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Canadian/American Immigration - 18 Yr Old

josh.thomas said:
Thing is, I know what I want isn't around here. I don't want to bore any of you with the details, but lets just say theres no family to keep me grounded here, there are very little, if any, reasonable job offers, and to go to University, I will have to move across the country, when quite frankly, my hope has always been to go abroad, and learn wonderful new cultures, and adapt as best I can - branch out on my own, which has always been something of a dream.

I understand what your saying, but maybe Im a rarity? :p
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But that's the point. If after you've lived in the US or Canada for a while you decide it's not for you, there's always New Zealand, Japan, Oz, Hong Kong, all sorts of other places you could head off to. Even if you don't get into any of those, you don't have to come back to the UK. There are 24 other countries you can live in where permanent residency is automatically granted.
 
LogicBored said:
I moved from the UK to Toronto 1 year ago. I'm here on a two-year work permit with a seperate application put in for permanent residency. Canada will most certainly be an easier option for you to move to (they actively need immigrants).

You would therefore be here on a student visa but also have a permanent residency application in too (to allow you to stay after your studies are over). The residency can take 6 months to 3 years to come through.
Not sure if a student visa allows you to have a part time job or not.

Make the jump dude, come in, the water is fine......
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That sounds brilliant. Really have made me :D.

I was thinking of takin a break between School and Uni anyway. Therefore I could apply for a 2 year work permit like yourself, get a job, get the company to ''sponsor'' me, and then apply for Perma. Res.

If I wanted to continue a Uni. degree at the end of this, I could apply once granted Perma. Res.

I'll discuss with the Can. High. Comm when their open (8am to 11am Mon-Fri.. odd times) whats best:

1. Student Visa and Perma App.
2. 2 Year Work Visa, Company Sponsor and Perma App.

Correct? :confused:
 
Don't panic said:
As a high school graduate, I think that "technically" you have no "skills", at least in the US (just from a burocratic point of view)

I know there is a annual green card 'lottery', and I hear that for europeans the chances are actually pretty good because of a quota system/number of applicants.
you might want to enquire about that
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I believe the Lottery only applies to people that are seen as hard-done-by or something, countries from Europe are eligible, but UK is not. :confused:

However, the Rep. of Ireland is..again :confused: , which is strange, 'cos its NI with the problems (sadly)
 
OttawaGuy said:
Good luck what ever you decide.
I work at a University and as far as I know, student visas require you to work on campus.
That can be a pain because every student from abroad has the same restriction, so there are never enough jobs to go around.
This can be a real challenge if you stay all summer instead of returning home.
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Thanks very much. Well, I will need to work, I mean, £10K isn't gonna cover Uni fees and living costs, so thats an idea, unless I can work in say, a coffee shop or a store (just an example) I won't be able to make reality.

OttawaGuy said:
did you check this out yet?

http://www.britishexpat.com/expatforum/canada/index.php
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Yep, just registered.. gonna begin posting away :)
 
dynamicv said:
But that's the point. If after you've lived in the US or Canada for a while you decide it's not for you, there's always New Zealand, Japan, Oz, Hong Kong, all sorts of other places you could head off to. Even if you don't get into any of those, you don't have to come back to the UK. There are 24 other countries you can live in where permanent residency is automatically granted.
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But, someone on the forum here has said, the US is notoriously hard to get into - how would I get in there if even Canada won't accept me?

Oz, NZ are the same as US and Canada. Notice how the UK lets more or less anyone in, which is terrible, but I think maybe there should be slightly easier ways of going about things, for someone like myself who wants to learn new skills in the country, so they may adapt to how the country works.

If by the 24 countries your referring to the EU, I want a clean break from everything, new surroundings, with languages I can speak. I'm only fluent in Welsh, English, and I can make out French but can't speak it to save my life! :eek: So many of the EU countries are instantly off the list, either due to Lang. req's, surrounding, laws, or the fact that their worse than the UK.

I know they say the grass is greener but from what I've heard from people, who have lived in Canada etc (one of my very good friends, shes emmigrated over here due to her fathers work) - its a much better place.

