Newbie Canadian migrant

[mr.india]

Hey everyone,

Me and my wife are planning for immigration, we both are in IT field. Canada and Australia are the two destinations that we have in mind. I have done some research (in high level) online on both destinations, but I would appreciate if veretans here can guide and throw more light. As which destination is better in terms of IT oppertunities, good place to live, simplified visa / PR process and timelines.

I have approx 8 years of experience while my wife has approx 4 years experience.

Thanks in advance.

[scharlack]

Originally Posted by mr.india

Hey everyone,

Me and my wife are planning for immigration, we both are in IT field. Canada and Australia are the two destinations that we have in mind. I have done some research (in high level) online on both destinations, but I would appreciate if veretans here can guide and throw more light. As which destination is better in terms of IT oppertunities, good place to live, simplified visa / PR process and timelines.

I have approx 8 years of experience while my wife has approx 4 years experience.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

I am no expert on this matter but since nobody has answered yet, I will do it.

My wife and I are in the IT field as well and we considered both CAN and AUS. We are moving to Canada.

I have expat friends in both countries and they love life in Toronto and Melbourne. It's all up to what you want from life.

You appear to have great experience in the field so both places will offer you opportunities.

Both countries are immigrant friendly so I guess that won't be an issue.

As for the visa processes I guess you would be looking at the same timeframes, UNLESS you are on the list of 38 in Canada. That would get your visa sorted quickly.

I suggest you talk to your wife (as it is a decision of both) and see what her expectations are as for living abroad. Can you handle hard and long winters? Can you handle the distance to your home country? Do you prefer beaches or mountains? There is just loads to think about...

There are many expat blogs on the net in which you can get a feeling on how life is treating them... it might be worth looking.

It's also worth looking at the "sticky posts" on this forum from both countries so you can see cost of living, places to live, food, school system, tax system, etc. A wealth of info.

I wish you the best of luck on your decision.

Cheers

[mr.india]

Thanks Scarlack for explaining.

I agree with you, as both places are migrant friendly and at the end it depends on what you want from life.. I would highly appreciate if some could guide me thought the application process, my profession 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers is in the list of 38 professions for canadian immigration.

Regards,

[mr.india]

I was going through a previous post discussing Canadian IT companies spending:

"As far as technology ( in any field , IT or non-IT) is concerned, both canada & USA are far ahead of OZ. As far as pure IT penitration, USA & Canadian industries are more IT savvy then OZ companies."

Which scares me a bit for oz. My skills are on Australian MODL (CSL) as well as 38 canadian skill list .

Do I have to get my skills accessed by any computer society before applying for Canadian immigration? What are the steps and any rough estimation on timelines?

Many Thanks,

[scharlack]

Originally Posted by mr.india

I was going through a previous post discussing Canadian IT companies spending: Which scares me a bit for oz. My skills are on Australian MODL (CSL) as well as 38 canadian skill list .

Do I have to get my skills accessed by any computer society before applying for Canadian immigration? What are the steps and any rough estimation on timelines?

Many Thanks,

Hello,

I know companies that consider AUS as emerging market. That certainly does give you a lot of opportunities if you look on the positive side. I wouldn't be too worried about it since you are experienced and will be able to get paid decently and secure a job. There are various online career/job offering sites in both AUS and CAN. You might want to google a couple and see if there are opportunities out there.

I am aware that you need to get your skills assessed for the AUS immigration process. I don't know about Canada though.

You'll find info on various immigrations procedures to CAN on Welcome Page | Page d'accueil.

Cheers

[mr.india]

Thanks again..

I agree with you to look in the positive side, you mentioned in your first post, that you and your wife looked into the possibility of migrating to Oz or Canada and finally decided to moove to Canada, was there any other reason for the decision then you prefer mountains over beaches or something else.

I'll do some google before we decide on the destination.

Thanks a lot.

[scharlack]

Originally Posted by mr.india

Thanks again..

I agree with you to look in the positive side, you mentioned in your first post, that you and your wife looked into the possibility of migrating to Oz or Canada and finally decided to moove to Canada, was there any other reason for the decision then you prefer mountains over beaches or something else.

I'll do some google before we decide on the destination.

Thanks a lot.

We think both are great countries to live but AUS is a bit too far from our families in Brazil. We would like to have the option of seeing the family once a year and that wouldn't be feasible in AUS.

We have been to Canada before and we really liked it. I suggest you go on a reccie if you are still doubtful after getting info on the net...

I am sure someone else will come and reply to you as well. They may even get you a better insight of the Canadian life.

