Why I Moved To Canada

I first came to Canada in February 2002, after a long backpacking trip from Mexico to Brazil (yes, by bus). I hadn’t planned it but we got a good deal on a one-way ticket from Rio de Janeiro and Feng had to go back to Canada.

I came back in 2003, before going traveling again. I picked Feng up in Ottawa and we headed to Mexico. We came back early 2004, broke and tired. Time to settle… for a while. Thanks to my French passport, I got a six-months stay upon entering Canada. I was a “tourist” for that time being.

In September 2004, I came back to France for a month. I hated being just a tourist in Canada, with no right to work, study or do anything. I wanted to stay there for a while and experience life. I applied for a Working Holiday Visa and obtained it the same day. I came back to Canada on November 2004 with the year long working visa. I work small jobs, gained experience, finished my studies. I was ready to immigrate.

I decided to apply in the sponsorship category, since Feng was Canadian it made the more sense.

My Immigration Timeline

• March to April 2005: Prepared the application, gathered all the documents.
• April 19th 2005: Took the compulsory medical exam in Ottawa
• May 19th 2005: Sent the application Mississauga, ON
• June 13th 2005: The application was sent back because it wasn’t clear whether I was living in Canada or in France. Gee, it wasn’t even clear to me!
• June 18th 2005: Corrected my application and sent it back.
• July 7th 2005: Sent additional documents to the application. Our marriage certificate was missing, it took four months to get it…
• June 30th 2005: Received the first acknowledgment letter: Feng is eligible to sponsor me. Yipee!
• August 5th 2008: My application is forwarded to the Canadian office in Paris.
• September 27th 2005: The Canadian embassy in Paris acknowledges receipt of my application.
• October 20th 2005: I am approved for permanent residence in Canada! Woohoo! Can’t believe it was that fast. I had come back to France in September, and since my file wasn’t even opened yet, I thought it would take at least six months. I’m happy but… back in Canada. I send my passport to my mother who go pick up my visa in Paris.
• November 17th, 2005: Five days before the expiration of my one-year Working Holiday Visa, I become a landed immigrant. I have to travel to Prescott, USA, and then back to Canada in order to validate my visa. Weird but fun! I’m am now a permanent resident in Canada.
• August 5th 2008“  I am eligible to apply for citizenship. I sent my application.
• November 12 2008: I receive the acknowledgment letter.
• June 11 2009: I took the citizenship test in Ottawa.
• July 3rd 2009: I took the oath of citizenship and became Canadian around 12:30.
  

Looking For Immigration Info…?

If you are looking for info on how to immigrate in Canada, be sure to check the series How To… Immigrate To Canada. The Immigration category also has a lot of first hand information on how to settle in Canada, how to deal with immigration problems etc. To know more about Canada in general, you can read articles in the Canadian Life category. Finally, for info on how to apply for Canadian citizenship, check out these articles.

Good luck with your immigration project!