Canada

The job of a lifetime has just been offered to you and you’re thrilled about the opportunity. There’s only one glitch—the job will require moving to Canada. Before you pack up your family for the move across the continent, you may want to get all your ducks in a row. There will be plenty to do before you call the beautiful landscape of the northern territories home.

There are many challenges that go along with moving. Now, you’ll have to determine how to safely move your family to a new country, as well. This brings up many more issues than just appropriately packing your belongings. This will entail getting proper paperwork in order to ensure that you’re in the country legally and can obtain the necessary work permits to move forward in your career after moving to Canada. One helpful site is the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials, www.cicic.ca. This site offers information on not only working abroad, but studying and becoming a student, as well. This would be especially helpful if there is a potential college student moving to Canada with you.

Another website that will be helpful in moving to Canada is www.immigrationinfocanada.com. This site lists the requirements for obtaining a work visa and how to renew it, too. It also gives information on how to become a citizen, if you so desire. This web site offers information on the country of Canada and helps with housing and also places to visit.

Some people choose to hire lawyers to help them obtain a visa. This would obviously help eliminate any snags in your obtaining the proper paperwork, but you will pay quite a bit for the service. There are several web sites that claim to help you go through the process on your own, but be sure to check with others to see if they’ve used the site before and do your research to make sure it’s legitimate.

Your new company will likely be the best resource for you during your moving process. Ask co-workers or close friends who they have used to move their families and how they completed each step. It’s always easier when someone else has been through the process before and can offer some words of wisdom or better yet, some trusted resources.

Once your paperwork is in order, you’ll likely need to begin preparing for the actual move itself. First and foremost, make sure boxes are well marked as you’ll need to inventory your items. This will come in handy as you determine what you’ll be charged for as you cross over the Canadian border. For example, if you’re living in Canada for at least three years, you can bring a certain amount of alcohol into the country without paying duty (tax) on it. The same is true for tobacco. If you’ve hired a trusted moving company, they will be able to offer some advice in these areas, as well.

Finally, make sure you’re prepared for your new home. Perhaps you’re moving from Phoenix to Calgary. You’ll want to make sure you have appropriate clothing such as winter coats, boots, mittens, hats, etc. This is especially true if you’re moving in the winter months. However, it might also save you money and moving fees if you wait to purchase your items once you arrive in your new home. This would be much easier if you’re moving during the warmer summer months.

There’s so much excitement that comes along with moving to a new home. Moving to Canada will likely be a wonderful experience for you and your family. With the right tools and resources, you can feel good about your move and know that you’re prepared.

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