dfanz:


I am trying to make this same decision, Calgary vs GTA. Landed seniors please assist with pros and cons of both locations.

What's your goal and objective in Canada.

aklas87:

Pls how can someone with Canada visitor visa adjust his or her status to permanent resident

I don't know.

@Uzo take notes from the video below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CArjX-gzi5o


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PM0ZbQp68

Uzobejeme:
Hi a friend entered US last week and wants to cross over to Canada by road. This friend needs a good excuse to give at the Canadian border in order to be allowed to enter and stay legally and also to be able to bring family in later.
Please those in the know should help PLS!!! Its urgent. Thanks

So you're trying to claim refuge in Canada? The Canadian government is aware of your actions. They've been an influx of Nigerians coming here from the U.S. claiming refuge.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nigeria-refugee-homosexuality-immigration-1.4390144

sunnx:
Did Canada recognize Nigeria academy Degree or one's will forfeit it'a degree and purse another when migrating to Canada to fine greener pasture?

The governement will in regards to your application to get you into the country. But employers won't, especially coming from Nigeria. Depending on your age, objective, etc I'd just do a bridging program and try to gain work experience through co op.

anif009:
My application for The Bahamas tourist visa was denied some months ago at their High Commission in London, but the reason for the refusal didn't clear to me since then.
Please help, what can it be?

What can it be? You're Nigerian.

Feygbe:
Hello NL family, please can anyone in Edmonton and Nova Scotia, share their experiences pls?

Be specific. I can talk about Edmonton.

Blackbuddy:
Please see this article/opinion copied from Quora. It contains a lot of key points and nuggets about how to settle down professionally in Canada. Please note again, it was copied from Quora https://www.quora.com/Why-do-so-many-skilled-immigrants-complain-that-they-do-not-get-jobs-in-Canada

2 days ago, I attended Gateway 2017 in Markham, Ontario. It was a free conference for newcomers to Canada who were struggling to find work, giving them an opportunity to express their concerns, ask questions and networking with CEOs and other Canadian professionals.

I got to see first hand the complaints of skilled immigrants who do not get jobs in Canada, and this is what I found.

#1 Misunderstanding what Canadian Experience means, and no one explaining what it really is

Almost everyone was talking about Canadian experience. They even had a panel discussion about it.

One woman from Nigeria came up to the mic and was angry at the Canadian system. You could hear it in her voice - “How can I get Canadian Experience if I don’t have a job? I have been looking for a job for 8 YEARS!”

After her rant about Canadian experience which went on for 10 minutes, I asked random people “Would you hire that person?” They all replied “No way in hell!”

A lot of people think that Canadian experience is about working in Canada. It is not! This is my personal definition of Canadian experience:

A hiring manager’s perception of your soft skills and knowledge of Canadian work culture.

Here is the strange part. A lot of people were saying they were getting calls for interviews, but it never converted to a job.

Think about it, if you got called for a job interview, the hiring manager already knows you have not worked in Canada from your resume. Why would he or she call you for the interview if it was a problem?

What most likely happened was that during the interview, you failed to demonstrate the soft skills that the job needs. Either your communication skills were bad, or you downplayed your accomplishments when asked to talk about your experience. Once recruiter told me that some people she interviews don’t even make eye contact when they speak.

At this stage in the interview, either Canadians are too polite, or they fear a discriminatory law suit, so they just tell “You don't have Canadian experience” or “You are over qualified”, when what they really mean is “Your English is poor” or “My team will have a hard time understanding your accent” or “Based on your stories it doesn't sound like you accomplished alot”.

I was on a panel discussion myself talking about my experience as a newcomer. A gentleman at the back of the room told me that whenever he goes into an interview, he is always told that he is “overqualified”.

I gave him advice on how to tackle an “overqualified” problem, but when he spoke to me I knew straight away what his problem was, but I was too embarrassed to tell him in front of the whole room.

Unfortunately, he did not privately speak to me after the talk, else I would have told him “Canadian recruiters are telling you’re overqualified because they are hesitant to tell you the real reason - it’s your English”. His English was so bad, I wonder how he ever managed to pass his IELTS.

