[bach]

Me and my wife are from America (I know I'm sorry) and ever since we were in high school we have dreamed of moving to Canada. I'm now 41 and she's 40. I was going to go first and start setting things up like finding a place to live, get a job, and get started working on citizenship. For now I have 2 important questions:

1. If I'm an American, can I come to Canada and immediately rent a house or apartment?

2. Can I get a job in Canada while I'm working on getting citizenship?

So I guess my main question is can I move there and immediately rent a home and get a job while I'm still an American citizen? Thanks so much

[canucker]

You might find more of your answers here. I have recently applied for PR for my boyfriend from Arizona. It's complicated enough for us, and I am a Canadian citizen. I'm not sure how it would work for both of you. Check out the immigration page for more options.

[Tman1]

What's wrong with America?

[bach]

Ya I've looked on that page a lot the past few weeks, can't find the answers to these questions, and don't see a phone number or anyone to call.

[Magnum]

Find the nearest Canadian embassy in your area!!

[canucker]

bach bach:

Ya I've looked on that page a lot the past few weeks, can't find the answers to these questions, and don't see a phone number or anyone to call.

CIC Call Centre

[bach]

Ya that sounds good I'll check. As to what's wrong with America, try living here. We have a totally corrupt government that is bought and paid for by the worst people in the country, the medical community, pharmaceutical companies, cable companies, hollywood, ect. These people pay our government to get away with murder. The rich get richer and the middle class and poor can't get by. Greed is out of control to the point of no return. America is heading for the end if it doesn't wake up and change. Americans worship greed, smut, and violence. Then when there is a school shooting these same people have the gaul to whine and cry about what a tragedy it is. It's not a tragedy, it's what is supposed to happen when you create a society this sick. Then they blame guns and the NRA and use them as scapegoats. There's a lot more but I'm sick enough just typing that. Then of course the people with plenty of money and the people with no forsight that enjoy all the garbage just say everything is fine.

[Magnum]

WOW!!! An American that gets it!! You are a rare breed!!!

Welcome to a kinder, gentler country!!!

Not that we dont have our own problems too, but we keep our guns locked up. Not in the glove compartment!!

[bach]

God what if I can't move there....can it happen for me and my family?

[nomad37]

Hello, welcome...
Do you have a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or PR?
Do you plan on moving to Canada and working there, as in getting a job? Do you have a few hundred thousand dollars to spare? (It's a honest question that determines your category).
You cannot get citizenship until you've had a PR for I think 3 years. So that comes first. There's only a few ways to get PR without a close Canadian relative. And sorry, no matter what you think of the US, we don't qualify as refugees. Start at the CIC page. If you go for skilled worker, you and your wife should both take the point test to start. Then if you make the cut, download all the app documents and be sure to download the Buffalo office specific requirements (the Buffalo office checklist is where all the hard stuff is). I wouldn't try calling CIC. They are not there to help you.
I'm sort of gathering documents, but I've had an "interesting" life. Canada apparently doesn't want that. Can you list every address you've lived at, and everything you've been doing, since you were 18? Leave no gaps! Man, I've lived off state lands, in hostels, let alone a bunch of dorms, apartments, and houses across 15 states. I've attended 7 universities, and held as many jobs. Now, I've got a masters degree, 10 years job experience, and speak english, have the $10K, etc. so I make the cut theoretically. So there's hope, if I ever get around to getting this all together. Though job prospects there for me aren't good, so I've sort of back-burnered the whole thing for now.
Anyway, I'd be glad to chat with you about what little I know, you can PM me. Do understand this is a long process. I'd figure 2-6 months to gather the paperwork, and 18 months to file if you do everything perfect. It's frustrating and expensive.

If you can't move there, you'll become freakishly addicted to Canadian web sites and news and such, and you'll have a lot of nice vacations to Canada.

[bach]

my work experience is all skilled, but i too have had an interesting past. My jobs were all skilled, either computers or graphics, but i went through an illness that cost me my job, and bankruptcy. I'm well now and the bankruptcy is 9 years old right now. My life has been back in order for almost 10 years. My wife has worked in child care for almost ten years. We have nothing criminal. I have 50,000 dollars in my house, and within the next few years should inherit another 100,000 or so. So i could buy a house in cash there. I don't think there is anything that would keep me out. At least i hope not. They only require 1 year work experience for the last 10 years so they must not be that rough on you. They only require enough money to live on for 6 months, thats not bad either. But i hope i can move there in the next few years. Until then i think i'll move to upper michigan so i'm closer to canada. (land of the strongest pot in the world!) They said on the news the US government is mad about canada shipping it down here. Our government will never lighten up.

[xerxes]

I you want to move north, consider finding an employer first. If you have a job lined up beforehand, it really impresses our immigration people.

[bach]

But how can you line up a job without even moving there first?

[xerxes]

I know in some sectors (like the high-tech sector) its possible to land a job that doesn't start for a while. I'll admit its rare, but not unheard of.

[canucker]

The CIC call centre helped me in figuring out the best way to apply for my American boyfriend. It's a little different situation as I am now sponsoring him as a common-law couple. We've just sent in our paperwork and documents etc. a month or so ago, so now it's the waiting game. It is complicated and frustrating stuff, but if you arre sincerely interested, it can be worth the stress.

It can't hurt to call them. I received alot of good immigration advice from a British Expats forum. You could try asking there as well.