Immigrating to a New Country

**lestat85** · 06-08-2013, 04:52 PM

My fiancé and I are seriously considering relocating our family from Canada to the United Kingdom within the next 5 years. I have no idea where to begin this process, what is actually involved or how long this process will likely take. We would be looking at a permanent relocation and becoming citizens of the UK, not just staying temporarily on work visas.

I would really appreciate any information on this process from any members with knowledge or experience.

**Flagg** · 06-08-2013, 05:07 PM

Five years is plenty of time to get things going.

Your first port of call should be the British Embassy, wherever that may be in your province. Moving to another country can be hard, but not impossible if you want it bad enough.

The UK is probably one of the easiest countries out of all the English speaking ones to move to.

**lestat85** · 06-08-2013, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the reply. Any idea how the process would work, after contacting the local consulate? I attempted to call and was redirected, by automated messages, to a Toronto office and then to an office in the UK. Neither were open(no surprise) and it will likely be very difficult for me to go down to the local office anytime soon, as my hours usually keep me at work past regular office hours. I did get a url for the Home Office website, but wasn't able to really understand much of the process from the site, I'll have to look over it further over the next while.

For the last month or so we have been discussing leaving our city, which grew to considering the US and we recently decided on the UK. At this point, this is something that we are pretty excited about and very seriously considering, but we do not have jobs lined up. That being said, the company that I work for has locations in the UK and I may be able to transfer to a branch there. I can't really look into this option until closer to the move, as it may compromise my current role in the branch if I was to announce intentions to leave.

My family does have roots in the UK, but I have never met any family from there and don't believe that my immediate family has any contact or knowledge of our family there.

The website did make mention of moving from a common wealth country, but I couldn't figure out a lot regarding what the process or how being from a common wealth county affects that process, other than that we would need to get a visa to work there, which I already knew.

When we do make our move, it will be at some point after the wedding, which is happening October 2014. We have 3 kids and would be looking to make the move together. Moving alone and bringing my wife and kids later, is not a very feasible option and I wasn't able to find any information for how to go about moving our entire family at the same time or even if this is something that they would allow.

**songdog** · 06-09-2013, 07:04 AM

Good luck bro sounds like you got a lot in front of you.This would be difficult with the 2 of you.But with kids also.I hope you have all your ducks in a row and have a lot of money put away.Beacuse you never know wat will happen.

**Flagg** · 06-09-2013, 07:13 AM

I am planning on moving to Australia in the future but it will be to live with someone there, so that makes things a little easier for me. It took a lot of searching but I think I found the perfect visa for us now.

Yes I have rang my Embassy before and they aren't the most helpful, nor can you go in any more and have a consultation with an officer there, thought that might be different in Canada.

Okay the fact that your company is UK based and you have family there is a good start. I wouldn't tell your employer yet you are planning to move as that will go down like a lead balloon, but try and find out information in regards to moving and transfering job wise. Once you have found something that is a near guarantee, then you can look into making enquiries about job relocations. When I was looking for information, I got most of mine from the internet and lurked on a couple of EXPat forums (cant remember the exact ones just yet) and looked through threads for people that were in a similar situation to me. You will find all the visas required will be on the consulate website, but it's which one you want, as there are stacks. That's a good thing though as it means there is a visa literally for everyone, no matter what their situation.

I'm not sure how relevant it will be, but maybe visiting your family for a short while, or even staying with some for a couple of months might be an option? Just to show you have good, strong family ties in the UK.

EDIT: though you've probably done this, literally type into google "Canada to UK family permanent emigration visa" and see what comes up.

EDIT II: http://www.visabureau.com/uk/family-visa.aspx

Another good place to start. Like I said, if you strike up a good relationship with family in the UK, they could sponsor you, which is basically the same as them vouching for you and so on.

**austinite** · 06-09-2013, 07:14 AM

Marcus will be waiting for you at the airport with 200 lbs dumbbells. Get ready to train.

**Flagg** · 06-09-2013, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

Marcus will be waiting for you at the airport with 200 lbs dumbbells. Get ready to train.

