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| |  Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
Updated
May 18, 2009 at 03:54 PM by clay07
Hi all:
On behalf of my fellow IEN's, would someone who has gone through the process of immigrating to the different provinces in Canada, please share with us your experiences and the things we can do before actually getting there.
I know this much: I have everything so far except to be registered, and that won't happen until I get the work permit which I'll get when I land in Canada (to be issued by the Immigration Officer at the Airport). I'll then send a copy to CNO who will then review my application for general class registration. I know the process varies with each province. Please share your experiences.
Also, here are some other areas I'd like to be addressed please: - How long after you entering the country did you wait to finally be registered as a nurse? (I know it varies, I just need an estimated time or just share with me your experience-if you don't mind).
- How did you go about apartment searching before arriving in Canada? Did you trust the rental agencies or did you have a family member or friend do the physical search for you? Some of us have neither, speak to this possibility as well please (that is doing it on your own).
- What do we need to get started? Such as a social insurance number (SIN), is there anything else?
- Where can we get the SIN and other?
- What do we need to take in when applying for the SIN?
- Do we need our social insurance number to transact every business, such as getting an apartment?
- How long did you have to wait to get your SIN?
- I know that to have been issued a work permit one would have needed to have a job offer, so while waiting to be registered, were you able to work as a nurses' aid or something so as to get paid in the mean time? Was that possible for you? Any other suggestions?
- How did you manage to take care of expenses (living, utilities, msc.) while waiting to be registered and not being able to work as a nurse? (if that is too personal, forgive me, it doesn't have to be detailed, just suggestions)
- How long did you wait before changing status from work permit to permanent resident?
- If you have additional info, please feel free to post.
I really appreciate you all for your contribution. Thanks in advance. 
IEN. 
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May 18, 2009, 09:00 PM
 Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
SIN is easy to get and you get a copy of the number when you apply and a card is sent through the post. You do not need SIN to open bank account. Not sure on rentals as we bought our house http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/index.shtml
You will not get work permit until you have been given the OK and that usually means medical and other requirements like LMO and if it is anything like what is on my husband's you can only work for the employer mentioned on the TWP in the capacity of the TWP.
I would suggest you save as much as you can as rent may require a bond. I know Nova Scotia power required us to put a deposit down with us being new customers, so may be something similar in other provinces.
Will post some more tomorrow when I have chance to look into it a bit more
| | No. 2 |
May 18, 2009, 09:40 PM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
Thanks Silverdragon!
I have received the LMO and medical, plus letter of approval. The approval is issued by the embassy when they have found you eligible. You then give this letter of approval to the immigration officer upon your arrival in Canada and he/she will issue (at their discretion) the actual work permit. I don't know if this process varies with countries, I am Jamaican. Geesh... I just need to land in Canada (there are a lot of factors surrounding why I have not moved yet). I should start working in July, but I don't know if it will happen considering I haven't been registered yet, plus I have heard horror stories about how long it takes! I have heard it depends on when the board meets to review applications, so if they receive the application after they have met for that month, then that's another month lost.
Saving is definitely a part of the plan! I am glad to know the SIN is not necessary to open an account.
Thanks for your help in resourcing information.
| | No. 4 |
May 19, 2009, 09:31 AM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier. Originally Posted by Silverdragon102  It is the same as far as I am aware for all countries. TWP or PR is sorted when you land. What visa are you actually getting? That will be the deciding factor on whether you can work or not. If TWP then you are restricted to employer that you signed a contract with. If PR then you can work anywhere
Thanks Silverdragon:
My visa is a TWP (temporary work permit). I have been trying to find information on how long after arriving and working in Canada can I change my status and apply for PR (permanent residence).
