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Immigrating to Canada (1/5)- How Do I Start?

It has been almost a month since Manitoba reopened the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream and started it’s application intake, it has also been a month since I last posted about this and how the process in application in take was changed, I am receiving quite a lot of emails and direct messages, ask­ing me questions about immigration process.  I guess this is why I should just say, “Welcome to my new (or updated) blog series – Immigrating to Canada – How To’s?

So let me start with this series in answering this question – WHERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA?

Honestly speaking, I don’t have the exact answer and like what I have always indicate in my disclaimer, I am not in anyway connected to CIC or to any immigration service company, so I am not sure if what I did in the past (we processed our application in 2008) will still be applicable… This is why I am hesitant to respond to those questions that I am getting, my case could be different or irrelevant to the current application procedure.  However, I do have a few tips that I can share to those who are contemplating to immigrate to Canada.

HERE YOU GO – – –

Assess your self, think of the things that you can and you cannot do or what you can and cannot give up, what are your strengths including your skills and your educational background, these are some of the factors that will be used to assess your ability to become economically successful.

And consider asking yourself – why you should go to Canada? Is it because of economical reason? Or is it because coming to Canada is an “in” thing in your home country? What are your reasons, are they strong enough for you to live the life that you have now?.. If you are one of those people who thought of moving to Canada because of the attractive proposition that life is better in Canada and you believe that spending a few years in a country with a stable economy like Canada will will give you an easy and comfortable life, well, I will not confirm nor deny this.   But, I am telling you now, it is not as easy as you think it is. There are set backs and challenges that you will go through and you have to be prepared to accept and overcome the challenges of living a (different) life away from “home” and be prepared to face even the most humbling experience that you never thought you’ll go through.

Research, know the place… in today’s world, where just about everything is more convenient and accessible due to advances in technology, you can get quick access to information about anything under the sun with the help of Mr. Google, Mrs. Bing or Ms.Siri. So use the internet and research about Canada: it’s provinces, it’s economy, it’s people, it’s culture, what the weather is like, health system, cost of living, job opportunities, the way of life, anything that you feel is important for you to make your big decision.  Research the process of application of immigrating, visiting or working in Canada and find out what will work to your advantage.  Remember, Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, an immigration rule for one may not be applicable for others.  Each province in Canada has different procedure and specification and each category of Canadian immigration has a different immigration process.

…. and do more research, if you have read my profile, you have probably found out that one of my reasons for putting up this blog site is to make it a place to come to for those who are considering of migrating to Canada, momsiecle.com is not the only site that has the kind of blog that you may use as reference.  Find out from various websites and blog sites other information that may be helpful to your situation, there is a lot of online information, you just have to keep looking…  I guess, exploring my blog site and becoming this site’s follower after reading this post is a good idea, sounds like a plan? (Insert wink here).

Find a connection. Yes, that is right you need a connection, this is most applicable to those who will submit their application through the provincial nominee program (PNP) and to those who are coming to Canada through sponsorship (I know, this one is very obvious).  All applicants must have at least one type of connection to the province that they are applying to.  Your connection will not just serve as your “passport” to enter Canada, they will also be your supporter in starting your life in Canada.

Keep yourself updated, now that you have started your research, make sure that you do not stop there.  Immigration rules and procedures often change, so don’t be contented with the initial information that you got, you always have to make a follow through.  When possible, sign up to organization or websites that is offering regular newsletters or email alerts whenever there is an update on immigration rules. And visit the Immigrate to Canada site as often as possible, as it is still the best source of information regarding immigration to Canada.

Look at your financial resources, the process of completing your application will cost you money (it could be a lot of money), so being financially capable and prepared is another thing. After doing your research, you will realize there are also a lot of fees asso­ci­ated with migrating to Canada.  There are the processing fees (depending on the immigration category you applied), right of permanent residence fee and other fees associated with the application, like the cost of securing documentary requirements, the cost of language test, medical exam and more.  And for provincial nominee program (PNP) applicants, there is also the settlement fund that you need to have.  I will dedicate a post about this topic in one of my posts under this series.

Determine how you want to apply and submit your application, not sure if I am sending my message across, but this is another kind of self-assessment on your part. Are you the kind of person who knows how to follow instructions properly? Do you have keen attention to details? Do you have patience in getting and completing documentary requirements or are you good in filing up forms? If your answer to most of these questions is yes, then, I guess, just like me, you can complete your own immigration application package.  You do not need to hire a representative, like I said, Immigrate to Canada is the best source, you can get all the forms and information that you need to apply from this website. If you follow the instructions in the application guide, you should be able to fill out the forms and submit them on your own.  But if you think you have no patience to this and you have a complicated situation or you really feel that you cannot do this on your own, then, get an immigration consultant, a lawyer or other representative. Using one will not get your application special attention or guarantee it will be approved but it’ll give you assurance that your application is properly taken-care of.

I guess these are some of the tips that you can start in contemplating if migrating to Canada is for you and your family and I hope these information will help  you in planning your next step.  I am encouraging you to continue asking questions that you have,  I am not an immigration expert/consultant, but from my experience, I may be able to share what I’ve done or I may be able to point you in the right direction…

DISCLAIMER:  The author is not in anyway connected with CIC or MPNP, is not an immigration consultant by profession, any information or update shared on this site are information gathered from news update from various resources.

Momsiecle

Momsiecle

Momsiecle is short for Momsie's Circle. I started my first blog on a free blogging platform in 2006 as a just for fun blog. When my family and I moved to Winnipeg in 2009, I started to write about my challenges and discoveries about living in Canada as an immigrant. In 2012, I decided to make momsiecle.com a place to come for aspiring Canadian immigrants and for people who are embracing life in the “new world” that they are in.

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4 thoughts on “Immigrating to Canada (1/5)- How Do I Start?”

  1. Pingback: Immigrating to Canada – Immigration Categories | Momsie's Blog

    1. Hi Leonard, I am not very sure about the time line of having your application for approved, but I believe that there are some who applied through the Canada Express Entry who waited for 6 to 12 months to get their application approved.

  2. Pingback: Immigrating to Canada – Immigration Categories | Filipino Portal in Canada

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