USA or Canada?Visas,work,school,costs?

Immigration to Canada is an attractive option for U.K. citizens. The countries share a language, and Canada has developed into a leading knowledge-based nation with global corporations, a steady government and a good standard of living. There are cultural attractions in Canada's cities and excellent natural attractions across the country. Immigrants can look forward to good employment prospects and life in a nation committed to education, the environment and health care for all citizens.

1 Decide which immigration program is best for you and your family; determine if you meet the criteria. The different categories are: skilled workers and professionals; Quebec-selected skilled workers; people who graduated or have recent work experience in Canada; investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people; provincial nominees and family members of Canadian citizens. You can find full details of criteria for these groups on Canada's Citizenship and Immigration website.

2 Take a language test with an approved agency to prove your proficiency in English (or French if you are immigrating to Quebec). Include the results with your application. This is an essential part of the application, so consider taking language classes before the test if you need to.

3 Download an application pack from the Citizenship and Immigration website and read through the guidelines. Complete the form and attach all the required documents. Be aware that incomplete forms or applications without the right documents will be returned to you for completion. Mail or take your completed application to the Canadian High Commission in London.

4 Use the online calculator to work out your application fees. You will also have to pay the costs of a medical examination and a police certificate. Some categories of applicant may be able to pay fees online.

5 Prepare for life in Canada if your application is accepted. Research the laws and look for information on government, health care and education. Find out about the cost of living and look for organizations that support immigrants. There are useful resources on the Citizenship and Immigration website".

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:

(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience. (H visas)

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.(L visas)

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum (E-2 visas)

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt. (EB-5 visas)

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years?

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.

The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime

Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this (www.wes.org) ..

But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent ©

http://www.cic.gc.ca/app/ctcvac/english/index

Canada will not give a visa to an actress, or anyone as young as you will be . They look for skills or a trade, and work experience to enable you to get regular work in Canada.. Test your career here:

Hi,

Moving to Canada from another country is no easy feat. Plan on the entire process taking one and a half years, though you can enter the country earlier than that.

1 Determine which part of Canada you want to move to. If you have a job lined up or will be attending school somewhere, this decision is already made. If not, ask friends or family members who live in Canada or have visited there extensively for advice. Read about each province and territory at sites like canada.gc.ca/othergov-autregouv/prov-eng.html (see Resources) and nationsonline.org/oneworld/countries_canada.htm, or buy a Canadian guidebook, like "Fodor's Canada," written and published by Fodor's.

2 Prepare to visit the city or area you plan to move to. Look online for houses or apartments to buy or rent; make a list of five or 10 places you like that are within your budget, and make appointments to visit each place in person. You can find available houses or apartments by visiting sites like Craigslist.org, Canadarentals.net, Canadahomesforsale.ca or by contacting a local retailer in the area you plan to move to.

Research job availability in the area. Check out classifieds sections online at local newspaper websites, or visit sites like Jobsincanada.com or Monster.ca. Apply to as many jobs as you can that suit your career path or skill level, and set up interviews during your visit.

Purchase airfare or drive to Canada to visit the city you plan to move to. Attend all scheduled job and housing appointments. Also, drive around the area to get a feel for where the amenities are, and visit various neighborhoods to see which location best suits your lifestyle. Pick up local newspapers to catch up on local news and events and continue your job search through the classifieds sections.

3 Begin the immigration process. Canada has very specific rules for people immigrating to the country. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada (see Resources) to download and print all forms and get an overview of the process.

Most people immigrate to Canada as a Skilled Worker. If you already have a job offer in writing, your chances of acceptance are much higher than if you do not yet have a job lined up. If you do not have a job yet, Canada lists a variety of skill sets and careers that they are looking for. If you fall into one of those categories, your chances of approval are high.

As of May 2010, there are 38 different careers listed. Canada does change the list from time to time, depending on what jobs are needed across the country (the most recent change occurred in November 2008). See the most current list at Visaplace.com (see Resources).

If your career is not listed on the above site and you do not have a job offer, consider hiring a Canadian immigration attorney to assist with the immigration process.

Fill out all forms found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada site, cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-how.asp. Submit forms and payments after you complete them to the address listed on the form. The fee is $550 per person over 22 years old in your household, and $150 for each person uner 22 in your household. If your application is accepted, there are additional fees required (about $1,000 per person).

4 Continue to look for housing and jobs in Canada as you await the immigration results, which can take up to 14 months. If you find a job that needs you to start immediately, talk to your employer about your immigration status. Your employer can likely help you obtain a temporary work permit quickly until your immigration application has been approved.

5 Sell or donate whatever belongings you do not plan to take to Canada. If your belongings do not have much financial or personal value, it may be easier to sell or donate them and purchase new items once you arrive in Canada.

6 Make your final decision on a house or apartment, pay all necessary deposits, down payments or closing costs, and schedule a specific move-in date and time.

7 Hire a moving company to help you pack and move most of your items. Visit Intlmovers.com to find international moving companies, or call a moving company in the city you are moving to. The moving company can also help ship your car(s) if needed (though you can drive your car yourself if you are driving into Canada. Schedule your belongings to arrive the day of or a day after your scheduled move in date.