Im sure Marcus wont mind sponsoring you! As you long as you dont mind dungeons..

**lestat85** · 06-09-2013, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I doubt that I'll be able to find family to sponsor me, as I don't believe that any of my family here has any contact or information about any family that may be there.It looks like me and my wife would have to obtain work visas and then apply for naturalization after we're there for long enough. Fortunately this move is far enough in the future that I should have plenty of time to prepare everything.

I have been thinking that it may be worthwhile to consult an immigration lawyer for information about the process and where to begin. Would this be a worthwhile investment or would I be wasting a lot of money for nothing?

**Flagg** · 06-09-2013, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by lestat85

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I doubt that I'll be able to find family to sponsor me, as I don't believe that any of my family here has any contact or information about any family that may be there.It looks like me and my wife would have to obtain work visas and then apply for naturalization after we're there for long enough. Fortunately this move is far enough in the future that I should have plenty of time to prepare everything.

I have been thinking that it may be worthwhile to consult an immigration lawyer for information about the process and where to begin. Would this be a worthwhile investment or would I be wasting a lot of money for nothing?

Personally I think you can find everything you need by just trawling the net, however if you really do end up hitting a brick wall then a immigration lawyer could be a option.

**Euroholic** · 06-09-2013, 06:05 PM

If you dont mind me asking op why do you just want to pack up and leave your home country? From what ive seen on tv canada is a good country!!!

**Times Roman** · 06-09-2013, 06:14 PM

I would suggest making sure you have a passport now?

and begin looking for a job through the internet. I will be a long process, and you have plenty of time.

We were looking to move to Ireland during their "Return home to Ireland" government campaign that was over ten years ago, hell, maybe 15??

anyways, knowing the job market, and maybe even having a job lined up ahead of time would really help matters...

**lestat85** · 06-09-2013, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

If you dont mind me asking op why do you just want to pack up and leave your home country? From what ive seen on tv canada is a good country!!!

It is a great country and I am proud to be Canadian. The process of deciding started, simply as wanting to move to a new city as we feel its time for a change, after the wedding. It expanded from there.

Europe is a continent that I have dreamed of seeing since childhood and we would love to have our kids grow up in Europe. UK is probably the easiest of European countries for us to move to, as its English speaking and we come from a commonwealth country.

My family, like most Canadian families, has its origins in another country and my great grandparents are from England. I would love to live where my family comes from and possibly even come to know some family that inevitably still live there. I'm not going to reveal it, but my last name seems pretty common in UK, based on Internet searches and odds are at least a few are likely related to me.

**lestat85** · 06-09-2013, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I would suggest making sure you have a passport now?

and begin looking for a job through the internet. I will be a long process, and you have plenty of time.

We were looking to move to Ireland during their "Return home to Ireland" government campaign that was over ten years ago, hell, maybe 15??

anyways, knowing the job market, and maybe even having a job lined up ahead of time would really help matters...

Thanks for the advice. I have a valid passport, but my fiancé will need hers. We are waiting for the adoption process to be completed for 2 of my children, as they are from my fiancé's first marriage, before getting their passports, as their names will be changing.

I will be spending the next while looking at everything from jobs to housing to schools. We likely will not begin the actual process of relocating until after the wedding. The company that I work for operates in 50+ countries and I may be able to transfer to a branch in the UK, but I cannot start looking into this yet, as it could cause problems for me in my current role within my branch.

**auswest** · 06-09-2013, 07:20 PM

Not relevant to immigrating to the uk, however my sister is the last remaining family member living in the uk and has looked into moving to Australia with the rest of us, there is currently a 15 year wait.. Unless you have lots of $$ and qualifications they are in need of, we immigrated (my parents and I) about 12 years ago, it took less than 1 year, my old mans occupation was on the need list plus $$$ from selling a uk house and given the exchange rate of 1:3 £>$ at the time, we also had family members here, which all helped.

I have no idea on the situation immigrating to the uk, but I really cannot understand someone leaving Canada to go there, but each to their own I guess, the only thing I miss about the uk now is how quickly you can be in Europe.

