RajBal

After speaking to lots of companies most are rip-offs and lots of responses from people stating do it yourself and save a packet for when you move. Where do i get the forms from and is there a step by step guide that can help?

nikki dreaming

Hi

Here a link to the CIC website which includes all the forms and application guides.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

The wiki also has lots of info to assist you in the application process, plus you can always post any questions you have on here

Good luck

dwight-van-man

Some are def rip offs, some are good and cost a lot. If you're prepared to do the leg work, research etc then it can be done yourself. We looked at loads of firms that arranged immigration; the only ones that looked useful were the ones tha tacked a job finding and relocation package on, but again theres firms that do just this and theres no substitute I guess for job hunting yourself...

lof

could you explain what legwork means to you?
if you use an immigration lawyer / consultant or not: you are still the one who has to prove the important stations in your life. you are the one who has to get police certificates, university credentials, job references, birth and marriage certificate and so on. that's what i understand as legwork. there are people who find that the worst part of the initial part of the process.

yes, a good immigration firm puts all the information into a perfect application package. they make sure that every relevant support document is where it belongs to, that there aren't silly spelling mistakes that could complicate an otherwise smooth process, sell the best possible picture of you as the applicant without bending the truth... and tell you upfront if they realise that you're not likely to become a pr...
so, if filling forms isn't your strongest subject, or your background is not perfectly straightforward - a divorce can be enough to make it complicated - get your approved immigration specialist in canada.

many on this board have gone the diy-route. it can be done, if you are willing to invest the time and effort.

Rob_999

Spot on post lof - nicely sums things up. DIY can be done, but its not for everyone.

RajBal

Rob_999 & Lof

As it sounds I'd be better off going through someone, who would you recommend??

dwight-van-man

Not sure why you need my definition of legwork - I was trying to make the same point you did, ie that diy works for some people, assisted for others...

lof

i'm sorry, that you see that as a personal affront towards you. it wasn't meant that way.

i wanted to clarify the impression i got from your post. i didn't question your post in itself but tried to point out that you can't avoid doing the legwork (which gathering of all the relevant documents is in my opinion) by getting an immigration consultant.

lof

i did it successfully myself so can't really recommend a consultant from my own experience. but andrew miller who is an immigration consultant in vancouver posts here on be. imo he's a good address to start with.

dwight-van-man

Lol - was trying to come accross as NOT affronted! Just couldn't figure out what you'd got from my post Its refreshing actually to hear from someone who did it themselves who isnt dead against the use of immigration firms... Gonna stop talking now

manningl

Hi RajBal

Do it yourself - you are going to have to contact all your ex employees anyway to get references and contracts - Nobody but you can get that info so you might as well do it yourself.

There's a guide on the CHC website plus you have found this fabulous BE forum full of people like me that have already been through the whole process.

I completed mine without any problems plus I didn't know about BE until the beginning of this year so it can be done - its a lot of paperwork but spend the money on a reccie or something...

nuin

I will throw my 2 cents in.

Why DIY? Why not?

We could have done the process ourselves, myself with the help of my wife but we decided to go with the consultant route. All the guides are on CIC's website, there are many different tips in this forum and many others available on the internets. But ...

We decided at first to talk to Mr Miller, as some other people recommended him, and got the "light" package at first. We submitted the simplified application and later in the process we decided to upgrade it to the full package.

It is not a way of speeding up the process, but there is the guarantee that at every hurdle you find (and believe someday you will find even the smallest one) an experienced voice will help and guide you.

As most things in life it depends on what you want to do, and for each person there is a different answer. Our was this one.

Again, just my 2 cents.

Paulo

RajBal

Whos Mr Miller, waht company..and how much did they charge you in total if you don't mind me asking. you can e-mail me if you like. [email protected].

Thanks

Raj

nuin

Sent you a private message Raj.

Cheers
Paulo