Things to know before you go to Canada



If you have ever seen movies about Wild West and Gold Rush, Canada is all about that. Huge opportunities, but very challenging life.

Citizenship

Depending on the type of visa and the status you apply for, where you from and who you are there are various time scales for getting the positive response from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office. Here are few examples:

1.1 Professor from Europe. It will take from 3 up to 5 years to get a work permit and on top of that he/she will have to pay reasonable amount of money to a lawyer if the person doesn't know how to fill the application forms out and how to go on. Please keep in mind that there are no benefits from the Canadian government in terms of financial support and assistance in the job search.

1.2 African orphan. No education or work experience is required. Persons like that normally receive a Canadian landed immigrant status in less than 6 months. While waiting the Canadian government will provide the person with the financial support, a house to live and any other benefits Canadian citizens receive. After getting the landed immigrant's status the person will be able to get free of charge education in Canada.

1.3 Refugee. Everything depends on the story, but normally it takes approximately 2 years to get the landed immigrant's status. To be honest with you I haven't met any real refugee here in Canada. Normally stories are made up. The most popular story is a gay marriage - we were treated in very bad ways in our country; therefore, we moved to Canada. Even made up stories go through and people get the Canadian citizenship. During waiting process the refugees will receive Canadian government's support in terms of money and they will be allowed to work officially in Canada.

1.4 Marriage. It doesn't work any more even if you have a kid from a Canadian citizen.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Work in Canada

Canada experiences shortage of skilled workers, but it is very challenging or almost impossible to find a job in your skilled worker's field. For somebody it takes years, for others - forever. If you want to survive you will have to step over your ego and you will have to do the things you have never done before or have done with very ugly feelings. Normally immigrants work in factories, in construction fields, as the cab drivers, as the house cleaners or they do any other low salary jobs.

Please remember that it doesn't matter how many degrees you have or how huge your work experience is. All these things don't count here in Canada unless you are able to switch or transfer your diplomas and certificates into the Canadian style.

Here are few things you should know about the employers in Canada:

1.1 If you apply for a job normally you will not get any response from the Canadian company. They don't communicate.

1.2 You can find a cash job in Canada, which is illegal, but apparently Canadian government doesn't really care. Canadian citizens who receive welfare or unemployment insurance and immigrants who are not allowed to work still work unofficially. Cash jobs are mainly available in the service providing businesses like B&Bs, pizzerias, construction etc.

1.3 You will never feel safe while working for a Canadian employer because they love to lay off employees without prior notifications. Know your rights and fight back.

1.4 Canadian employers normally don't conclude employment contracts. If you get paychecks, you are in a sense able to prove that you worked for that particular employer.

Canadians

People in Canada say that they are very friendly, which is not really a truth because they normally say what they think you would be willing to hear. They are not honest! You will face hard times making new friends with the Canadians because even if they don't like you they will tell you that they like you a lot. Normally they give their phone numbers to the new acquaintance, but they usually don't answer phone calls. If you have studies at a university or a school you might experience overload of new friends because of the students' life style.

Canadians find it normal:

- to fart or burp while having a food or while hanging out with other people;

- to promise and not to keep his/her word;

- not to answer phone calls and messages;

- not to work at all because of the Candian welfare system. They just don't have to work;

- to wear pajama pants while walking on the streets.

Tips for men

Here are few things guys should know or you will get into HUGE trouble - penalties and/or terms in prison:

1.1 Remember, women in Canada are equal to men!

1.2 Don't treat women in Canada in the way you treat them in your home country.

1.3 Don't touch unknown women, don't slap their buttoms, don't ask them to show intimate parts of their bodies etc. They will tell you when they want you to express yourself in action.

1.4 If you meet a girl you like, don't post pone anything for tomorrow, because you'll not meet her any more unless she is from a post soviet country. Even if she gives you her phone number and tells different cool things, remember, that's bulls**t! You are in Canada! Canadians normally don't answer phone calls or messages. But of course you can try.

1.5 Girls who have boyfriends hang out with other guys too, because they are equal to men. It's like a guy hanging out with a guy. Here in Canada there are no two genders! No wonder here are so many gay people around.

1.6 There are very many gay people in Canada; so, be prepared for unusual things.

Tips for women

Here are few things ladies should know:

1.1 In Canada women and men are equal.

1.2 Canadian guys will not pay for you at a pub, restaurant or caffe.

1.3 Canadian guys will not treat you as the woman in the way guys treat women in Europe. Nobody will open a door for you or will give you a seat.

1.4 Don't put too much cosmetics on your face and don't ware too short skirts or Canadians will think that you are a prostitute. When you hang out with your friends after work, that's fine.

Racism

It is said that there is no racism in Canada, but please note these very simple things:

1. In Canada you will be evaluated by your outer appearance. If you have an asian or an african look, you will experience hard times especially in the smaller towns. Canadians say that they are friendly, but they are not. They say lots of things they don't mean. It is better to go to the big cities where you can find communities from your native countries. They will help you, but not the Canadians.

2. If you are white, but have an accent, you'll be labeled as the Russian and it doesn't matter where you are from. Take it easy, improve your English and everything will be good.

Drugs

Drugs are illegal in Canada, but very many people smoke dope and/or swallow pills in different colors and shapes. All that stuff is very easily accessible on the streets, clubs and pubs. If you smoke weed on the street, you will not get any penalty, but for drinking a beer you'll get a 400CAD ticket.

Canadian banks

Canadian bank is not your ordinary bank; therefore, here are the few important things you should know:

1.1 They don't have VISA, MasterCard etc debit cards, but they have the so called "client cards", which can be used in ATMs, but cannot be used on the Internet.

1.2 Credit cards are being issued to the citizens of Canada only with some exceptions. Without a Canadian credit card you're not be able to perform very many things e.g. switch plans for your cell phone.

1.3 Don't ask a bank's clerk for advise e.g. how to get a credit card. They will not tell you. Be specific in your questions, like "how can i apply for visa rewards credit card?". Remember, usually all the information is available online. Take your time and read it. If there is the dead end, use online customer support.

1.4 International wire transfer is the big thing in Canada. Usually there is only one specialist at a bank who knows how to perform one.

1.5 Your account manager will never answer the phone. So, don't be upset, use the online customers support on the internet. They will answer you within 2 business days.

1.6 During the first year you'll not be able to send money from your account to any other bank in Canada or abroad. You will have to go the bank and ask their permission to do that. If they feel good about it then you'll be able to send your money whenever you want to. This is one of the reasons why Canadian banks are so strong - you cannot get your money out so easily!