Canada

[ipodaddict]

Thinking about migrating to Canada, any advice? How long does it take for application outside of Canada? Where are the better cities/town to settle down? Any reliable migration agencies in HK Thanks ahead for any input.

[hullexile]

Took a couple of years for my friends but I guess it depends what you are offering in terms of skills etc

[Morrison]

what's your motivation for immigrating to Canada ?
If it's not only for the passport then I would advise you to go there and spend some time in various places and during various seasons. See whether it is the right place for you.
I have heard many Chinese are disappointed as it is too quiet and boring for them so they return to East-Asia.
Also, keep in mind that it is hard to strive off tax liability once you are Canadian

[dtb]

Better city is a very vague term, better in terms of work/life/study/retirement..... etc?

Personally, I like Montreal the most.

[gilleshk]

Be prepared to pay LOTS of taxes if you become a resident...Also fairly high prices for all goods and services. As for better places to live, it depends on the kind of weather you like, foods, activities, ethnic communities etc... Real estate prices also vary enormously between regions so that's another factor to consider.

[drmach]

Vancouver or Toronto. They're the 2 big cuties. Both have lots of Chinese people. Toronto is bigger and more to do. You'll be bored if you're used to HK though. Much slower paced of life. The taxes are also a lot higher.

[hullexile]

Vancouver or Toronto. They're the 2 big cuties. Both have lots of Chinese people. Toronto is bigger and more to do. You'll be bored if you're used to HK though. Much slower paced of life. The taxes are also a lot higher.

Is the OP Chinese?

[Laksa Girl]

It's quicker for those from Commonwealth countries and also if you have all the paperwork they require when you submit your application.

There is a Quebec Immigration office on level 10 of Two Exchange Tower. There are two application processes to consider: one for Canada and a separate one for Quebec. From memory, if you have Canadian residency, then you also have the right to live and work in Quebec. However, you can also apply for residency status under the Quebec government - restricted to Quebec.

The head office for most organisations are in Toronto and Montreal. You will need a car in Toronto. Montreal is amazing, there are more international festivals than you can imagine going on at once during Spring/Summer. Bear in mind, French is the first language of Quebec.

I recommend you spend a Winter there before making any serious plans to move. It's -35C during the day in Winter. Subtract 10C-15C for windchill! Montreal has the highest snowfall of any city in the world.

I wouldn't have thought that the tax rates were high compared to Hong Kong:
What are the income tax rates in Canada?

The most liveable cities is the world are presently: Melbourne, Vancouver, Toronto.

Canada has a lot to offer - Rocky Mountains, Montreal and the Maritimes. New England and New York borders Canada. New York City is the cheapest city to depart from to fly to any other city in the US. Easy to travel to US and Europe, (Paris is just over 5 hours flight from Montreal). Expensive flights out of Canada though due to taxes.

[Chinesedelivery]

It depends what you're going there for. Are you going there to work or to retire? How will you get citizenship? (through job skill, investment?) Be prepared to pay tax on everyday things. If you don't like the cold weather then Vancouver is your only choice as it typically has less than 5 days of snow per year. However the cost of living is also the greatest in Vancouver compared to other Canadian cities (last I checked anyways). Vancouver is also more convenient when it comes to flying back to HK to visit.

If you pm me more details I might be able to refer you to someone who can take care of the whole process for you.

[hullexile]

"However, you can also apply for residency status under the Quebec government - restricted to Quebec."

How would this work? There are no 'border' controls between the Canadian provinces are there?