I want to immigrate to Canada

[OpalsOriginals]

Can anyone offer an advice?

I have a professional job (healthcare related) that is in high demand in Canada and pays double the UK salary. I am 42 and have 2 children who are 16 and 13.

I have looked at the professional requirements and what I would need to undertake to be able to work so I feel prepared on that front. I am hoping to get some advice from others that have immigrated with children. Should I wait until they have completed their education, how easy is it to integrate etc.

I would love to hear some experiences !

Have you talked to them about future plans? Are they wanting to go to university or have their eyes on an apprenticeship etc (especially the older one) personally i would be looking to wait until they’re both out of school considering their age and exams they will be doing and established in whatever they’re planning on doing next

Their future plan changes fairly frequently - they will have the option to come with or stay here with their dad. Currently 50:50.

How's your French? You get more points on your visa application if you're fluent, I believe.

I don’t speak French - can get by on holiday but not to a decent level at all

It is my favourite country in the world, I’d love to live there! Sadly not an option for me.

Personally I’d wait, it is hard to ask a 13 yo to choose between mum vs dad and I just wouldnt want to put a dc in that position.

I know a couple of people whose parents emigrated to North America when they were late teens (starting A level) and arranged for kid to stay behind, in one case with family and in another with family friends. Both had some feelings of abandonment and said it was hard to be separated from parents and (in one case) younger sibling. So at the earliest I would go when youngest dc is about 17, and only then if you’re sure they are resilient enough.

So that gives you about four years to plan. Maybe also take your dc with you to Canada for a few visits - both in winter and summer. It can be brutally cold of course.

I can wait four years, that sounds sensible

You don’t need french unless you are going to Quebec. DD of a friend is a doctor and had to take a few exams but has a wonderful life over there. A much better standard of living and the working conditions are better too.

Its eye watering expensive so 2x your uk salary may not go far. Would you fund your kids through Canadian uni if it was on the cards? Would they still be able to come back to the uk for uni?

Are you thinking about express entry?

You need to look how many points you would get, depending how in demand your profession is and how experienced you are you would get some for this, but the older you are the less points you will get for age.

You also get points for having a job offer in place already.

www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html

It's probably worth doing the calculations.

I'm a Brit living in Canada. They definitely need people to work in healthcare. There is a housing crisis at the moment due to the recent influx if immigrants, so if you do come here, I'd opt for somewhere quieter than a major city.

Alberta seems really popular with Brits especially.

I'm in Quebec and can confirm that you do indeed need French here. Unless you're a doctor/nurse, then I think you'd could probably wing it as they're so desperate.

Look up the 'British expats in Canada" group on fbook, they are very helpful.

Re. The weather. Yes, it's cold. Which is fantastic as it allows you access to winter sports!

The summers are super too, we spend three months outside in the pool.

We immigrated 13 years ago. Our neighbors, who immigrated at the same time were American. He had got a job working for the same company as DH. She was a nurse, had worked in an ER for 25 years. She wasn’t allowed to put a band aid on anyone here (Alberta) and was looking at requalifying. She gave up and returned to the US. He followed shortly afterwards.

Surely you want to 'emigrate' to Canada and once there you will be an immigrant?

Paying twice as much as here is one thing - but you need to look at what you get for that over there. Do things cost twice as much!

On a personal note, I would hate to be separated from my DCs over such a distance - and that would apply to both parents - if your ex stayed behind and your DCs went (and vice versa) and I don't think it's fair to ask a child to make that decision.

I went to a non-English speaking country with youngish kids and although it was difficult for the first year or two it was worth it. That said their relationship with their father has been more difficult due to distance so I would think about that or if you are willing to leave them behind.

Also longer term the cost implications of education etc for them and you. I don’t know about Canada but it may be expensive. If I were you, adsuming you have plenty of qualifications not just experience I would opt for Europe as it’s closer, you’d get a Blue Card due to being a needed profession and your quality of life will almost certainly be higher than the UK.