Immigrating is a lot tougher mentally than most realise, I had a very rough time leaving everything I know and love and starting a new life... My age played the most part in that I was only 15 years old, so a pretty rough time of life for change.

Good luck, and do not be discouraged. It can be a long process, they generally tell you worst case scenario so don't let that put you off, if it is something you really want.

**Euroholic** · 06-09-2013, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by auswest

Not relevant to immigrating to the uk, however my sister is the last remaining family member living in the uk and has looked into moving to Australia with the rest of us, there is currently a 15 year wait.. Unless you have lots of $$ and qualifications they are in need of, we immigrated (my parents and I) about 12 years ago, it took less than 1 year, my old mans occupation was on the need list plus $$$ from selling a uk house and given the exchange rate of 1:3 £>$ at the time, we also had family members here, which all helped.

I have no idea on the situation immigrating to the uk, but I really cannot understand someone leaving Canada to go there, but each to their own I guess, the only thing I miss about the uk now is how quickly you can be in Europe.

Immigrating is a lot tougher mentally than most realise, I had a very rough time leaving everything I know and love and starting a new life... My age played the most part in that I was only 15 years old, so a pretty rough time of life for change.

Good luck, and do not be discouraged. It can be a long process, they generally tell you worst case scenario so don't let that put you off, if it is something you really want.

Come on a boat and the incompetent government will let you in for free all paid for by euroholic!!!!!!!

**moseley2004** · 06-10-2013, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

Come on a boat and the incompetent government will let you in for free all paid for by euroholic!!!!!!!

I'm chipping in my fair share too. Don't feel like your the only one.

**auswest** · 06-10-2013, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by moseley2004

I'm chipping in my fair share too. Don't feel like your the only one.

I also paid more tax than most individuals earn in this country, it's sickening..but what can you do :/
Can't escape taxes, the more you earn the more you pay. However our tax money also goes to many other good causes, it's just the negatives that are highlighted, like dole bludgers and boat people.

I was speaking to a friend who has a special needs child and he was telling me all the ways the government help with that, it made me feel a little better.. Positives like that should be highlighted more, rather everything in the media focusing on the negatives...

Thread derailed...
Sorry blame euro....

**moseley2004** · 06-10-2013, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by auswest

I also paid more tax than most individuals earn in this country, it's sickening..but what can you do :/
Can't escape taxes, the more you earn the more you pay. However our tax money also goes to many other good causes, it's just the negatives that are highlighted, like dole bludgers and boat people.

I was speaking to a friend who has a special needs child and he was telling me all the ways the government help with that, it made me feel a little better.. Positives like that should be highlighted more, rather everything in the media focusing on the negatives...

Thread derailed...
Sorry blame euro....

I know the feeling. Buuuut like u said. There are some good things Our tax dollars go to apart from dole bludgers and boat people

**Euroholic** · 06-10-2013, 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by auswest

I also paid more tax than most individuals earn in this country, it's sickening..but what can you do :/
Can't escape taxes, the more you earn the more you pay. However our tax money also goes to many other good causes, it's just the negatives that are highlighted, like dole bludgers and boat people.

I was speaking to a friend who has a special needs child and he was telling me all the ways the government help with that, it made me feel a little better.. Positives like that should be highlighted more, rather everything in the media focusing on the negatives...

Thread derailed...
Sorry blame euro....

We both work in the pilbara you and me combined Probbaly pay 140k a year in tax and what do we get back? A few free doctor visits and a couple of blood tests and gyno surgery. The negatives will always out weigh the positives when it comes to taxation. Im sorry i just hate those socialist labor people with a passion. Im
Getting off topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Euroholic** · 06-10-2013, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by moseley2004

I know the feeling. Buuuut like u said. There are some good things Our tax dollars go to apart from dole bludgers and boat people

It pays for the sas and holden which are good things

**moseley2004** · 06-10-2013, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

We both work in the pilbara you and me combined Probbaly pay 140k a year in tax and what do we get back? A few free doctor visits and a couple of blood tests and gyno surgery. The negatives will always out weigh the positives when it comes to taxation. Im sorry i just hate those socialist labor people with a passion. Im
Getting off topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mate I own my own business and am in the high end of earning and tax bracket and know exactly what your on about. We see nothing from it either. But as stated before hopefully some of our tax dollars go where their needed

**bdos** · 06-10-2013, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

It pays for the sas and holden which are good things

Your a ford man?

