"DUBAI APPLICANTS" **Let's Network & Get Connected**

[MIK77]

We relocated from Dubai to Toronto in January 2012. Its 7 months and no jobs yet. Slowly my savings are also shrinking. My sincere advice to all my friends in Dubai is that please stay wherever you are. Toronto is virtually over for new immigrants. There are jobs but the competition is fierce and you hardly get any interview calls. We are now thinking of returning back to Dubai in a month or two!

Hi abhia145,

Can you let us know more details on your professional background / NOC?
Are you seeking a similar role you had here in Dubai?

Thanks,

MIK

 

[111]

Dear Qorax,

While converting US dollars to Canadian dollars in Canada will I be charged coversion fees? any fees involved? Is it best just to get Canadian dollars instead of US dollars? Thanks

 

[rabia_rak]

dear boarders....
iam about to send my passports from dubai and i have one doubt to clear
for return envelope, is it plane A4 size self addressed envelope with no stamps...or its envelope from coureir company which should be paid for return journey?
also which courier to choose from dubai

thanks
rabia

Qorax, can you please suggest

 

[lovie]

Qorax, can you please suggest

Hi Rabia

Its plain A4 size self addressed envelope and not courier company envelope

 

[abhia145]

Hi abhia145,

Can you let us know more details on your professional background / NOC?
Are you seeking a similar role you had here in Dubai?

Thanks,

MIK

Hi MIK

I am a HR professional by background, with extensive experience in UAE and Qatar. We shifted to Canada with lots of expectations and that was one major mistake from our end. We didn't do our research well. Forget Jobs, absolutely no interview calls also. It is not related to your qualifications, or experience - the system is Different NOT Difficult, which cannot be explained by writing. Everyone has to come to Canadian Loop to understand and enjoy this.

Every case is different and it all depends on your Present Situation and Your needs. Please do remember "You are migrating to a new place - On the hopes of Better Life, not for a adjusting or compromising life". So do your research and my suggestion - Make a full research till you get tired, identify needs, try to get a proper Job / Specified income which you are ready to accept - then you can enjoy your stay in Canada.

Remember : Qualification / Experience is not a matter to get Jobs - you need to have Canadian Experience (or) Canadian Education to get an ENTRY JOBS (or) a Proper reference to get an entry jobs (or) a clear mind set to accept any jobs you get.

Wish you good luck.

 

[genona]

guys, i sent my file but i forgot to put right thumbprint on my NBI clearance from phils. what to expect??

 

[qorax]

Dear Qorax,

While converting US dollars to Canadian dollars in Canada will I be charged coversion fees? any fees involved? Is it best just to get Canadian dollars instead of US dollars? Thanks

Not 'fees' but 'rates'... which will be not at par or above -- thus u'd tend to lose. However, if u spend those USDs in cash at stores, most would accept it at par. Not the vice-versa while utilizing drafts.

Qorax

 

[MIK77]

Hi MIK

I am a HR professional by background, with extensive experience in UAE and Qatar. We shifted to Canada with lots of expectations and that was one major mistake from our end. We didn't do our research well. Forget Jobs, absolutely no interview calls also. It is not related to your qualifications, or experience - the system is Different NOT Difficult, which cannot be explained by writing. Everyone has to come to Canadian Loop to understand and enjoy this.

Every case is different and it all depends on your Present Situation and Your needs. Please do remember "You are migrating to a new place - On the hopes of Better Life, not for a adjusting or compromising life". So do your research and my suggestion - Make a full research till you get tired, identify needs, try to get a proper Job / Specified income which you are ready to accept - then you can enjoy your stay in Canada.

Remember : Qualification / Experience is not a matter to get Jobs - you need to have Canadian Experience (or) Canadian Education to get an ENTRY JOBS (or) a Proper reference to get an entry jobs (or) a clear mind set to accept any jobs you get.

