Citizenship & Immigration Canada: Questions and Issues (Part V)

[marge26]

Anyone here who can share his/her experience landing in Vancouver and Edmonton Alberta Immigration? I'm a little bit anxious!

[sleepless105]

@ Barbie

I would like to confirm first that you already have a tourist visa to go to Canada on July?

Some points:

Should I go to canada, get a canadian experience?

I would assume that you'll get a tourist visa to go to Canada for this one? I guess you are aware that you can not work legally if you have entered Canada with a tourist visa?

Assuming you could find an employer while you are in Canada as a tourist (which would be difficult but possible), your visa would be changed from tourist / visitor's visa to working visa (NOT immigrant / PR). It will take at least two years of working inside Canada before a working visa holder could apply for permanent residence (PR) status.

For those people who don't fit in Skilled Worker Program (PR visa) because their job is not listed in the priority list or short of points, they could still apply through this scheme IF they have a prearranged employer in Canada.

It is extremely difficult to get an employer in Canada while you are in the Philippines for so many reasons - alot of unemployed people in Canada, it takes years to get an employee from Pnas, a lot of qualified applicants that are already inside Canada, employers wouldn't spend money and time to hire from abroad, etc. Most employers doesn't like to hire from abroad plain and simple.

Most professionals from abroad can not practice in Canada. This professional jobs are highly regulated in Canada. In most cases, professionals from Pnas will need to go back to school in Canada and study full time for years before they could sit for a licensure / certification exams. Educational system in Canada is not the same as in Pnas. Graduates in Pnas got two years less of education than graduates in Canada (Grade 1 to 12 for grade school and high school) Be prepared so you know what to expect and don't get disappointed.

IMO, I will go this route if I'm 100% sure that I would really want to go to Canada:

Get married AFTER your boyfriend landed in Canada. Don't get married before he lands because this might create a problem in his visa since his status have changed from single to married.

Two ways to get married. First, come with him in Canada then get married in here (civil wedding). It's easy, just go to the closest city hall or town hall and apply for marriage permit. Then schedule a wedding date with the person who would minister the wedding. Civil wedding is very easy in Canada. Afterwards, your spouse could sponsor you for PR. I think the processing time is about a year for a spouse so go back to Pnas and wait.

Second option, ask your boyfriend to return to Pnas and get married. Once he return to Canada, he could sponsor you.

This is a sure way and the easiest way if you are already decided to marry him and move to Canada.

[barbie_Q]

@ Barbie

I would like to confirm first that you already have a tourist visa to go to Canada on July?

Some points:

Should I go to canada, get a canadian experience?

I would assume that you'll get a tourist visa to go to Canada for this one? I guess you are aware that you can not work legally if you have entered Canada with a tourist visa?

Assuming you could find an employer while you are in Canada as a tourist (which would be difficult but possible), your visa would be changed from tourist / visitor's visa to working visa (NOT immigrant / PR). It will take at least two years of working inside Canada before a working visa holder could apply for permanent residence (PR) status.

For those people who don't fit in Skilled Worker Program (PR visa) because their job is not listed in the priority list or short of points, they could still apply through this scheme IF they have a prearranged employer in Canada.

It is extremely difficult to get an employer in Canada while you are in the Philippines for so many reasons - alot of unemployed people in Canada, it takes years to get an employee from Pnas, a lot of qualified applicants that are already inside Canada, employers wouldn't spend money and time to hire from abroad, etc. Most employers doesn't like to hire from abroad plain and simple.

Most professionals from abroad can not practice in Canada. This professional jobs are highly regulated in Canada. In most cases, professionals from Pnas will need to go back to school in Canada and study full time for years before they could sit for a licensure / certification exams. Educational system in Canada is not the same as in Pnas. Graduates in Pnas got two years less of education than graduates in Canada (Grade 1 to 12 for grade school and high school) Be prepared so you know what to expect and don't get disappointed.

IMO, I will go this route if I'm 100% sure that I would really want to go to Canada:

Get married AFTER your boyfriend landed in Canada. Don't get married before he lands because this might create a problem in his visa since his status have changed from single to married.

Two ways to get married. First, come with him in Canada then get married in here (civil wedding). It's easy, just go to the closest city hall or town hall and apply for marriage permit. Then schedule a wedding date with the person who would minister the wedding. Civil wedding is very easy in Canada. Afterwards, your spouse could sponsor you for PR. I think the processing time is about a year for a spouse so go back to Pnas and wait.

