even help sponsor a PR app? Or will they only hire you if you have an open work permit?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more info you can give the better really.

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Ideally we would like it to be BC, but if anyone can suggest a province with the mountains and lakes and scenery of BC that is of equal living costs and accessible (within 3 hours drive without interconnecting flights) to an international airport like Calgary, then that would definitely be something we would consider.

MY OH would like to get into some sort of running his own business, potentially online tourism or working for another tourism company, he is open to suggestions really.

From what I can see I would be a Type 0 NOC code. Skilled, senior management. I only have this experience, plus customer service and post grad research, and he did other work for the Inland Revenue and some programming work for Experian but all of those were 17 plus years ago.

Money wise we can have up to £300k to bring with us if we sell and move. We could also release some of that on a mortgage and rent out the house here instead of selling, depending on what we do. But I haven’t found anywhere that having more money makes any difference to getting a permit or residency so not sure what’s best to do there.

I think it sounds super hard to get companies to be willing to go through the route of LIMA, I haven’t asked this question as of yet as we are still so far out, but I suppose it’s always worth a shot, it’s just everyone I’ve read about on here seems to think it’s a massive turn off for the company so thought I stood a better chance (especially with wanting a remote position) to sell myself as having an open work permit. But I could always ask, you never know!

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Ps sorry, he’s hoping to get a two year course!

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

BC is one of the most expensive Provinces! It's nickname is "Bring Cash" for a reason.

What kind of physical business could your husband potentially start? An online business would likely be a non starter for applying for a 'Start Up' visa.
There are opportunities for business in the Regional Pilots (as you like rural, small communities)
https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-t...Regional-Pilot
https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-t...unity-Profiles


or if you/he could find a job
https://www.ontario.ca/page/regional-immigration-pilot
: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...ion-pilot.html

Type O is the type/level - you need to ascertain the National Occupation Code based on title and main duties.. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...tion-code.html

:)

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Just personal advice but a lot could change in 5 years in terms of requirements e.g. they introduced additional points for bilingual speakers last year because they have a quota for immigration of French speakers outside of Quebec which really benefited us but I imagine this could easily change once they hit the quota. Otherwise I would suggest if you were good at languages and think you could master French in 5 years...potentially that could boost your points? (Says a wife of a French man who can still not hold a conversation with her in-laws after about 9 years together...:blink:) And similarly, if you got a Masters over the next 5 years AND could get a high enough French score you might actually get enough points (I ran it through and that would be 498 I think - but definitely check)!

But that's a lot of ifs and buts - I would probably recommend saving for the worst case scenario of having to do the study route and start looking again in September before you want to go because that will be the time to start applying for your husband's course I imagine and then you can see how your points stack up and what the market for jobs might be like? Relax and enjoy Europe for 4 years in the meantime :lol:

Re: What Visa Should We Apply For?
 

Yes this is actually very sound advice :) I was looking at Masters courses and thinking maybe that would be a good route but it didn’t seem to increase my points to that level, HOWEVER I didn’t look at the French speaking...not entirely sure I could absorb enough to be bi-lingual haha maybe Basic French speaking...

I do agree though, the year before we go is much more likely to be when we can see what the TRUE points system looks like and whether there is anything we can do to avoid the study route. I would happily pay much less and study in the UK before we go then have to pay those fees.

We will enjoy a lovely UK existence until that point, enjoying the 5 weeks paid holiday and lovely sick leave benefits!

Thanks so much for all your help :)