I’m not saying this is the fault of the candidate. This behavior stems not from your experience but from the culture of the country you came from. Maybe English is not your first language, maybe in your culture you’re not allowed to talk highly of yourself and give all the glory to your bosses. Maybe it’s in your culture to remain silent and not make eye contact out of respect.

The bottom line is, you need to understand how Canadians think and what hiring managers and recruiters expectations are to get past the Canadian experience problem.

Unless you do the research, or ask the right people who aren't afraid to give you an honest answer, and most importantly upgrade your English language skills, skilled immigrants will continue to complain about not getting jobs.

#2 Not taking an active approach to your job search

This is how I personally had success in Canada, securing three job offers in two weeks.

If you just machine gun your generic resume to online jobs and rely on technology to do the rest you will be job searching for a long time.

Machines don't hire you. Humans do. So you have to demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are willing to work hard and think outside the box.

This is why I customize my resume and personalize my cover letter for every job application, and created my own personal website (connelvalentineresume.com) to stand out.

I used the same tactics when I applied for a mangers job within my company and I got the job again, so I'm confident it works.

As long as you're aware of the process, the expectations of the hiring manager and skills in resume and cover letter writing you can increase the chances of landing that job 10 fold.

#3 Not using publically available services

If it's free it's probably not worth it right? Not in Canada! If you want to see the Canadian tax dollars at work, make use of the public services that are available to you.

New immigrants do not use these services either because they are too proud or they do not feel it's worth it.

From this conference that I attended, where these companies that host these services were present, you will see the quality in what they provide.

They may not get you the perfect job, but will fit you into a well established company and then it's up to you to work your way up.

My cousin used Costi when she was trying to get back into finance and they placed her with a logistics company doing account receivables where she is now a full time employee after proving her worth and working hard.

I have personally hired and trust candidates from Npower Canada.

This conference that I attended, Gateway 2017, hosted by the York Region is an example of what Canada is prepared to do for it’s new immigrants - for FREE! It was held at Hilton hotel, hosted by a Canadian TV host, attended by the mayor of Markham and CEOs of companies in the York region.

Canada takes it’s free services very seriously.

#4 Not Canadianizing your resume

Someone at the conference mentioned that their resume was 6 pages long!

People think they can throw all their experiences up on a word document and mail blast it to every Canadian job board.

It's guaranteed failure.

People should seek professional help and to take it a step further, they should learn the methodology of Canadianizing your resume to suit the managers needs. A big part of this is knowing how to market your job experience in a way that pleases a Canadian hiring manager and recruiter.

One of my favorite tools for doing a quality check on the resume is jobscan. This tool allows you to compare your uploaded resume to the copy pasted job description side by side and score it for compliance.

#5 Not using bridging services

During one of the breaks at the conference I walked up to table where three strangers were sat. I introduced myself and they turned out to be a nurse, a physician and a dentist.

To my relief, they were all already enrolled in a bridging program at York Univeristy, one of the most popular hosts of bridging programs.

But in most cases, I find that a lot of people don't utilize these services. I hear them say “I have over twenty years of experience, why should I go back to learning something I have been doing ?”

Look, I understand it's not easy to feel like you're going back to paying your dues in your career. But you are getting a fresh start in a new country.

It takes courage to leave your family and friends behind to move to a new country in hopes of a better life.

Well guess what - it takes courage to choose to take a step back in your career too.

When I applied for a job, I applied for a position that was two levels below the job I had in Dubai. But because I took an active approach to it, that job application revealed a hidden job that was one level higher and unadvertised, that the recruiter thought I was better suited for.

And two years later, after working my ass off on that job even though it was a lower position from before, and using the smarts and the experience and the work ethics I developed from my 12 year career prior to landing in Canada, I got a promotion back to my managers position.

If you have the humility to learn and the courage to temporarily refresh your career and the vision to get back the career you left behind, you will eventually start to see the hopes become reality.

An expert I follow say that it may take anywhere from 6–12 years in average for a Canadian newcomer to get back the quality of life you left behind. I'm on year 3.

Don't let pride delay the process.

To sum up…

Canada welcomes diversity in the workplace. That is what the Gateway 2017 conference was all about.

But what they did not mention, and this is my personal insight, is that one place where diversity is not accepted is the norms of business conduct.

