I have been in Canada 12 years now, married a Canadian but divorced 3 years ago. I have since had an 8 month old son and am finding it hard raising him with no family here (father has no interest.) I went home for a month recently and didn't want to come back. I am basically here on my own, have few friends that all live at least an hour away. All the people that promised to help when I had the baby have all disappeared. I have to go back to work in October and daycare costs will kill me, let alone not being able to spend time with my son by the time I get home from work.
I made the decision to go back home and now I don't know where to start! I realise I have to sell my house and car but any advice on visas, shipping furniture etc? Anything else I need to know before I go?
Thank you somuch.

Before you sell everything and book tickets home, make sure you have the legal right to remove your son from the country permanently. His other biological parent (I'm assuming father) may have the right to stop you if they are involved and want to.

The Father is not involved, nor does he want to be. He has said he will give his permission for me to take my son.

Then time to get his permission in writing (legally involving a lawyer in case he goes back on his word) Sell up, ship your stuff and fly home Sounds easy doesn't it. I suppose you need to arrange a place to live in UK first, make sure the family is expecting you etc. Get the baby his UK passport if you were born and raised in UK and he's eligible. Or if you want to go soon maybe a right of abode stamp in his Canadian passport seeing the UK ones are taking months to process right now
Thats about it really.

Well, being a single mother, you'll be eligible for loads of benefits.

I will be staying with my mum for a bit till I can get a place but will have nowhere to store my stuff at her place. I'm gonna get him his UK passport when I get home as it costs tons of money if you do it from Canada. I have to get a returning resident visa I think. Is that the case?

There are certain situations (relating to rehousing) where the local authority will store belongings. Or fund it. It may not be appropriate for you right now but worth looking into later, maybe.

Thanks, I'll look into that. BTW that's where I'm going, Bristol. Kingswood to be exact.

And so she should be, she is British and on her own with a child.

Just wanted to say good luck with your move. It shouldn't be too difficult once you've made up your mind to do it.

Btw I was Bristol born & raised but when I go back next month I'm headed to the London area.

I would carefully weigh up the pros and cons of shipping stuff back too, it maybe expensive and then if you have the problem of somewhere to store it that too can be expensive, storage in the UK is pricey.
I am going back myself very soon and am not taking any furniture, not taking much at all really, my local Goodwill really love me, as will the charity shops back in the UK, when i buy all new bits of bobs for my new place ( when I get one!0
good luck with everything.

If you are British you just need your UK passport.

I have a shipping company coming to give me a quote. I'm getting rid of some of it but I have a few nice things that cost a lot of money so I want to take them.

Squirrel are you sure? I went to the visa website (border agency or something like that) and they say I need a returning resident visa if i've been away for more than 3 years.

I hope not because I don't have one. Just my regular passport to get me back in.

No you don't your a UK citizen you just need your passport.