And I know each and every person is different, its just, if I want to do this, I want to do it right, and I believe Canada (more so) or the US has what I want, on offer.

Sorry to go on... :)
 
same use name?
I want to read the answers you receive
Not a stalker:eek: , just curious about the process:)
 
OttawaGuy said:
same use name?
I want to read the answers you receive
Not a stalker:eek: , just curious about the process:)
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Course not! I don't mind at all. Yep, josh.thomas is the username.

Add me to iChat, if you wouldn't mind, JoshDavidThomas. :)

Really appreciate you all taking the time to help me, b.t.w. Thanks.
 
Bear in mind that while some things like language are easier in the US/Canada, you can live/work/study anywhere in the European Union without having the hassle of any visas and with substantially cheaper University fees.

While you may not speak a language now, the best way to learn one is living in the respective country - and while, unless you choose a vocational course, your specific degree might not be remembered, you'd always have the language (and an additional skill to offer if you decide to move to the US/Canada later)
 
I don't think getting permanent British residency is any easier than other countries. We let in a lot of people on 2 year work permits, yes, but once you start asking those who have achieved permanent residency how they did it, the stories are complicated.

For example, a Kiwi friend of mine has permanent UK residency by virtue of having Dutch relatives. He used that to get a Dutch passport, and then through our EU membership was granted residency here. Another person I know who moved here from Oz married his flatmate for two years.

Anyway, I think you've now got enough ideas, and the enthusiam is definitely bubbling up within you by the tone of your posts. Best of luck with the process!!
 
Applespider said:
Bear in mind that while some things like language are easier in the US/Canada, you can live/work/study anywhere in the European Union without having the hassle of any visas and with substantially cheaper University fees.

While you may not speak a language now, the best way to learn one is living in the respective country - and while, unless you choose a vocational course, your specific degree might not be remembered, you'd always have the language (and an additional skill to offer if you decide to move to the US/Canada later)
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Whilst I understand that, and I'm very grateful of you taking the time to post it but, here is my reasons against the EU so far:

1. I'm a very outgoing person that loves new experiences and meeting people, and my doing this will be very limited in somwhere like France.
2. How can I work in an environment that requires no prev. Qual's, most likely in a shop (whilst attending Uni.) if I can't even speak their language? I won't even get past the interview :confused:
3. Learning a language is quite a lengthy process, although Welsh is meant to be one of the most difficult, and I've picked that up perfectly.. so there is hope. Its just the scare-factor of moving to a totally foreign country in every way. Whilst some people may find that exxilerating, I find it quite, scary. Sorry, but can you understand what I mean?

I want to be able to thrive in a culture I understand, I don't mind adapting (it would be impossible not to) but learning languages and things just to get by, well to me, it seems too much.

Thank you very much for your suggestion though. Really sorry if I come accross as a one-track mine, I'm not :p
 
dynamicv said:
I don't think getting permanent British residency is any easier than other countries. We let in a lot of people on 2 year work permits, yes, but once you start asking those who have achieved permanent residency how they did it, the stories are complicated.

For example, a Kiwi friend of mine has permanent UK residency by virtue of having Dutch relatives. He used that to get a Dutch passport, and then through our EU membership was granted residency here. Another person I know who moved here from Oz married his flatmate for two years.

Anyway, I think you've now got enough ideas, and the enthusiam is definitely bubbling up within you by the tone of your posts. Best of luck with the process!!
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:p Thanks for that. Its really nice y'know, meeting people on here and having help, so many people in day-to-day life wouldn't offer it.

One thing I can say is, I'm determined, and I'm gonna try my best and everything within my power to obtain my dream and make it workable.
 
josh.thomas said:
My girlfriend thought she could get US residency, due to her 2 uncles living there permanently, but that didn't happen since apparently, Uncles can't nominate. We were going to marry, since we were going to live together and we're an item anyway - but then we found out she wasn't eligible.

I think people that marry, to get residence somwhere together, well it isn't really THAT bad, unless its hurting someone.

Sorry, I know that comments gonna most likely p*ss a lot of people off..
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You don't have to necessarily be married for Canada. After 6-months living together you are deemed partners anyway. Family, such as Uncles, should count towards the Canadian skilled-worker points-system, but they can't nominate under Family Class.

