Hawaii girl moving to Canada

[Tower-Union]

I just wouldn't go Northface crazy just yet. A lot of their price is just paying for the name. Although some of their stuff is nice.

Interesting side note the ORIGINAL company "The North Face" actually went under after the market was swamped with knock offs coming out of China and brought in by the Triads. Not that the knockoffs aren't decent, (I own one in fact ) but the original company is gone Anyways I digress.

What I would recommend is Marks Work Wear House they have some very nice quality stuff (I believe their in house brand is called WindRiver) but everything comes with a LIFETIME warranty, even if you do something really stupid and tear it up, or even just wear it out, its all warrantied.

the clothes I have would be like running around in snow with only underwear on xD

We have that here. Its called a Polar Bear Club

I prefer the cold (I don't know what real cold is) but if it means being bundled up in a full winter kit then so be it.

You do realize that -40 on the celcius scale is THE SAME as -40 on the Farenheight scale right Though I think your in luck, PG doesn't get that cold, seems the average low is only around 10 Weather Stats or -12 as you'll get used to reading it (remember 0 = water freezing 100 = water boiling). Now if you venture a little east to say Edmonton we'll introduce you to what -40 feels like. -50 with a Wind Chill

As was said by the gentleman before me, we LOVE to complain, in fact its even a major section of This book. I actually suggest you give it a read, you'll get a real kick out of it, and then after living here for a year or two re-read it and you'll piss yourself laughing now that you understand what half the jokes are

A few other things we love,
a) Line ups
b) Complaining about waiting in line up's
c) Apologising, even for things that aren't our fault. Usually in a twisted guilting way, *ahem*
d) Beer commercials. They're pretty much our secondary national anthem.

Welcome to the North!

 

[LostSt4r]

Can someone clarify this for me.. If I want to stay in Canada for more then 180 days do I need a visa? all these weird sites I read say I do, some say I don't, really don't want a unnecessary headache. As for me moving to Prince George I'm not there for the sights, I mean I lived in Hawaii my whole life, enuff pretty stuff tyvm. . I really want to learn everything I need to know now so I can leave as soon as possible.

edit: I've noticed none of you have talked about fishing so far, my bf loves it and so does his family lol not sure about their love for hockey but I'm sure their team has a better name then our Hawaii college football name, "Rainbow Warriors" (hope someone gets the joke).

 

[snberk103]

Can someone clarify this for me.. If I want to stay in Canada for more then 180 days do I need a visa? all these weird sites I read say I do, some say I don't, really don't want a unnecessary headache. As for me moving to Prince George I'm not there for the sights, I mean I lived in Hawaii my whole life, enuff pretty stuff tyvm. . I really want to learn everything I need to know now so I can leave as soon as possible.

edit: I've noticed none of you have talked about fishing so far, my bf loves it and so does his family lol not sure about their love for hockey but I'm sure their team has a better name then our Hawaii college football name, "Rainbow Warriors" (hope someone gets the joke).

The thing about Canadians is that since we already live here, we have no idea about what visitors need to do. I did a little google searching, and this is the site you need.... Its the Government of Canada immigration and visiting website. Note the link on the official site that takes you to the page on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

My very quick read of the Government site is that you can stay 6 months without a visa, and then either apply for an extension or leave the country. It may be possible to bounce across the border to the US, and then re-enter - though there is no guarantee that you will be readmitted. Note too the section that warns that visitors must be able to convince an immigration officer that they have the means and the willingness to leave the country when required. This usually means that you have ties back in Hawaii, that you have a return ticket, etc etc. If you had a letter of admission to a post-secondary school in the US, and start date that would help. OR, you can apply for admission (as an international student) to one of the PG colleges or UNBC. Contact them for more info.

It is just sort of understood that fishing is great here. Its like listing sunshine as one of the assets of Hawaii.

