Do we need a lawyer?

[Lyssiej]

Hi everyone,

I've lurked for a while but never posted. My husband and I are hoping to get in to Victoria, BC from USA via the Express Entry pool but only have 417 points. We had a consult with a lawyer and he suggested that my husband, who has a good job but no Bachelor's, go to finish his degree in Victoria. We spoke with Camosun college about getting into their program for transfer to UVic, and that seems like a good fit.

We have 2 little kids and my husband can work from home for his US job, which pays well. Should we get help from a lawyer or can we do this ourselves?

 

[scylla]

Many people do it themselves. It's really up to you and how much research / work you want to do on your own.

 

[Lyssiej]

My biggest concern is showing proof of funds. Do you know how that works if my husband will work from home for a US company while he is there? We also own a home in the US that has enough equity, but we are renting it because we don't want to sell it. Could we just show equity or would we need to take out a second or a HELOC to show proof of funds?

 

[scylla]

You need to show that you have the available funds to pay for first year tuition and living expenses. This does need to be available cash - not property/equity. In your husband's case, he'll want to be able to show the equivalent of first year tuition plus at least $15K in living expenses (probably higher if all three of you plan to come with him).

Having or not having a lawyer won't change this.

 

[Lyssiej]

Do you know whether it can be in a second mortgage or home equity line?

 

[luvanuj]

My biggest concern is showing proof of funds. Do you know how that works if my husband will work from home for a US company while he is there? We also own a home in the US that has enough equity, but we are renting it because we don't want to sell it. Could we just show equity or would we need to take out a second or a HELOC to show proof of funds?

You need to provide enough liquidated cash proof for his education. You can take any loans - this wont be visible by the VO unless you provide the documentation. So if you have 15k + 10k living expense in your bank account you guys would be good.

 

[Lyssiej]

Thank you for your response! So it would be better to just go ahead and liquidate that stuff and get it into our accounts, and then just show it that way? We could pay it off right when we got there if we needed to!