I doubt you'll get in under skilled-worker. I had been working 15-years, Telecomms/Electronics Engineering, educated to Masters-level and with some French thrown in, just made the necessary points. Not to show-off or anything, just to give you an idea of how depressing the forms can be sometimes (even after years of hard-work). :(

You should talk to someone at the Embassy or phone the hotlines. Be prepared to spend an hour on the phone to Canada (international rates). Faxing questions never worked for me.

I was 'lucky' I met a nice Irish lass in Reading, that turned out to be a Canadian-chick.... the rest is history. :D
 
Danksi said:
You don't have to necessarily be married for Canada. After 6-months living together you are deemed partners anyway. Family, such as Uncles, should count towards the Canadian skilled-worker points-system, but they can't nominate under Family Class.

I doubt you'll get in under skilled-worker. I had been working 15-years, Telecomms/Electronics Engineering, educated to Masters-level and with some French thrown in, just made the necessary points. Not to show-off or anything, just to give you an idea of how depressing the forms can be sometimes (even after years of hard-work). :(

You should talk to someone at the Embassy or phone the hotlines. Be prepared to spend an hour on the phone to Canada (international rates). Faxing questions never worked for me.

I was 'lucky' I met a nice Irish lass in Reading, that turned out to be a Canadian-chick.... the rest is history. :D
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Thanks for your input. Yes, very lucky. So basically, for arguments sake, I could go to Canada, and live with someone for 6months, who could nominate me as their 'spouse'?

What do you think about me going on a 2 year work permit, and getting a job with what I have earned so far, then getting them to sponsor me for Perma. Res? I would then continue my Uni. edu. and work at the same time. (An A-Level is equal to a 2 year Canadian Diploma, I have been told, if i was to apply as a Skilled Worker)

This isn't just some quick ride for me, I intend to build myself a future I can be proud of, either in the IT field (Graphic design, digital arts, photography) or Childwork (Councelling, one-on-one/group activities, child care, or difficult adolescents)

Thanks once again, your input is greatly helpful!
 
josh.thomas said:
Thanks for your input. Yes, very lucky. So basically, I could go to Canada, and live with someone for 6months, who could nominate me as their 'spouse'?
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Once a visitors visa expires you'd be required to leave and will probably not be granted another. The Equivalent to Married Landed Immigrant sponsorship is a long and insanely complex process. Just had some friends go through 2.5 years of paperwork. You have to provide proof of an ongoing relationship. (so you can't just arrange with someone to 'pretend' you are an item. they'll rumble you and bounce your application)
 
CanadaRAM said:
Once a visitors visa expires you'd be required to leave and will probably not be granted another. The Equivalent to Married Landed Immigrant sponsorship is a long and insanely complex process. Just had some friends go through 2.5 years of paperwork. You have to provide proof of an ongoing relationship. (so you can't just arrange with someone to 'pretend' you are an item. they'll rumble you and bounce your application)
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Thank you. :)

For someone in my position, what would you recommend?

1. Apply to a Canadian Uni. Get My Degree, Apply for Citizenship based on having a Canadian Education, as well as my A-Levels and such from the UK. Also, work whilst in Uni - get the '2 years work experience' for a skilled worker

2. Get a 2 year 'work visa' find an Employer who will accept me as I am, or accept me with training, and sponsor me for the ''Permanent Resident'' visa?

3. Something else?

Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this. :)
 
Hi Josh, as a former Customs Officer here in Canada I'd suggest that you first decide how you want to enter the country.

Explore your options, from what I've read here you may want to:
Immagrate -(see if you meet the requirements here)
Study - (details here)
Get a temporary work permit

If you have questions, calling the people at one of these listed numbers could save you a lot of confusion and time. In particular the Canadian consulate in the UK should be up on all the rules that would affect you.

Although you may go through a "status progression" because in your case immigrating might be a bit of overkill; still make sure you know what each of your options are and what problems can arise depending the route that you take. People don't realize that switching can have many pitfalls... especially if you travel to another country in the midst of it all. (Trust me I've personaly ruined a honeymoon, but probably saved the marriage of a status-changer! :eek: ) Please avoid the "I'll marry someone with citizenship" plan... it may happen, but don't bank on it! :D

Whatever you choose, best of luck to you!
 