Ironically, Kauai is our favourite island, because it didn't have the malls etc. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. We live on one of the Gulf Islands (just off the southern tip of Vancouver Island) and would go batty if we couldn't get to a city every month or so.

Your two options for crossing the border are to fly directly into Vancouver. Very formal, stand in line with everyone else to see an immigration officer, etc. The other way is to fly into an American west coast city (Seattle is closest) and cross a land border. These can be a little more informal, though not always. Because of the new American rules about passports you may need a passport to enter Canada. Would your BF's family drive down to pick you up? I think its about a 12 hour drive (don't quote me), but they may need some shopping time in Vancouver. It'll be a good way for you to see the province too.

 

[fireshot91]

I thought you HAD to have a Visa if leaving your home country (U.S in this case).


My grandparents have a Visa, and they need to get out of the U.S every 6 months. (They live in India) When they visit (Usually for 6-8 months), at about 5 months in, they go to Toronto (My cousin lives there), and stay there for about a month. That way, they have their passport stamped and they can stay in the U.S for 6 more months.


So, I'm pretty sure you need a Visa to leave the country, even for like 1 day. Whether it be temporary, or permanent is the case.

 

[snberk103]

I thought you HAD to have a Visa if leaving your home country (U.S in this case).


My grandparents have a Visa, and they need to get out of the U.S every 6 months. (They live in India) When they visit (Usually for 6-8 months), at about 5 months in, they go to Toronto (My cousin lives there), and stay there for about a month. That way, they have their passport stamped and they can stay in the U.S for 6 more months.


So, I'm pretty sure you need a Visa to leave the country, even for like 1 day. Whether it be temporary, or permanent is the case.

My understanding is that the requirement for a visa to visit Canada depends on your nationality. We are assuming LostSt4r is a US citizen. I believe that US citizens can cross into Canada for up to 6 months without a visa, subject to a number of conditions. It sounds like your grandparents are citizens of India, and therefore will have different visa requirements. The Government of Canada website I cited above lists which countries have visa requirements.

ps... LostSt4r ... never thought about the Rainbow Warriors name before, but having spent so much time in Vancouver ... well, its just that its nothing out of the ordinary. PG will be different. Don't know if that matters to you or not.

 

[Signal-11]

I thought you HAD to have a Visa if leaving your home country (U.S in this case).

My grandparents have a Visa, and they need to get out of the U.S every 6 months. (They live in India) When they visit (Usually for 6-8 months), at about 5 months in, they go to Toronto (My cousin lives there), and stay there for about a month. That way, they have their passport stamped and they can stay in the U.S for 6 more months.

So, I'm pretty sure you need a Visa to leave the country, even for like 1 day. Whether it be temporary, or permanent is the case.

Generally, a visa is an entrance requirement, not an exit restriction. There are very few countries in the world today that require an exit visa. India is one of them.

 

[iJohnHenry]

You better have something, if you want to get back into the States.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/119925/

 

[LostSt4r]

Ironically, Kauai is our favourite island, because it didn't have the malls etc. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

EXACTLY. It gets too boring here too fast.

My understanding is that the requirement for a visa to visit Canada depends on your nationality. We are assuming LostSt4r is a US citizen. I believe that US citizens can cross into Canada for up to 6 months without a visa, subject to a number of conditions. It sounds like your grandparents are citizens of India, and therefore will have different visa requirements. The Government of Canada website I cited above lists which countries have visa requirements.

ps... LostSt4r ... never thought about the Rainbow Warriors name before, but having spent so much time in Vancouver ... well, its just that its nothing out of the ordinary. PG will be different. Don't know if that matters to you or not.

Yes I'm a US citizen, and why do I need a visa to enter? I have a passport and definately would have no problem getting back to the US if need be.
As for the "Rainbow Warriors" thing I was joking because gay's colors are rainbow, no? No offense to gays I have nothing against them but I think it's funny having the name that way, also our license has a rainbow on it.

