Possibly moving to Canada from the Netherlands, what are my options?

[wess]

Hello,

I am considering moving to Canada and am wondering what the best option would be. Little bit about me:
1. Male, 29 years of age, currently living in The Netherlands. I have a Dutch passport and a bachelor degree in Engineering, also acquired in the Netherlands.
2. I am working as a controls engineer, so it will be in the NOC skill type. Have about 8 years of experience doing this job for the same company.
3. Curently unmarried but do have a Mexican girlfriend that would move with me. Not sure if i have to get married to bring her along, but she is a teacher and has a bachelor degree. I would prefer if she could immigrate seperately, but i would be curious what the options are.
4. Would like to live in BC, most likely Kelowna.
5. Would possibly want to keep working for the same company from the Netherlands but then as an independent contractor. Would probably work for some US or Canadian companies too.
6. Have enough funds to provide for myself for a while 50k CAD+.
7. Still own an apartment in the Netherlands that i am renting out. (I don't think this would be relevant, but figured i'd mention it just in case)

What are my options? I have looked at the express entry program, i score about 440 points, without a job offer. Express entry would mean i could immigrate without a job offer and then be an independent contractor if i wanted to right? What is the timeline generally for this program?
I have also looked at the BC tech PNP program. This would perhaps be an option, however i'm not sure if im gonna be able to find a job in Kelowna right off the bat. Good thing is that processing time seems to to be very quick.
Would also be willing to move to Canada on a temporary work visa while my Express Entry is still processing, is this a possibility?
Would i need an immigration lawyer for this whole process? If so: Any recommendations, what are the costs roughly etc?

Thanks so far!

 

[bellaluna]

Since you have only foreign work experience you should look into the Provincial Nomination Programs that accept foreign workers and the Federal Skilled Worker program that has not been invited to apply since December 2020. Both of these are coursed through Express Entry.

Important detail you failed to mention is your education attainment.

Yes once you immigrate through Express Entry you have permanent residency status, you can work as an independent contractor.

Your girlfriend can apply on her own as a primary applicant if she wants to. Even if you’re unmarried, you can apply together if you have lived together for the last 12 months (common law).

Also one thing to keep in mind is licensing for engineering in the province you want to move to if it applies.

You don’t need a lawyer/consultant if you’re willing to put in the research.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

I am considering moving to Canada and am wondering what the best option would be. Little bit about me:
1. Male, 29 years of age, currently living in The Netherlands.
2. I am working as a controls engineer, so it will be in the NOC skill type. Have about 8 years of experience doing this job for the same company.
3. Curently unmarried but do have a Mexican girlfriend that would move with me. Not sure if i have to get married to bring her along, but she is a teacher and has a bachelor degree. I would prefer if she could immigrate seperately, but i would be curious what the options are.
4. Would like to live in BC, most likely Kelowna.
5. Would possibly want to keep working for the same company from the Netherlands but then as an independent contractor. Would probably work for some US or Canadian companies too.
6. Have enough funds to provide for myself for a while 50k CAD+.
7. Still own an apartment in the Netherlands that i am renting out. (I don't think this would be relevant, but figured i'd mention it just in case)

What are my options? I have looked at the express entry program, i score about 440 points, without a job offer. Express entry would mean i could immigrate without a job offer and then be an independent contractor if i wanted to right? What is the timeline generally for this program?
I have also looked at the BC tech PNP program. This would perhaps be an option, however i'm not sure if im gonna be able to find a job in Kelowna right off the bat. Good thing is that processing time seems to to be very quick.
Would also be willing to move to Canada on a temporary work visa while my Express Entry is still processing, is this a possibility?
Would i need an immigration lawyer for this whole process? If so: Any recommendations, what are the costs roughly etc?

Thanks so far!

I am assuming you hold a passport from the Netherlands. Look into the IEC program which would give you and open work permit for 1 year and which will allow you to work in Canada without securing a job offer from an employer here and an approved LMIA. The issue here is that this program is only open up to the age of 30 and there are limited spots available. So you'd want to move on this soon.

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp?country=nl&cat=wh&#country_category_name_cont

If the above doesn't work out for you, then you need a job offer from an employer in Canada and that employer needs to get an approved LMIA in order to qualify for a temporary work permit. It's generally extremely difficult to find an employer willing to go through that process.

If you can get a year of full time paid work experience in a skilled occupation in Canada, this will give you more points under EE. Note that you can't be self employed to get these points, you would need to be working for an employer in Canada.

440 points will not get you selected for EE directly. You need to get your points up to the 470+ range. Alternatively, you need to look into the PNP programs like you are already. CEC will only be an option if you get a year of skilled work experience in Canada.

 

[wess]

I am assuming you hold a passport from the Netherlands. Look into the IEC program which would give you and open work permit for 1 year and which will allow you to work in Canada without securing a job offer from an employer here and an approved LMIA. The issue here is that this program is only open up to the age of 30 and there are limited spots available. So you'd want to move on this soon.

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp?country=nl&cat=wh&#country_category_name_cont

Yes i hold a passport from the Netherlands. So with this IEC program i will be able to work and live in Canada too? Can i rent an apartment with this visa?

If the above doesn't work out for you, then you need a job offer from an employer in Canada and that employer needs to get an approved LMIA in order to qualify for a temporary work permit. It's generally extremely difficult to find an employer willing to go through that process.

If you can get a year of full time paid work experience in a skilled occupation in Canada, this will give you more points under EE. Note that you can't be self employed to get these points, you would need to be working for an employer in Canada.

But to get this year of full time paid work experience I would need to get a job offer and the company would have to get an approved LMIA right?

440 points will not get you selected for EE directly. You need to get your points up to the 470+ range. Alternatively, you need to look into the PNP programs like you are already. CEC will only be an option if you get a year of skilled work experience in Canada.

I checked the previous draws and they go as low as 350 i think for the recent months. Did i miss something? I thought 440 would be more than enough.

I have also looked into the BC PNP programs. These job offers don't require an LMIA right?

Furthermore: are there any temporary ways to move to Canada to start looking for a job and live there and start working on my PR in the meantime?

 

[wess]

Since you have only foreign work experience you should look into the Provincial Nomination Programs that accept foreign workers and the Federal Skilled Worker program that has not been invited to apply since December 2020. Both of these are coursed through Express Entry.

Important detail you failed to mention is your education attainment.

Yes once you immigrate through Express Entry you have permanent residency status, you can work as an independent contractor.

Your girlfriend can apply on her own as a primary applicant if she wants to. Even if you’re unmarried, you can apply together if you have lived together for the last 12 months (common law).

Also one thing to keep in mind is licensing for engineering in the province you want to move to if it applies.

You don’t need a lawyer/consultant if you’re willing to put in the research.

Ok thanks for the info. I did indeed miss my education attainment. I have a bachelors degree in Engineering, acquired in the Netherlands.