Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)?

Hi there,

I wanted to get your views. So I have been in Warsaw for nearly 3 months, and I have Canadian Perm Residency, which I acquired in 2014. My boyfriend (who completed his PhD in Toronto) is on a temporary Post-Doctoral contract position at the IMPAN Institute, and I followed him here (after being in Paris for 1 month) just to see how it is here.

I wanted to get the point of view from a Polish citizen, and what you would do if you were in my situation. I'd like to add that I am Czech by birth but I grew up in South Africa. Therefore this is my 1st time in Poland.

I acquired Canadian PR in June 2014, after applying under the Canadian Experience Class. In order to renew my PR (which expires in 2019), I have to live in Canada for at least 4 years (I have already completed 1 full year from June 2014 - August 2015).

Now if you were in my situation and you had a Canadian PR, would you choose to go back to Canada or remain in Poland (at the risk of loosing your Canadian residency)?

I just wanted to get your perspective, seeing that I am not Polish and therefore I view Warsaw from a different set of eyes. Obviously we are not gong to remian in Poland permamently, but the reason for my question is that I am considering Luxembourgh / London as my next destination, and I am not sure what I should do with respect to my Canadian PR.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks,
Sarka

brate czech. Don`t about Canada, please. Let`s not. Forget it. Let us make Poland and entire Slavic world better place, with especial focus on future Intermarium, our inevitable reality if we are sane, all of us from Baltic to Balkan, Adriatic and Ukraine.

Regards from Novi Sad of Serbia
Vrana

I'd chose to go to Canada, without any doubts.

I know plus I left a really decent position which had such potential for very good $$$ comng into this year( which I wouldnt even make back in Czech Rep) - this is what I regret the most seeing that money is very important to me .I 've been studying the wages in London and I am not too impressed.

I find Toronto is a great spot for travelling to the States and the Caribbean. It may not have the best architecture and most modern subway system, but there is just something about the city...

I think I would be a fool to risk loosing my PR.

pane RubasznyRumcajs, i won`t. Not even to build weekend house there.

Me as a Pole I wouldn't go there for 4 years. It's too far away from Poland. I'd like to visit Canada as a tourist though. I imagine you don't have any special feelings about Poland as well as the Czech Republic or Slavs all together. It's your life and it's only you who decide about what's good for you.

@NocyMrok

Thanks for yuor post. You are correct in the sense that I don't have any feelings towards Poland, nor Czech Rep to be honest. I was livng and working in Czech for 2,5 years prior I moved to Toronto where I lived for 4 years. I consider myself lucky to have received the PR since I went there on a Working Holiday VISA (open work permit).

What pulls me towards London is the South Africans who are there. I have a couple of friends there back from Joburg.

However what is great about Toronto - is the close proximity to the States + Caribbean (which I want to continuously travel to since my last holiday to Jamaica 7 months ago).

Level of assimilation of Slavs in Canada is high. For example, children in Canada every day in the morning must sing Canadian anthem in schools. i never heard for something like that in any Slavic country. Imagine that brainwashing of little child

@NocyMrok

Please excuse my spelling mistakes - the keyboard of my laptop is quite slippery.

I think you've made your decision.

All the best!

@NocyMrok

Its funny - my ex boss from the company in Czech Rep sent me an email asking me that they have openings at her new company where she is working, and whether or not I was interested in attending the interviews.

When I left Czech Rep in 2011, I stated to myself I will never return there to live - to visit my family for short periods of time - that is different. Dont get me wrong, I had some good times when living there, going to the chateaus, visiting wineries etc.

@Crow

That may be true. Its funny as I met a couple of Slavs in Toronto (from Kazakhastan, Ukraine especially) whose young children felt more Canadian than their actual parents' nationalities.

sure. That is real indoctrination. That is Anglo perfidy

That's a good idea. So is Luxembourg, a lovely place, much milder winters and would be my personal choice (but it's expensive and your money would probably go less far than in Canada).


Absolutely normal and no bad thing. People identify with where they grow up, their culture. It only tends to be unhappy or insecure people who identify more with where their parents (or even grandparents!) came from.

My god... Do NOT lose a PR in one of the better countries in the world. That would be simply madness.

Is it really permanent if she has to renew it. And both Luxembourg and London (either of which she can live in anyway without going through those hoops) are both a good bet.

Furthermore, she's said her partner is at IMPAN, a place I know well and which suggests that as a couple they aren't exactly short of choices - it shouldn't be too hard for them to get residency (genuine permanent residency, not some 'permanent' thing that you have to renew) in quite a lot of places.

But yes, Canadian residency is sought after by some; especially those who want it but don't have much chance of getting it.

It's permanent as long as you spend enough time in the country. It's not exactly uncommon. Of course, other countries grant PRs as well but you can't always expect to receive it just like that so why lose one extremely good one.

I know that requirements for Canada are quite stringent.

Given the IMPAN connection (which is prestigious) I suspect the best thing is to follow the work, however Canada could be a good bet. A chance to live in Luxembourg, one of the nicest places to live in the world is worth considering too, however you do need plenty of money to fully take advantage of that.

@Crow

Do you prefer the European method of segregating communities across ethnic lines? Look what that's done lately.

If you're going to have immigrants come to your country, I think it's a good idea that everybody understands and lives by the same values.

I would choose Canada if I had the choice - but maybe you are really in love with your boyfriend - I am no expert on romantic relationships - do you think you could find a career here in Poland?

Exactly. Between Canada and Luxembourg the choice is hard however given that they're very young, Canada might be a good choice.

