Post: #1

Hi there,

I know Canada isn't really considered an enviable destination on RVF but as an Indian, it's probably the easiest (relatively) country to migrate to.

I currently run a photography institute in India and am earning around $2000 a month.

I want to move out purely because of social reasons. I feel I have outgrown India and am too open minded to be in an ultra conservative society.

My aim is to get a PR though express entry system and then set up the same photography business in Vancouver.

Could anyone offer me any suggestions about how viable is it to start a business in Canada?

My immigration consultant (a reliable one) tells me my profile is very strong because of my self employed experience and high degree of fluency in English and has assured me that if I were to apply now, the max. time I would have to wait to get a visa would be 1 year.

I'm 30 years old and my skills include the ability to run a small business (entrepreneurship), digital marketing (I teach this subject to MBA students here) and DSLR photography. I hold an MBA from a reputable university.

Thanks in advance.

Post: #2

I can't really give any specific advice that you can't find outside of government websites both federal ( http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp ) and provincial (check out the BC nominee program https://www.welcomebc.ca/immigrate-to-b-...ee-program ), do you have any family in Canada? The current federal government has loosened up regulations on the family reunification program, that could be another useful route to get in: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/

I'm not sure how useful your background in photography or you education will be to be honest, Canada is notorious for not accepting educations from the sub-continent, apparently we have thousands of Indian trained engineers and doctors driving taxi cabs. There is a chance that you'll be working a low wage job upon arrival, I'm not sure but it seems like many Indians I meet were working a much more prestigious job back home than driving a taxi or working as a cashier at a gas station, so keep that in mind.

As for Vancouver, its the nicest city in Canada, has the fastest growing economy in the country and a very large Indian community (heavily Sikh) so the transition shouldn't be too bad, I'm sure there's Indian organizations there to help out new arrivals, if you want it. People are very open and friendly, the air is clean, its on the ocean and close to amazing parks, rivers, mountains, etc. However, it is the most expensive city for real estate in the country and that's reflected in the rents, a one bedroom apartment in a desirable location will cost about $1500-2000/month. Consider renting a room in a house for about $500 for your first few months until you get established.

Also, you should really consider if moving to a new, open Liberal country is what you want more than owning a successful business back home and living among your friends and family. $2000/month is a lot of money in India (so I'm told) and you very well could be starting at the bottom of the career pole in Canada, so just be prepared for that.

Finally, Canada isn't nearly as bad as we portray it on here, we westerners just like to bitch and complain about things that you'd probably consider quite trivial. So come to Canada and give it a try, it will be a bit of an adventure but you'll have fun either way, just be prepared for some of the realities that I mentioned above.

Post: #3

(03-16-2017 07:54 AM)scotian Wrote:  I can't really give any specific advice that you can't find outside of government websites both federal ( http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp ) and provincial (check out the BC nominee program https://www.welcomebc.ca/immigrate-to-b-...ee-program ), do you have any family in Canada? The current federal government has loosened up regulations on the family reunification program, that could be another useful route to get in: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/

I'm not sure how useful your background in photography or you education will be to be honest, Canada is notorious for not accepting educations from the sub-continent, apparently we have thousands of Indian trained engineers and doctors driving taxi cabs. There is a chance that you'll be working a low wage job upon arrival, I'm not sure but it seems like many Indians I meet were working a much more prestigious job back home than driving a taxi or working as a cashier at a gas station, so keep that in mind.

As for Vancouver, its the nicest city in Canada, has the fastest growing economy in the country and a very large Indian community (heavily Sikh) so the transition shouldn't be too bad, I'm sure there's Indian organizations there to help out new arrivals, if you want it. People are very open and friendly, the air is clean, its on the ocean and close to amazing parks, rivers, mountains, etc. However, it is the most expensive city for real estate in the country and that's reflected in the rents, a one bedroom apartment in a desirable location will cost about $1500-2000/month. Consider renting a room in a house for about $500 for your first few months until you get established.

Also, you should really consider if moving to a new, open Liberal country is what you want more than owning a successful business back home and living among your friends and family. $2000/month is a lot of money in India (so I'm told) and you very well could be starting at the bottom of the career pole in Canada, so just be prepared for that.