Wish you good luck.

thanks for your detailed reply.
I can definitely understand your situation, which is consistant with that of many others that have shared their experiences. Agreed, situation differs case to case and I won't be going with high hopes despite my mid to senior management experience, spanning over 13 years in B2B marketing in a highly specialised field, combined with working at top UK and US based multinationals.

I'm rather taking this as an opportunity to re-explore myself and my potential, which is nearing a burn out in my current profession.

Having priorities set with no high hopes is the rational way of making a move if you want it reflecting positively on your, and your next generation's, future - especially when it comes to migrating. Disappointment is the only thing you'd get if you've set your expectations too high, and this is commonly happening to those who end up moving without prior research.

While awaiting my visa, i know what i've got to do before moving, what's in demand, market dynamics in my field, alternates and local skills that i need to acquire there. I've been building a network of Canadian professionals in my field for sometime as well, which could possibly be helpful when i'm there.

This is something everyone of us should be aware of before the much awaited 'LANDING'.

Good luck!

 

[111]

Dear Qorax,

Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[arman79]

Dear All

After completing medicals in April 2012, I was expecting passport request from CIC but today my consultant informed me that they have received via post a request for updated police clearance certificate of my wife. ( Earlier with medicals, they did asked couple of formal documents but not PCC). Now they have requested for PCC of my wife (NOT MINE) !

This is just to update you all !!

Good Luck !

Regards

 

[smiling_face]

Hi All
We are glad to say that we have returned back from our landing in Vancouver! What a smooth & hassle-free experience. No stresses, no difficulties encountered and the great part is not having to explain your each and every move !!

We apologise in advance for not reporting earlier but only returned back to Dubai on Sunday. We had landed in Vancouver on Wednesday 1st August 2012 around 4pm.
The whole process of landing at the immigration took all in all 10 mins. No questions, no requests for Proof of Funds, neither Goods Accompany list, in fact we had to bring to their attention the Goods to Follow list. This was stamped and signed without any questions, as to why, when, what etc.!!

The staff at immigration were very helpful, providing literature for various benefits available, medical coverage, SIN info etc.

We applied for the SIN numbers at Welcome Canada offices, located at various places, within Surrey, (45 mins away from Vancouver). For a family of 5 this took 30 mins in all but we did encounter 1 hiccup; the SIN could not be allocated for my husband (Principal Applicant) as there was someone already on the Canadian System with the Identical name and Date of Birth (Shock/Horror)!! This application would need to be done manually – a slightly longer process. The remainder of us got our cards within the week of applying but to date we are still awaiting the SIN for my husband.

Not having a SIN number does not cause a problem, as he has already opened a Bank Account with RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) along with a Debit/Credit Card and this took a week to receive the Card.
Reason why we opted for an account with RBC, is that they offer a Safe Deposit Box free of charge for the 1st year. They confirmed to us that there is no start date as to when to take the box, (they are aware that we will be returning back after 6-months).

Overall the whole experience along with the country has been fantastic one. Originally from the UK this was “home away from home”. To our surprise, we were not prepared for the weather – it was absolutely stifling. Coming from Dubai and at the time the temps were in the mid to late 40's, did not prepare us for the Canadian summer!! The heat was unbearable, more so to the fact that there is no AC and the houses are more catered for the winter months rather than the summer – hence the fans were going 24/7!

At this point we must thank everyone at this forum for being there to guide us on every step of the way. Without you guys, we could not have achieved this.

All the best to you all in achieving your dreams!

Mr & Mrs Gypsey

Good story....many thanks for sharing!

 

[smiling_face]

We relocated from Dubai to Toronto in January 2012. Its 7 months and no jobs yet. Slowly my savings are also shrinking. My sincere advice to all my friends in Dubai is that please stay wherever you are. Toronto is virtually over for new immigrants. There are jobs but the competition is fierce and you hardly get any interview calls. We are now thinking of returning back to Dubai in a month or two!