Your diversity will be accepted from your fresh ideas, creative innovation and dynamic insights.

But when you communicate, when you lead teams, when you make presentations, when you attend meetings, when you make a sales pitch, when you care for patients, when you ask for a raise, when you work with your boss and every other aspect of business conduct you can think of, it's done one way - the Canadian way.

Anyone migrating here should literally study what this person wrote. I feel this person also missed two points.

1. There are several ways to get to your destination. Have an open mind.

2. Don't chase job titles. Chase stability and what makes sense.

Feygbe:

Good morning,

Pls what is the job outlook for a Biochemist in Ottawa? How easy is it to get a job that isnt a government job requiring a few years of residence in the province?

Sorry I don't know those answers. I thought the questions would be about living situations.

Thankful11011:
Good day everyone, nice job, please I gave birth to my first baby in the USA, I still have a valid visa and yes I paid all my bills, but I want to give birth to my second in canada, I am 9 weeks old and would like to start the application process, please I wanted to ask, I work but my husband will be sponsoring my trip and he won't be applying with me, so who financial statement do I put in my application ? Do I need to put in my landed papers and all that?, thanks so much every one as I await a response

Why the 2nd one in Canada? Why not have both kids with the same passport. Just curious.

Looks like Canada is open for business with the new immigration level announced. For anyone who cares.

https://www.google.ca/amp/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4371146

Graceforever:
Hello all,
My husband and I are moving to Ottawa in December. We have 3 children under 10 years. Please anyone with any info about settling down there. Please help. Thanks in anticipation!

What would you like to know.

Lexusgs430:


America is not the only country that accepts credit cards.....

Other countries accept debit card payments for hotel bookings....

Canada too.

justwise:


..it opens the door for you to buy things without restriction debit card has and also give you the opportunity to get things like loan, mortgage etc right?

Yaaaaaa

You've learned something today.

justwise:


Honestly you have a very poor knowledge of life, yes this is about living within your means and not living for the system.

No matter what your credit score is, you still need to earn it to spend it.

I used to have contract phone and after 3yrs I cancelled it and went back to pay as you go, then two years ago I needed an upgrade and decided to get the phone on contract but I was refused because of poor credit score. If I had gotten that contract it would have set me back about £450 a year through monthly fees and upfront payment.

Then I went online and bought that phone for £300 and still maintain my pay as you go.

If you want to get crippled by system then that's up to you but don't dare tell me that I can't survive without one.

Bros don't carry your vex come my side. I live within my means. I buy things on my credit when I have the money. Once I purchase it I go and pay off my credit card. This way I build and maintain good credit. My friend you simply cannot go against the system. You can just make sure it doesn't abuse you or play you. Hence why I only use my credit card when I have the money. After doing this I was able to be approved for a mortgage. You are the 2nd class citizen I am talking about. You can't even get approved for a phone let alone a loan to buy a house. And if you do, they'll rape you with interest due to your poor credit. I'm also sure other jobs like bank jobs will deny you employment because of your poor credit. You're too much of a risk to steal. You are a 2nd class citizen unfortunately.

Lexusgs430:


Other factors can assist in credit score building and not only credit cards....

A mortgage application would be granted without owning a credit card..

You don't have a credit card yet a bank will give you 300k for a mortgage ? Omo pass that igbo my way. Which other methods can you use initially to build credit ?

Lexusgs430:


PayPal payment is not back door, it's called protection. I know section 74 accords the same type of protection (but horses for courses)...
Paying for a hotel, via debit card is not a back door approach (it means spending what I have)

I have not seen any back door approach, from my previous response.......

You can't book a hotel here with a debit card. Credit card also have fraud protection. These are backdoor/ 2nd class methods.

UKmigrant:
As I understand, having credit card and using it wisely is like building a financial reputation, it is beneficial in the long run as people who can lend you have a background with which to judge you when you need their help. On the other hand, not having a credit card or having one and not using it means that you cannot prove to anyone that you can be trusted with money so you are confined to only living within you income.

While on paper, not having one or not using it might seem like a wise thing to do, you have no safety net. My credit card is my back up in times of emergency, that's just how I see it and I intend to use it to build a very good credit score within the next one year.

