[WAYYY OT] How Hard Is It To Immigrate to Canada?

[Tar Markvar]

I'm not sure where else to ask this. I know there are a lot of Canadians here, though, and someone might be able to help. I looked on a few websites, but I want to know about what the process is like in practice.

I'm considering applying for a job in Edmonton, which is the reason this has come up. I'm apprehensive about working in another country, but the job would be SWEET and it'd be a great life experience, I think. Judging from the websites I've read, though, it seems like a complete pain to obtain permission to live and work in Canada.

So, has anyone here successfully moved to Canada from the US? If so, how hard was it? What did you have to do?

I realize this is deeply off-topic for the most part, but maybe the fact that thje job would be at BioWare would help.

Thanks!

 

[Thraxus]

I have no first-hand knowledge...

... but working for BioWare would probably be worth any red tape you had to fight your way through.

And just so my post wasn't completely useless, here is the web URL for Immigration Board of Canada, just in case you might find useful information there.

http://www.cisr.gc.ca/

And here is the URL for the Citizenship and Immigration web site, which probably contains more relevant information for your situation.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

 

[Berk]

Canada is a different country? I thought it was just a really big state. *looks around and whistles innocently* j/k btw =o) canadians rule!!!!

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

It was really easy to come to Canada from the states to study--I imagine it might be a little more difficult if you need a work visa though. It also depends on where you're coming from. I believe it's easier to come from the US than anywhere else--OTOH, it seems like there should be some arrangement with other commonwealth countries. . . .

 

[Vaxalon]

You can't immigrate to Canada.

You can emigrate to Canada, and you can immigrate from the United States.

Just your friendly neighborhood grammar nazi.

 

[Welverin]

Canada is a different country? I thought it was just a really big state.

No, no, no. It's multiple really big states. Also known as the Really Far North (to go with the North and South).

 

[Pyske]

You can't immigrate to Canada.

You can emigrate to Canada, and you can immigrate from the United States.

Just your friendly neighborhood grammar nazi.

Hey, Vaxalon, if you're going to correct someone's grammar, shouldn't you make sure you've got it right yourself first?

http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=migrate

"Usage Note: [...] Emigrate describes the move relative to the point of departure: After the Nazis came to power in Germany, many scientists emigrated (that is, left Germany). By contrast, immigrate describes the move relative to the destination: The promise of prosperity in the United States encouraged many people to immigrate (that is, move to the United States)."

Oh, and I'd like to second the request for information. My sinister scheme to marry Ashtal and move to Canada, but telecommute to my US job, seems to have fallen through... something about her already having a boyfriend, or somesuch. Bah!

I suppose I'll have to find a legitimate reason to take advantage of the exchange rate.

. . . . . . . -- Eric

 

[Tar Markvar]

I've read up on those websites, at least as much as I could handle in one session of hardcore legalese absorption. It seems like the monetary requirements are pretty high, and I guess I'm wondering if people have ever moved there without having the required six months' worth of living funds at hand, etc.

I know vaguely what I need to do. I'm just looking for practical experience as to how hard it is to do that stuff, whether they're easier on US citizens, etc. I'm wondering how hard it is to get a work visa accepted, etc.

 

[shadow]

Considering that the US is gearing up for war, I might be looking to move to Canada in the near future. Especially if we have to start drafting people for this perpetual war agaist terror.

 

[alsih2o]

alsih2o jumps out of the thread before it gets closed with him on here!