Stay in usa or move to Canada
To texancanadian and others alike.
USA or Canada. What a choice. Risky freedom, facing unknown or volunteer slavery with uncertain outcome. I have been perplexed by this dilemma for the past two years. At this point in time I am inclined to make a decision, but it is not a clear cut one. As many of you my wife and I came to US on F1, both got masters degrees from one of the famous Texas Universities, both adjusted status to H-1. While still at school, applied for Canadian PR, got blazing fast “Approved” in 12 months and here it all started. First of all for me, like for many of us, Canada has always been as second choice (aka insurance policy) with the ultimate goal of USA GC. Well, I was in a situation where Canadian PR was just around the corner, and Labor Certification process has not even started. We passed Canadian medicals and then wrote an argumentative letter to Buffalo folks, explaining why we had problem landing at that time. A lady called me from Buffalo, we had nice conversation and I bargained one year extension in exchange that I will have to submit new medicals, new FBI clearances and new financials. Boy, was I glad to get this extension. So I decided to follow these two strategic directions (USA GC and Canada PR):
1. Fueled by this opportunity, “my company” started Labor Certification process. Just about at the time of filing LC long waited PERM was enacted. Submitted LC, got yet another blazing fast “Approved” in 17 days. I just could not believe it. After hearing and knowing horror stories how LC takes from 4 to 5 years to get adjudicated I was like WOW. Unfortunately my joy did not last long. All familiar retrogression in EB-3 and estimated waiting time of about 4.5 years, (PD – 10/05) which immigration professionals estimate would easily stretch to 10 years or more in reality. Then filed I-140, got yet another blazing fast “Approved” in three weeks.
2. Continued my online research about Canada. I logged countless hours reading any and all available information about anything Canadian. While LC process was under way we passed second medicals and received second FBI clearances. Then in July 2005 we went on “reconnaissance mission” on a tourist visa. No H1-B stamp in a passport, just I-797 and I-94. Niagara Falls there, Port Huron/Sarnia back, with no problem. We drove from TX to Toronto and stayed there for a week. After first day of touring CN tower and other highlights, I did everything possible to find out how would it really feel to be a Canadian. I talked to at least 20 people from at least ten countries, carefully listening to their life stories, trying to find out what is life in Canada looks like. I drove around almost all Toronto neighborhoods, visited stores, houses, employment agencies and other places, which I would normally visit if I had moved. I was like K-9 unit, sneaking, sniffing, and asking questions about everything. I compared prices for food, clothing, housing and services in Toronto with my “gage” Dallas TX. It was not exactly apples to apples comparison, but that was the best I could do. Besides Dallas was my second best option, which I really want to be my fist best. Many places in Toronto were very much like in US which I liked, but there were plenty of places which looked exactly like in my own “India” (no offense to folks from India, we are all in the same boat), and I did not like it. I felt like am getting back to where I ran away from (third world scenario). Overall Toronto is great place, wonderful city, very liberal and cosmopolitan (nothing like TX). I would certainly live there, no questions asked. But it all boils down to “the JOB” issue.
Just about the time my I-140 got approved, Canadian folks sent us a “Grey Envelope”.
I am planning to land in the next few months and do just like many of you already have done (short trip there and back). I have been so obsessed with getting GCs that over time I became near expert in many USA/Canada immigration issues.
I have described my background on purpose so it will be clearer to you guys how my thought process has been formulated. It all depends on what you stand to gain and what you stand to loose and how valuable is for you what you stand to gain and what you stand to loose. If you are like me, love freedom and sick of H1-B shackles, Canada is certainly sounds very attractive. If you are like me, determined and driven by success (read money) and accomplishment with exploding entrepreneurial mind, the USA is the place to be. If the weather is the factor for you, I can share my personal experience. I have lived in third world European country with climate very similar to that of Canada. I have worked for eight years outside all year round and got every bone in my body frozen. After moving to TX, where summer is boiling hot, spring and fall are like moderate summer and winter is like cold summer, I loved it for the first 5 years and felt like am warming up. But after 5 years I feel grilled like a barbeque, and ready for some snow. While living in the USA I have developed some friends and acquaintances. These are the people I turn to in good or bad. As much as I love Canada, I have absolutely nobody there, and I hate starting from scratch yet again. Housing is another consideration. For those of you at least slightly familiar with TX, this is the place where your money can buy biggest house in North America. I have 2000 square feet house in TX. Half of that house in Toronto would cost me 3.5 times as much. Yes many of you, especially who live up north, will smile and say what about these bible belt conservative rednecks. Yes they are here, there are lots of them, but you get used to them just like to anything else and in while you don’t even pay attention. And now, most important “the JOB” issue. For those of you ready to climb the ladder again stating with the “small” steps like being security guard and alike, Canada will be the right choice. I have made so many “small” steps in my life, that I can’t even imagine in my worst nightmare my analytical, entrepreneurial mind to be brain-cuffed by security guard uniform or anything of that nature.
The decision that I am inclined to make for myself is: I will land and try to keep my Canadian PR “alive” for as long as I could, which I eventually loose. Meanwhile I will fight till fist blood for my status, prosperity and “American dream” in the country which makes deserving, tax paying guys like us, suffer so much, so unfairly. Another thought for you guys. During my life I have lived in and studied immigration regulations of many European countries including USA, GB, Canada and Australia. Despite this much hated “immigration grinder” the USA is still one of the friendliest countries in the world with plenty of opportunities.
I hope my thoughts will help your thoughts.
