Emigrating after COVID - UK to Canada
Discussion
Looking for some advice and thoughts on moving to Canada once the border opens. I have jumped through all the hoops to move there as a permanent resident and now starting to feel like I may finally be able to move this year.
I plan to move to Vancouver, BC as I really loved living there when I did my degree at UBC and my industry has a strong presence there. My employer is happy for me to move there and work as a virtual worker which is a relief considering how hard it is to find work in my discipline on the open market.
Firstly the COVID-19 restrictions seem pretty tight once you complete out of 10 day quarantine, I imagine by the time the border opens these will have been reduced and/or gone. My original plan was to book an Air BnB for a month while I found somewhere to live but not clear whether this is still possible. As a backup, is it worthwhile getting someone to view property on my behalf so I can then quarantine in my own rental or just go with my original plan?
Secondly I really regretted not having a car/truck even though I lived in the city as I couldn't go out to the mountains or southern BC. Should I look into getting a car sooner rather than later or use one of the car share companies? What about car insurance? Saw it was state owned and from what I was told by friends it was expensive.
Thirdly, I found getting something as simple as a phone contract impossible as I had no credit rating. I still have my Canadian bank account and credit card so hopefully I should now have some credit history right?
Probably have more questions as time moves towards my move (got flights booked for end of September) but look forward to seeing people's advice.
I plan to move to Vancouver, BC as I really loved living there when I did my degree at UBC and my industry has a strong presence there. My employer is happy for me to move there and work as a virtual worker which is a relief considering how hard it is to find work in my discipline on the open market.
Firstly the COVID-19 restrictions seem pretty tight once you complete out of 10 day quarantine, I imagine by the time the border opens these will have been reduced and/or gone. My original plan was to book an Air BnB for a month while I found somewhere to live but not clear whether this is still possible. As a backup, is it worthwhile getting someone to view property on my behalf so I can then quarantine in my own rental or just go with my original plan?
Secondly I really regretted not having a car/truck even though I lived in the city as I couldn't go out to the mountains or southern BC. Should I look into getting a car sooner rather than later or use one of the car share companies? What about car insurance? Saw it was state owned and from what I was told by friends it was expensive.
Thirdly, I found getting something as simple as a phone contract impossible as I had no credit rating. I still have my Canadian bank account and credit card so hopefully I should now have some credit history right?
Probably have more questions as time moves towards my move (got flights booked for end of September) but look forward to seeing people's advice.
WoolyFox said:
Looking for some advice and thoughts on moving to Canada once the border opens. I have jumped through all the hoops to move there as a permanent resident and now starting to feel like I may finally be able to move this year.
I plan to move to Vancouver, BC as I really loved living there when I did my degree at UBC and my industry has a strong presence there. My employer is happy for me to move there and work as a virtual worker which is a relief considering how hard it is to find work in my discipline on the open market.
Firstly the COVID-19 restrictions seem pretty tight once you complete out of 10 day quarantine, I imagine by the time the border opens these will have been reduced and/or gone. My original plan was to book an Air BnB for a month while I found somewhere to live but not clear whether this is still possible. As a backup, is it worthwhile getting someone to view property on my behalf so I can then quarantine in my own rental or just go with my original plan?
Secondly I really regretted not having a car/truck even though I lived in the city as I couldn't go out to the mountains or southern BC. Should I look into getting a car sooner rather than later or use one of the car share companies? What about car insurance? Saw it was state owned and from what I was told by friends it was expensive.
Thirdly, I found getting something as simple as a phone contract impossible as I had no credit rating. I still have my Canadian bank account and credit card so hopefully I should now have some credit history right?
Probably have more questions as time moves towards my move (got flights booked for end of September) but look forward to seeing people's advice.
You recently obtained the PR or waiting for it to come through?I plan to move to Vancouver, BC as I really loved living there when I did my degree at UBC and my industry has a strong presence there. My employer is happy for me to move there and work as a virtual worker which is a relief considering how hard it is to find work in my discipline on the open market.
Firstly the COVID-19 restrictions seem pretty tight once you complete out of 10 day quarantine, I imagine by the time the border opens these will have been reduced and/or gone. My original plan was to book an Air BnB for a month while I found somewhere to live but not clear whether this is still possible. As a backup, is it worthwhile getting someone to view property on my behalf so I can then quarantine in my own rental or just go with my original plan?