**Euroholic** · 06-10-2013, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by moseley2004

Mate I own my own business and am in the high end of earning and tax bracket and know exactly what your on about. We see nothing from it either. But as stated before hopefully some of our tax dollars go where their needed

God owning a small business you must be hurting i feel ya bra!!! Bring on september!!!!!!

**Euroholic** · 06-10-2013, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by bdos900

Your a ford man?

I use to have a maloo and i got a HQ monaro im not 100% ford. If its rwd and made in aus i love it

How was your long weekend? So jealous

**bdos** · 06-10-2013, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

I use to have a maloo and i got a HQ monaro im not 100% ford. If its rwd and made in aus i love it

How was your long weekend? So jealous

Were hijacking a thread again...lol

**Euroholic** · 06-10-2013, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by bdos900

Were hijacking a thread again...lol

Were so going to get banned haha!!!!

**moseley2004** · 06-10-2013, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

God owning a small business you must be hurting i feel ya bra!!! Bring on september!!!!!!

Actually to be honest with ya. Business has not been better lol. Making more money than we know what to do with lol. But it's not the government it's the new clients we got that spend spend spend

**thisAngelBites** · 06-10-2013, 04:54 AM

I've personally been through some immigration stuff in the UK, and it's not easy. You need to either be what they call a "high value" migrant (investor, entrepreneur, highly skilled or talented - but no job offer is needed for this visa) or you need to have a job offer from a company who is will do the paperwork to sponsor you. Some of these Tier 2 visas are allocated for intracompany transfers, which might apply to you.

Likewise, if one of your grandparents was born here, you might be able to get a visa (since you from a commonwealth country).

You can find all the details on the UK Border Agency website:
UK Border Agency | Working in the UK

**lestat85** · 06-10-2013, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by thisAngelBites

I've personally been through some immigration stuff in the UK, and it's not easy. You need to either be what they call a "high value" migrant (investor, entrepreneur, highly skilled or talented - but no job offer is needed for this visa) or you need to have a job offer from a company who is will do the paperwork to sponsor you. Some of these Tier 2 visas are allocated for intracompany transfers, which might apply to you.

Likewise, if one of your grandparents was born here, you might be able to get a visa (since you from a commonwealth country).

You can find all the details on the UK Border Agency website:
UK Border Agency | Working in the UK

Thank you for the information. I am currently looking into everything from types of work available to house pricing to schooling for my kids. I will also be looking into a branch transfer within my company when the time is closer.

We'll be gathering detailed family histories for myself and my fiancé to see if there is anything that will help. So far, it looks like we will need to go the work visa route and go from there to get our citizenship.

We will also likely be using an immigration lawyer, when its time to officially start the process, to make sure everything is done right and to ensure that we can all go over together as a family.

**panntastic** · 06-10-2013, 12:32 PM

Where abouts in uk you thinking of going?

**Flagg** · 06-10-2013, 12:54 PM

I was listening to Radio 5 Live this morning, and the debate was about immgration into the UK and apparently it has become much harder recently for people to move into the UK, especially families. A lot of angry callers asking why they cant move their foreign partners/children over when asylum seekers get everything and more.

Don't want to give bad news, but if your company is UK based then I think getting them to sponsor you would be the best way!

**lestat85** · 06-10-2013, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by panntastic

Where abouts in uk you thinking of going?

To be honest, that is one of the decisions yet to be made. There is a lot that I still need to look into, but the decision will likely come down to where I can find work.

Unfortunately, transferring to a UK branch within my company is not a guarantee and I can't begin looking into it until closer to the actual move.

**lestat85** · 06-10-2013, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Flagg

I was listening to Radio 5 Live this morning, and the debate was about immgration into the UK and apparently it has become much harder recently for people to move into the UK, especially families. A lot of angry callers asking why they cant move their foreign partners/children over when asylum seekers get everything and more.