Is this the scenario for Toronto only or for entire Canada? Could you please share your NOC?

All the best!

 

[smiling_face]

Hi MIK

I am a HR professional by background, with extensive experience in UAE and Qatar. We shifted to Canada with lots of expectations and that was one major mistake from our end. We didn't do our research well. Forget Jobs, absolutely no interview calls also. It is not related to your qualifications, or experience - the system is Different NOT Difficult, which cannot be explained by writing. Everyone has to come to Canadian Loop to understand and enjoy this.

Every case is different and it all depends on your Present Situation and Your needs. Please do remember "You are migrating to a new place - On the hopes of Better Life, not for a adjusting or compromising life". So do your research and my suggestion - Make a full research till you get tired, identify needs, try to get a proper Job / Specified income which you are ready to accept - then you can enjoy your stay in Canada.

Remember : Qualification / Experience is not a matter to get Jobs - you need to have Canadian Experience (or) Canadian Education to get an ENTRY JOBS (or) a Proper reference to get an entry jobs (or) a clear mind set to accept any jobs you get.

Wish you good luck.

What sort of Canadian education is required to have a job?s it undergraduation/graduation/any certificate program?

 

[smiling_face]

thanks for your detailed reply.
I can definitely understand your situation, which is consistant with that of many others that have shared their experiences. Agreed, situation differs case to case and I won't be going with high hopes despite my mid to senior management experience, spanning over 13 years in B2B marketing in a highly specialised field, combined with working at top UK and US based multinationals.

I'm rather taking this as an opportunity to re-explore myself and my potential, which is nearing a burn out in my current profession.

Having priorities set with no high hopes is the rational way of making a move if you want it reflecting positively on your, and your next generation's, future - especially when it comes to migrating. Disappointment is the only thing you'd get if you've set your expectations too high, and this is commonly happening to those who end up moving without prior research.

While awaiting my visa, i know what i've got to do before moving, what's in demand, market dynamics in my field, alternates and local skills that i need to acquire there. I've been building a network of Canadian professionals in my field for sometime as well, which could possibly be helpful when i'm there.

This is something everyone of us should be aware of before the much awaited 'LANDING'.

Good luck!

Greatly explained....

 

[smiling_face]

Re: Our Landing Experience

Dear All,
What an experience ....... Landing is just landing: relief of job stress, weather stress... any stress... it's you, just you and your family.
Yes, we have landed 26th August 2012, 2 pm at Montreal International Airport, Police were so kind and friendly, every word with welcome to Quebec.
Process of landing has been completed within 2 hours; all of our accompanying stuff were listed on A4 size paper and provided to police .... It made our life so easy. They didn't even check the content of our luggage.
We declared that we have more than CAD 10,000 $ and passed out so quickly. Taxi to Avenue Du Park Hotel, and the journey has started.
I advise all to take a small hotel and look for your apartment easily.
On the 2nd September (5 days from landing) we managed to get our apartment, apply for ID Cards (at the airport upon landing), apply for Social Insurance Number, Health Insurance and open bank account with HSBC.
Guys, life is amazing, smooth and healthy weather, people are jogging and cycling everywhere, stores, malls, life full of energy.
It's expensive, but not for non-smokers...... I smoke Davidoff Light that costs me in Qatar 2$ but in Canada – Montreal it costs 9.3 $, imagine the difference... I have to quit soon.
So, choose an area and look for an apartment is the easy way, go away a bit of the downtown and experience low rates ...... don't head to the crowded areas never.
I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate all those who have applied to immigrate to Canada – Quebec and tell them that they had the biggest right step ever, don't listen to rumors and bull *censored word*s – excuse my language – around and keep going. You are on the right track......... if you have any questions regarding landing, please don't hesitate to write to us and we will help as much as possible.
Wish you all the luck
Mefleh & Viorica

Dear Mefleh & Viorica, great to hear the first hand experience!!! Many thanks for sharing this...