The flight plan I found the easiest would be to fly from Kauai to Honolulu (another island in Hawaii) then take a 8 hour flight stopping at Vancouver to PG (haven't decided completely on the exact flights im taking) but if shopping would have to be done in Vancouver then seems I'll have to change it a bit.

 

[Tower-Union]

A visa will allow you to WORK in the country. As an american citizen you are allowed to VISIT Canada for up to 6 months, but you may not work while you are here (to avoid taking away jobs from Canadian citizens). Also, at the end of 6 months you must LEAVE Canada for a minimum of 6 months. A visa will allow you to both stay AND work for say 2 or 3 years. However once the visa expires you will be required to leave the country.

As it sounds like your planning to make this a long term move, I would suggest you apply for LANDED IMMIGRANT status. There are essentially 3 ways to be in Canada, (well 4 I suppose)
a) Refugee (Life in Hawaii may be boring but I doubt you qualify under refugee status )
b) Landed Immigrant (Essentially the same as a Canadian citizen, but without the right to vote).
c) A Canadian citizen
d) Illegally

If I were you I would come to Canada and then USE your 6 months to speak with an immigration official, and apply for a work visa, that will extend you to stay for a few years, and as that starts to run out, apply for citizenship or landed immigrant status. It will be MUCH easier to achieve either of those if you can show that you have roots in the community, a full time job, you contribute to society, etc. etc. etc.

 

[snberk103]

EXACTLY. It gets too boring here too fast.



Yes I'm a US citizen, and why do I need a visa to enter? I have a passport and definately would have no problem getting back to the US if need be.

Sorry, my comment was directed at another poster whose grandparents did need a visa. As an American you don't need one to visit.

As for the "Rainbow Warriors" thing I was joking because gay's colors are rainbow, no? No offense to gays I have nothing against them but I think it's funny having the name that way, also our license has a rainbow on it.

Yes, I know the rainbow colour thing. Vancouver is likely the friendliest to gay city in North America. After a while you don't even notice rainbow colours anymore.

The flight plan I found the easiest would be to fly from Kauai to Honolulu (another island in Hawaii) then take a 8 hour flight stopping at Vancouver to PG (haven't decided completely on the exact flights im taking) but if shopping would have to be done in Vancouver then seems I'll have to change it a bit.

There is shopping in PG. Have your BF meet you at the airport with a sweater and track pants. You can head for the malls like that. When you arrive in Vancouver, have some documents that will indicate to the immigration officer that you intend to go back to the US, otherwise you might find your visit to Canada is very short.

 

[LostSt4r]

When you arrive in Vancouver, have some documents that will indicate to the immigration officer that you intend to go back to the US, otherwise you might find your visit to Canada is very short.

I need documents to prove that? since I can stay 6 months max I wouldn't want to buy a ticket till I actually want to leave (ofc I won't push my limits and leave the day before it makes 6 months me being there lol) but I don't want to be stuck to a set date just to prove I can go back to the US.

 

[Tower-Union]

I would think a passport would be enough to prove you intend to head back. When you pass through customs you fill out some paperwork declaring who you are, where your going, what your bringing with you, why your coming, etc. etc. The gov't knows your here and they'll keep tabs on you

 

[snberk103]

Go back to the official website. Its says a visitor must able to "satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin. (and) satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.

LostSt4r has already said she wants to move to Canada....

It is entirely up to the discretion of an immigration officer whether they allow LostSt4r to enter the country, and for how long, and under what conditions. For instance they might make entry conditional leaving in 2 weeks, or on reporting to a government office weekly.

Visitors do not have "the right" to enter the country. They are allowed to enter at the discretion (and sometimes whim) of the border agents. This is also the case for Canadians going into the US. So, all I'm saying is that from what little we know, LostSt4r's situation might raise some questions with immigration.