Finally, Canada isn't nearly as bad as we portray it on here, we westerners just like to bitch and complain about things that you'd probably consider quite trivial. So come to Canada and give it a try, it will be a bit of an adventure but you'll have fun either way, just be prepared for some of the realities that I mentioned above.

Thanks Scotian.

The thing is that I plan to be self employed in Canada right from scratch because I'm planning on coming there with a heavy fund backing me and my photography business is purely a retail customer oriented business so it doesn't take any networking to earn from it. It's almost a location independent business as all I do is run Facebook and Google ads and get students for my classes.

500$ for a room in a house was the part that felt comforting since I was hearing a lot about the crazy prices people pay for renting studio apartments, especially in Vancouver, which I heard is even more expensive than cities in U.S. Since I practice ultra-minimalism, I think I'd be ok with a frugal lifestyle for very long.

Cheers for the detailed answer!

Post: #4

PM me I work in immigration.

Post: #5

No problem man, I guess I skimmed over the business part but I know there was (is?) and investor visa program, I'm sure the above poster will explain that to you in more detail: http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGlish/immigrate/b.../index.asp

From the people I've talked to over the years, Canada is a pretty easy place to do business, especially in the western provinces. I spoke to guys from the UK who couldn't believe how easy it was to do things like open up a bank account, get utilities, cell phone, etc. Opening a business is a straight forward process from what I know, similar to getting documents like a drivers license.

$500 should be doable to a decent room in a good area but try to stay within walking distance to one of the Skytrain stations ( http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and...Train.aspx ). Check out the Canadian wesite http://www.kijiji.ca and look at the roomates under the rental section to get a better idea. For your first few days in the city, you could stay at a cheap hostel downtown until you find something, just be aware of rental scams on Kijiji, don't send money until you actually see the place in person.

And as far as liberal places go, Vancouver is one of the most liberal in Canada, which is considered a pretty liberal place. You will see people openly consuming drugs (especially marijuana) in the streets downtown and there's a nude beach near downtown too, just to give you an idea haha it'll be a big change from India!

Post: #6

(03-16-2017 10:48 AM)sonoran_ Wrote:  PM me I work in immigration.

Sonoran, what part of the country are you in? Are you registered with ICCRC ? I used to work with IRPA quite a bit and thought about registering as a certified consultant but that didn't pan out and it's been a while. not sure how much advice i could give testos111 that isn't way out of date.

Post: #7

(03-16-2017 04:56 AM)testos111 Wrote:  Hi there,

I know Canada isn't really considered an enviable destination on RVF but as an Indian, it's probably the easiest (relatively) country to migrate to.

I currently run a photography institute in India and am earning around $2000 a month.

I want to move out purely because of social reasons. I feel I have outgrown India and am too open minded to be in an ultra conservative society.

My aim is to get a PR though express entry system and then set up the same photography business in Vancouver.

Could anyone offer me any suggestions about how viable is it to start a business in Canada?

My immigration consultant (a reliable one) tells me my profile is very strong because of my self employed experience and high degree of fluency in English and has assured me that if I were to apply now, the max. time I would have to wait to get a visa would be 1 year.

I'm 30 years old and my skills include the ability to run a small business (entrepreneurship), digital marketing (I teach this subject to MBA students here) and DSLR photography. I hold an MBA from a reputable university.

Thanks in advance.

Your sentence in bold needs to be pointed out. Be confident that you have a service or product to offer to your market in Canada and plan accordingly, or get ready to be one more Indian Uber driver in xyz city in Canada telling everyone what you used to do and how you are more skilled than it seems.

Post: #8

(03-16-2017 11:56 AM)scotian Wrote:  And as far as liberal places go, Vancouver is one of the most liberal in Canada, which is considered a pretty liberal place. You will see people openly consuming drugs (especially marijuana) in the streets downtown and there's a nude beach near downtown too, just to give you an idea haha it'll be a big change from India!

I like it already!

Post: #9

(03-16-2017 04:26 PM)ed pluribus unum Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 10:48 AM)sonoran_ Wrote:  PM me I work in immigration.

Sonoran, what part of the country are you in? Are you registered with ICCRC ? I used to work with IRPA quite a bit and thought about registering as a certified consultant but that didn't pan out and it's been a while. not sure how much advice i could give testos111 that isn't way out of date.

I am in Edmonton, AB and yes I am a regulated consultant.