The expatriation thread.

[chaska]

Maybe I'm just having a bad day, but I just don't feel at all confident about us winning this election next Nov.

I've been thinking about leaving a lot lately (after the election). Does anybody know a good site for information on expatriation? Seems to me there is a great opportunity for a website on this issue. There will be a lot of people seeking info in the next year or two.

I read here recently that Scotland and Italy need new people. What are some others? What about Germany? I met a beautiful German family on one of my hiking trips that I just fell in love with. They were so how we used to be here in the US fifty years ago.

I'm most interested in Canada, specifically the Montreal area (possibly Toronto). Is there anyone that could discuss Canadian imigration policies? If I brought my own business (selling to an American market) would I be likely to get in?

Let's open this thing up, keep the discussion broad if we can.

[Guaranteed]

1. That website's a good idea.

I don't have any info, but I'm very interested in getting it.

[Maple]

2. We'd luv ta have ya.

"Canada accepts more legal immigrants relative to its population than any country on Earth.

In the past two years, almost half a million immigrants arrived, a shade less than half of them in one city alone -- Toronto. The largest numbers for the country as a whole, amounting to almost 40 per cent of the total, came from China, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The federal government, responsible for immigration targets, heralds these waves on humanitarian and economic grounds, the argument being that immigration shows Canada as a caring country whose new arrivals will fuel future economic growth."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

[chaska]

6. Thanks, Maple.

I'll check out that site. I knew that Canada was accepting lot's of immigrants from Asia, which didn't quite jibe with what little I've read about what appeared to be fairly strict immigration requirements.

[eileen_d]

11. I took the "Skilled Worker Self-Assessment"

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html

I think I was one point under the required score, but the required score has changed (dropped) since then.

It's a comforting thought. I visited Calgary (just north of my home state) in October and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Deja Q]

12. Thanks for the link!

I completed their assessment.

The pass mark is 67.

My score is 59.

I will pray that we Americans sort our sorry, pathetic, undeserving of existence asses out. Otherwise I will terminate my existence.

Oh well, applesauce happens. Best thing to do is make lemonade out of it.

[Paschall]

3. Do a Google search

I know there are a number of sites for American expatriats, or would-be expatriats, in France. I would suspect you'll find other such sites on a country-by-country basis.

To answer your question about countries "needing" people, Europe generally will be needing immigrants in the years ahead, but European populations and law have not necessarily been brought into line with that demographic reality.

As for importing your business to Canada or elsewhere, try checking out the sites of the various countries' embassies in the US. I know Canada has some such info on line that might be helpful.

But the best thing, though, might be to plan yourself a little vacation. It's a little early for the winter blues! ;-)

[chaska]

4. "It's a little early for the winter blues!"

You got that right. I'm sitting here (in SC) in shorts next to the open window. I'll be turning on the air conditioning later. The leaves have only just started to change good.

[Kellanved]

5. expatica

http://www.expatica.com

A good page for Americans living in central Europe.

I can't really comment, but remember that all other nations have problems as well.(and English isn't the official language in many of them)
:hi:

[Pale_Rider]

7. EU makes it difficult if not right ...

... impossible to obtain a job in the EU. Essentially you need to be an EU citizen unless you have unique skills that can meet a job requirement that can't be filled by an EU citizen. The prospective employer would need to make a declaration that hiring a non-EU citizen is the only way to filled the job. Another method is to start-up, invest and/or run a business.

[Kellanved]

8. Americans enjoy relaxed rules

I'd say a graduate Degree opens almost all doors. Some fields are in high demand for skilled labor (nursing).

Unlike almost anybody else Americans can apply for a work permit in Europe - the normal procedure is to get the permit first and then move.

[Pale_Rider]

9. EU must have recently relaxed the rules ...

... since several years ago when I was working and living in the EU (~1999). In fact one of the tortures that I went through was the HR person constantly working to hire an EU person and replace me. She said that they needed to comply with some EU rule that mandated that I was to be there temporary. Hah, good luck finding someone with my qualifications. Anyway they closed the factory and I repatriated back home.

[Kellanved]

10. relaxed doesn't mean easy

It just means that it's worse for people from other nations.
Besides: immigration is not managed by the EU, but by the individual nations ( a work permit is usually only good for one country).

[AndyTiedye]

13. Likely to be A Lot More Leaving When They Start Up the Draft

Especially this kind:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=758456

and as you say, people with these skills would be in demand
in other countries.

[Kolesar]

14. ...and DUers complain about Gephart and Daschle giving up

I have not yet begun to fight.
Would you like to join me?
http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=4090