Moving to Canada from UK!! HELP WHERE TO BEGIN!!

[lea1989]

Hi was wondering if you can help as reading so much and no idea to begin! me and my boyfriend have decided that we would like to up sticks and move to Canada I have a cousin out there and he has an uncle out there but we do not know where to begin to get us out there. Can anyone help with what we should do first? I currently work in insurance so hoping I can get a job out there through contacts of the UK and my boyfriend will hopefully be going to work with my cousin! has anyone done this recently and can help us out!? I have tried using google to assist although cant get my head around it so hoping someone may be able to help us out with the dummy version!! thanks in advance!

 

[scylla]

If you want to move temporarily, you'll need a work permit. Obtaining a work permit will require getting a full time job in Canada first and your employer in Canada will also have to obtain an approved LMIA (permission to hire you). Once you have the job offer and approved LMIA, you will then qualify for a work permit tied to that specific employer. It does tend to be extremely difficult to find employers to go through the LMIA process due to the costs, waiting time and no guarantee of approval (the employer must prove that no Canadian could be found for the role). More information here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who.asp

If you are looking to move to Canada permanently (immigrate), then you'll need to spend time researching Canada's immigration process to find out what it takes to qualify to apply and what your chances are. Canada has a number of different programs (note that your family members in Canada cannot sponsor you - you will have to qualify on your own) . You can find the detailed information here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/apply.asp

You can also look into the working holiday visa (IEC) program if you are the right age. This will allow you to work in Canada for a couple of years temporarily without finding an employer first. Note there are few spots available and many applicants: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/