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!

 

[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. 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!

Please find the same post under your other user name.

You posted the same thing previously and received advice there on your options.

 

[wess]

Please find the same post under your other user name.

You posted the same thing previously and received advice there on your options.

I did, but it got removed. I think because it was in the wrong location. That's why im posting here for some more info.

 

[Deleted member 1006777]

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!

Not sure if your NOC qualifies for any PNP, or specifically BCPNP. You might want to do your own research there. Outside of that, without a job offer, your score is too low to qualify for FSW anytime soon (or ever). If you have options to increase your CRS score, get started. Maximize english scores, maybe learn french.

You can work for any employer inside or outside the country after you're a permanent resident, but I don't think working as an independent contractor will give you any advantage with respect to your PR application itself.

Processing times are not even remotely quick. expect anywhere from 1.5-2 years (possibly more) processing time from the time you get a BC PNP nomination.

If you're itching to spend all your savings in the name of getting to Canada quicker, you can look into applying to a Canadian University for a graduate program and work on a work permit after graduation, eventually applying for a PR from inside Canada which will be processed much quicker. That's the quickest way you'll get to Canada, but also most expensive and by far the most idiotic.

Based on your post, it seems you are very unfamiliar with the immigration process to Canada, and the recent developments with respect to processing and priorities. Take a look at the pinned posts in the 'Express Entry/Expression of Interest' section, it will help you understand the process better.

 

[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. 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!

Short form of what I posted last time:

- 440 is too low to be selected through EE. You either need to increase your score by 30+ points or look into the PNP programs. Since you want to settle in BC, you'll want to focus on researching the BC PNP programs.
- Processing times for the BC PNP programs are not quick. I think you are making the mistake of assuming the time to process the nomination is the full processing time. It's not. There are two parts to it. Plan for 1.5 to 2 years as said above.
- Timelines are anywhere from around 1-2+ years right now depending on which program a person applies through. Hard to say right now since there are delays due to COVID.
- Yes, you can migrate through EE and continue working as an independent contractor once you are living in Canada as a PR.
- To qualify for a temporary work permit, you generally need a job offer from an employer in Canada and that employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA. Typically it's very difficult to find employers willing to go through this process. Since you hold a passport from the Netherlands, look into the IEC / Working Holiday visa program which may give you the opportunity to secure an open work permit for a year (no job offer or LMIA required). There are limited spots available each year and you only have another year or so to participate (max age for participation is 30).
- If your girlfriend wants to immigrate independently, she will either need to have 470+ points under EE or qualify under one of the PNP programs. PNP is an unlikely route for her since teachers are not in demand in Canada. The most realistic route for her is EE if she is applying on her own. Whether she is successful or not will be completely dependent on the number of CRS points she has. Note that she will not be able to teach in Canada with the qualifications she has now. She will need to go through a certification process. Suggest she research that so that she understands what's going to be involved before she comes here.