If she could prove this was a visit - i.e. she had strong ties back in Hawaii, then she won't have a problem. If she shows up with no return ticket, not enough money to support herself for 6 months, a BF in PG, and no papers showing admission to a school or a job in Hawaii.... well, if I was an immigration officer I might be just a tad suspicious about her intention to go home. And their job is to prevent people from overstaying.

Thats why I was suggesting earlier crossing by land from the mainland. If she is refused entry, it doesn't mean flying back to Hawaii, and the land borders can be little more informal. The chance of being turned back at the border may not be huge, but its best to be prepared for "just in case".

 

[sdsvtdriver]

Go back to the official website. Its says a visitor must able to "satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home and family, that will take you back to your country of origin. (and) satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit.

LostSt4r has already said she wants to move to Canada....

It is entirely up to the discretion of an immigration officer whether they allow LostSt4r to enter the country, and for how long, and under what conditions. For instance they might make entry conditional leaving in 2 weeks, or on reporting to a government office weekly.

Visitors do not have "the right" to enter the country. They are allowed to enter at the discretion (and sometimes whim) of the border agents. This is also the case for Canadians going into the US. So, all I'm saying is that from what little we know, LostSt4r's situation might raise some questions with immigration.

If she could prove this was a visit - i.e. she had strong ties back in Hawaii, then she won't have a problem. If she shows up with no return ticket, not enough money to support herself for 6 months, a BF in PG, and no papers showing admission to a school or a job in Hawaii.... well, if I was an immigration officer I might be just a tad suspicious about her intention to go home. And their job is to prevent people from overstaying.

Thats why I was suggesting earlier crossing by land from the mainland. If she is refused entry, it doesn't mean flying back to Hawaii, and the land borders can be little more informal. The chance of being turned back at the border may not be huge, but its best to be prepared for "just in case".

you are right on. If she flies into Canada, she better have a return ticket booked or she's be on the next flight out of Canada. Any mention of a boyfriend in Canada is another huge red flag. A land border crossing is easier as worst case, you just have to drive/walk back.

Going to Canada is not like going to the mainland. You have no right to enter Canada. You will only be permitted to enter Canada if the immigration officer feels you truly aren't entering to set up home... and that is exactly what you intend to do.

Perhaps visiting a forum like Flyertalk.com and asking there will yield some real world results from people who travel there often. When I went to Montreal, I had my passport (not needed at the time) and was asked why I was there (vacation) and was let through, however my passport was scanned and he saw my intention to leave in 10 days.

Good luck, but I bet you'll be back in the US in less than a year.

 

[HBOC]

wow, from hawaii to canada. If that it isnt culture shock, than i dont know what it. I know it was quite a change from Huntington Beach to Portland, but i really like it (been here 15 years).

I didnt know that PG was that far north past Vancouver. I am about 6 hours from Vancouver, BC (15 miles from vancouver, wa )

I think having seasons is great and fun. In so cal, there are no seasons, really. I mean there are like 2. Fall and summer. really nothing in between. In the Pacific Northwest, the seasons are great. When it is freezing rain/snow, a 65 mph wind and 2 degrees (-35 wind chill) is no fun, but whatever

also, Columbia makes some awesome outdoor gear! And i am not just saying that because they are based 3 miles away!

 

[imiloa]

Hey St4r, I'm an Oahu resident, lived in Vancouver for a year. For new winter clothes, try MEC (Mountain Equipment Corp). Good quality and decent prices. For bargain shopping, there are many used clothing stores in the larger cities.

re: Moving from HI to Canada, will definitely be a climate shock, but lots of HI folks move to Alaska and Seattle. Personally, having grown up in New England, I've shoveled enough snow for one lifetime and love the year-round sun and ocean swimming of HI.

That said, fully understand the Kauai island fever and desire to be closer to your BF.

Full sails on your move. HI will still be there if you get tired of the cold.

 

[HBOC]

that is true, many people from Hawaii end up moving to seattle, or even portland. Alot of people from alaska also end up moving to seattle or portland, but mostly seattle as it is closer.