Advice needed: stay in the Netherlands or move to Canada

[mikenz]

That's right. I wonder why would you go to Canada instead of Australia, where you can live and work freely for the rest of your life without bothering getting any PR or citizenship. And lifestyle is probably pretty much the same. Btw, how do you plan to go to Canada? under FSW or what?

We are almost there with the visa, probably will land in July 2013. FSW is they way we did it, correct. I lived over 12 years in New Zealand, like the South Pacific a lot, but it is now time to discover some other place. I am in hotel management, so moving around is not a bother, it is more of an "opening your horizon" thing we enjoy very much. And I like big V8 cars, so Canada is not a bad choice. Good luck with your plans.

 

[Anvaller]

Netherlands YES YES YES YES
Canada nO NO NO Never.

Netherlands has much health situation when it comes to job situation. In Canada thousands are unemployed and on social/Child benefit.
Life style is much low comparing to EU countries.

U really don't know how it is going down at all. Check the link below
http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/expat-page/news/the-unfriendly-netherlands

The bone of contention here is a country that caters for ur status and Canada does. I don't care the if the Netherlands has very good infrastructure. It makes no sense if the system doesn't care about the category u belong (expat). The system is very hostile to expats, so where is the point? I work and pay tax that pays social benefit for Dutch ppl or permanent resident that are jobless or just lazy to work, whereas I myself am not qualified to take such benefit in case I become jobless. They would just ask me to leave the country. Isn't that crazy? Do u know how much Tax u pay on ur salary here? 40%!!! almost half of everything u earn in a month. Next to that u pay at least 100euro for health insurance that doesn't cover any health problem that cost below 250euro (If u pay 100euro monthly for ur insurance and u take a treatment at the hospital that cost 240euro, ur insurance will not cover it. That is what it means)

If u look at the survey in that link, the Netherlands is ranked most unfriendly country to expats in the world while Canada is ranked number 1 friendly country to expats. If u are not Dutch, u are already at a disadvantage at everything. I speak good dutch and they will still say ur dutch is not good enough. That can't make me grow my career according to my dream here, So we are not crazy if we just can't wait to get out of here.

 

[Sander]

I can't agree you more Anvaller. You made the point. We can't grow career here unless we're Dutch. Every country has its positives and negatives, but this country has just too many negatives (for expats and immigrants). The reason why I stay because I could land to Canada or other better countries if time comes, or maybe not.
To my understanding, if I had a labor contract for 2 years in Canada and met other criteria, I could be eligible to apply for a PR. Here, guess what, even after 3 years working, paying load amount of taxes, your employment contract can still be terminated in no time. I got a friend is in that situation, and maybe myself too, i just don't know yet. And then after few months if you can't find another job, you're done. You start the whole process again and if you're lucky to find one, you will work and wait for another 5 years until be able to apply for a PR or citizenship ( if you have a residency gap while being unemployed). Otherwise, go home. Skilled migrants are leaving the NL, that's for sure. It's just a matter of time

 

[Sander]

That's right. I wonder why would you go to Canada instead of Australia, where you can live and work freely for the rest of your life without bothering getting any PR or citizenship. And lifestyle is probably pretty much the same. Btw, how do you plan to go to Canada? under FSW or what?

We are almost there with the visa, probably will land in July 2013. FSW is they way we did it, correct. I lived over 12 years in New Zealand, like the South Pacific a lot, but it is now time to discover some other place. I am in hotel management, so moving around is not a bother, it is more of an "opening your horizon" thing we enjoy very much. And I like big V8 cars, so Canada is not a bad choice. Good luck with your plans.

Good luck with your journey too. If i were you, i would just give Australia a go first.

 

[Snoopyambs]

Hi everyone
Since I got many advices that I should take Dutch citizenship, I think it's not necessary to ask your opinion on this. I will just ask about job prospects:

I'm an expat in the Netherlands and I'm working as Business Process Architect (Business Process Management) at a multinational company. I'm going to apply for Dutch citizenship next year. But I want to consider an option of moving to Canada in the meantime

1/ Does my current job belong to any occupation in the NOC list? for example: 1122 "Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management". I find it may be relevant
2/ If I managed to find the same job in Canada as I have right now, would it possible to apply under FSW (with arranged employment)?

Thanks!

Finally what did you do? Did you move to Canada. I am also in the same dilemma as yours. I currently work in Netherlands as a software developer and thinking to move to Canada by applying for a PR and see how my application is processed.

 

[Fantache]

Hello, what did you guys end up doing? I am in the same dilemma now. I live and work in the Netherlands and have a good job but because I find it really hard to integrate in the society I am thinking Canada is much more diverse and friendly. Your advice will be appreciated.

 

[Fantache]

Finally what did you do? Did you move to Canada. I am also in the same dilemma as yours. I currently work in Netherlands as a software developer and thinking to move to Canada by applying for a PR and see how my application is processed.

I am curious too as what everyone ended up doing and if you did end up going to Canada what was the experience like? I am facing that same dilemma now too whether to stay or leave Holland and head to Canada instead. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you

 

[Fantache]

Hey thanks. It's not about sharing, it was just irrelevant because I checked some programs (temporary workers) on CIC but none of them applied to me. and the only way to enter Canada looking for a job is getting a Dutch passport (which I'll be eligible soon). It makes a lot easier. And i'm from Vietnam. I've studied and worked under Dutch skilled migrant scheme for 6 years. I'm learning Dutch and as soon as I pass the language test, im good to go.


Thanks for ur suggestion, but i don't see much differences between the UK and the western Europe. Except the language. Maybe Bristish are more polite than Dutch, but basically two countries share many similarities like the rest of Europe. I'm on KM visa (highly skilled migrant), no family in the NL.



That's right. I wonder why would you go to Canada instead of Australia, where you can live and work freely for the rest of your life without bothering getting any PR or citizenship. And lifestyle is probably pretty much the same. Btw, how do you plan to go to Canada? under FSW or what?


U never lived in the NL right? I agree social welfare is good, salaries aint' bad either, quality of life, schooling system is of high standard etc. but it's a closed community where expats, immigrants (white or non-white) are not welcome. And like other post, "crazy Dutch mentality", rudeness, discrimination, you name it.. Very often you will hear Dutch people make stupid jokes about your country of origin, religions, skins, knowledge, everything, like they're superior. Most importantly, Canada is more welcoming country and better lifestyle.

I fully agree to that! I wonder what did you end up doing? I am in the same situation now!