Don't want to give bad news, but if your company is UK based then I think getting them to sponsor you would be the best way!

Unfortunately my company is not necessarily UK based, but rather operates there, as well as many other countries and I don't know what options they have for transferring to another country.

I'm obviously hoping that I can transfer, but will still be looking into other options, as there is no guarantee of this.

Fortunately I have a lot of time yet to work on this, as I won't be formally starting the process until after my wedding.

**thisAngelBites** · 06-10-2013, 02:33 PM

I would agree with looking at the finances carefully. It's really expensive here, IMHO. People go to NYC when the exchange rate is looking good because it is so much cheaper to shop there, for example.

We did our own paperwork when we extended our visa, and then my husband's company footed the bill for the immigration lawyers the second time around. It was a lot easier when the solictors helped (but still - mountains of paperwork!) but I can't imagine it was cheap. But thankfully that should be something you could shop online ahead so you don't pay too much.

**lestat85** · 06-10-2013, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by thisAngelBites

I would agree with looking at the finances carefully. It's really expensive here, IMHO. People go to NYC when the exchange rate is looking good because it is so much cheaper to shop there, for example.

We did our own paperwork when we extended our visa, and then my husband's company footed the bill for the immigration lawyers the second time around. It was a lot easier when the solictors helped (but still - mountains of paperwork!) but I can't imagine it was cheap. But thankfully that should be something you could shop online ahead so you don't pay too much.

From what I've found so far, it seems that my work permit will be the only one needed and that my wife and kids will be allowed to come with me and be able to seek work and attend school.

The cost living appeared to be higher, but not dramatically according to one website I found. I'm still looking into this more though.

It looks like the hardest part will be finding a job to sponsor me, if my company won't transfer me.

Once there, I intend to apply for citizenship as soon as possible, so hopefully it won't turn into too many visa extensions.

**Flagg** · 06-10-2013, 03:43 PM

The problem with the UK at the moment, is that under Labour, an unprecendented amount of immigrants, legal and illegal came here and it got to the point where the government didn't know how many illegals there were.

Now that we're under a Conservative Government (lets be real, its not a coalition), Cameron has to be seen to be doing something about it. The problem there is he has now make it harder for honest, contributing people like yourself to apply. It's all about public opinion polls.

A lot can change in 5 years, and if you start the process now, anything could happen in that time. I still believe that if you want it bad enough, and put in whatever it takes, you can achieve this

Like I said, I want to go to Oz to be with my sweetheart, that wont be easy, but....well a guy's gotta do what a guys gotta do, eh?

**thisAngelBites** · 06-11-2013, 02:46 AM

Well, I think the cost of living is better if you don't have to be near a major city. I'm a 1/2 hour from London, and I think it's more expensive than we were led to believe. But you may be able to get out further and be able to ameliorate that somewhat.

I think you need to be here 5 years in order to apply to naturalise. At the moment, I believe, a Tier 2 visa is for three years, so you would have to apply for the initial visa, then the extension application, then naturalise afterwards. I don't think there is any way around this unless you are coming in as a descendant, which I mentioned before is a different application (I know nothing about those).

The rules change constantly and there are tests to be taken, etc., so you will need to re-check it all closer to the time. As Flagg said, there are a lot of immigrants here, also in part due to people from other parts of the EU coming in, so the rules get stricter literally every couple of months. They just changed the Tier 2 rules one week ago.

If your company was willing to help it would be optimal. Although if you come in that way I think you are tied to the company whilst you are here. If you wanted to leave you would have to get a separate visa first. Best of luck to you, and good for doing your homework early.

**Flagg** · 06-11-2013, 05:15 AM

To add to what thisangelbites has said, places like London, greater London, Sussex, basically anywhere in the south east will be expensive.

However somewhere like Wales is much cheaper for accomadation as well as south west and north of london

**kitstreasure** · 06-11-2013, 07:51 AM

This has me curious about my Hubby's ability to "return home"... Maybe I should check into it. (The hubby was born in a civilian hospital in London to American military parents.)