When it comes to relocating to Canada and applying for various types of Canadian visas, the process is known for being much simpler than applying within other countries. Many would agree that the steps on the official government website are clear. The Canadian government even states online who is elgible to apply.

Individuals considering moving to Canada should be aware that there are various fees associated with every kind of Canadian visa, except for those visitors arriving to Canada on a tourist visa from a visa-waiver nation. These types of tourist visas are free of charge and are valid for a stay of up to six months. Be aware that while on this type of visa, folks visiting are not permitted to accept any kind of employment in Canada and cannot apply for their permanent residency status.

Canada’s non-immigrant visas are known as Temporary Resident Visas (TRV). This type of visa is used by visitors that are coming from countries that are not on the visa-waiver list who need to complete specific purposes in Canada such as studying or business deals. The cost for a single entry TRV is $75 CAD and a multiple entry TRV is $150 CAD.

Emigrants who are applying for permanent residency status pay different application fees depending on what type of visa they are applying for. For instance, Skilled Workers and Provincial Nominees pay $550 CAD for the primary applicant, $550 CAD for each family member 22 years or older, and $150 CAD for each family member under 22 years of age.

The other type of immigration visa available for investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals costs $1050 CAD in addition to $550 CAD for each family member applying over the age of 22 years and $150 CAD for family members under the age of 22 years. If a spouse of a Canadian citizen is relocating to Canada, the cost is $475 CAD for the main application.

When applying for Canadian citizenship it costs $200 CAD for the entire application process and an additional $75 CAD to receive the certificate.

To learn more about the various Canadian visas potentially available to you please visit the following Canadian government site. If you are in the process of receiving your Canadian visa or citizenship and are in need of assistance with relocating your goods to Canada, Starline Overseas Moving would be happy in assisting with the international move.

Did you know customs have existed in the United Arab Emirates for over a hundred years? The Federal Customs Agency also known as the FCA is responsible for creating the customs policies, representing the UAE in all the states while also supervising the execution of customs-related laws.

If you are planning to relocate to the UAE you should know that of all the custom bureaucracies around the world, the UAE is one of the easier customs processes to navigate. Many believe the process is a user friendly experience because it is a duty-free country for used personal effects. The following items are a few things you should know before moving to the UAE:

• Weapon and related equipment need permission. Weapons and items such as body protection, ammunition and gun cleaning kits all require permission before entering the UAE.
• Zero-tolerance policy for drugs. The UAE is very strict when it comes to any drug related offenses. There are severe penalties for smuggling, drug trafficking or having possession of drugs while in the UAE. Even the presence of drugs in your blood can count as possession and the minimum sentence can start at 4 years of jail time.
• What types of import documents are required? It is best to speak with your relocation coordinator to ensure all the documents are filled out properly however you will be required to provide a copy of your passport, the residency visa card and a written list of all the goods being imported.
• Specialized technical equipment such as radio transmitters, powerful cameras, satellite radios or recording devices may require a special license to be utilized within the UAE.
• Electronic cigarettes are illegal in the UAE and will most likely be confiscated from you at the border.
• Importing new and used vehicles. The UAE allows individuals to import new or used cars however the following documents must be provided by your shipping company: the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and a copy of your passport. All vehicles imported will be inspected by customs inspectors and a customs tax of five percent will be imposed on the total assessed value of each vehicle being imported.

For further information on relocating to the United Arab Emirates please feel free to contact our Starline Overseas Moving team or visit the UAE customs website by clicking on the following link.

In international moving industry news, the Philippines Bureau of Customs estimates that approximately 75,000 mostly empty 20 foot containers are currently waiting to be collected at the port. Many believe the container congestion is due to a truck ban which was implemented earlier this year in Manila.

In February, a law was signed which enforced cargo trucks, gravel and sand trucks and other heavy cargo trucks from entering the city of Manila between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00pm. The restrictions were put into place after reports of multiple injuries involving trucks and congested lanes of traffic on a daily basis.  If violators are caught, City Council stated that the truck drivers would be fined P5,000 along with possible impoundment.

Since the implementation of the restricted truck hours, empty container vans owned by shipping companies have occupied approximately 50% of the container yard space which has made it nearly impossible to pass through the roads. The clogging of the containers has caused more headaches because international vessels are unable to dock and unload their shipments.

Stakeholders on both sides have agreed to assist in moving containers this upcoming weekend to ease the congestion pressure. Reports have also stated there may be access for truckers to utilize the South Luzon Expressway starting Monday August 18^th, 2014. For more information regarding this developing international story click on the following link.

              Last month the Canadian government unveiled changes to the temporary foreign worker program. The program will now be reorganized into two very specific programs. The hope is that the changes will reduce confusion and demonstrate the major differences between various employment streams.

