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Vancouver Info
Information for
Immigrants from the British Isles.
This part of our website is dedicated to providing
information and helpful hints to new or prospective immigrants from the UK
intending to settle in the Vancouver area. This program, we call the "English
Welcome", is a friendly service by volunteer members of the Society who want to
help you arrive safely and to acclimatise to this beautiful part of the world.
If you are serious about immigrating to Canada then please read on. There are
numerous source of general information to for prospective immigrants.
One
we could recommend is the "Canada News" paper. Subscription information
available at:
Outbound Newspapers, 1 Commercial Road, Eastbourne, East
Sussex BN21 3XQ, UK. or by by calling 01323 649249.
The Immigration Process
Immigration to Canada is controlled by "Citizenship
and Immigration Canada" or CIC They have an extensive website at
www.cic.gc.ca which contains most of the
information and forms required to start the process. Unfortunately the process
of filling out the forms, getting the necessary back-up documents and avoiding
damaging mistakes is not straight forward and many aspiring immigrants rely on
an "immigration consultant" to help them wade through the paperwork for a fee.
The St. Georges Society would like to help you work through this process on
your own and suggest that if you do need assistance for a special case then you
should use a lawyer specialising in immigration matters and who is registered
as such.
Helpful Hints for New
Immigrants
For a list of useful
facts, hints and suggestions for the new immigrant to the Vancouver area go to
Helpful Hints
Employment Help Network
The Society is
developing a "Network" of members and friends who are willing and able to help
newcomers from Britain find employment in their field. This project is at an
early stage but shows promise. For most occupations and professions the most
difficult part of the settling-in process is finding employment. The network of
members and contacts is intended to help you find that all important first job.
We have members experienced in many occupations, who are offering their
services to help newcomers from Britain. If you would like to find out more
then phone, fax or email Dan Brown at
stgeorge@telus.net
Another advantage of using (and taking part
in) this "network" and of joining the Society of St.George is the valuable and
friendly contacts you develop with others in your position from the UK.
Employment Finding Sites
For general background the internet and local
newspapers are a good source of information. The local newspaper is the
Vancouver Sun at
www.vancouversun.com
or the career finder site at
www.careerclick.com.
Another general information site can be found at
www.about.com. Then there
are other more direct local job hunting sites like the one at
UBC
UBC/CSSA job site or
BC Job finder.
Local Schools
If the
education of your children is a concern, you will want an understanding of the
school system in British Columbia. For more information click here
Greater Vancouver Schools as a
good place to start.
Questions?
For more
information or for specific inquiries, please email Dan Brown at
stgeorge@telus.net
About Vancouver
We are all proud of this beautiful,
vibrant city, "The jewel of Canada!" within the scenic paradise of the Province
of British Columbia. We like to think that new immigrants from Britain will
choose British Columbia when they have done their research on the best place to
settle. We even offer a lighthearted comparison of our city with Toronto and
Calgary at Vancouver's My
Choice
For more information on Vancouver and its surroundings, the best
place to start is through the internet and we have included a few links here
including Tourism
Vancouver
If you'd rather write or fax then try
the:
Vancouver Tourist
Information Center
Plaza Level,
200 Burrard Street.
Vancouver,
BC.
V6C 3L6.
or talk to your
travel agent or get in touch with us directly.
There is another good
website for Vancouver at
Vancouver web
pages.
For local news there is the
Vancouver Sun
then there are Government resources etc. The more detailed information required
by hopeful and prospective immigrants needs more careful research, and our
members are willing to help you get started, so contact us.
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