Compare US with Canada. Might be useful to all of us!

G

gcnowhope

Registered Users (C)
Hi all!

I thought we should make comparisons between the USA and Canada so we know our
positions and opportunities and see whether it\'s worth (probably for many of us) to suffer through
the GC process and in the meantime being exploited like hell.

I personally wouldn\'t want to live in Canada just like that, but I started getting a GC in the US (I am on H1 now) and
noticed my employer is not letting me know about what\'s happening with my case even though he promised.
After asking him several times, I am getting tired of the while thing.

Since immigrating into Canada can be done individually and also, Canada places IT pros in favorite categories,
why don\'t try and get rid of being exploited and be able to choose jobs you want and like.

As I said such cases might not apply to all of us, but there are really some extreme cases, and I am only talking about those.
Please accept my apologies if this is frustrating or it sounds overkill to you, but I think it would not hurt to anyone to get a few
ideas about the differences, positive and negative things about the two countries.

So I came up with couple factors like:

tax,
jobs,
salaries in IT industry,
people (in general),
laws,
safety,
family support,
health care (I know it is all federal, I mean here more the quality of health care),
life in big cities vs. suburbs,
and life in general with their counterparts in the USA.

So guys, please share any experiences in these (and not only) areas.
 
Very good reply!

Thank you for replying and sharing in detail your experience.

It\'s been good reading it and at the same time I felt very sorry for you, although the worse is over. I am convinced that you did the right thing getting immigration in Canada and my answer is NO to your question!

But, still so many of us think and try hard that this is gonna be over, it is just during you get THAT GC. Which I still think too, but at least I have a limit, over which I won\'t let exploitation go and think more seriously in Canada PR. You just firmed the thought that you can live free at almost the same level, and eventually mental peace is everything.

Thank you again for your reply and sorry if I made you think to those not so good years. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
 
I think about it everyday.

Good postings, both of you. I too have had my share of bitterness in pursuing a GC. In the meantime, everything is on hold. You ask yourself questions about planning your life, your retirement, your kid\'s education, etc. You can\'t plan these full-hearted because you are afraid someday you may have to leave this country. Even though I am not in hot water with employment besides the big GC sword hanging above my head, part of me want to across the border for freedom and peace, while the other part is just tired (or afraid?)of starting fresh, resumes, interviews.

I am glad we share similar feelings. Good luck wherever you are.
 
I never thought that I would share this with anyone but...

I am Canadian. To tell the truth, I think living in Canada is more comfortable than living in US BUT one has to set his/her own priority/goal. Due to my personal reason, I have to earn big bucks after I graduated in Canada (that was in 98.) I posted my resume on-line. Got hired by a firm in East Coast the next month. They paid me way below average (I didn\'t know much about the salary as it was higher than the salary in Canada.) I didn\'t think about GC because I know deep down in my heart, I will go back to Canada some day. Things changed when I got married. My wife wanted to work but she can\'t work because of her status. So, I started the GC process even though my relationship with my company has become tense. I never thought that my company would actually "take advantage" of me. There were several times when I thought of quiting the job because it wasn\'t worth it to work so hard for the company. I felt like I lost my freedom once I started my GC. GC is only part of my life since I don\'t care much about it but it\'s a big deal for my wife. So, I will keep praying to the God until I get the approval.
 
Very good reply!

Thank you for replying and sharing in detail your experience.

It\'s been good reading it and at the same time I felt very sorry for you, although the worse is over. I am convinced that you did the right thing getting immigration in Canada and my answer is NO to your question!

But, still so many of us think and try hard that this is gonna be over, it is just during you get THAT GC. Which I still think too, but at least I have a limit, over which I won\'t let exploitation go and think more seriouslyin Canada PR. You just firmed the thought that you can live free at almost the same level, and eventually mental peace is everything.

Thank you again for your reply and sorry if I made you think to those not so good years. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
 
Thanks Moloy

Thank You moloy for the valuable information u shared with us. Can u tell m ehow long it took for u to get the Canada PR done and from which post u applied for??

   Thanks,
     ankur
 
Excellent Email

This is one of the most comprehensive emails I have read on the issue. I recently obtained my Canadian PR and also pursuing my GC here in the US. My analysis on the situation is that you have comparable lifestyles in both countries. If you pay $200,000 in US dollars for a home here, then you would pay $2000 Canadian for a similar house/area. The bottom line is - if you save 100K in the US in 5 years, you will save 100K canadian during the same peroid of time. This does not really matter if you plan to stay back in Canada. However, at some point if you want to immigrate back to the US, you only have $65,000 in US Dollars. Ottawa/Kanata is the software capital of Canada.
 
Excellent!

I hoped that we\'ll come up with some figures one day!!!

This is a very important aspect of why I have initiated this thread.
Of course, most of us have difficulties here in the US (otherwise we would not even look towards Canada...), and we have to listen to each other\'s problems and if we can help and encourage each other.

But yes, figures, about the factors mentioned! So, guys if you have specific info please feel free to post it.

Thanks again!
 
How u got the interview waived

Hi Moloy,
      How did u get the interview waived. Did u apply directly or through any consulting firm? I am planning to apply for Canadian PR soon. Pls advice me in this regard. Currently i am in USA on H1B.

         Thanks.
 
There are good and bad things on either side of the border.