Raid said:
Hi Josh, as a former Customs Officer here in Canada I'd suggest that you first decide how you want to enter the country.

Explore your options, from what I've read here you may want to:
Immagrate -(see if you meet the requirements here)
Study - (details here)
Get a temporary work permit

If you have questions, calling the people at one of these listed numbers could save you a lot of confusion and time. In particular the Canadian consulate in the UK should be up on all the rules that would affect you.

Although you may go through a "status progression" because in your case immigrating might be a bit of overkill; still make sure you know what each of your options are and what problems can arise depending the route that you take. People don't realize that switching can have many pitfalls... especially if you travel to another country in the midst of it all. (Trust me I've personaly ruined a honeymoon, but probably saved the marriage of a status-changer! :eek: ) Please avoid the "I'll marry someone with citizenship" plan... it may happen, but don't bank on it! :D

Whatever you choose, best of luck to you!
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LOL :D ... the Canadian Marriage was a JOKE.. sorry if I didn't make that clear enough... lol... very worried now!

Anyway, I'm looking to emmigrate/immigrate :)confused:).

The reason Working Visas and Student Visas have been discussed, is because I want to go to Canade BEFORE completing a University degree.

Since I want to live there permanently, we here have been trying to figure out whats best:

1. Apply to a Can. Uni. - whilst out there getting my degree, and 2 years work experience (at the same time) - Apply for Permanent Res., as a Skilled Worker.

2. Apply for a 2 year Work Visa, find a job on the qualifications I have now (Equal to a 2 year Canadian diploma) and ask my Boss to sponsor me as a perma Res.. I could then apply for Uni after getting my Perma. Res. Visa, and still keep a part time Job


What would you suggest to make me a Perma. Red. of Canada? I don't want to pick up my life, only to be sent back home.

This is a permanent move for better prospects, a better life, and a better me. :D

Thanks again, Raid.
 
Raid said:
Although you may go through a "status progression" because in your case immigrating might be a bit of overkill;
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What does this mean? ''status progession"? overkill? :confused:
 
You need to talk to the staff recommended in the posts above, Perhaps also save up some dosh and talk to a Canadian immigration lawyer (who will lighten your wallet frighteningly quickly).

I don't "think" you can achieve skilled worker status with just 2 years of Uni. But do your research with the proper people.

We on MR are not the proper people.
 
CanadaRAM said:
You need to talk to the staff recommended in the posts above, Perhaps also save up some dosh and talk to a Canadian immigration lawyer (who will lighten your wallet frighteningly quickly).

I don't "think" you can achieve skilled worker status with just 2 years of Uni. But do your research with the proper people.

We on MR are not the proper people.
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Firstly, the numbers above are closed until Monday morning.

I will call them then. :)

Secondly, where would I find a lawyer up-to-speed on this, I suppose in your end, in Canada?

I was never going to do 2 years at Uni, think you missunderstood. I would go to Uni, and get a degree (which is good for the Points form on Skilled Worker application) but whilst doing my degree, to 2 years work experience somwhere - as this question is also asked on the app. form (Have you completed 2 years work experience in Canada?.. or something like that)

And Raid seems quite well informed, considering like you say, its MR and your not the proper people, it used to be his job.. stroke of luck, hey! :)
 
josh.thomas said:
Secondly, where would I find a lawyer up-to-speed on this, I suppose in your end, in Canada?
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Bare in mind immigration lawyers cannot increase the speed of your application. They simply work with you to make sure your application is complete. If they're promising a faster response, they're generally fibbing.

Speak to the help desk, tell them everything and see what they suggest. I was all for the skiller-worker option until I mentioned my Canadian partner and our UK-born daughter. They were like, what are you thinking, go Family Class... they were very helpful.

It could be years of student visa this and work permit that, before you end up with permanent residency and finally Canadian Citizenship though. At least you'll be in Canada, with any luck. They're generally a nice bunch here ;)
 
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