Made the decision to go for it! Where's the best place to start?

[Unique at last]

I've had a look at quite a few threads but most seem to be quite far on in the process.

My husband and I have decided that we'd love to come and live in Canada. He's wanted to for many years and I am now on board. He wants to use an agent. Brazolot is who we have spoken to so for but we've not paid anything yet. Googling is making me uncertain about whether to use one or not.

Our details so far are:
I am 38 and a primary teacher. I am 'middle' leadership in my school (leader of infants and Literacy leader for the whole school).
My husband is an HGV driver. He holds class 1 and 2 as well as ADR (he delivers aviation fuel to airports).
We have 2 children aged 11 and 8.
We are going to sell our house we are in now, buy a smaller one to rent out and use part of our equity to go to Canada.

Any advice would be really appreciated. The agent suggested we could be in Canada via Express Entry by within about 9 months. Is this pie in the sky? Would we be able to do that ourselves or would using an agent speed things up a bit?

I've been looking at the CIC site but there is so much there. I'd love some advice from people who have been through the process.

Thanks.

 

[SAJ_ee2015]

I've had a look at quite a few threads but most seem to be quite far on in the process.

My husband and I have decided that we'd love to come and live in Canada. He's wanted to for many years and I am now on board. He wants to use an agent. Brazolot is who we have spoken to so for but we've not paid anything yet. Googling is making me uncertain about whether to use one or not.

Our details so far are:
I am 38 and a primary teacher. I am 'middle' leadership in my school (leader of infants and Literacy leader for the whole school).
My husband is an HGV driver. He holds class 1 and 2 as well as ADR (he delivers aviation fuel to airports).
We have 2 children aged 11 and 8.
We are going to sell our house we are in now, buy a smaller one to rent out and use part of our equity to go to Canada.

Any advice would be really appreciated. The agent suggested we could be in Canada via Express Entry by within about 9 months. Is this pie in the sky? Would we be able to do that ourselves or would using an agent speed things up a bit?

I've been looking at the CIC site but there is so much there. I'd love some advice from people who have been through the process.

Thanks.

first thing to do: calculate your CRS points

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

 

[PMM]

Hi

first thing to do: calculate your CRS points

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

1. Most importantly google "Brazalot" which you have done, be very afraid of them.

 

[Unique at last]

Thank you for your replies.

I'm doing the CRS tool at the moment. I haven't done the English proficiency test yet. So I've just selected one had had a guess at what I'd get (should do fairly well considering my job).

I now need to convince H that we could do this on our own. I know he's going to feel we should use someone as he'll think that will safeguard the process.

 

[Unique at last]

CRS tool suggests my score would be 429 points.

 

[JoacRy]

If you and your husband have not done your English and/or French tests, I suggest you do them. You cannot accurately calculate your scores without them. Also get any Educational credentials evaluated.

 

[Unique at last]

I'll get that done. Is it best to do the IELTS or the CELPIP? I can only see dates for taking the CELPIP in Canada itself.

Thank you.

 

[JoacRy]

I can't comment on IELTS, but I took the CELPIP test in downtown Toronto. It was thoroughly professional from start to finish. The booking is easy and fast, they give you the option of 'Express' results in 3 business days or the results being sent to you in 8 business days. You can also take practice Tests on the website. On the day, they take your photograph and you require ID. I advise you to book early as the test classes fill up very fast.

 

[Unique at last]

Thanks. I'm in the UK so I need to find a test centre here.

 

[Ibyt]

I think you will most likely get more than you have included for IELTS considering that you write good English and also a teacher. If your husband gets a good score as well, you will definitely score even higher.

Tell your H to read this forum and he will be convinced that you guys can do it on your own ( it worked for me), you just need to read the rules to a T .

By the way, test centres are all around the UK , I got a slot within 2 weeks of booking early this year. So you should be fine.

All the best xx