Thunderbirds are GO !

You know that you want to go to Canada. (You might not know exactly where, but at least you've got it down to a country).

You know that you you want to immigrate under the 'skilled worker' class.

You know that there's 'stuff about immigration' on the Canadian Government's website.

So, you're good to go? Well, pretty much, but this isn't like filling in a bank-deposit slip (remember them? Even Canada doesn't have those anymore). You are going to have to work a bit for your Permanent Resident's card.

So, here's what we did.

1. Go onto the website and read everything about immigration.
2. Take the online evaluation to find out if you qualify.
3. If you do, invest in some folders (not fancy ringbinder, just something simple that will hold loose sheets of paper). You'll see why, later. If you don't qualify, look at why - some of the requirements can be open to interpretation.
4. At this stage you don't need to know exactly where in Canada you're going. You will, however, need to know whether you're going to Quebec or not, as a different skilled worker process is used by this province.
5. Download and print off the relevant application kit. (When we applied there was only one type of form for non-Quebec Canada but the government has since introduced a 'simplified' application which reduces the paperwork from multiple forms which were the paper-version of the Spanish Inquisition to a single 3-page form which is still quite the interrogation). The criteria for using the simplified process are clearly stated on the website.
6. Complete the form using the accompanying guide as a, well, guide. Don't expect to complete it in one sitting as you'll find yourself scooting all over the house looking up in the loft and in that cardboard box under the bed or in the dresser drawer under old videotapes and newspapers for details of your past addresses, education and jobs, among other things. Therefore, when not writing on the form, keep it in one of the folders you bought at step 3. Also, put any documents you use for info in the same folder - you may need them later. Write CANADA IMMIGRATION FORM & PAPERWORK or BYE BYE UK or PLEASE LET ME IN Mr. HARPER! or something meaningful to you on the folder. This will keep it crisp and non-yellow for the nice immigration people.
7. When you've finally completed the form, read it through and, if you are taking family, get them to read it through as well. When you're happy there's no mistakes, make a copy. Send the form and the required payment ($1400 for a family of 4 with kids under 22) off to the closest visa office.

8. Put all your copies in your 'Emigration' folder and put the folder somewhere safe, but not obscure.

9. Sit back and relax.

Ehm, no. Now is when the real work (and most fun part) starts, such as deciding where you're going to live, getting a job, preparing to leave, making announcements, organising parties, telling people what you really think of them, etc, etc. There's no telling how long the application will take; I've heard everything from 3 months to 2 years. In fact, here's a quote lifted from Immigration Canada - "There is a waiting list to come to Canada as a skilled worker. This means it may be several years before your application is processed."

Several !!

When the visa office starts to assess your application, they will send you a request for supporting documents. Hopefully you've already amassed a lot of these such as proof of education, proof of funds, evidence of police record (or, hopefully, lack of one) and other pieces of your paper-life. When we applied it was necessary to supply all the documentation with the initial application but now, you only have to send in the form and payment, hence the 'simplified' process. I'm not sure if this is good from the applicant perspective as it's now very easy to apply. It took us a couple of months to complete the forms and compile all the documents, during which we had plenty of time to become sure that we were doing the right thing. But, conversely, the new simplicity might be just what a lot of people need. At this point, I'd say something witty about the dangers of procrastination but I can't be bothered.

Next, the fun stuff.