| Canada has been attracting professional people from | | | | prior to your arrival in Canada, so you are taken care |
| all over the world for decades. People migrate or | | | | of as soon as you land. Won't these services cost a |
| immigrate to Canada for a variety of reasons, a better | | | | lot i.e. be expensive? Sure, these companies will |
| quality of life and better higher education being | | | | charge a certain amount depending on the services |
| amongst the major reasons. The Canadian | | | | you require. But in my opinion it's a small price to pay |
| government has fine tuned the immigration application | | | | for the benefit you get. Let's use an example of one |
| processing system to quite an extent. Initially it was | | | | of the services. You engage this company to buy a |
| cumbersome with somewhat difficult to attain points. | | | | car for you so you are mobile on arrival. Assume that |
| But as Australia and the United Kingdom opened up | | | | you have the driving license and are allowed to drive in |
| competitive immigration schemes thereby attracting | | | | Canada from day one. You agree a budget and type |
| from the same pool of talented professional people, | | | | of car i.e. sedan, MPV, SUV and the make and model |
| the Canadian Government apparently took notice and | | | | number. You make the initial payment to them to look |
| streamlined the process. However it could be | | | | for the car, their service fees, say C$500. They go to |
| improved further, as applications still take a long time to | | | | their registered car dealers and come back with 3 or 4 |
| process. This apparently is not simply a manpower | | | | options, you approve one out of them, wire the money |
| issue as has been claimed but simply the government | | | | and presto, the car is available the day you arrive. |
| trying to control the numbers of immigrants that arrive | | | | How does that benefit you? Well, as you are dealing |
| each year. My point being that the application process | | | | with a reputable company, they have a reputation to |
| should be completed within 6 to 12 months and not the | | | | worry about and will do the best to ensure that you |
| 36 to 48 months it is currently taking in some parts of | | | | get the best deal. As they have been in the country |
| the world. But I digress from what this article is about. | | | | for a number of years, they cannot be sold an |
| Once you have jumped all the hoops (and there are a | | | | overpriced car and more importantly you are saved |
| lot of them) that the application process requires, you | | | | the running around in taxis to view cars, a process that |
| are now ready to wind up your affairs (that's business | | | | takes time and money. Your benefit? Your car is |
| not private affairs !) and proceed to Canada. You are | | | | available from day one and you can focus on job |
| now looking forward to getting your hands on the | | | | hunting. Spending a few hundred dollars to engage the |
| Permanent Residence (PR) Card that gives you right | | | | services of such a company can save thousands in |
| to live and work in Canada. By now you are thinking | | | | car costs. More importantly, don't forget the |
| that the worst is over and nothing can stop you from | | | | opportunity costs, something that is commonly |
| your dream of settling in Canada. Nothing could be | | | | overlooked and almost never understood. While you |
| further from the truth! I bet you did not expect that but | | | | are looking for a car to buy, you should have been |
| read on ... Most new immigrants or migrant (I use the | | | | looking for a job. Each day spent on car hunting is a |
| terms synonymously) landing in Canada are doing so | | | | day lost looking for a job. A lost job day could set you |
| as total strangers, without knowing anybody in the | | | | back a couple of hundred dollars, 4 or 5 lost job days |
| country. The small percentage of lucky ones have a | | | | can set you back a thousand or more dollars. Similarly |
| relative or friend or know a friend's friend who is | | | | if you are inclined to start your own business in |
| already in Canada and expect or hope that they will | | | | Canada, it can be one of many types. You can have a |
| help in the settlement process. In most cases, such | | | | convenience store, a grocery store, car wash/service |
| relatives and friends do. But at the most, what can | | | | station, gas station or food franchise. Now each day |
| they help the new immigrant with? Pick up from airport | | | | you spend looking for the right business to buy, you |
| and depositing at own home, hotel or suitable | | | | are losing income. Wouldn't it be great to have |
| accommodation. For a person or family arriving in a | | | | somebody identify and shortlist a number of |
| new country even that can be a big help. The problem | | | | businesses that you are interested in? The settlement |
| arises after a couple of days when you get over your | | | | support company can do this. Plus they can also try |
| jet lag and have to start learning how to live and earn | | | | identifying the potential of these businesses in terms of |
| in the new country? You need a job (unless you | | | | clientele and potential turnover. All you have to do is to |
| brought in a lot of money), you need to complete | | | | go over the options they have short listed and make |
| certain government registration formalities, the kids | | | | your decision as soon as you land in Canada. Note |
| need to go to school, you need a car (as this is a must | | | | that you should have the option to not go ahead as |
| in North America), you need medical insurance | | | | well. This short cut to starting out in a business can be |
| coverage as the Canadian Provincial Health Authority | | | | worth tens of thousands in terms of lost income i.e. |
| will not cover you for the first 3 months after landing | | | | opportunity cost. Again, the company will charge a few |
| and a host of other tasks including opening a bank | | | | thousand dollars for this service. But always keep the |
| account, transferring your funds in and hoping that the | | | | income you are losing, if you don't start out soon, in |
| cash you brought with you lasts the distance. Before | | | | mind. That will put their charges into perspective. The |
| we proceed, a word of warning about friends and | | | | sooner you buy a business, the sooner you start |
| relatives who you hope will help you once you land in | | | | earning and getting on your feet in Canada. The fees |
| Canada. Unless you know them personally and have | | | | seems like a small price to pay for this. So how do |
| done so for many years, even then, my advice would | | | | you identify a genuine company or what do you look |
| be not to take their help or advice at face value. There | | | | for in any company claiming to be a migrant settlement |
| have been instances for example when people have | | | | services company? Here are a few things to look out |
| put up their newly landed friends only to charge them | | | | for: Do they provide arrival assistance? Not very |
