Australian Chartered Accountant moving to Montreal

[Smithy]

Hi - just looking for some information!

I am looking at moving to Montreal and getting a skiller workers visa.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Commerce
I am a qualified Chartered Accountant in Australia
I am currently working in Dublin Ireland
I took a year of high school in BC as an exchange student
I was in Montreal for just under 3 weeks this year

I'm wondering about what my education will count for.
I seem to really miss out on points for the permit by not having a spouse and kids etc.
Also my French is basic at best.

My best chance would be getting a job first - anyone know how difficult this will be?

[Smithy]

also wondering about timing - as i was *hoping* to move there in february / march 08 - am I dreaming?

[PMM]

Hi

also wondering about timing - as i was *hoping* to move there in february / march 08 - am I dreaming?

Dreaming, check the processing times at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/02b-skilled-que.asp and that is after you get a CSQ from Quebec.  See: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/permanent-workers/index.html for the Quebec procedure.

PMM

[Smithy]

Ok - might be better off looking at a temporary permit - how are my chances then?

[edgy555]

Smithy:

I fell in love with Montreal too.  I understand.  I don't know if I have advice about your particular situation, but I'll offer you everything I know and hope it helps you somewhat.  I work for a Big 4 Accounting firm as well.

So...

1) The Quebec process is maybe a little faster than the federal process, but it still takes a while.  If you apply from within Quebec (for example, if you are a student) it goes faster.  One thing that I did was to take intensive language classes (they're offered at McGill, University of Montreal and UQAM among other places.)  You can get a residence (though not a work permit) this way.  Though this assumes you can support yourself for 6-12 months in Quebec without an income.

2) Have you thought about applying to the Big 4?  They all have offices in Montreal.  International Assignments is one area in which people with international tax knowledge are always needed (helping companies plan for people transferring abroad.)  The drawback to this is that in Canada, knowledge of US and Canadian tax laws would be a preferred qualification.

3) Another thing you could do is to look for work in Australia with an International Accountancy and look to transfer with them.  In fact, I worked with one woman in New York who had transferred from Australia.  I know my firm has a formal (and fairly well used) transfer program.  The drawback here is that I guess you'd be putting some more time in in Australia before you could transfer.

4) Then of course there's the normal application process, which takes about 1.5 years.

And a note about French:  it's not very possible to get a good job in Montreal without a pretty good handle on both English and French.  It's kind of expected.  If you have very specialized knowledge (and in some areas like IT) it's slightly easier to get by only in English, but in general, both for the immigration process and for living in Montreal, you need French (I'm struggling too.)