Found on the SA-Canada Forum

Hi there ,

 

We decided in Feb this year that we had had enough, and that we were going to Canada. Three months later we were in Canada - so far very happy and dont regret move.

 

The easiest (and quickest) way is to have a job offer from a canadian employer. My wife managed to track down a job in the optical industry. She did two interveiws with the employer on Skype (its free). The employer must give you written confirmation of your job offer.

 

That done you must instruct the employer to get a LMO (labour market opinion) from the HRSC. In the application your employer must motivate why they are offering the job to you and not someone locally. It does help if your skill falls within the skills shortage category. It will take two weeks to get the LMO back and this must be forwarded to you. The LMO must be postive. That done you need to get a police clearance and submit this with your job offer, LMO, photos, passport etc. with application to the embassy. After about two weeks they will instruct you to go for a medical at a specific doctor. Once this is done you should have your work permit about 5 weeks later. (It took us ten weeks from start to finnish)

 

  Living conditions here are good. Things are more expensive than SA if you compare directly but definately easier to have a good quality of life. A 1 bedroom flat will cost between 500 and 1000 CN$ per month lights, water and heating incl. (depends where you stay of course). Public transport is fantastic in the bigger centres (busses, trams, tubes etc.) and even trains and busses between towns are reliable and well organised. Difficult to comment on salaries - but even a street sweeper can live and eat. Technicians earn from 2500 - 4000 per month , a geologist earns between 3200 and 5500 and a bus driver between 1800 and 3000. Middle management is about 4500 per month. The tax here is higher than SA as you pay both federal and provincial taxes BUT schooling and medical here is FREE. (and its first class!) It costs about CN$450 per month to feed a family of three (and we eat like kings).

 

People her are generally very friendly and South Africans are very welcome.

Canada is basically a community of immigrants!