So you Want to Immigrate to Canada?

Niagara Falls, Ontario.

So you want to Immigrate to Canada?

Many people have often probably thought about it for a few minutes,

but you need to be 100% realistic about it.

This blog is particularly long as i wanted to Explain  how long and hard the journey from start to finish could be.

Canada as a country is vast, with it's huge open spaces, and can be extremely hot in the Summer, but also extremely harsh in the winter, with constant snow falls, and temperatures as low as -30 in places!

Immigrating to Canada shouldn't be taken lightly, Think about it first and be realistic,

as you will probably want to do this for the long term.

It isn't a decision you can just make while watching TV, or think about while taking a walk in the park

and isn't one of those things you can do by just jumping on a plane and expect Immigration officers to say 

"Did you have a good trip? Feel free to stay as long as you want and find work or take our health care and benefits"

I first made the decision to move Immigrate to Canada after i had known my partner for 9 months.

Let me start by giving a few facts on the Immigration Process:

1/First contact would either be a solicitor, lawyer or Immigration Consultant.

They will ask specifically what you want and will then be realistic if they can help you (to save you A LOT of money) if you change your mind half way through the process.

2/ you will be given a file case number,  asked  for the reason(s) you want to Immigrate to Canada

and if you have any family living there or are sponsored via a JOB offer.

3/You will be given a care letter explaining what they will do for you.

4/ You will be quoted a price based on What country you wish to Immigrate to, and under which Class.

This is usually:

Business Class

Skilled Worker

Entrepreneur

or 

Family Class

Different costs are quoted for different classes.

Next, you will more than likely be given a user name and password to log into Their website,

This is usually for the Immigration Consultants Benefit where you are asked to gather 

DOCUMENTATION and facts, and then to upload them to the website.

You may also be given documents to download and fill out, relevant to your case.

DO NOT FORGET

 that you will need probably need to fill out, and post the application form(s)

No, its not  a few forms either, and this is where most people get put off,

The forms and documentation that need to be sent off could well equate to a medium thickness Novel!

On top of this, for certain categories, you will need evidence of your relationship with your 'partner'

certain statutory forms such as  copies of passports and any visas you may already have in them,

copies of Birth certificates

and you will also be required (mandatory)  to request a police certificate

stating weather you have any convictions.

if you do have, the chances are that you MAY have your application for PR rejected, even for minor offences that may have happened earlier on in your life.

You will be required to have several passport  compliant photos (no smiling, on a white background)

Many Immigration Consultants will give you no information or refuse to work on your case until

the whole of the case has been paid for.

After all this...... Your still not finished, in some cases

 you will be required to disclose your financial detail in order to help your case,

things like bank statements and transactions.

Usually after this comes the Medical.

Dependant on what class you choose to Immigrate under, This will have an IMPORTANT bearing on your case.  Most Medicals are stringent, and cannot be completed by your family doctor or GP,

BUT instead a GOVERNMENT approved CIC Canada chosen doctor.

Dependent on where you go to have your medical done, will also determine how much you would have to pay for having a medical done,

You will have to give the designated doctor  an APPENDIX C form.

After the medical you should be given a form back to give to your Immigration consultant,

you will NOT be given ANY results  of the medical,

although you may well be told that the  medical officer may well have picked up on a hidden illness or disease.

There are 2 ways you can be denied a visa or entry into Canada

.

CRIMINAL INADMISSIBILITY

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/visas/criminality-criminalite.aspx

MEDICAL INADMISSIBILITY

http://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-medical-inadmissibility.html

Once you have had your medical, and sent all the relevant forms back

Your sponsor will then have to pay a fee, (Approx $550CDN,

this is for your right to become a permanent resident and to have the  health card

(Newer ones have a photo on, and can often be used in certain circumstances in Canada as ID)

Next you will be Invited for an Interview (can be on the phone, or designated offices)

and shortly after  approx 2-4 months (sometimes longer)

you will be notified if you have been successful in Gaining your Canadian Permanent Residency.

To date I have spent  A lot of money on my case  taking approx 3 months to pay off.

A few Relevant links if you are looking into Getting a Permanent Residence Visa for Canada.

http://www.globalvisas.com/

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=56

In my next blog, I will explain the difference between a CV and a Canadian Resume, as well as what happens when you land and what you can do to make it easier for yourself and/or family.