Talk to me about Canada

[TimLambert7]

Hi all,

Englishman living in Philadelphia. Civil Engineer 4 years of experience, BEng degree.

I've been here almost 2 years and, unfortunately, I can't get on with America. I have a good life here but I can't turn a blind eye to everything - healthcare, political stuff, etc etc. Let's avoid getting stuck in to it. I'm fine here on my own but I can't ever see myself being here long term, I've fallen out of love far quicker than I thought.

My eyes have turned north of the border. I've been reading a lot of expat surveys and forums and it seems like Canada and more specifically Toronto would suit me well.

Anybody on here live there? Care to share thoughts on life?

I've totted up my points for Permanent Residency Express Entry and it looks like I'm comfortable on the 67 points. Is filing a petition without a lawyer helping a stupid idea?

[Rich_AR]

Are you looking for a work permit / federal skilled or residency?

What’s your CRS points?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs...

If you’re keen I’d suggest taking those English tests and having your degree credentials assessed.

Edited by Rich_AR on Sunday 3rd February 13:08

[TimLam7]

Rich_AR said:

Are you looking for a work permit / federal skilled or residency?

What’s your CRS points?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs...

If you’re keen I’d suggest taking those English tests and having your degree credentials assessed.

Edited by Rich_AR on Sunday 3rd February 13:08

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/federal-skilled-workers/six-selection-factors-federal-skilled-workers.html

This is what I’ve been looking at and am confident I’m over the 67.

Do the CRS points govern whether I get in to Express Entry? I’ll take a look at that now.

Good idea on the test and degree credentials, I’ll get that started very soon

Thanks for your help

[Rich_AR]

Snippet from online:

"Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled worker Program (FSWP) is one of the three streams of Express Entry system. If you are a skilled worker looking to apply Canada PR through express entry, you need to choose and apply in the FSWP stream and obtain minimum points, i.e. 67 points bases on age, etc. factors" (which you do, as you've said)

In express entry pool, your profile will get a point score called CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score based on age, education, etc. criteria. The IRCC will launch a draw (known as Express Entry Draw) every fortnight to select top ranking profiles from the EE pool"

So check your CRS points calculator to see if you'd make the cut, if you're 400 below, chances are very slim. You need to be invited to apply once your profile is in the express entry pool and will only be invited to apply for PR if you have enough CRS points as per the round of invitations. Last round was something like 443 CRS or above I read. Even after applying, something like 40% of those who applied get the PR.

[NSNO]

Have you considered Australia? Great lifestyle, climate and plenty of opportunities for civil engineers.

[TimLambert7]

Rich_AR said:

Snippet from online:

"Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled worker Program (FSWP) is one of the three streams of Express Entry system. If you are a skilled worker looking to apply Canada PR through express entry, you need to choose and apply in the FSWP stream and obtain minimum points, i.e. 67 points bases on age, etc. factors" (which you do, as you've said)

In express entry pool, your profile will get a point score called CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score based on age, education, etc. criteria. The IRCC will launch a draw (known as Express Entry Draw) every fortnight to select top ranking profiles from the EE pool"

So check your CRS points calculator to see if you'd make the cut, if you're 400 below, chances are very slim. You need to be invited to apply once your profile is in the express entry pool and will only be invited to apply for PR if you have enough CRS points as per the round of invitations. Last round was something like 443 CRS or above I read. Even after applying, something like 40% of those who applied get the PR.

Really good info, thanks. I've actually spoken with some of my colleagues in Toronto and it sounds like they are interested in moving me, so having their lawyers on my side will be a big help.

I ran through the express entry points and was at 450-something so your 443 is very interesting to me. I was pleasantly surprised that my young age gets me lots of bonus points.

NSNO said:

Have you considered Australia? Great lifestyle, climate and plenty of opportunities for civil engineers.

I know a few people both personally and professionally who've moved to Oz. For some reason it just doesn't appeal to me, I can't explain why really. Besides that, I think it's just a bit too far from home. I appreciate your input though.

[RDMcG]

I live in Toronto and have done for 25 years.

(1) definitely suggest a visit before deciding.
(2) Work climate is good..especially for high tech
(3) Housing is not cheap but relative to the USD prices of homes in Philly not too scary, but remember that mortgages are not tax deductible
(4) Commuting on the road can be a nightmare due to congestion so you want to take that into account before deciding..maybe rent for the first year
(5) Excellent restaurants,culture,fairly safe, very tolerant, expanding quickly.
(6) You know about the winter I assume but its Canada after all...a lot colder than Philly.,
(7) Great airport with almost anywhere accessible with a direct flight.
(8) reasonably good car culture depending on your interest,.
(9) Politics are nothing like US...all of the hot-button stuff is all over here...gay marriage, abortion, cannabis,right to die etc are all done with- are legal . Much stricter gun laws. Religious bigotry is not common. Not perfect, but good overall

Edited by RDMcG on Sunday 10th February 21:00

[TimLambert7]

RDMcG said:

I live in Toronto and have done for 25 years.