Secondly I really regretted not having a car/truck even though I lived in the city as I couldn't go out to the mountains or southern BC. Should I look into getting a car sooner rather than later or use one of the car share companies? What about car insurance? Saw it was state owned and from what I was told by friends it was expensive.
Thirdly, I found getting something as simple as a phone contract impossible as I had no credit rating. I still have my Canadian bank account and credit card so hopefully I should now have some credit history right?
Probably have more questions as time moves towards my move (got flights booked for end of September) but look forward to seeing people's advice.
Virtual worker? Will you be employed by a UK company but living in BC? Think about the tax.
I'd personally recommend getting yourself in an AirBnB first. Once you're here, you then can go properly view places to rent and get a feel for the area/s. Since you lived in Vancouver as a student, you must have half an idea. Landlords are nervous on who rents their property i found. Agents will often handle it and do a screening to ensure you suit. In Vancouver, you'll often be up against other people wanting to rent the same place. First place I rented in Vancouver, the agent actually called my HR department to confirm my years of service at the company!
Car insurance isn't cheap in metro Vancouver and only one place to buy it (ICBC). No choice but to suck it up. Plenty of car share type companies around, if you will only occasionally use a car.
Get yourself a credit check. If you've got had (and still have) a bank account and credit card, then you'll have some credit history. Equifax.ca or transunion.ca are the two credit check companies. Also suggest updating your employment status, salary etc with whoever you banked with once you're here.
Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 31st May 05:43
Thanks for the reply, was planning on AirBnB to start with (one month in a laneway house or something similar). This time I need to be a little more picky with a flat as I need an extra room for a home office and to find a landlord that doesn't mind guitars!
I have a COPR, which due to COVID expired in March 2021. I cannot fly there until I get that renewed and they open the border, who knows when that will be! Pretty fed up of being stuck in this limbo and I am sure there are many other people out there stuck in far worse situation than me waiting for the border to open.
Tax and employment wise, my company has a global presence and has offices in Canada. HR is dragging their feet on what I need to provide them before I go so yet again waiting on others for information.
I hope it's open by September as that is when I booked my flights out there.
I have a COPR, which due to COVID expired in March 2021. I cannot fly there until I get that renewed and they open the border, who knows when that will be! Pretty fed up of being stuck in this limbo and I am sure there are many other people out there stuck in far worse situation than me waiting for the border to open.
Tax and employment wise, my company has a global presence and has offices in Canada. HR is dragging their feet on what I need to provide them before I go so yet again waiting on others for information.
I hope it's open by September as that is when I booked my flights out there.
WoolyFox said:
Thanks for the reply, was planning on AirBnB to start with (one month in a laneway house or something similar). This time I need to be a little more picky with a flat as I need an extra room for a home office and to find a landlord that doesn't mind guitars!
I have a COPR, which due to COVID expired in March 2021. I cannot fly there until I get that renewed and they open the border, who knows when that will be! Pretty fed up of being stuck in this limbo and I am sure there are many other people out there stuck in far worse situation than me waiting for the border to open.
Tax and employment wise, my company has a global presence and has offices in Canada. HR is dragging their feet on what I need to provide them before I go so yet again waiting on others for information.
I hope it's open by September as that is when I booked my flights out there.
Congrats on the PR. Frustrating you're unable to land and activate it! It will happen this year, I'm sure.I have a COPR, which due to COVID expired in March 2021. I cannot fly there until I get that renewed and they open the border, who knows when that will be! Pretty fed up of being stuck in this limbo and I am sure there are many other people out there stuck in far worse situation than me waiting for the border to open.
Tax and employment wise, my company has a global presence and has offices in Canada. HR is dragging their feet on what I need to provide them before I go so yet again waiting on others for information.
I hope it's open by September as that is when I booked my flights out there.
Get yourself employed by the Canadian part of the company so at least you have a Canadian employment contract once you've landed and have that PR, ad Social Insurance Number (SIN). Having the SIN and confirmation of employment will certainly make life easier for banking, renting etc. Possible you had a temporary SIN before, which will need to be transferred to a regular one. I recall now that I also had a letter from my company stating my salary, manager details, office address etc.
