Hi All!
New to this board, but you seem a friendly lot! My husband and I want to immigrate from Scotland. We have 1 daughter and 1 small dog. My husband is a Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Systems consultant, currently working in the oil industry. He also has experience of working as a quality systems engineer in the electronics and automotive fields and has been all over the world as a Vendor quality engineer. I am trying to sell my writing, so far without too much success! Until 8 years ago I worked in IT/Quality and have spent a few months as a sales assistant in a pet store. I have also helped out at school and ran the computer club.
Here are my q's:
- Does the amount of funds you have to take in with you make a difference? If you have more to bring with you, are you more likely to get in and does it hurry things along?
- Is it worthwhile using an immigration lawyer or consultant? Does anyone have any goo/bad stories about using them?
- Although I see on their site that CIC state 30% applicants get thru in 21 months ot less, does anyone have any personal experience of how long it will all take? We are 44 years old and feel time is of the essence!
- Is it possible to secure work before we go?
Sorry for the long posting, promise to be more frugal with the words in the future. Have a great New Year and may 2006 bring you all that you could wish for.
Peace,
Nettie
Welcome Nettie!
Glad you found this site! I'm not sure I can help you with most of your questions, but I wanted to welcome you anyway.
1.My understanding is that even if you have more money than is required by CIC for immigration, it will not speed up the process, which is first come, first served. The money required is simply to assure (hopefully) that you'll have enough to reasonably live on while you get situated.
2. We did not use a consultant, and my understanding is that it rarely helps. They are expensive, and from what I read here and on other immigration boards, they don't seem to be of much assistance. Perhaps they help if your case is quite complicated, but it sounds like yours is pretty simple. There are people here who have used one, and hopefully they can answer your question better.
3. Sorry--I don't know how long it's taking from Scotland. We are from the US,and I expect to wait at least 2 years. Again, I know there are people here from the UK, so hopefully they can help you here.
4. Some people have had luck securing work, but I don't know the details (I'd love to hear them myself! lol)
Best of luck to you and your family, and may you have a wonderful new year!
Claudia
Hi Claudia,
Many thanks for your quick reply! Any advice given is very welcome and you have been very helpful. Good luck with your application - I hope it goes quickly for you!
All the season's greetings to you and your family,
Nettie
I concur with all the answers. Have a look at Alberta for employment opportunities. There is a huge oil industry that is booming and screaming for workers. You might even like the climate!
Take your time with the application documents and read the online procedural manuals that are offered - there is nothing required that needs a consultant. Pay yourself instead to proof read!
my best suggestion is to come to Canada and visit by yourself before you make any decision
[/url]Hi!
[url=http://www.immigrationsask.gov.sk.ca/]1.
http://www.immigrationsask.gov.sk.ca/ If you can secure employment and have a minimum $75, 000. Cdn investment, Saskatchewan might consider you for SINP. I spoke with someone from this office a few weeks ago, and they told me that they have desperate need for people who are willing to open businesses in rural Saskatchewan, and starting January 2006, the processing times for such cases will be 6-9 months. Contrary to what many people believe, Oil and *NOT* agriculture/agribusiness is one of Saskatchewan's main sources of revenue, and since you said your hb is in the oil industry, I thought it might be worth mentioning.
2. I agree with Joohliya that you can save a lot of money by avoiding paying a consultant. I feel this way because my own experience with a consultant was terrible, as demonstrated by the "no" answer my husband and I received on our February 2005 sponsorship/PR applications.
3. My aunt has friends who migrated to SK as skilled workers from Scotland, and they told her they feel terribly disappointed with their immigration experiences. I can't remember the time frame they quoted her exactly, but the 21 months one you cited does seem familiar.
4. Yes, it is possible to secure work before coming to Canada. Here are some additional work-related links:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/
http://www.jobsetc.ca/az_index.jsp;jsess...m12?lang=e
http://www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca/jobs/index_all_e.htm
http://www.cicic.ca/professions/professi...ed=&Skill=
http://www.huskyenergy.ca/careers/default.asp
http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English...nities.asp
http://www.hgcareers.com/js/static/searc...vices-jobs
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/search...eteProfile
http://www.rigzone.com/
http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/groups/2145.shtml
Best of luck to you, and Happy New Year!
Many, many thanks for all your efforts, guys! You have given us some great advice and we'll spend the next week or so wading thru all the references you've supplied.
Have a great 2006, peace to you all,
Nettie
hello nettie,
Going on your user name am I correct in thinking you are from Inverurie. I ask this because we are from Grantown-on-Spey, we are here in Saskatchewan on a work permit then hopefully we will apply for pr status gosh its great to hear from someone from back home if you are interested in SK ill try and help you as much as poss.
PNP is for sure worth if you can be qualified, Buffalo will speed up process for PNP, less than half year in B.C.
if you have possible to get PNP, get PNP than HRDC confirmation.
My understanding is it takes 6--7 month to get HRDC, after that you still have to apply work permit, it's same amount of time to finish your PNP PR.
Cupids_Dame Wrote:Hi!
1. http://www.immigrationsask.gov.sk.ca/ If you can secure employment and have a minimum $75, 000. Cdn investment, Saskatchewan might consider you for SINP. I spoke with someone from this office a few weeks ago, and they told me that they have desperate need for people who are willing to open businesses in rural Saskatchewan, and starting January 2006, the processing times for such cases will be 6-9 months. Contrary to what many people believe, Oil and *NOT* agriculture/agribusiness is one of Saskatchewan's main sources of revenue, and since you said your hb is in the oil industry, I thought it might be worth mentioning.
2. I agree with Joohliya that you can save a lot of money by avoiding paying a consultant. I feel this way because my own experience with a consultant was terrible, as demonstrated by the "no" answer my husband and I received on our February 2005 sponsorship/PR applications.
3. My aunt has friends who migrated to SK as skilled workers from Scotland, and they told her they feel terribly disappointed with their immigration experiences. I can't remember the time frame they quoted her exactly, but the 21 months one you cited does seem familiar.
4. Yes, it is possible to secure work before coming to Canada. Here are some additional work-related links:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/
http://www.jobsetc.ca/az_index.jsp;jsess...m12?lang=e
http://www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca/jobs/index_all_e.htm
http://www.cicic.ca/professions/professi...ed=&Skill=
http://www.huskyenergy.ca/careers/default.asp
http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English...nities.asp
http://www.hgcareers.com/js/static/searc...vices-jobs
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/search...eteProfile
http://www.rigzone.com/
http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/groups/2145.shtml
Best of luck to you, and Happy New Year!
Hi! We are currently living in Oldmeldrum after 5+ years in Inverurie although we hail from Glasgwow originally. Tell me, what is SK like? The research I've done makes me think AB might be more for us, but perhaps you know more than me! In fact, I'm sure you do!
If there's anything you want to know etx about Scotland again, don't hesitate to ask!
How long did it take you to find a PNP position? IS it you/hubby who got the job? Is it only the jobs in the Provincial Nominee site or is it worth sending a CV to employers yuou find in the Yellow Pages? How long have you been over
Great to hear from you! Best regards, Nettie x
Given you skills, I think Alberta would offer better employment opportunities. BC is also opening up its oil and gas industry - not nearly as developed as yet... but the climate might be more like home. (cold and damp :))