Is It Easy to Switch Countries

[writerbry]

So like this is me, I grew up and lived all my life in New York, USA. Like I'm not going to say that I absolutely hate living here, but I've never really felt a connection to American culture or people. Or an overwhelming sense of patriotism. So because of that, I do have designs on leaving one day.

There are really just two countries that I'd have in mind, England, UK & Canada. I've never actually been to Canada, so that's why I can't say that that's a place I've traveled to, experienced, and want to live there. However, I've always heard good things about Canada, and me being someone who prefers colder temperatures, I might not be a bad fit. England, on the other hand, I have been to and loved. Loved the culture, the people, the history, all that good stuff. Since I'm in college, I hope to study abroad in England to give me more of a sense if I could live there.

But that all being said, my question is how hard is it to immigrate from like the US to England or the US to Canada? Hoping that somebody on here did it or something similar. So thanks

[Woollyhats]

It is not easy. Generally you will go to school or work in another country for several years before you're allowed to immigrate. You will also want to make sure you don't accidentally relocate to a municipality that hates foriegners... not usually a problem in Canada as far as I know.

I've always wanted to move to Norway, but I don't even know their language much less do I have relevent education/experience to get a work visa from them. With England, it's just the latter problem.

You have several options, which basically include getting an education from said country (sometimes), a steady job from said country, or marrying someone from said country. I suppose none of these are HARD exactly, but you will have to change your entire life usually to immigrate to another country...

[MisterTinkles]

I have worked with a few people in the past who have tried to immigrate to other countries, including Canada. They say it is virtually impossible. You either have to have a famous status, be filthy rich, or have connections of some sort.

I have heard the best way to do this, is to work for a global organization, who will sponsor you and move you over to the country where they need people to work.

You should research whatever industry you are interested in. to see which one's rate as 5-star global companies, and have industry in the countries you want to live in. Then get an internship with that company while you are in school, so when you graduate you can go fulltime with the company. Then you can request transfer for positions over in other countries, and the company will usually pay for your move there, as well as your papers. You may have to work/live in that company for years before that government will allow you citizenship.

The USA is the only country on the planet that is so lax in immigrant citizenship, England is the next.
The rest of the countries on the planet try to limit who gets citizenship, because they dont want just anybody living in their country.

Once you pick a global company you want to work for, you might also want to research which positions in the company are easily transferred to other countries, and go for that particular position.

Company sponsorship is the easier way to go, unless you have high ranking friends in that country who will sponsor you to come over and work in that country until you gain citizenship. But thats a lot of legal paperwork for them to do....so they would REEEEEAAAALLLLY have to like you a lot to do that for you. LOL

[Bowyn Aerrow]

I think the hardest thing about moving to either of these two foreign nations is having to learn a new language....

Being a US citizen you get pretty much open access to either of these nations for long term residency.

[Ekwarph]

The USA is the only country on the planet that is so lax in immigrant citizenship, England is the next.
The rest of the countries on the planet try to limit who gets citizenship, because they dont want just anybody living in their country.

Once you pick a global company you want to work for, you might also want to research which positions in the company are easily transferred to other countries, and go for that particular position.

Err...I didn't even try to apply for a placement in a US company because of all the administrative stuffs that would have discouraged me so far. It's not that easy to move to the US...

[Ekwarph]

So like this is me, I grew up and lived all my life in New York, USA. Like I'm not going to say that I absolutely hate living here, but I've never really felt a connection to American culture or people. Or an overwhelming sense of patriotism. So because of that, I do have designs on leaving one day.

There are really just two countries that I'd have in mind, England, UK & Canada. I've never actually been to Canada, so that's why I can't say that that's a place I've traveled to, experienced, and want to live there. However, I've always heard good things about Canada, and me being someone who prefers colder temperatures, I might not be a bad fit. England, on the other hand, I have been to and loved. Loved the culture, the people, the history, all that good stuff. Since I'm in college, I hope to study abroad in England to give me more of a sense if I could live there.

But that all being said, my question is how hard is it to immigrate from like the US to England or the US to Canada? Hoping that somebody on here did it or something similar. So thanks

I don't know how it is for colleges in the US, but if you have a end of study internship or for your first professionnal experience, you should try to go abroad for that, apply in a Canadian or UK company. I don't think it would be that complicated. First, it might be for a trial, and then after...why not continuing.

[OrphanPip]

Since you're under 30 and American it's relatively easy to get a work holiday visa from the Canadian government, you just have to apply, this will allow you to work and live in Canada up to a year. The US likely has similar youth exchange visa programs with many developed countries. To immigrate permanently is a long process and usually requires a lot of money and some sort of skills or professional education that would make you a suitable immigration candidate.

If you have the money to sustain yourself I think Americans are allowed to stay in Canada pretty much forever as a visitor, but you wouldn't be allowed to work. Also, since you live in New York it's only a matter of a couple hours drive, or a 30 dollar bus ticket, to visit Canada.

[MisterTinkles]

Err...I didn't even try to apply for a placement in a US company because of all the administrative stuffs that would have discouraged me so far. It's not that easy to move to the US...

You must be doing something wrong.............or you aren't criminal enough to be let in.