Let me chip in with my $0.02.
I have gone through the entire cycle of F1->H1->H1(extension)->Landed-Immigrant->US-GreenCard, with US-GC stamped on passport just yesterday.

I have lived in Vancouver,Canada for the past year. There are very few differences between the lifestyle in US and Canada on the surface, but after living in a place for some time and following the news and reading about the opinions on different issues, I have come to the conclusion that there are indeed many differences between the two neighbours.

1) Canada is a much more liberal country. Their attitude towards new immigrants is quite welcoming. They are willing to go out of their way to make life easier for new arrivals. In US every newcomer is expected to fend for themselves.

2) There is more dependence on government programs in Canada than in US. The high tax rate is somewhat justifiable, but not entirely. The government run services do work, however I can\'t imagine they are as efficient as privately run services in US.

3) The government employees in Canada (e.g. in Immigration, CCRA etc.) are far more polite and courteous than their counterparts in US (INS and IRS). The difference is like night and day.

4) Canada\'s foreign policy is the one I like a lot, compared to US. Canadians generally mind their own business in world affairs and don\'t go around playing policemen of the planet. That is why they have few (if any) enemies in the world. They don\'t have to spend ugly amounts of money on defence and security.

5) One problem in Canada is the enormous power of unions. At any given time there is are at least two strikes going on the the Vancouver area. There is very little accountability for the pain and suffering of the common people because of all the work-actions.

6) The health care system in Canada is inexpensive, however you get what you pay for. The regular visits to a family doctor are fine, however if you ever need to see a specialist then the waiting times can easily be in months.

In conclusion there are many good things about Canada. I did not have any problem in living here this past year and I will always have good memories of this beautiful country.

My decision of moving back to US has less to do with personal choice and more with career enhancement. I don\'t really want to change jobs right now and my current employer would like me to come back to California.

I have been lucky with my employer. They have stood by me through thick and thin (they paid for Canadian immigration, US immigration, relocation to our Vancouver office etc.), so I feel a certain sense of obligation towards them as well.

Good luck to everyone.
 
Regarding documents for assets

Hi Moloy,

  Thanks a lot for the information. Can you please give me one more information. I want to know whether the documents in support of assets should be submitted along with the application or it can be submitted later? I am not having the required bank balance in my account in US. Can i show my assets in my country other than bank deposit?

   Your advice is appreciated.

      Thanks.
 
Info. pl.

Some questions:

- If someone applies for CPR (Canada PR) individually, after getting the PR- is it possible to get unemployment benefits if the job is not immedialtely avaialble?

-How soon can one file for the parents after getting the PR on individual basis?

Thanks in advance,
 
Birdy, one question for you

When you got your passport stamped for US GC, did you get all your goods with you and move at once. OR did you get it stamped come back to Vancouver and now planning to send all goods via a moving service?

Thanks for any replies.
 
I know financial requirement is must ..

but FBI check can be done anytime before the interview. Many have done it and never got delayed.
 
Dear meloy!

meloy,
  Submitting FBI report right away definitly keeps application straight. I know several people whose process didn\'t got delayed. The more latest the FBI report the better for immigration. The immigration also understands that getting FBI or Police clearance takes time.
 
Thank You very much Moloy

Dear Moloy,
   Thank You so much for the detailed reply and information for the queries. As u said it is not wise to waste time. I will submit the application for PR as soon as possible. Once again Thanks and Best Wishes to you and your family.
 
I\'m back in Vancouver for another month.

I got my passport stamped at the US border post in Blaine, Washington then turned around and drove back into Canada because I will not be moving for another month.
 
Financial Aspects

It was interesting to read your experiences and you have a good understanding of the lifestyles in both countries. Can you throw some light(compare) on money matters - salaries, cost of living, saving potential etc. Numbers/Examples will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance !!
 
Some differences.

I will try and answer to the best of my knowledge. This has been my experience only so others may differ:

Salary : The salaries are lower in Canada. The ratio is almost 1:1 to US. So if you were making 60K in USD, you should expect to make 60K in Can$.

Taxes : These are higher in Canada than US. Not just Income tax but sales tax too (BC has 14% ouch!!!). The income tax is graded with the tax rate getting steeper as the income increases (much steeper than US).

Cost of Living : My frame of comparison is between bay-area and Vancouver. Major expenses are Rent, Food, Others (gas, telephone, medical etc.)

Rent : In this regard Vancouver is fairly cheap compared to bay-area rents. e.g. you can get a 3-br townhouse in suburbs of Vancouver for as little as $1100 (Cdn). In bay-area you will get a 1-br apartment for $1100 USD.

Food : Again Vancouver is cheaper than California. The difference is not much if you convert USD to CDN 1:1

Gas, Phone etc : About the same.

Medical : Much cheaper in Canada than US. A family of 4 is totally covered for $72 CDN/month. If you have a job than a lot of times the employer pays either all or part of this permium.

Savings : Again it is up to the individual. But it is not very hard to live within your means in Canada. The basic necessities are quite inexpensive. You can also find cheaper accomodations (e.g. 2 Br basement suite in Surry can be had for as little as $500 Cdn/month).

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you birdy!

Figures tell more as to what one should expect. It really helps.
So thank you again.

Now that I (we) know more about the western side of Canada, is there anyone of you who could compare the western and eastern side of Canada? Like Toronto for example...

I guess there is not much difference, this is just curiousity.
 
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