| more rent than the going market rate. When you are | | | | important but it would be nice to know somebody is |
| new to a place you don't have the necessary | | | | meeting you at the airpot. Do they provide interpreter |
| information to make decisions and can be asked to | | | | services for you, if needed? Should be optional if you |
| sign up for more than you bargained for. On the other | | | | feel you need one. Do they help with short term or |
| hand, no matter what treatment you get, you will be | | | | long term accommodation needs? Important as last |
| morally obliged to your friend or family for life, since | | | | you need to do once you arrive in Canada is start |
| they took time out to pick you from the airport and put | | | | running around looking for accommodation. Do they |
| you up for a couple of weeks and over charged you | | | | help with the subsequent government registration |
| as well ! Alternately if you want to strike out on your | | | | process? Relative as it saves you finding out about |
| own, you can land in Canada and ask the taxi driver to | | | | government offices and visiting them. Check that they |
| take you to a hotel, hoping that he won't over charge | | | | provide transport for this. Do they help with buying a |
| you. At the hotel, unless you have booked earlier, you | | | | car and/or getting the driving license? Depends on |
| are liable to the maximum charges that apply to walk | | | | your personal requirements. Check beforehand if your |
| in customers. So it's not the place you want to live in | | | | current driving license enables you to drive in Canada. |
| for a few months until you find a job, have the | | | | If yes, buying a car in advance might be a good idea. |
| references and credit file to enable you to move to an | | | | Otherwise hold on until you arrive and pass the driving |
| apartment. Unless you have won the lottery, even the | | | | test. Do they help with medical insurance |
| cheapest hotel at minimum charges will be setting you | | | | arrangement? Can be arranged by you beforehand or |
| back a hefty amount each day. Now that you have | | | | can ask them to do this. Very important step for |
| checked into the hotel, where do you go from there? | | | | reasons stated previously. Do they help with finding a |
| The government's new immigrant pack contains basic | | | | job? Note they can't offer to employ you but rather |
| information but it can be misleading and it certainly | | | | guide you through the job seeking process in Canada. |
| helps if you have the advice of someone who has | | | | As they know the employment agencies and network |
| already landed in Canada. To be honest, I have been | | | | with other placement agencies, they can reduce the |
| through the complete immigration process and landing | | | | time it takes to find employment. Do they help with |
| in Canada is the hardest part. People have given up | | | | setting up a business? This is important if you are |
| and returned to their home countries within 6 months | | | | inclined to start a business as it can save you time and |
| of arriving in Canada as they could not cope with the | | | | money. Do they try and force all their services on you |
| pressures of everything that they faced. Finding | | | | or are you allowed to choose the ones you need and |
| employment or starting a business will be the hardest | | | | are charged on a pro rata basis ? Important as you |
| tasks for the newly landed immigrant. And this is the | | | | don't want to buy services you are not going to utilize. |
| one that is on ones mind from the onset. Many newly | | | | Why pay for something you don't need? So check if |
| landed immigrants have left their previous occupations | | | | you are sold the full pack or you can choose the |
| and started working in shops or stores as assistants | | | | services you require. If the answer is yes to all of the |
| to make ends meet. Some professional people such | | | | above questions, then it is safe to say that the |
| as doctors had to resort to working as security guards | | | | company is a proper migrant settlement and support |
| for the simple reason that their medical degrees were | | | | company. Anyone not offering all those services |
| not recognised in Canada. They must now undergo a | | | | should be avoided. Are there many companies that |
| tortuous process to retake exams but until they do, | | | | provide these services? Unfortunately, the answer to |
| they cannot practice medicine there. Hence they work | | | | that question is not many. In fact, there is only one that |
| anywhere they can in the meantime. While you are | | | | I know of. It's called Avanti Migrant Services and has |
| passing time looking for a job or trying to set up your | | | | recently started serving the migrant community. This |
| business, your bank balance or savings are being | | | | company was set up with the new immigrant in mind |
| whittled away, faster than you expected. That is why | | | | to ease the arrival pains and subsequent transition into |
| within 6 months some people just throw in the towel | | | | a new life in Canada. They pretty much cover all the |
| and leave. This is not meant to discourage you as the | | | | requisites that have been identified that you should look |
| prospective migrant. Canada can be, to quote a | | | | for. It's been started by former immigrants and it looks |
| cliché, the land of milk and honey for people who | | | | like they know what they are talking about. In the end, |
| are prepared to work hard and make an honest living. | | | | it's your choice on whether you want to utilize these |
| It provides the opportunities to those who aspire to | | | | services company or not. In hindsight, had I known such |
| achieve better and are willing to put in the effort. So | | | | a company existed when I landed, I would have signed |
| much for the entire doomsday scenario! There is a | | | | up with them in a flash. And the reason for that is |
| way to ease your arrival in Canada. My | | | | simple. The knowledge about life in Canada I gained |
| recommendation would be to use an immigrant | | | | through experience, over the course of 1 to 2 years. |
| settlement and support services company to make | | | | Had I known someone could impart this knowledge to |
| the settling in process as painless as possible. Basically | | | | me within a couple of weeks of landing, I would have |
| what these companies do is to provide a range of | | | | been up and running in a month's time rather than the |
| services for new migrants. This can include pick up | | | | six months it took me including making some bad |
| from airport, accommodation, help with registration | | | | business decisions. Therefore I strongly recommend |
| process, getting the hang of Canadian cities, help with | | | | that you look seriously into utilizing the services of a |
| banking, setting up of credit facilities, buying a car, help | | | | settlement support company. It could save you |
| with finding a job and even finding a suitable business | | | | thousands of dollars and days/weeks/months of |
| to buy. These services can be purchased in advance, | | | | frustration. |