WESTCAN---CANADA

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS EX-PAT BRITISH TRUCKERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

I APPLIED TO WESTCAN , AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ABOUT £25000 WITH ME TO SUBSIDISE THE WAGES I WOULD BE EARNING FOR THE FIRST YEAR WHILE I WAS TRAINING. I ALSO HAVE A CRIM / RECORD FROM 20 YEARS AGO , AND THEY TOLD ME DONT WORRY NO PROBLEM ITS MORE THEN 10 YEARS .
I ASKED IF I COULD COME OVER ON MY OWN AND GET ESTABLISHED THEN BRING MY FAMILY OVER, THEY EMAILED AS FOLLOWS BELOW.

IF YOUR CONSIDERING CANADA BE CAREFUL ( JUST MY PERSONNEL THOUGHTS) HOPE THIS INFO WILL HELP.

scornford@phl.ca wrote:

Hi Steve

The reason why we recommend that families bring that amount is we’ve
learned from experience that arriving with only a small amount just
doesn’t work, we’ve had families come with only $16,000 and after 3
months they’ve gone back to the UK as they’ve been unable to make it
work. As I explained the first year you are classed as training and the
wages reflect that. You have to take into account all sorts of things,
cost of a car, and deposits on everything from rent to all amenities.
None of your goods like kettles, irons etc will work over here so you
have to buy new. If you’re going to be buying a house that will be a
big portion of your budget. Then you have your removal costs from the UK
plus flights for everyone, we only pay for the driver’s outbound flight.
Then you have to remember that none of your benefits kick in until
you’ve completed 3 months service so all visits to the dentist or
doctors you have to pay for, plus any prescription charges.

You have 2 children under the age of 6 and so one would go to pre-school
which you have to pay for, they start kindergarten at 5 but only
mornings or afternoons. Any activities the children get involved in you
have to pay for and pay registration fees. Children are not allowed to
stay in for lunch they have to come home unless it’s an emergency, so
Sarah would be back and forth the school 4 times a day, so you have to
take this into account when budgeting for cars and gas. I’m sure on
reading this you might think I’m painting a black picture but we don’t
want to be brining families over just to go back 3 months later because
they haven’t come with enough funds. Myself and Jon came with over
$60,000 and in the first 3 months went through $50,000, a big portion of
that was on the car and deposit for our house but I know of other
families that have come with the same and have just rented and they’ve
told me that their glad they came with what they did as anything less
and they’d have ended up going back to the UK. Even on what you’ve told
me about what funds you have I think for a family of 5 you will be on a
tight budget.

As for your conviction that wouldn’t be a problem as it’s over 10 years
old and the only thing you’d have to do is apply to the High Commission
for your Work Permit. How the SNIP works is once you’ve completed 6
months with us you have an evaluation and get your guaranteed job offer,
this allows you to apply for your Provincial Nominee Number and to put
in your papers for Permanent Residency and to renew your Work Permit
This is where you start paying out the money, renewal of work permit
and/or work permit/visitor permit for Sarah and children $300,
processing fee for PR total $1,550, medical total $820, if offered PR,
Landed Immigrant fee total $1000 plus you have lots of photos taken
along the way and these work out at about $10 a time for each person.
We managed on just Jon’s wage for nearly 2 years but we only have one
daughter and came with a lot more money. I think you really need to look
at your funds before we go any further. If you think you’d be able to
manage on just the $40,000 I’d have to go to my manager before
proceeding any further as I’ve already stated we want to bring you here
to stay and not to be going back after only a few months. I know we are
still at the early stage and we’ve not yet received your application but
please talk things over with Sarah and let me know if you want to
proceed any further.

Regards,

Sandra
:question:

2

WoW she’s painted a bigger picture on the whole situation eyes opened wide :open_mouth:

3

it is great to see some one takeing the time to

explain some of the whys and wherefores

as regards goimg over to Canada, , and yes it is

true ,better to take the time and trouble to be

prepared, for difficulties, and have the means to

cover these problems, thanks a lot steveo1

for shareing this with every one,

4

Yep, you need money to make it work in Canada. I’m looking at a $10,000 budget to go back, but I’m single, and intend living in the truck, so no kids, no car, no appartment. That cuts the needed budget down a lot. If you’re willing to do it in stages, and go over ahead of your family by a few months, then you can stage your expenditure.

5

Allikat,
You say on Truckscan that you may try expedite/hotshot work for awhile,how will you live in these trucks, are the majority of them not daycabs :question:
Would you not be better looking for trucking company that runs team (dare I mention Yanke :question: :exclamation: :exclamation: ) as here you could work with a fellow female trainer and your previous N.American trucking experience limited as it was :blush: may count for something. :slight_smile:

6

I’m looking for long haul expedite work, which has sleepers…
And to get an artic job over there will need a class 1 here :frowning: A few months in the same equipment they use counts for nothing it seems. My plan is to go out there, pay for truck school and get the AZ artic licence anyway… then move on to “semi” trucks at some point.

7

I don’t know how your going to do it legally as the ONLY way I know is through PNP/HRSDC and you know you have to be an artic truck driver or diesel mechanic.There will be PLENTY of trucking companies who will offer you a job but getting a LEGAL work permit will be another thing altogether.
Going through the “normal” imigration channels via CIC which I’m led to believe takes years and usually you need a university degree or £200k+ in savings plus a dam good business plan to present :exclamation: :exclamation:
You said on Truckscan somebody is “lending” you the money for truck school,is this the $10000cdn you will be taking with you :question:
Even though you are single £5k won’t go far,they are telling your on this very thread you need £25k minimum :exclamation: :exclamation:
You can’t start “living in the truck” from the day you get there :exclamation: :exclamation:
Didn’t you already pay out some $5000 originally to some dodgy Canadian imigration lawyer a couple of years ago :question:

In my opinion you would be better to take your class 1 here, do your two years experience driving artics and maybe even do another harvest run to the States as well and get in “cheaply” via PNP to whatever trucking company takes your fancy :exclamation: :exclamation: :smiley:

8

Ontario’s PNP mentions also class 3 (UK Class 2) drivers. It’s not just for artic drivers… it’s just a bit harder for rigid drivers.

9

Hey Alikat,

You aren’t the first person I’ve heard who is coming to AZ to get the Class A licence, is it supposed to be easier here…or are there supposed to be less hassles than other states. I have to admit when I got mine in Phoenix it was pretty easy, but still.

Do you know who you will take the classes with…■■

I’d be happy to help you out in that respect. I live in Surprise, which is a suburb of Phoenix, been here for 8 years, wasa trucker in the UK for 8 years, worked for the doomed City Trucks out of Livingston, and John Adams and Sons Ltd out of Linlithgow.

Let me know if you need help.

Stu