Plenty of two bedroom places to rent for sure, depending on budget and all that.
Update:
Finally got my medical invitation so looks like COPR due for renewal by year end with move in January.
Likely need a car not long after arriving. How does insurance work and will I need to wait for my BC license or just use my UK license for the year and then change?
Also what should I be expecting for vehicle choice? I was thinking Toyota pickup or if needs be a corrolla but no idea how bad the rust will be.
Finally got my medical invitation so looks like COPR due for renewal by year end with move in January.
Likely need a car not long after arriving. How does insurance work and will I need to wait for my BC license or just use my UK license for the year and then change?
Also what should I be expecting for vehicle choice? I was thinking Toyota pickup or if needs be a corrolla but no idea how bad the rust will be.
WoolyFox said:
Update:
Finally got my medical invitation so looks like COPR due for renewal by year end with move in January.
Likely need a car not long after arriving. How does insurance work and will I need to wait for my BC license or just use my UK license for the year and then change?
Also what should I be expecting for vehicle choice? I was thinking Toyota pickup or if needs be a corrolla but no idea how bad the rust will be.
Congrats. Hopefully things move faster!Finally got my medical invitation so looks like COPR due for renewal by year end with move in January.
Likely need a car not long after arriving. How does insurance work and will I need to wait for my BC license or just use my UK license for the year and then change?
Also what should I be expecting for vehicle choice? I was thinking Toyota pickup or if needs be a corrolla but no idea how bad the rust will be.
Insurance in BC: There's only one provider - ICBC. If you buy a car from a dealership, insurance, registration etc is all done in house. Very easy. Private purchase, you need to goto an 'Autoplan' broker (who sells ICBC insurance). There's loads around, in random places as well, such as shopping malls, supermarkets etc, they all use the same ICBC system.
Drivers licence: You can exchange your UK one for a BC one straight away, you need to do that at a ICBC drivers centre. They will give you a yellow slip with your new BC license number on it. You can use this to buy/register a car and insure it. Licence card/ID will take 3-4 weeks in the post.
https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/moving-bc/Pa...
Car choice: Where will you be living? Where do you wanna go? What do you need from it (ski trips, MTB, or just getting around)?. Lots of vanilla choice here, you sometimes have to go left field for something interesting. Research lots beforehand. And don't forget about sales tax on used (and new) cars.
Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 1st November 02:40
Congrats on the COPR. I’m still waiting for mine so feeling a bit envious there.
I’m also in Vancouver having moved out last summer so feel free to reach out.
Driving here certainly feels very different to the UK and the car market too. I miss the country roads for a proper drive and the variety of European cars. I now find myself looking at mustangs. I never thought that would happen but a bit of variety if fun.
I’m also in Vancouver having moved out last summer so feel free to reach out.
Driving here certainly feels very different to the UK and the car market too. I miss the country roads for a proper drive and the variety of European cars. I now find myself looking at mustangs. I never thought that would happen but a bit of variety if fun.
WoolyFox said:
Thirdly, I found getting something as simple as a phone contract impossible as I had no credit rating. I still have my Canadian bank account and credit card so hopefully I should now have some credit history right?
You've probably built up some credit history while you were away, but if you have a UK American Express card, it's straightforward to get one in a new country through their website. I know US credit much better than Canadian, but I'd suspect that a couple of months of buying petrol on a card will get you an adequate score.Short update. Had my final paperwork request received iat the end of November just as Omicron hit. Sent what I interpreted was what I needed to send physical to the third party VAC.
At the beginning of January I finally got a support ticket reply saying I need to send in more documents as they needed a written consent to process my documents. Couldn't see it anywhere on their website to say this was the case, great work to make this stressful process even more stressful!
All of that was submitted last week and this time I actually got confirmation my documents arrived and are now in the High Commission for processing. Hopefully will be hearing this week if my COPR has been reissued.
At the beginning of January I finally got a support ticket reply saying I need to send in more documents as they needed a written consent to process my documents. Couldn't see it anywhere on their website to say this was the case, great work to make this stressful process even more stressful!
All of that was submitted last week and this time I actually got confirmation my documents arrived and are now in the High Commission for processing. Hopefully will be hearing this week if my COPR has been reissued.
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