Second option, ask your boyfriend to return to Pnas and get married. Once he return to Canada, he could sponsor you.

This is a sure way and the easiest way if you are already decided to marry him and move to Canada.

Thanks Sleepless for taking the time to elaborately explaining each answer to my questions. Yes I do have a non immigrant visa to canada. I am also aware of how many pnoy professionals here who migrates to canada did not get a job that is no where near their chosen profession. Some family friends advised me to study in canada for at least two more years and take an apprenticeship then beat the provincial exam.

I guess, I do have to stick with applying first for immigration before worrying about finding a job. I am not planning to get married to my boyfriend as of now kasi hindi pako ganun ka-inlove sa idea na sa canada immediately tumira. maybe after my trip i might change my mind, who knows?

I'll be landing in edmonton alberta this July so I'm very excited for my trip! Maganda ang architecture sa canada and very forward sila sa promotion ng Green building designs. sana sa pilipinas din ganun.

[pappylips]

Goodluck in coming to Edmonton!

Thanks Sleepless for taking the time to elaborately explaining each answer to my questions. Yes I do have a non immigrant visa to canada. I am also aware of how many pnoy professionals here who migrates to canada did not get a job that is no where near their chosen profession. Some family friends advised me to study in canada for at least two more years and take an apprenticeship then beat the provincial exam.

I guess, I do have to stick with applying first for immigration before worrying about finding a job. I am not planning to get married to my boyfriend as of now kasi hindi pako ganun ka-inlove sa idea na sa canada immediately tumira. maybe after my trip i might change my mind, who knows?

I'll be landing in edmonton alberta this July so I'm very excited for my trip! Maganda ang architecture sa canada and very forward sila sa promotion ng Green building designs. sana sa pilipinas din ganun.

[carla01]

hi everyone.. =)

Part 1 and 2 of the topic cannot be found anymore, I'm starting to read Part 3, but before I continue reading , I thought magpost nadin sana ko and maybe you can enlighten me and help me with my dilemma. =)

I am an OR nurse here in the Phil and my hubby to be is a network tech in Canada.. I am 29 and he is 31. We are having our church wedding here in the Philippines before the year ends. He moved from quebec to New Brunswick since he thought it would be easier for me to adjust in NB since I don't speak french.

We both know that it is not possible for me to go with him to Canada right after the wedding:
a. anyone of you knows how long is the processing time for that?
b. and is there a way for him to get me faster?
c. we both wanted for me to pursue med school, should I study here for basics and continue or finish it there in Canada? should we apply for student visa while waiting for the application?
d. does anyone here knows the curriculum for MCAT?

Thanks! appreciate it so much!! =)

[barbie_Q]

Goodluck in coming to Edmonton!

Thanks Pappylips! Excited na nga ako mag camping at picnic. haha!

[sleepless105]

@ Carla

a. Sponsoring a spouse from Pnas would take about a year of processing if things would go smoothly as per CIC website.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...es/perm-fc.asp

b. I can't think of a faster way than one year for an immigrant visa by family clas sponsorship. However, it is also possible for you to get a Canadian tourist visa (Temporary Residence Visa / TRV) and travel with him after the wedding. But that's a tourist visa. You can't legally work or study in Canada with a TRV visa. You'll need to change your visa accordingly.

c. Unless you could finish your medical degree in Pnas (5 years), I would suggest not to start your med school. If you don't finish your med school in Pnas, you will have to go back to first year of med school in Canada ASSUMING that you could enter med school in Canada.

Going to med school in Canada is very competitive. Unlike in Pnas that as long as you could afford to pay, you could go to med school.

That's not the case in Canada. There are very limited spots for med schools. Even local / Canadian applicants who had their schooling from kindergarten to premed in Canada have a lot of difficulties to get a spot in med schools.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_school_in_Canada

"The annual success rate for Canadian citizens applying for admission to Canadian medical schools is normally below 10%. [5] Just over 2500 positions were available in first-year classes in 2006/07 across all 17 Canadian faculties of medicine."

A number of them even decides to get their med proper outside of Canada. I personally know some of them. What more for international graduates that got less number of years of education in comparison to Canadian educational system?

I'm not discouraging you but I want you to be aware so you know where you are standing at.

You could only get a student visa ONCE a school in Canada accepts your application to be their student. You could give it a try if you want.