Started the process in September 08, applied to do the CRNE, got assessed by November, did exam in Feb. and the interview at the hospital, got job offer and LMO in April, did interview at embassy also in April as well as medical, now waiting to make the move to Canada...process took ~8 months. I have not worked since June 08, life happened and I had to come home (suffered a loss...several losses). Money saved up slowly depleted because of the process and other expenses...which is why I was asking about alternatives on how to "get by" in the first few months upon waiting registration. Will have money to take care of first couple of months but if I don't get registered there after I...
I am also sure my situation is not unique, I am sure many have overcome similar circumstances, so I again implore those who have, to kindly share such experiences. Thank you.
| | No. 5 |
May 19, 2009, 09:51 AM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
I just found this link regarding changing status from TWP to PR. Please note it is not the official website of the CIC, so any information provided is not generic and is restricted to the opinion or research of those mentioned on the site itself. http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Fast_T...ication-Canada | | No. 6 |
May 19, 2009, 01:20 PM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier. Originally Posted by clay07 Thanks Silverdragon:
My visa is a TWP (temporary work permit). I have been trying to find information on how long after arriving and working in Canada can I change my status and apply for PR (permanent residence).
Started the process in September 08, applied to do the CRNE, got assessed by November, did exam in Feb. and the interview at the hospital, got job offer and LMO in April, did interview at embassy also in April as well as medical, now waiting to make the move to Canada...process took ~8 months. I have not worked since June 08, life happened and I had to come home (suffered a loss...several losses). Money saved up slowly depleted because of the process and other expenses...which is why I was asking about alternatives on how to "get by" in the first few months upon waiting registration. Will have money to take care of first couple of months but if I don't get registered there after I...
I am also sure my situation is not unique, I am sure many have overcome similar circumstances, so I again implore those who have, to kindly share such experiences. Thank you.
If you have already taken and passed CRNE then I think you are already registered and shouldn't have to take long to work. Your TWP will be only specific to your employer and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't start working as a nurse straight away, well once you get sorted. I also think you should be able to start PR within a few months of working but may need a letter from employer confirming employment. I am here in Canada on husband's TWP and we are planning on starting the process in the next 2 months but it is a bit expensive and we have had other financial issues that took priority, otherwise we would have started the process last year
| | No. 7 |
May 19, 2009, 01:36 PM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
I asked the canadian embassy about that. They answered me that both applications are independent, as long as you qualify as a skilled worker you can apply at the same time, one after the other, it doesn't matter.
If you go the prp route, that depends on the province, in some you have to work there for 6 months before you can apply.
5cats
| | No. 8 |
May 19, 2009, 06:40 PM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier. Originally Posted by Silverdragon102 If you have already taken and passed CRNE then I think you are already registered and shouldn't have to take long to work. Your TWP will be only specific to your employer and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't start working as a nurse straight away, well once you get sorted. I also think you should be able to start PR within a few months of working but may need a letter from employer confirming employment. I am here in Canada on husband's TWP and we are planning on starting the process in the next 2 months but it is a bit expensive and we have had other financial issues that took priority, otherwise we would have started the process last year
That's what I thought, but when I called CNO, the receptionist told me otherwise, I think it was a case of miscommunication because after talking to her I was still left clueless. WIll call them back tomorrow. Thanks for confirming my original thought/understanding though Silverdragon, because I honestly thought I would have had to wait another month or two before being registered. Whoo...that's a relief.
I think I'll leave before the beginning of next month so as to get the copy of the work permit to CNO in time to begin working in July.
| | No. 9 |
Jun 08, 2009, 07:33 AM
Re: Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.
This is the first time I am posting....I was really touched by clay07 story (from since she was in the USA to when you did your CRNE).
I am in the exact same shoe she was in...worked in the USA as a nurse under OPT and now I am considering becoming a nurse in Canada but I have couple of questions that I need help with.
1.What can I do to get my applications processed ASAP?
2. Any tips on how you did your study towards the CRNA (did you use your American text books and NCLEX revision question)?
3.What is the difference between NCLEX questions and CRNA?
4.Plssss if somebody has notes to help study please email me so I can get started.
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