(1) definitely suggest a visit before deciding.
(2) Work climate is good..especially for high tech
(3) Housing is not cheap but relative to the USD prices of homes in Philly not too scary, but remember that mortgages are not tax deductible
(4) Commuting on the road can be a nightmare due to congestion so you want to take that into account before deciding..maybe rent for the first year
(5) Excellent restaurants,culture,fairly safe, very tolerant, expanding quickly.
(6) You know about the winter I assume but its Canada after all...a lot colder than Philly.,
(7) Great airport with almost anywhere accessible with a direct flight.
(8) reasonably good car culture depending on your interest,.
(9) Politics are nothing like US...all of the hot-button stuff is all over here...gay marriage, abortion, cannabis,right to die etc are all done with- are legal . Much stricter gun laws. Religious bigotry is not common. Not perfect, but good overall

Edited by RDMcG on Sunday 10th February 21:00

Thanks this is all good stuff. I own a house in the UK so am renting in Philly now. I am in a nice 1-bed on the outer edge of the city for $1100 a month, not sure where this shapes up to Toronto. I've done some asking around, a Civil Engineer with my experience should make $80-90k CAD in Toronto, it's a bit less than I make in Philly but do you think that'd cover a 1 bed apartment ok?

I've just signed up for the CELPIP English test, I had to wait until May to do it in Philly but managed to get March 16th in Montreal (I'll be there anyway). Anyone done this test? Should I be worried? (I am because it's exactly the kind of thing i'll screw up)

[RDMcG]

TimLambert7 said:

Thanks this is all good stuff. I own a house in the UK so am renting in Philly now. I am in a nice 1-bed on the outer edge of the city for $1100 a month, not sure where this shapes up to Toronto. I've done some asking around, a Civil Engineer with my experience should make $80-90k CAD in Toronto, it's a bit less than I make in Philly but do you think that'd cover a 1 bed apartment ok?

I've just signed up for the CELPIP English test, I had to wait until May to do it in Philly but managed to get March 16th in Montreal (I'll be there anyway). Anyone done this test? Should I be worried? (I am because it's exactly the kind of thing i'll screw up)

Not familiar with the test unfortunately.

Rent at $USD 1100 is about 1,400 CAD. This sounds low for rental here to me, but not a realtor. Suggest you decide how far out you want to be and check real estate listings.

[TimLam7]

RDMcG said:

TimLambert7 said:

Thanks this is all good stuff. I own a house in the UK so am renting in Philly now. I am in a nice 1-bed on the outer edge of the city for $1100 a month, not sure where this shapes up to Toronto. I've done some asking around, a Civil Engineer with my experience should make $80-90k CAD in Toronto, it's a bit less than I make in Philly but do you think that'd cover a 1 bed apartment ok?

I've just signed up for the CELPIP English test, I had to wait until May to do it in Philly but managed to get March 16th in Montreal (I'll be there anyway). Anyone done this test? Should I be worried? (I am because it's exactly the kind of thing i'll screw up)

Not familiar with the test unfortunately.

Rent at $USD 1100 is about 1,400 CAD. This sounds low for rental here to me, but not a realtor. Suggest you decide how far out you want to be and check real estate listings.

Thanks, I’ll do just that. Our office is a little out of Centre and I’m a suburbs guy anyway so I think I can make it work.

I’ll check back here as I go through the process. Any more advice from others is welcomed, as ever I’m amazed at the knowledge PH can produce!

[fttm]

You do realize its mandatory to have two houses , your main abode and then a cottage on the lake . Then there's toys , winter and summer , gets bloody expensive fella

[Rich_AR]

TimLambert7 said:

Really good info, thanks. I've actually spoken with some of my colleagues in Toronto and it sounds like they are interested in moving me, so having their lawyers on my side will be a big help.

I ran through the express entry points and was at 450-something so your 443 is very interesting to me. I was pleasantly surprised that my young age gets me lots of bonus points.