You can also post the same questions on the AUS forum

Cheers

[jovi]

Hi all,

I am on the same boat as Mr. India is on, its very difficult to decide where to ahead, this is really a daunting task, i myself qualify for Aus CSL and 38 occupations in Canada, but still undecided where to go, this is right it depend on your preferences about life, values, culture of the new country, like me I am grown up under 50 C temperature in middle east, it is horrible for me to imagine myself to live in -40 C in Canada, but in Aus life is looks to be very idle, the recent news of racism creates a havoc among the indo pak migrants, where as in Canada it looks to be very friendly not a arrogant Aus style. But job crisis in Canada for immigrants are very severe, even u r champ in your field, one must be ready to do the odd job in the first couple of months, they ask Canadian experience and Canadian style English. Also salaries structure in comparison with Aust is quit low specially in IT field, plus the taxes ratio is much higher in Canada, so these all joblessness, low wages, high taxes now emerging a new gangster state specially new Canadian youth is drug addict, very special in Vancouver region, crimes are very high, though high in Oz as well but still manageable, medical system is too overburden that u cant get the doc appointment before a week in Canada.

It is all what i get from the net, neither i been Canada or Aus, i been in middle east and now in Pakistan, but definitely wants to go away from this system as u all know why?

There is always pros and cons for every aspect of decision, but really i couldn't find a single link where one really give the best out of these 2 friendly immigrant countries.

One must look the NotCanada.com | The Truth About Immigration To Canada for further ills in Canadian society, i was trying to find the same for Aus but unable.

I will be very grateful if some one can give more insight on this topic" Aus or Canada"

In regard of Canada can some one give me the current time frame for the Federal Skill Program under 38 professions for Pakistanies, i heard it is completed within 1 year, where as Provincial program is much faster than Federal but job offer compulsion is there and to stick to that region for 2 years from where one has applied for PNP, so PNP is faster or Federal. But i am more intersted in Federal route.

Thanks!

[mr.india]

Thanks Jovi for sharing your thoughts here with us. I agree with your thoughts therefore, I am little inclined towards Australia at the moment. I have applied for ACS for my skill assessment, however, if need be, can also apply for Canada ( if I am convinced) thus wanted to know the process of Canadian immigration.

The whole point of immigrating is to better ourlives not to worsen by struggling for the job or getting descriminated or getting second class treatment by raciest group, If that is the case, we will continue with our jobs which we already have in our hands for quite number of years until everything gets alright. This does not mean, i am risk averse or afraid to move to Australia but the information we have gathered here is just second hand collected thought others experience and discussed over internet (which may or may not be true.) I think may be I'll make a trip to Australia or canada before I decide to immigrate to that country.

Jovi, do you have any idea of timeline required for canadian immigration if your job is in 38 skill list without job offer, and is the application straight forward or required help of agent?

Best regards,

[jovi]

Mr. India,

Two days before i met an agent "Lalani Associates" in Karachi, they are very well reputed to Canada Immigration process, the time line they have given me is of 1-1.5 years approx for federal without job offer program, what the issues is the back log currently in Islamabad office, where as in Moscow it is near about 8 months, one of my friend has applied in 2007 and he is still awaiting, but the agent said under new short listed program the process is get expedited. This delay process is one of major reason that many people switch to Aus. I think hire an agent is very important, either for Aus or Canada, though on all official websites it is not recommended, but the process is so hectic doing oneself without error is really a miracle unless one is self involve in consultancy. It is up to u all docs are available on Immi.gov.au or cic.gc.ca websites, go ur self or chose someone for u, also what i found that consultant charges in Canada are very much from 2500 to 6000 Canadian dollars, choice is yours. but i will recommend to chose an agent who is a member of both CSIC and CAPIC. This will help u to refine your research, as they are few to have both memberships.

I do agree with your saying that one wants to do immigration is to change the current life but not at the cost of humiliation by others, this is what made me very afraid of Aus, and also i am very much confused about the upcoming MODL in October'09. What if they kick out my IT Security profession from it, then suddenly i will be put back in the long awaiting queue. This is very frustrating in Aus policy, they keeps on changing their policies rapidly, i do myself very much keen to apply for Aus, but now looking to switch to Canada, also as i am CISCO professional North America has much more opportunity for me than Aus.

Yesterday i found an very informative link, this might be interested for u, Australia or Canada? : British Expat Discussion Forum

Canada versus Australia : British Expat Wiki

i found it very informative. Keep in touch and share your thoughts.

Cheers