D. I don't know. Mr. Google could possibly help you out. But before doing so, my suggestion to you is to have your educational attainment be assess by a Canadian institution that do international education assessment. As I mentioned before, the educational system in the Philippines is not the same as in Canada.

Grade school and HS in Pnas is 10 years. In Canada, it's 12 years. Therefore, in almost all cases, a degree earned in the Philippines would not have the same number of years of schooling in Canada. For this reason, it won't be honored (but could be partially credited) as the same as a local graduate.

Now, this would have an impact on post graduate education just like what you are eyeing. But never the less, good luck!

P.S. Since your boyfriend is already in Canada, then he could inquire about the prerequisites for international graduates in going to med school.

One more thing, before you could take an exam for RN in Canada, you'll need to get a bridging course. This course is a full time study for one year at a school before you would be allowed to sit for a RN licensure exam. Be prepared.

[carla01]

@ Carla

a. Sponsoring a spouse from Pnas would take about a year of processing if things would go smoothly as per CIC website.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...es/perm-fc.asp

b. I can't think of a faster way than one year for an immigrant visa by family clas sponsorship. However, it is also possible for you to get a Canadian tourist visa (Temporary Residence Visa / TRV) and travel with him after the wedding. But that's a tourist visa. You can't legally work or study in Canada with a TRV visa. You'll need to change your visa accordingly.

c. Unless you could finish your medical degree in Pnas (5 years), I would suggest not to start your med school. If you don't finish your med school in Pnas, you will have to go back to first year of med school in Canada ASSUMING that you could enter med school in Canada.

Going to med school in Canada is very competitive. Unlike in Pnas that as long as you could afford to pay, you could go to med school.

That's not the case in Canada. There are very limited spots for med schools. Even local / Canadian applicants who had their schooling from kindergarten to premed in Canada have a lot of difficulties to get a spot in med schools.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_school_in_Canada

"The annual success rate for Canadian citizens applying for admission to Canadian medical schools is normally below 10%. [5] Just over 2500 positions were available in first-year classes in 2006/07 across all 17 Canadian faculties of medicine."

A number of them even decides to get their med proper outside of Canada. I personally know some of them. What more for international graduates that got less number of years of education in comparison to Canadian educational system?

I'm not discouraging you but I want you to be aware so you know where you are standing at.

You could only get a student visa ONCE a school in Canada accepts your application to be their student. You could give it a try if you want.

D. I don't know. Mr. Google could possibly help you out. But before doing so, my suggestion to you is to have your educational attainment be assess by a Canadian institution that do international education assessment. As I mentioned before, the educational system in the Philippines is not the same as in Canada.

Grade school and HS in Pnas is 10 years. In Canada, it's 12 years. Therefore, in almost all cases, a degree earned in the Philippines would not have the same number of years of schooling in Canada. For this reason, it won't be honored (but could be partially credited) as the same as a local graduate.

Now, this would have an impact on post graduate education just like what you are eyeing. But never the less, good luck!

P.S. Since your boyfriend is already in Canada, then he could inquire about the prerequisites for international graduates in going to med school.

One more thing, before you could take an exam for RN in Canada, you'll need to get a bridging course. This course is a full time study for one year at a school before you would be allowed to sit for a RN licensure exam. Be prepared.

Thank you very much sleepless .. =)
All we ever wanted at first is for us to be together in Canada and start raising our own family .. That's already complicated, then while doing our wedding preparations, we both started talking about me going into med school and him to law school.. Crazy right? ..We both just wanted to make the most out of everything while we're young and we wanted to ensure our kids future in case all goes well.. But yeah in reality , it's waaaayyyyy more complicated .. Thank you very much again.

[extreme16199]

I don't think you should bother with starting your medical studies in the philippines since it will not be credited fully anyway. Also, if you will be sponsored by your future hubby, i would recommend against applying for a student visa due to a practical reason --- tuition fees for international students are significantly higher than citizens or permanent residents. Just wait until you land as an immigrant before pursuing your med studies.

Cheers.

[carla01]

you're right extreme16199.. =) Patience is a virtue =)

[pappylips]

Anyone here who can share his/her experience landing in Vancouver and Edmonton Alberta Immigration? I'm a little bit anxious!

It's just the same as any experience when you leave your comfort zone and try another country.

It will be tough but depends on what your goals are.

Goodluck!