Great stuff. Get all the paper work and tests together and you'll be good to go in the express entry pool and receiving that invitation to apply. Note the ECA (degree cert assessment) can take a while (8 weeks or so) and you will need to have your Uni send your transcripts directly to them. Also get your police reports for every country you've lived in. Since you're in the US, you'll need one and it takes a while I believe, finger printing required etc. UK one took 28 days for me. But if you've got an immigration lawyer assisting you, then they will make sure its 100% sorted. But expect red tape and plenty hoops to jump through. I did mine by myself, took a while collecting all the paperwork.

TimLambert7 said:

I've just signed up for the CELPIP English test, I had to wait until May to do it in Philly but managed to get March 16th in Montreal (I'll be there anyway). Anyone done this test? Should I be worried? (I am because it's exactly the kind of thing i'll screw up)

I did the IELTS, so cannot comment on CELPIP. But i suggest you download the sample tests to get a feel for what to expect, and I do suggest you pay more attention in the listening tests

Edited by Rich_AR on Tuesday 12th February 08:48

[TimLam7]

Did the CELPIP test in Montreal this past Saturday. Results are pending but it felt like it went OK, some of the multiple choice answers were ambiguous between two options but that's the nature of it.

Progress seems to have slowed on employment side of things. Was hoping to make it up there before the end of the summer but that's quickly slipping away, so let's see what happens.

[RDMcG]

TimLam7 said:

Did the CELPIP test in Montreal this past Saturday. Results are pending but it felt like it went OK, some of the multiple choice answers were ambiguous between two options but that's the nature of it.

Progress seems to have slowed on employment side of things. Was hoping to make it up there before the end of the summer but that's quickly slipping away, so let's see what happens.

Toronto is still fairly robust, though the housing sector has slowed down a bit. Hi-tech is still doing well

[Rich_AR]

TimLam7 said:

Did the CELPIP test in Montreal this past Saturday. Results are pending but it felt like it went OK, some of the multiple choice answers were ambiguous between two options but that's the nature of it.

Progress seems to have slowed on employment side of things. Was hoping to make it up there before the end of the summer but that's quickly slipping away, so let's see what happens.

I’m sure you’ll be fine, plus you don’t need full marks for the highest CLB score.

My PR took just under 2 years!

[TimLam7]

Thanks again for all your help with this. CELPIP results are in and as predicted it's not gone entirely to plan.

Marks are out of 12:

Listening: 12
Reading: 12
Speaking: 11
Writing: 8

EIGHT!!!

I've given some more consideration to the express entry and am thinking applying for a more normal federal work visa is more what I need to do. It's a much quicker process and gets me where I want to be faster. I'll do some more serious research and see where I end up.

[The Mad Monk]

TimLam7 said:

Did the CELPIP test in Montreal this past Saturday. Results are pending but it felt like it went OK, some of the multiple choice answers were ambiguous between two options but that's the nature of it.

Progress seems to have slowed on employment side of things. Was hoping to make it up there before the end of the summer but that's quickly slipping away, so let's see what happens.

I had a listen to part of the CELPIP test. I would find the accent very annoying.

In the sample test on the bus, was the woman saying 'patting', 'petting', or 'padding'?

The trouble with people from North America is they can't sound the letter 'T'.

[TimLam7]

The Mad Monk said:

TimLam7 said:

Did the CELPIP test in Montreal this past Saturday. Results are pending but it felt like it went OK, some of the multiple choice answers were ambiguous between two options but that's the nature of it.

Progress seems to have slowed on employment side of things. Was hoping to make it up there before the end of the summer but that's quickly slipping away, so let's see what happens.

I had a listen to part of the CELPIP test. I would find the accent very annoying.

In the sample test on the bus, was the woman saying 'patting', 'petting', or 'padding'?

The trouble with people from North America is they can't sound the letter 'T'.

Ah, yes, the 'pedding zoo'

I've become pretty accustomed to it but it is very weird. In some situations I will deliberately pronounce mid-word T's as a D to help people understand what I'm talking about. It's funny, I'll often start speaking and get completely blank stares from people even after nearly 2 years of becoming americanized.

[Rich_AR]

TimLam7 said:

Thanks again for all your help with this. CELPIP results are in and as predicted it's not gone entirely to plan.

Marks are out of 12:

Listening: 12
Reading: 12
Speaking: 11
Writing: 8

EIGHT!!!

I've given some more consideration to the express entry and am thinking applying for a more normal federal work visa is more what I need to do. It's a much quicker process and gets me where I want to be faster. I'll do some more serious research and see where I end up.

Ouch. I assume with that score it dragged down your CRS score overall beyond the current points needed for the pool?