Just starting -- Tons of questions

[gocnda]

Even though we have done a lot of research on our own, we have not found the answers to the following numerous questions.  Your help is greatly appreciated!
 
Our family of 5 (2 adults and 3 small children) want to become permanent residents in British Columbia, Canada. We are currently US citizens and have been all of our lives.  We reside and work in California.
 
We would like our children to enter school and us begin working in Canada as soon as possible.  What is the best way to go about the application process?
 
I know the "simplified" application process says you cannot have lived in Canada for 1 year or have arranged employment, which we currently do not have. Can we apply now via the simplified application for permanent residency and then, after we submit the application, move there on a temporary visa and work permit? 
 
How long can we stay on a temporary visa and work permit?  Renewal?  What is the difference for getting a job with a temporary permit vs. being a permanent resident -- does the employer have to justify hiring me to HR the same in either situation or is one way easier than another?
 
Otherwise, can we first only apply for a temporary visa and work permit?  Then, after we've lived and worked in Canada on the temporary, can we then apply for permanent residency? If this is possible, then is there a difference between applying before entering Canada versus having lived there (other than using the 'regular' application process)?
 
Are the 'funds required' based on cash only, or can money market accounts, IRA retirement accounts, and/or real-estate property count towards the total funds needed?
 
When the regular application states to list all family members, including those not being considered for permanent residency, do we have to list every person in our entire extended family (cousins, grandparents, great nieces, etc., etc.)?  Only our family of 5 live in our house and want to move to Canada and we have no additional children.  The only exception, would possibly be my wife's mother (67yrs old, works full time) wanting to apply sometime in the future -- so, then would we list her even though she doesn't live with us and is not currently applying?  Should we have her apply with us or consider sponsoring her in the future -- what's involved with each option?  Also, on the 'additional family' form there's one space for father and one for mother -- do my wife and I each fill out this form seperately (2 total) -- if not, whose mother and father should be listed?
 
On the application, it asks where we intend to live.  We plan on somewhere near Vancouver, but don't know exactly -- should we just list "Vancouver" since that's close?

Our native language is English.  What type of "letter attesting to this fact" do we need -- and is this letter instead of a 'test'?

For 'work experience' --- It's requested that we provide "notarized employment contracts from past and present employers."  What is this?  Also, the "letters of reference" say they need to be stamped with "the company's official seal," but what if they don't have something like this?  And what if a past employer is out of business with no forwarding information?
 
Thank you for any assistance with answering these questions!  We are very excited to get the process started as soon as possible.
 
 

[thaiguy]

As U.S. citizens, you would be using the regular application process - not simplified - and you'd apply through Buffalo.

It is extremely difficult to gain employment in Canada prior to becoming a permanent resident.  The employers here just don't want to deal with the red tape.  But if you were to find an employer willing to offer you a job and obtain the required labour market opinion (LMO) to hire you, it is usually valid for 1 year.  They can be extended - even repeatedly - by having your employer obtain another LMO. 

The biggest drawback with a work permit in your case would be for the familiy.  If you (dad) were to get a work permit, your family wouldn't be able to stay with you permanently.  Each time they entered Canada, they would be required to convince the Immigration officer that their visit was temporary and that they would be staying no longer than 6 months.  There are people who overstay, but it's not something I personally would consider.  The repercussions can be huge - including the possibility that, as a result of an overstay, one family member might become 'inadmissable,' and therefore the entire family would be banned from immigrating for 5 years.

If you apply to immigrate and then become permanent residents, there are no restrictions on your employment.  Permanent residence status has nearly all of the same benefits (and requirements) of citizenship.  Two exceptions are that you cannot vote, and you cannot hold certain government jobs that require a security clearance.  But you can work, buy property, own a business, get a driver's license, etc.  And after residing in Canada for 3 out of 4 years, you can apply to become citizens.

The funds required should be liquid.  So you could hold them in a money market account, savings - even a CD, but not in an IRA, 401(k), or real-estate.

On page 2 of IMM0008, the "family members" are your spouse and children - no one else.  Both you and your wife would complete the additional family information form (IMM5406).

"Vancouver" is a satisfactory response to where you want to live.  As long as you don't try to land in Quebec, you'll be fine.

The primary applicant (only) should write a 'Statement of English Language Ability,' which will take the place of a language test.  The statement should include things like the fact that you were born in an English-speaking country (identify which one); your parents were native speakers (identify where they were born); your primary, secondary and post-secondary education were conducted in English; your employment required English fluency; you're required to give presentations in English, etc.  Include whatever you think strengthens your case.  End it with something like, "for these reasons, I truthfully believe that I possess a high proficiency level of English as described in the Language Proficiency Section of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website."

Regarding work experience, you'll just need to do your best to obtain the information.  Some employers, as you said, have gone out of business.  Others simply refuse to help.  So hopefully you've had a relatively good relationship with the ones you want to use to qualify you as a skilled worker.

The purpose of the documents is to substantiate and categorize your work experience in order to qualify you as a skilled worker.  So there are several things you can provide:  pay slips, job descriptions, letters of reference, certificates of employment, etc.  You don't need to provide pay slips for your entire length of employment - but a few from the beginning, middle and end are helpful.  If job descriptions are signed by former managers and notarized, those would be helpful.  Letters of reference from supervisors and managers are also helpful, if they describe your responsibilities.  Again, having them notarized is good.  They should contain contact information, in case CIC has any questions; and they should be originals.  Try to have these documents on company letterhead, if possible.  If not, ask the former supervisor/manager to attach a business card.

Good luck.