Hi ,

I would like to give you brief answers to some of the questions that you have raised and would expect other people would add their opinions as well.

1. It is not difficult to apply for immigration if you understand the instructions to apply for immigration. You can apply without the assistance of immigration lawyer or consultant. If you are well qualified and can fill up the application forms properly, you may be able to get immigrant visa. I do not know how much you understand this procedure. You have to read the application kit or information available online on www.cic.gc.ca and get all the information about applying for immigration. Professionals charge fee for providing services who cannot do the job by themselves.

2. From your question it seems you are in nursing field. There is shortage of nurses in Canada and there will be good opprtunities for you to wotk as nurse after qualifying exam for RN ( registered nurse. ) There is a program available in Canada called "CARE" to assist you to process your application and become RN.

3. There is lot of snow in winter but think of all other immigrants who settle here and live in this weather. I think you will adapt to this weather without any problems. If you like you may settle to any other province where weather would be suitable for you.

4.For two bedroom, i have seen in Toronto, you may get an apartment for $850. It depends on the building and area. In some cases the rent may be over $1000 for 2 bedroom depending on the area and condition of the building. If you bring money to buy the house, i would suggest it would be a good idea to buy instead of renting an apratment.

6. In canada we have good health care system. You will be able to get OHIP card ( health card)  within 3 months of arrival but can use it after 3 months if you decide to live in Ontario. You can open you file with any doctor or clinic near your home  or residence and after making appointment with doctor, you can see him/her without any problem. But if you have some health issue in the night when your doctor is not available, you would have to go to the hospital and see doctor in After hours clinic and if that is closed too then there might be 3-4 hours waiting time to see doctor in outpatient department or emergency department.If you call ambulance and have serious problem, you will be able to see doctor immediately in the hospital.

7. I would say you can take 2/3 rd of your gross salary after deduction of taxes. 

9. Senior are treated very well here. There are lots of services availble from the canadian government for seniors.

Tanveer Sheikh <uscia@yahoo.com> 

1. You can apply your own easily by using website www.cic.gc.ca, ask for application kit and that application kit has all the information you required.
I did the same and I got success. Dont waste your money to hire a consultant/lawyer.

2. Job market in Canada is worst, especially for qualified immigrants (other than North America). If you are qualified nurse from asian country, you have to do the whole course again here otherwise your career will be spoiled.

Yes, this is correct that canadian qualified nurses gets job in the U.S.A. I went to one job fair in toronto for healthcare jobs, there are many employers came from U.S.A. and they need Nurses (high demand).

3. Canada has worst winter season, almost 8 to nine months. Especially November-March, you will face Snow Storm, Thunder Storm, Heavy raining all the time and the temperature sometimes fall into -30 to -35 degree celcius.

4. Rent are too high here in toronto, mississauga and adjacent cities. One bedroom apartment rent starting from $800 to $900. Almost 60-70% of your income goes to rent, rest of income goes to car insurance and grocery thats it.

Most immigrants prefers to buy a house rather than to pay rent. In Mississauga you can buy a house starting $300,000. But to buy a house is not an easy task. For buying a house you have a good credit history and atleast two persons of the family are doing job, then you can buy a house. If single person is working, it is not advisable to buy a house because you dont know how long your job will run (especially in Canada).

5. Canada is a very good country for education. Post seconday education in College and University is quite expensive but the good thing is that you can take loan for education very easily.

Yes, subjects are credited in all countries including U.S.A.

6. Your information is true about canadian healthcare system. Its my own experience, there is 2 to 6 hours waiting time before you go inside the hospital even if u go in emergency. Dental, vision and medicines are not free. Now you have to pay $300 in a year if your earning $20,000/year. and this premium goes upto $700 depending upon person's salary per anum. also

7. Its true, you have to pay 15% tax on most of the items you purchased.

8. Yeah, there is less racial discrimination than in the U.S, but it is increasing day by day here in Canada as well.

9. There is very good behaviour for Seniors everwhere in Canada, they also gets discounts especialy in services sector and they treated very well in Canada.

10. Canada is a peaceful country, you can live here without any fear and with peace but definitely the crime ratio is increasing slightly. In my opinion it can be ignored especially where there population is increasing due to new immigrants.

Regards,

SHAKEEL AHMED KHAN <ghouri27@yahoo.com>