josh.thomas

Hello. I'm 17, and after finishing 6th form (10 months time) I thought I would take some time out, move to Canada, on a permanent basis.

There are many reasons for me wanting to leave, some personal, some educational, and that I want more oppertunities when I'm older.

A few things to note is that:

1. I have NO family in Canada
2. I have a full primary, (and at the time of applying) full secondary education (GCSEs, doing AS levels now, and A levels next year before leaving) I have everything up to University level (That I wish to accomplish later)
3. I have no criminal record
4. I will be taking around £10-15K with me


I want to move, definatley, as I see no way of building a future where I am now - but I am 100% certain, should I settle and make friends (Money is not an issue, I will have around £10-15K to start off with, to find a job etc), I would live out there permanently.

The options I have been suggested are:

1. Apply to a Uni, whilst studying, find a job (work exp.) apply for permanent residence.

2. Apply for a 2 year work visa (work experience) and have the owner of the company 'Sponsor' me. After that, I would obtain permanent residece, and could also attend Uni.

3. Go through 'Abrams & Krochak' (www.akcanada.com - $2000 to process the paperwork and provide assistance) and apply as an ''Independant" (Apparently its the same as Skilled Worker, but without the Skilled Part)

Can someone shed some light on how someone in my situation could move to Canada, at around 18 years old (Earlier the better) on a Permanent Basis - and as securley as possible.

Thanks in advance guys!

josh.thomas

Anyone? *

dbcctbc

Dear 18 year old looking to immigrate from the UK to Canada:

I hope that you haven't found a way to Canada yet. Why? Because I think it is far more difficult to succeed than anyone lets on. Sure, you may find a way to qualify to immigrate, depending on your education level, your work history, finances, family members in Canada [or not?] But the fact is that for many people, in many professions, they are without meaningful employment for a long long time. Many others only succeed in getting lower paying jobs, such as taxi driver, etc. and never get interviewed, let alone hired, for a position that uses their high level of education.

If you read our experience, which is also posted on this site, you'll see that we are two Americans, one of whom has held a work permit for the better part of two years, yet not been interviewed once.

There are many Canadians who are obsessed on the idea that "non-Canadians" are "taking a job away from a Canadian". This attitude is far more strong in Canadian society, and the work environment in most fields, than anyone lets on publicly.

Now, of course, it may be a little harder or a little easier depending on where in Canada you wind up. [Alberta is by far the strongest economy in Canada]
We are in B.C. and my partner hasn't found work yet.

You mention how much you have in savings, and it's great that at your age you have managed to keep money in the bank. But are you really willing to gamble it all, with the risk that you may return sooner than imagined, with just the shirt on your back and an empty wallett?

If you could find an employer in Canada who is willing to hire you and help you through the immigration "red-tape" then I'd say things are a bit different. At least then, you'd know you were walking into a job, and you'd know what your salary would be, etc. and you'd have a better chance.

I just have come to think that immigrating to Canada is far more myth than reality for many people, especially those looking for "white collar" jobs.
I've read far too many stories in the newspapers here in Canada that have shown the difficulties immigrants [and also people like us with open work permits] face here. You are lead to believe your skills will be appreciated and that you will have a chance at the positions [that in some cases you left in your home country] but the employers in most cases resist even considering a "non-Canadian" for a position, except for the most dire of labor shortages.

In our situation, our immigration lawyer in Vancouver advised us that it would be good for me to finish my education here in Canada, and that my partner would be allowed an "open work permit" and the lawyer examined his resume and told him he should have no problem finding work right away. What a lie.

He [lawyer] said that we'd be able to immigrate after he found a job, or when I had studied here a few years or obtained a two year or four year degree [situation may vary of course in the skilled worker program depending on many factors]
but as my partner hasn't even been interviewed, let alone hired, we are basically sitting here waiting and praying for the phone to ring, but it never happens. We won't bother to immigrate if he can't get a job in all this time. Meanwhile, back in the USA, he still has people who contact him about jobs -- and are encouraging him to return to the USA where he can get a good paying job.

Canada claims to be immigrant friendly, and to some extent this is true, as they do let in many immigrants. But there are also many articles that have been printed in which they mention that 50% of immigrants to Canada are living BELOW THE POVERTY LINE a full ten years [10!] after coming to Canada. I've also read stories about people returning after a year or two [or more] not having found a decent job.

It's really tragic in situations like ours, where my partner is in his 50's and left a good paying job to come here.

My partner was earning around $60,000/US per year, with good benefits, but we wanted to try to immigrate to Canada because it markets itself in the media as more socially tolerant than many parts of the USA. Little did we know how hard it really would be! Immigration lawyers seldom tell people how hard it is to find good jobs in Canada, because of course the lawyers will make fees off you if you try to come out here.

Whether looking for better economic opportunities as a person from the UK, or looking for a socially more "liberal" country, as many have who came to Canada from the USA, it is still very difficult unless you are independently wealthy or have a very strong support system, i.e. relatives or spouse who is Canadian.

Do your homework on this idea you have, and when you think you are done, do even more research.

Again, I'm not an immigration expert, just someone who has been biting his nails for over 18 months now, waiting for his partner to get a job here.

David from B.C.

P.S. I don't know how much the sum of money you mention transfers into Canadian $$ however I can tell you that we've probably spent many multiples of that living here off of savings the past 18+ months. We rent a single family detached home for $960 Canadian per month. There is also car insurance, food, utilities, gas, tenant insurance, and in our province you have to contribute about $1,000 / year for health coverage.
I think you could easily use up your savings in a year +/- if you don't find a job right away. Of course, as a single 18 year old, you may be willing to live in less expensive places, etc. But still, when you don't have a job, you eventually go broke.

RHIS

The 10k will not go far.

You seem to have thought it out quite well but your age and lack of experience in anything are against you.

Work permits can work against you as many employers may see this as a temp thing. The P.R. is a better bet.
remember that iff you seek help from a pro then even he is not there to "get you a job" as some seem to think.
Once they have got you your papers the job is done and it is then up to you.

dbcctbc

We spent $75,000 or so living in Canada for just under two years....this of course included moving expenses and rental for a single family house, plus numerous pet transportation expenses, which a single male probably wouldn't have....

But I'd bet it's pretty hard to live in Canada on $15,000 a year, let alone $10,000 for who knows how long.

Of course, if spouses parents are wealthy and will provide free room and board indefinitely....and they have their own prearranged employment, then maybe it'll work.

D [formerly from] BC, Canada

RHIS

So now you got a couple of answers including one that thinks 10,000 uk is the same as $10,000 cdn.

dbcc has had a bad experience, and seemed to fail so see that you were from the UK.
He came on a "work permit" and now wanders the net putting the blame on Canada (mainly with cut and paste articles)

I came from the UK and MADE IT !

I say don’t come YET as you have little to offer by way of job experience etc.
Maybe come on a "student work visa" These are usually for one year and can involve arranged employment.

That would give you a better idea if Canada is for you.

I won’t just post disparaging comments like some but offer you ideas for you to make your own choice.

It’s all about preparation, and your mindset. Being from Europe gives you a great advantage over many other nations.