Thinking of moving to Canada - Visa Information

bfsog

Hello.

Me and my girlfriend are thinking about moving to Canada at some point next year.

We are both living in the UK, she is a Canadian citizen and United Kingdom citizen, dual citizenship. She has been living in the UK for a year, I have been here all my life. By the time we come to move we will have been living together for over 6 months.

I will want to work over there. My girlfriend will probably go back to university there. When we first arrive we will live at her parents house until I find some employment and we can get out own place.

My question: What type of Visa should I get/can I apply for? We plan to stay there for long term, I dont mind if I am classed as an immigrant for that time, as long as I can one day apply for permanent residency.


Thanks,
Andrew

Bananabelly

You would perhaps be best to speak to the Canadian embassy? 6 months of living together might scrape it, but most of the time countries want a lot of evidence that you are in a committed relationship, so keep every little thing you have that might be evidence of your relationship (eg plane tickets, bills, etc).

If they agree that your relationship meets their criteria then she could sponsor you and it will all be straightforward (though expensive as they can charge what they want!). If you don't qualify you will have to wait, or try and enter another way. Entering as a tourist is no good, as you won't be able to work and will have to leave after a maximum of 6 months. If you are under 30 you could get a working holiday visa for a year to get started. Usually you have to leave after this time though. If you have skills that are in demand in the area you are looking to move to (eg health care workers in many areas) then you may find an employer willing to sponsor you. If not, you will likely just have to apply for emigration which could take a long time (we're talking years potentially).

You sound like you have a date in mind, and it is fairly soon. I would start researching it now, and be prepared for that date to change. You need to deal with the Canadian officials, no one here can give you the correct advice for your situation.

Finefoot

As the previous poster said, it is easier if you are a profesional. There is a test you can take online which the outcome tells you whether you are suitable for that scheme. Alternatively, you could seek to change your status when you arrive there.

expatriate

As far as i am aware you need to have been living with your partner for a minimum of one year to qualify for a Conjugal VISA. HOWEVER as a British passport holder it is a fairly smooth process to get a VISA to work in Canada, it's more about the type than anything else. The easiest and cheapest way to obtain a VISA is by currently being a university student or through working a ski season, but by the sound of your situation i don't think either would be the one for you.

You can also obtain a Work Permit through BUNAC, it is very straight forward to secure and will allow you to work for 12mths in Canada. The other option is a Skilled Worker Permit, which is a reasonably feasible choice as long as you have some form of higher education, however you need to prove a large backing of funds (CAD$10k).

I recently left London and moved across to Montreal, Canada and i went for a Work Permit through BUNAC. My main motivation for this type VISA was due to being able to arrive unemployed and then freely work where ever i wanted. The other main benefit is it's not as decisive as the Skilled Worker Permit, providing a Canadian lifestyle experience before looking into something more permanent.

The VISA has a few stipulations with the main one being aged 18-30 with no dependents, otherwise it's only really the costs you need to worry about and they are as follows;
£200 - Work Canada Registration Fee
£100 - Work VISA
£5 - BUNAC Membership
£75 - ACOP Police Check for UK (can be cheaper if your not pushed for time)

Once you've paid all that it is a requirement of the VISA that you have travel insurance for the whole year and a return flight out of not only Canada but North America itself. So..
£185 - 12mth Single Policy Insurance
£480 - Open Return Flights from London to Montreal
£1045 - Total Cost
(you also need a minimum of £500 for proof of funds)

You need to be quick when registering for a spot for the Work Permit too as all the allocations for 2010 were taken up in about 5-6wks. Enrollment begins in the first week of December each year and once the VISA has been issued you need to leave the UK for Canada within a year. Ultimately it's not cheap by any means but VISA's never are, however it has paid off so far as i'm earning a bit more and my cost of living is far cheaper.

If you have any questions just let me know

bfsog

Thank you expatriate, your information was invaluable.

I plan to go for the BUNAC Visa option.

Can yuo provide me some more information:

1. With the BUNAC option, if I register for the Visa in December 2010 and I move to Canada in March 2011 does the year begin then, meaning I can stay in Canada until March 2012? Or does it begin from December 2010?

2. My time in Canada under this Visa, am I able to apply for another visa or can I use this year to apply for something more permanent?

3. Regarding applying. Will I wait until I apply in December before I get the BUNAC membership, police check etc or is it a good idea for me to apply for these now?

Thank you so much.

Andrew

fredflintstonerules

bfsog wrote: »

I plan to go for the BUNAC Visa option.....

2. My time in Canada under this Visa, am I able to apply for another visa or can I use this year to apply for something more permanent?

Theres a reason this is the Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning forum, and not the I want to emmigrate and haven't the foggiest forum.

With what you have stated on here so far you would most likely be refused BUNAC.

As you cannot initially work whilst trying to change from a BUNAC to a PNP or Skilled worker visa, how do you intend supporting yourself whilst your girlfriend is at university.

Does you job even come under the skilled workers programme for you to apply for a Skilled worker visa.

Which area of canada where you thinking of moving to, and hows your French.

bfsog wrote: »

1. With the BUNAC option, if I register for the Visa in December 2010 and I move to Canada in March 2011 does the year begin then, meaning I can stay in Canada until March 2012? Or does it begin from December 2010?

Its not a pick and choose option here.