Moving to Toronto (Canada)

[thedoc46]

IT is no longer on the accepted skills list.

Three years ago, yes. Now, no. Same with teachers.

OP: You appear to have a very naive/romanticised view of how easy emigrating outside the EU is, especially to places like Canada and the US. At this stage, I'd be tempted to say that the ONLY hope you have is marrying the missus and claiming a spousal visa.

Agreed. Unless you have some extraordinary skills, with backup in way of education.

 

[Dewotter]

The cold winters at least where I am are actually pretty manageable. I walk to work everyday and regularly around Christmas it was -15c (not including wind chill). It's surprising how it's not nearly as bad as you'd think.

 

[thedoc46]

The cold winters at least where I am are actually pretty manageable. I walk to work everyday and regularly around Christmas it was -15c (not including wind chill). It's surprising how it's not nearly as bad as you'd think.

Hell NO !!!!! I went to Boston not too long ago, and so froze my ass off. It was brutal. I was wrapped up to the eyeballs, but it was just miserable. Dirty snow plowed up everywhere on every road, hardly any parking cos the parking spaces were just taken up by dirty snow instead. Wind that felt like it was ripping the skin off your face.

I just recall saying to myself, who in the hell would want to live here? When there's a million other places to live in the USA.

I'm sure it was nice in summer, but those winters are long and hard.

 

[Dewotter]

Hell NO !!!!! I went to Boston not too long ago, and so froze my ass off. It was brutal. I was wrapped up to the eyeballs, but it was just miserable. Dirty snow plowed up everywhere on every road, hardly any parking cos the parking spaces were just taken up by dirty snow instead. Wind that felt like it was ripping the skin off your face.

I just recall saying to myself, who in the hell would want to live here? When there's a million other places to live in the USA.

I'm sure it was nice in summer, but those winters are long and hard.

I didn't get the wind too much, so I feel lucky. There was only one morning when walking to work where it actually hurt it was so cold.

I only wore the following:

Skull Cap
T-Shirt
Jumper
Coat
Jeans
Snow Boots

 

[Kutter]

Its not that bad when your used to it.

 

[Dewotter]

Its not that bad when your used to it.

It was my first time. I had visions of pavements being several feet high and everything. They're generally very efficient with snow removal. The council give you a certain period of time to clear up your driveway and the stretch of pavement in front of your home after a snowfall. If you don't, they do it themselves and charge you. Seems to work.

Problem is now I'm used to it so it hit 6c last week and I was roasting.

 

[Tripnologist]

Problem is now I'm used to it so it hit 6c last week and I was roasting.

I miss that about Canada.

6ºC at the start of winter = everyone bundled up in thick coats.
6ºC at the end of winter = everyone in tshirts and shorts.

 

[physichull]

Don't forget to send us a postcard! Toronto sounds exciting.

 

[ohhbass]

The milk has a weird after taste. I can only have chocolate milk now so no cereal for me.

cocoapops?

 

[sanaxe1]

Agreed. Unless you have some extraordinary skills, with backup in way of education.

If your girlfriend was willing to move im Pretty sure i read there is a projected labor shortage in Alberta's oil patch of 130,000 people where they need Skilled IT workers.

 

[dowie]

If you can get a Visa and a job - the big point here being IF because it probably isnt as easy as you think

Probably is as easy as he thinks if they've got reciprocal arrangements with the UK - I know that Aussies, Canadians etc.. can come over here on a 2 year visa that doesn't require point scoring/job offer/job in demand etc... I'd have assumed (but haven't bothered checking) that a similar arrangement works the other way when brits want to go to Canada. I know there is something similar with Aus though you can only work for 50% of the time.

Either way the OP likely can most likely work there for at least a year and then presumably find an employer to sponsor him or simply marry his GF

 

[dowie]

ah - found the rough equivalent for people from the UK wanting short term visit to Canada - basically its a scheme allowing young people (under 30) to travel though according to the FAQ there are no job restrictions - OP might as well move over for a year get some form of temporary IT job then marry GF/get an employer to sponsor.

http://www.canadainternational.gc.c...e_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx

 

[Detroit_Waves]

Probably is as easy as he thinks if they've got reciprocal arrangements with the UK - I know that Aussies, Canadians etc.. can come over here on a 2 year visa that doesn't require point scoring/job offer/job in demand etc... I'd have assumed (but haven't bothered checking) that a similar arrangement works the other way when brits want to go to Canada. I know there is something similar with Aus though you can only work for 50% of the time.

Either way the OP likely can most likely work there for at least a year and then presumably find an employer to sponsor him or simply marry his GF

Well there is point scoring its ridiculous, you need 50 points to be accepted, you get 30 if you have a Canadian passport, 10 points if you are older than 18 but younger than 31, and 10 points if you have 1600 quid available.

And thats it!

Im not sure how it works in reverse, but I imagine, its probably pretty similar, an not too difficult to achieve!

 

[D.P.]

It still takes several year to get a Canadian Visa, Messiah Khan on these message boards has been applying for a long time.

One thing the Canadian visa process does have going for it is a points system. You get points for education (more points for degrees, even more for master, even more for PhD), points for working in a useful area, points for languages (English + French), points for age (21-31 get most points I think).

When I looked at this I just had enough, assuming I top up my french a little and can grab another year work experience. Still, that just means I can start to apply, doesn't guarantee a visa.

 

[.Lethal]

Here's my problem.

I know I could get the 1 Year working Visa easy! Thats because i have family over there so entry would be easier than normal.

But here's my problem...

If I get the 1 years working Visa and get a job over there I can only stay at that job for a year before getting kicked out of the country. If i move into a apartment with my girlfriend then having to find that my 1 year is going to be over it would be pointless living in a apartment together and buying all new things.

So does anyone know if its possible to start off with that 1 Years working Visa then extending that to a much longer period once im there?

The only way i can think of is me proposing to her which get me entry? lol - i dont want to go to that though.

Getting a 1 year visa is a million times easier than a permanent one, I and a many others have used the 1 year visa for Canada.

Once the visa expired you will have to return to the UK. When applying for a permanent visa you must reside in your own country. I remember talking to a family friend in Calgary about this years ago, he had a daughter (Canadian) who was dating a guy from the UK in the same situation you asked about.

Even when it was, I suspect they would want more highly qualified people than "technicians".

So how much do you love your gf?

They certainly would want someone with a higher qualification. I have family living in Canada, have done the year experience thing and am currently going through a Computer Science degree. Only after that is done and I've saved money will I finally make my application.

A friend of mine moved to Toronto a few years ago, his wife is Canadian. Be aware that living somewhere is VERY different to going on holiday there. He works in IT (looking after middleware platforms) and the job/life balance over there is ridiculous. Most commutes are fairly long and the amount of holiday you get is miniscule, you even have a limited amount of sick days.

He'd move back here in a flash but a. his wife doesn't want to because of her mum there and b. they can't afford to move back here now anyway!

Having been an ex-pat myself for 5 years I'd warn you that the grass is always greener on the other side.

EDIT: Oh and one other thing, never listen to anything a current or planned ex-pat tells you. no one likes to admit they've made a mistake.

I can give you examples of many people that moved from the UK to Canada and have considered it one of the best moves they made. Its not always going to be the right move, but for many it will be.

 

[Dewotter]

cocoapops?

I see where your head is but I've tried that. The milk just kills it. :c