Well said. It's not the actually credit card. It's being trust worthy being given credit when you need it. The concept is common sense. How you manage your credit/finances allows the banks, landlord, cell companies, etc to decide whether they can trust you or not. I really don't know why people can't understand this, especially when the west (at least north america) is a credit base system.

Lexusgs430:


I agree with the credit score angle, but loads of other ways to build credit scores.

People with adverse credit scores still survive in the west, right?
Or are you saying everyone in the west has a positive credit score?
A debit card can easily book hotel rooms, some hotels even accept PayPal....
Without a credit card, jobs can be got. Simply provide other forms of identification....


It is obvious, with an adverse credit score, to get a job in the banking/financial sector, is like trying to search for a cock with front tooth......

You're proving my point. With a bad credit score see all the back door things you have to do. And no not everyone has a good credit score here. And they are 2nd class citizens.

justwise:


I don't and I have survived for more than 10yrs without one. i don't spend what I don't have.

This is not about living within your means. This is about building and maintaining a good credit score in the west through credit card. Therefore, that allows you to do other things. You may be surviving but you're definitely not maximizing the countries full benefits.

justwise:
[/b]

You are so ignorant to believe that you can't survive in the west without credit card.

Credit card relates to credit score. Without a good credit score I couldn't get a mortgage. Without a good credit score I couldn't land my government job. Without a good credit score certain people in my family wouldn't be able to get a bank job and so forth. I don't even think one can even book a hotel room without a credit card anymore. Again, anyone who knows what they're talking about knows a person is a 2nd class citizen without a credit card and good credit in the west.

justwise:


Why not?

You're literally a 2nd class citizen without one in the west. Anyone who says otherwise is ignorant.

owenseddies:
USA is the homeless capital of the World with more than 10 million Americans homeless

They have the worst safety net of any G7 nation and a joke of a healthcare system. In comparison to other G7 nation. But to call the USA the homeless capital of the world is going too far. It's not true.

A lot of myths and misinformation about both countries, especially the US. Do your research. Your goals, situation, and circumstances will point you to the right direction.

salford1:

While the US is firing coal from all cylinders in their coal power plants.

A transcanada pipeline that is meant to carry crude oil from Alberta to the Eastern provinces just got canceled last week too. Na that one pain me pass. It's a $15.7 billion dollar project that would have created 15,000 full time jobs and several thousand part time and casual jobs accross Canada.

Quebec was in strong opposition of the project, yet they receive the most amount in equalization payment.

The Liberal gov full commitments to climate-change policies have created burdens on Oil companies in BC, Alberta and sask, while refineries in Quebec and other eastern provinces keep importing oil from countries such as Venezuela or Saudi. Whereas saudi or venezyela are not imposing greenhouse gas regulations on oil companies in their own country.

1st world problems.lol

This is why unless you have transferable skills or you're high up within a oil company, make your money while planning your exit. While I've taken a massive pay cut since joining the federal government, such news doesn't concern me anymore. I'm even more glad I made the jump now. I wish people in the industry luck.

dupyshoo:
Like I said, circumstances change. I got Canada PR early last year when I was not sure of UK citizenship and was not too happy with my job. Now, things have changed for the best.

I can't complain of my situation in the UK currently. So, why won't I be afraid of the unknown?

This is the last time I will talk about this issue sha.

It was just a general statement, I wasn't trying to throw shade at you. You don't have to justify or explain anything to me, it's your life. But I still stand by my statement of; "If you're not living in Canada and you're on this thread, something isn't right in your current situation however you put it." If you can't complain of your situation in the UK, why are you even thinking of migrating ? For example I can't complain of my situation in Canada. I'm not even thinking of migrating and wouldn't accept a US or UK passport even if you paid me. I'm living a good life here. That's simply not how the human brain works. Think about what I'm saying. Either way good luck in your decision whether you come or stay.

dupyshoo:
The truth is that we all have different reasons for applying. Also, circumstances change along the way that can make people to have a rethink of their earlier decisions.

Nobody leaves a country where they are stable and achieving prosperity for the unknown. The human brain simply doesn't operate that way. If you're not living in Canada and you're on this thread, something isn't right in your current situation however you put it. Canadian fly is trying to ease the anxiety.