I am pretty sure she doesn't have to renew permanent residency but only permanent residency card. This is how it works in the US and I imagine it would be similar in Canada.


I am in your situation,well,kind of.My advice is,get Canadian citizenship first,then you will be free to leave for extended period of time without losing permanent resident status or go back and forth as you please.

Canada, no doubt! If we just check the number of Poles moving to Canada and the number of Canadians (in particular those having no Polish origin) moving to Poland, we get the anwser in 2 seconds. Risking to lose a PR in a country like Canada does make no sense.

As to Luxemburg, the only advantage is that it is truly international (some 28% of people living there are foreigners, the largest community is from Portugal) but it is so small (OP may feel claustrophobid in tiny Luxembourg) that need to spend half of one's time in neighboring countries since Luxembourg offers not much to see not much to do. To me, maybe the worst thing about Luxembourg is that it rains all the time. (I have read some Luxembourg docs according to which it rains there an average of ... 350 days per year ;)). OP will also need to learn French (I understand she lives in English speaking Canada)....

So Canada over Poland and Canada over Luxembourg.

However, OP will decide, we won't...

Thank you all for your opinions. I highly appreciate it.

To respond:


Yes Luxembourg seems lovely, and the close proximity of it to Paris (just a 2 hour drive away) is a bonus.


Thats what I was told by many in Toronto.


I have to do my research on this topic, but you may be correct. From what I have heard, in order to renew the PR one has to prove 4 years of paid Taxes (in Canada) as one requirement.


Yes, and in this case I would have to return for an additional 3 years in order to be elligible to apply for Canadian citizenship (as they have changed the requirements not too long ago from 3 to 4 years

@Jon357

Yes Luxembourg may be expensive, but it generally has higher salaries + the close proximity to Paris is an ideal bonus for me. I am not too concerned about the weather.

As you mention - Perm immigration to Canada has been completely changed starting Jan 2015, whereby the Express Entry was initiated. This is a point-based system, and allows the governemnt to choose applicants based on jobs which cannot be filled by Canadians. This is a similar system which Australia has been using for a number of years now.

@InPolska

Thanks for your input.

I have been in contact with some companies there - French is highly desirable, and required in many but not all positions.

what`s done lately? you have real info?

i know one thing. One can`t be sure about anything what happening in the world. you know why? because Anglos policing the world. China, Russia, India, Brasil, even Japan tries to cope and they stand better and better, countries like Serbia tries to force independence, countries like Poland at least wants to minimize Anglo influence on them but, Anglos still rule. So, when Anglos want to prove that is their method correct, they just initiate crisis when they want and, they prove their argument.

@Czech: the great advantages of Luxembourg is that it is international (28% are people there are foreigners) and also that while living in Luxembourg, you may have lunch or dinner or do your shopping in France, Belgium and Germany (all 3 countries much cheaper). Yes, salaries are higher but so is the cost of living and that's why people from Luxembourg shop (even for food ;)) in France, Belgium and Germany....

Luxembourg is also in the hear ot Europe so easy to travel to everywhere in Europe.

In my opinion (I have been there, as I'm French, not a long trip ;)) Luxembourg could be a good option in Europe (inspite of the almost non stop rain ;)) but if you risk losing your PR from Canada, I'm not so sure staying in Europe is the best thing for you to do. Once your status is secured in Canada, you may consider moving around...

PS: in Luxembourg, they are also very open minded ;). Their current Prime Minister got married last year (or 2 years ago) to his Belgian boyfriend and NO problem whatsoever in Luxembourg.

@InPolska


Exactly and thats what I like - diversity, plus the close proximity to Paris which is my favourite city - especially for shopping and the Arts.


Just like in Canada - very accepting and open-minded.

I do not know about Canada but just because man marries another man and he is the head of the country does not mean the nation is open-minded, I been to Luxemburg and people there are borderline rude, uptight and unhelpful, I was happy to be back in Poland in no time, only the scenery was nice but Luxemburgians were not.

@Czech Canadian! Bingo! 100% ok with you!:) You know, distance is no issue when money ;) so shopping in Paris if you live and work in Canada no problem ;)

@Poganin: Luxembourg people are ... rude????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you speak French and/or their local dialect (Letzebuergesch) to have been able to interact with them? ;). They may be a bit ... abrupt since of Germanic origin but since 28% people living in Luxembourg are from elsewhere, I suppose that locals are very nice and welcoming otherwise foreigners would not settle in Luxembourg, not true??? And yes when the head of a government can marry his or her partner of the same sex with the society's approval, it does mean that said population is most open (and probably this bothers you ;))

I would go back to Canada to get the citizenship, how long it takes now. After that you are a citizen of the world!
But I am biased of course; I am Canadian and Polish!

If you have not lived in Canada for 3 out of the 4 yrs that is required, you must ask yourself if it is worth the bother to renew it. If you are only applying for it because of a relationship with someone who may or may not be Canadian and may not be a permanent resident again is it worth it. If you want to try and gain Canadian citizenship, then you must ask yourself what do you have to offer employers in order to earn money to pay the bills while living here. The cost of living is going to differ based on the location and city you want to live in. Where I live, the cost of renting or buying a house is about 1/4 of that of Toronto or Vancouver. Another thing you will have to ask yourself, what part of the country do you want to live. Remember, the public transportation system here is at least 50 years behind that of Europe or Japan which means that if you want to travel outside of any given city that you choose to reside in, you will need access to a car and that will add more expense.