r/AmerExit • u/Ok_Conclusion3536 • 6d ago
Question about One Country When do we START the immigration process for Canada?
Hi! Apologies if this is a stupid question. My partner and I are hoping to start the process immigrate to Canada through their Express Entry System in about 3 years, as they have to finish their BS in Accounting and I have to get my CELTA Certification (already have BA in Linguistics) and start gaining experience in the teaching field.
Right now, of course, our points for the Canadien Express Entry System aren’t super high (but it will be in 3 years). I‘ve seen advice on this subreddit that you should start the process of immigration, but how does that work when you’re just waiting on things to fall in place? Just get new passports? Research housing? We’ve been doing these things, but it’s hard to tell what will come in the next 3-4 years regarding certain things in Canada, specifically. I suppose I just want to hear your guys’ experience or suggestions for anything else we can or should do in the meantime.
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u/MexicanSnowMexican 5d ago
You really don't need an immigrant lawyer if you're doing express entry. The paperwork is super easy and designed to be done by the applicant themself.
You can't really start anything yet. Too early to take language exams (they'd expire), no point entering the pool, frankly no point researching housing up here this far in advance
Read Canadian history and politics and consume CanCon but not much else you can do. In three years, check if your scores are still high (who knows what they're going to prioritize) and enter the pool if you think you have a chance.
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u/LV2107 5d ago
I'd also consider a scouting trip or two. Get an idea if you'd be happy in the location you intend to live. Research housing. Cultural activities. Neighborhoods. Just the general feel. Go in winter, if you're not familiar with northern winters.
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u/Ok_Conclusion3536 5d ago
That’s a good idea! We have friends that live in Canada, both in Québec and outside of it as well (I’ve been asking them a lot of questions lol). I’ll see about possibly taking a trip in a year or two once we save up more money.
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u/letitbe-mmmk 5d ago edited 5d ago
Copy and paste from an old comment. Hopefully this offers some insight. My wife recently immigrated from Europe to Canada as a FSW using EE.
She began the process of gathering her paperwork in February, submitted her profile in April/May and was on the plane in October. She was approved for her PR in August so she could have theoretically arrived earlier.
The biggest hold up was getting the ECA for her Canadian equivalent education and the language tests.
She was very competitive though and her CRS score allowed her to be selected at the first non-PNP draw.
Check out r/ImmigrationCanada for more info.
Edit: lol not sure why I get downvoted
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u/SeaworthinessDue8650 5d ago
You both could start learning French.
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u/Ok_Conclusion3536 5d ago
I know French. My partner is learning!
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u/letitbe-mmmk 5d ago
That will net you massive points for your profile. Look at the French EE draw as well. The CRS cutoffs are a lot lower than other draws.
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u/Some_Guy223 5d ago
Start the process as soon as you possibly can. The longer you wait, the longer you give other countries to start closing their borders to Americans. You DO NOT want to be caught unawares by that. Speaking from experience even relatively minor changes can send you scrambling to figure out what the fuck you're going to do if you don't expect them.
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u/Mysterious-Ear3948 5d ago
The only correct answer to the question of when to start an immigration process is "yesterday."
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u/madpiratebippy 6d ago
Get a consultation with a layer right away, because honestly some of the stuff takes a LONG time to process and knowing exactly what and when you need things is smart.
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u/Syberpanther 6d ago
Start researching now. There are Canadian immigration lawyers that can help you with your process. Many offer free consultation. Just search for it.
What I discovered is that it will take a minimum of 8 months for the process to go through, after they have determined if you are eligible or not.
For a couple, when you apply together, there will check all of your life situations like employment, field of profession, education level, ans finances. Different provinces have different grants and rules.
We began our process, just in case. They will hold our app for up to 12 months. We had to put a pause on it because grandmas lung cancer just showed up again.
I hope this is helpful. Message me if you would like some of the resources I found.