40manlappy:


Bros, is this the gist?

That's part of it. And a lot more. Very pro immigration policies.

Canadianfly:
This argument on UK vs. Canada is becoming redundant. I don't know why folks who live in the UK will have mouth to compare it with standard of living in Canada. If una like UK why don't y'all stay there.
I lived in the UK for quite a while before moving to Canada and I can say for free that the standard of living in Canada is better than ANY part of the U.K. I've lived in Scotland and England, so I can't really say for Northern Ireland . But all this comparison is played out. Whether rent and bus pass is cheaper doesn't count. It's like comparing living in Nigeria with Ivory Coast lol. We all know your average UK person is STINGY and counts every penny before they spend it. £20 is like $100 to a UK person. In fact I remember my single days, dating in the UK...guys will spend £20 on Nandos dinner for you and will be acting like they put your entire family on payroll. Not until I moved to North America, first date with my husband.....Oga's spent $300 on fine dining and was still asking me if I want to go see a movie, I knew that levels had changed .....All these 2 bedrooms in W Midlands for £300-400 cannot be compared, quality of life is definitely better in Canada. How many people have cars in the UK? The ones that do, drive the Vauxhall like it's a beemer LOL. Class system!
And the menial jobs you get in Canada is faaaar better than menial jobs in UK. One thing is there's dignity in labor in Canada and one can live a very good quality of life and still have the luxury of little trips in summer. UK folks are stuck in a class system, so Gold help you you work in McDonalds in the UK....you have failed in life! Even when I was about to enter undergrad in the UK, my A levels school had Universties that were on a black list. Basically you can't apply to those "low class unis" if you want to graduate from the A level school. We had to look at The Times 100 to select schools in the top 30, all because of class system.
Canada is different, no one cares what school you attend, all they care about is are you certified? Please let's quit derailing the thread with the comparisons. If you love the UK, stay there and don't compare and contrast with Canada. Or open UK Advantages thread

*end of rant*....*runs away*

I think we should be careful not to turn this into a NA vs UK thing. But I have a relative who was in the UK for 5 years and got chased out. He's been in Canada just under 2 years and can't believe how far he has progressed, or how young people have so much here compared to the UK. He's actually about to buy a car. But to be fair, Canada doesn't have a system like the EU, and not everyone here can or would spend $300 on a babe. Economic prosperity differs by province.

impish:
Yes oh! The idea is that each generation strives to give the next generation a much better life than they had. The only way to do this is by equipping them with the right life skills.

But Nigerians though.......you haven't finished looking after the first 2 children, then you have 2 more........when we do not have a public welfare structure at all? For me, part of the joy of having children is in knowing that they will be fine, that they will be well taken care of. But each to his own.

Mrs. O
www.mycanadianfling.com

Nobody knows her story to be fair.

DBA4show:
Bro. from my research giving birth in Alberta and leaving after delivery is termed "Medical Fraud" and besides the person who will be receiving us is based in Ontario but he is Single and doesn't know much about the process.

Are you sure ? By law a PR holder and citizen has legal of mobility right. Meaning they can live or work anywhere in canada they choose. How can they prove you didn't give birth today, then got a job in another province tomorrow and decided to move ? If the Alberta government decides to sue one for that, the charter of rights would protect that person. No exception. As for ohip/ontario, any medical bills you get prior to the 3 months, it'll be out of your pocket. Technically. But you can go around about it at times.

impish:
Awwwww, thank you, It is comments like this that inspire me too! As you have prophesied it, so shall it be. Amen. Can't wait to hear your PR announcement! lol!

Today has not been easy oh! Turns out all the blogging and researching I did yesterday and into the wee hours of today got me so tired. I woke up at 10am! Lol!

Anyway, today, I am on a mission to find hard chicken, tripe, kidney, muscle (beef). Please can anyone help a Nigerian housewife in Ottawa?

Have a great day everyone!

Mrs. O
www.mycanadianfling.com

African Queen on bank/walkley road has everything you need. It's owned by Ghanians. From food to african music (afro beats). Also try to support African businesses if you can.



http://www.globeater.com/view-restaurant/?restaurant_name=African+Queen&id=940#.VmMuKU0KAWk.facebook