Immigrating to Canada: Where to start?

[PTSnake]

Hi, i currently live in Portugal, and after Nov 14's fiasco that you probably heard about (police oppression;hurting innocents; refusing a lawyer to people under arrest, and asking them to sign white papers so they can forge confessions; violence against the press; and basicly, everything the EU stands AGAINST), my family has decided that enough is enough, and we're leaving the country.

We had 3 options: Australia, Canada and japan, and this was the easiest part - we have family in canada, and well, criminality is oh-so-low.

So, i've been googling, and i've found more information than i can handle, it's a case of "too much" instead of "too little", and i'm super confused. My info...


Who wants to go:
My mother and stepfather + my brother (7 years old)
Me and my girlfriend (ages 22)

I have a step-aunt living in ajax, and my grandmothers uncle (no idea what you call that) living near trinity bellwoods park in toronto. My girlfriend has no family there, and i'd like to avoid getting maried (for now), but i will if i must. She's also learning English, and i'll try to get her into french too (we studied french for two years in highschool, but it was like 7 years ago).


any heads up? I'll give out more information if needed, just don't expect it right away (it's 3 AM over here)

thanks

 

[amikety]

This is the basic tool used to determine how you can immigrate to Canada. Your parents need to run it separately, as there's really no way for you to immigrate with them right Federally. (Are you a student? At your age, that's really the only way.) If you and your girlfriend have lived together for at least one year, you can apply as common-law (i. e. declare her as your common-law partner on an application. However, if you're declared a dependant by your mother, you can NOT be in a common-law relationship.) FYI, at this time the Federal Skilled Worker program is suspended, so if you/your parents wish to apply as a Skilled Worker, they will need to look to Provincial programs.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/app/ctcvac/english/index

You're visa exempt from Canada, meaning you can visit on your passport alone. A passport stamp is good for 6 months tourist visit. (No working, no studying.)

I get the feeling you're making a case for refugee status. I really don't have an opinion on what your chances are, but others might. Here is the link to provide that information:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/index.asp

I understand you want to get out *now* but the reality is immigration takes time. Many of the programs can take years to process. Unless you can afford to live as a tourist in Canada for a long time OR you are lucky enough to find work here, living in Canada permanently as a landed immigrant is years in the future. (Refugee is different.) And Canada is one of the easier countries to immigrate to....

 

[scylla]

If you wish to immigrate and move to Canada, you will have to qualify, apply and be approved through one of the immigration streams listed on the following page:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

It will not be possible for you, your parents, your brother and your girlfriend to all apply together (as part of one application).

Based on the information you've provided, your family in Canada will not be able to sponsor you/your family. You will have to qualify to immigrate independently (i.e. as skilled workers).

 

[PTSnake]

not going for refugee status (heard it's a pain in the a.), so skilled worker it is...

Also, is there any way to work in canada for X time while waiting for the permanent resident status to be processed or something like that?

regarding work, i believe i might be able to get one in advance, if it does help.

 

[amikety]

Not unless you find an employer willing to provide you with a Labor Market Opinion (LMO). Those are required to get a work permit in your current case. And all I can say about getting a LMO is... good luck... people do get these jobs, but they are rare and usually unskilled (fast food, maids, nannies).

Do you have a target province? We could get you links to the provincal programs, which may better, as Federal Skilled Worker is on hold right now.

This website is from Ontario:

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/tools/index.htm

Other provinces have different worker programs. Also, if anyone in your family is a teacher or nanny (or has any other relevant child care work experience), you could look into Live-in Caregiver, but that is for 1 person only. The ability to become a permanent resident exists, but it takes 2 years, then you must sponsor your family afterwards.

You are also welcome to approach Canadian companies and apply for jobs, however, I wouldn't depend on this. It's more of a case of you just might get lucky.

 

[scylla]

Also, is there any way to work in canada for X time while waiting for the permanent resident status to be processed or something like that?

Yes. You'll need to find an employer and that employer will then have to obtain an approved LMO (labour market opinion). Obtaining an approved LMO is much easier said than done (the employer has to prove there were no Canadians to hire for the role). More information here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

Once you have a job offer and approved LMO, you can then apply for a work permit.

If you obtain a work permit, your girlfriend can come accompany you if you are either married or common law (common law = have lived together for at least one full year). Your parents and brother cannot accompany you as part of the work permit.

 

[PTSnake]

I'm sad it involves so much bureaucracy, but hey, can't argue with what works

I'll look a bit more into it, thanks for the heads up. Say what, if i do make it, i owe you guys a beer Everything to get out of the *censored word*hole that Europe is becoming... Not trying to be racist or anything, but the Germans are trying to retake Europe, this time without guns -.-'

also, will my girlfriend be able to work too?

 

[amikety]

It depends on how you immigrate, but in most cases, yes. In fact, if you're common-law (living together for at least one year) and come to Canada as a Skilled Worker, you can declare her as your partner on the application and she will be able to land with you.

There's a TON of options and a ton of outcomes.

You mentioned you feel you'd be able to get employment in Canada. If that's so, you can bring your girlfriend with you and as long as you hold a valid work permit, she would be able to work too. You may also be able to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class and land that way. (It depends on your job.) That takes 1-2 years experience, then aplication time. By that time, parent sponsorship may be active again.... if your parents can't immigrate on their own.

If your mom and her husband have considerable assests, they can also look into the investor class.

If they get into Canada on the investor class, they can open a business in Alberta and hire me.

 

[PTSnake]

i'm actually planning on opening a business on the long term, i have all the plans, but the current status of europe actually screwed it :/

but yeah, the most likely outcome is the one you mentioned, me and my GF first, and my parents later (also gives them time to tech my brother english)

 

[PTSnake]

Also, as i mentioned above:
Even without work i can get over 67 points, would that "unlock" the work visa, or do i still have to get an empoyer first?

 

[amikety]

I don't believe that's a way you can unlock the work visa. The points are towards immigration.... but this area isn't my speciality. (I'm a family applicant )

I was going to suggest - when you take the assesment and get your results, you may want to post more thorough follow-up questions in the correct sections of the forum. Some member don't read outside of their speciality. You may be able to get much better help in a specialized topic.

There might also be a few Portugal threads, so I shall go search for them.

 

[PTSnake]

will try with my details, and my girlfriend's, the one that gets the most points, takes the stop

 

[amikety]

Didn't find any threads for Portugal, but here is a 'bible' for FSW:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t74858.0.html

 

[Leon]

Most immigration classes need a job offer which can be hard to get but not impossible.

Quebec skilled worker is one class that does not need a job offer, at least not yet. You should look into self-assessment for that: http://www.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/epi/index.jsp?languageCode=en

You can also check if Portugal has a working holiday visa for Canada, see http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/portugal/index.aspx?lang=eng&view=d Many countries do, for example Germany and France. If they do, you and your girlfriend can apply separately and each of you get a 1 year open work permit in Canada. This opportunity to help you open doors in order to get a job offer and immigrate permanently.

 

[scylla]

The Federal Skilled Worker class will begin accepting applications again for immigrants without job offers sometime early next year. While this is good news to some extent, the application process will be quite involved and there will be a great (great, great, great) deal of competition for the spots available. If either you or your girlfriend plan to apply, you should be ready to do so January 1st and have all of the required information prepared. This includes taking the IELTS test to prove your English skills (yes - this is mandatory).

If you are interested in going this route - you will need to spend a lot of time reading and understanding the rules. I would start with this thread on this forum:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/new-fsw-points-criteria-announced-new-federal-skilled-trades-class-fstc-t115576.0.html