[barbie_Q]

hi everyone.. =)

Part 1 and 2 of the topic cannot be found anymore, I'm starting to read Part 3, but before I continue reading , I thought magpost nadin sana ko and maybe you can enlighten me and help me with my dilemma. =)

I am an OR nurse here in the Phil and my hubby to be is a network tech in Canada.. I am 29 and he is 31. We are having our church wedding here in the Philippines before the year ends. He moved from quebec to New Brunswick since he thought it would be easier for me to adjust in NB since I don't speak french.

We both know that it is not possible for me to go with him to Canada right after the wedding:
a. anyone of you knows how long is the processing time for that?
b. and is there a way for him to get me faster?
c. we both wanted for me to pursue med school, should I study here for basics and continue or finish it there in Canada? should we apply for student visa while waiting for the application?
d. does anyone here knows the curriculum for MCAT?

Thanks! appreciate it so much!! =)

Hi carla, base from a friend's experience, it would be better if you just study your pre-med in canada. The sister of my BF is taking her pre-med now there in university of alberta. Yun lang hindi kinonsider yung pre-med course nya here which is BS Phisics, but due to her high score in MCAT (nasa 90 if i remember correctly) her application to UofA was considered. Yun lang back to pre-med sya. Halfday lang daw class nya, so on her spare time she does volunteer work which can help her find a job in the future if she wish to. She is under student visa and her applications for immigration is still under processing.

So there, I hope that some how give you an idea. Good luck on your MCAT! Congratulations to you and your fiance!

[barbie_Q]

I don't think you should bother with starting your medical studies in the philippines since it will not be credited fully anyway. Also, if you will be sponsored by your future hubby, i would recommend against applying for a student visa due to a practical reason --- tuition fees for international students are significantly higher than citizens or permanent residents. Just wait until you land as an immigrant before pursuing your med studies.

Cheers.

@carla this is so true. more or less 1m pesos per year ang tuition sa University of Alberta. Ang bigat diba? and they also do not give out scholarships to international students. priority nila yung citizen nila. kasi diba, kung natapos ka mag-doctor dun, pwede ka na bumalik sa pinas at magpractice dito at di ka nila mapapakinabangan. A doctor trained in a first world country is considered a doctor in a 3rd world country but the scenario is not the same if you are a doctor from a 3rd world.
file ka na rin for immigrant para you can avail of their scholarships.

[LeiRPH]

Hello, i'm new here. Plan ko po kasi magpasa this july 1 as fsw immigrant. Question lang po, ok lang po ba magpasa ng mga printed scan tulad ng pr card, cra at billing statements ng sisters ko sa canada o kailangan ipaauthenticate pa nila to sa canada. Salamat po...

[lenvillas916]

hi.. bago lang ako dito, i was backreading the discussions.. pa-advice naman po, my uncle is in Manitoba and he has long asked me if interesado akong pumunta don, gusto ko naman kaso ang dilemma ko is the documentations about declaration of account statements and all that, in short, pera.. is it possible na i-declare na lang ng uncle ko na he can support me during my stay without me providing my bank statements and such para sa MPNP? please enlighten me.. thank you..

[extreme16199]

Hello, i'm new here. Plan ko po kasi magpasa this july 1 as fsw immigrant. Question lang po, ok lang po ba magpasa ng mga printed scan tulad ng pr card, cra at billing statements ng sisters ko sa canada o kailangan ipaauthenticate pa nila to sa canada. Salamat po...

From my experience, photocopies would suffice.

[triggerhappy16]

Question, kailangan pa ba ng grade school diploma? Cant find it eh, I have my hs and college diploma.

[jadey888]

can a sister petition her younger sibling? if not , what other ways are there?

[sleepless105]

Question, kailangan pa ba ng grade school diploma? Cant find it eh, I have my hs and college diploma.

For school purposes, maybe. To be used for credentials in applying for immigration, no. Only the highest attained education document. If you have a bachelors degree, no one will ask you to prove that you finish elementary or high school.

[sleepless105]

can a sister petition her younger sibling? if not , what other ways are there?

Through Manitoba PNP, it could be done. In other scheme, no.

She needs to find a way to go to Canada in other ways.

1. Apply as independent immigrant (FSW, Provincial Nominee, etc.)
2. Marry a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
3. Get a working visa (need an employer first), i.e. live-in caregiver, etc.
4. Get a tourist visa, once in Canada, figure out how to stay (student visa, working, refugee, etc.)