                Canadian employers hoping to relocate foreign workers to Canada will have to now get approval through a new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Canadian government highlighted the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will be focused on matching low skill with low pay occupations and will be managed by the Employment and Social Development Canada department. Also note that Canadian employers applying for LMIA’s are only able to have 10% of their workforce move to Canada to work under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

                The application fees associated with the LMIA are also increasing from $275 to $1,000 per worker plus a $100 privilege fee. In addition, the work permits are limited to only one year periods. The Canadian government has also highlighted that if an employer is in a region with unemployment rates above 6% then they will not be able to access the low skill stream of temporary workers.

                The new program being installed will be only based on wages rather then a NOC. Therefore, jobs paid below the provincial median wage will be classified as low wage while jobs paid above the provincial median wage will be classed as high wage. The main objective of the new LMIA program is to fill Canadian jobs for when qualified Canadians are not available to fill them by relocating workers to Canada.

                The other stream that came into effect last month was the new International Mobility Programs (IMP) which is targeted towards foreign nationals not subject to an LMIA application. Individuals who qualify under this category have a primary objective of advancing Canada’s broad economic and cultural national interests. The department responsible for the IMP stream is the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

               For additional information on the changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program please click here. 

Moving overseas may seem like a daunting task to tackle yet millions of individuals relocate on a yearly basis.Our promise here at Starline Overseas Moving is to ensure your upcoming international relocation is as smooth as possible. The last thing you want to be worried about is if your furniture will make it in one piece to the new destination. Whether you are simply moving to the next country over or across the overseas pond we will ensure your valuable goods will arrive safely. 

The difference between us and other international moving companies that makes us stand out is the dedication and investment of time we put into training our staff professionally. Our team members are trained on topics such as utilizing the proper floor coverings, protecting the walls and stair railings in a home prior to beginning the relocation process. 

When it comes to overseas training, each Starline Overseas Moving team member is trained to professionally pack and wrap an assortment of household items in our training facilities. For example, all crew members are trained on origin and destination service procedures. By taking the extra small steps at the beginning it will ensure when it comes time for your international shipment to be relocated we will be well prepared. 

We are proud of the customers we get to service on a daily basis. Starline Overseas Moving recieved the following feedback from a customer in regards to their recent relocation experience.

I just wanted to share with you how happy we are overall with our experience with Starline Overseas Moving. Top notch service!!!! It doesn’t even compare to our previous experience with another moving company. With the other company our shipment arrived very dirty and many things were broken by the crews. We had horrible service and our shipment was way later than expected. It was a horrible moving experience! With Starline Overseas Moving, your guys had all of our boxes unpacked and except for a couple small candle holders everything survived, the boxes were clean, and you gave us such great service! So thank you so very much!!!! – Submitted to our relocation coordinator July 1st, 2014

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to service your upcoming overseas relocation needs!

Independance Day is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independance on July 4th in 1776. This holiday in the United States is commonly associated with fireworks, family barbecues, parades and fireworks.

On behalf of our Starline Overseas team we would like to wish our friends and partners south of the border a Happy Fourth of July!

Canada is a beautiful country to relocate to because of the vast amount of resources available to many of its citizens. Each year, the team at MoneySense publishes their annual Best Place to Live Ranking. In 2014, there seems to be a trend with 3 out of the top 5 cities being in the West. Many believe the reason why so many individuals are choosing to move to the other side of the country is because of the abundance amount of opportunities currently available including high paying employment offers, a growing cultural scene and the breathtaking scenery all around.

If you or someone you know is considering moving to Canada then why not connect with us? We would be happy to assist in answering any overseas relocation questions or concerns you may currently have. We have the right expertise and global partners to get your valuable goods to your new home in Canada in one smooth transition.

The Top 5 Cities to Live in Canada for 2014 are as follows according to MoneySense:

1. St.Albert, Alberta

Population: 64,377

Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

Average Household Income: $128,270.17

Average House Prices: $373,426.00

2. Calgary, Alberta

Population: 1,306,471

Unemployment Rate: 5.9%

Average Household Income: $119,771.69

Average House Prices: $435,825.00

3. Strathcona, Alberta

Population: 98,232

Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

Average Household Income: $137,509.40

Average House Prices: $408,331.00

4. Ottawa, Ontario

Population: 953,589

Unemployment Rate: 7%

Average Household Income: $103,186.09

Average House Prices: $398,845.00

5. Burlington, Ontario

Population: 187,497

Unemployment Rate: 5.8%

Average Household Income: $110,113.81

Average House Prices: $496,412.00

For more information or the full survey details from MoneySense click on the following link here.

You’ve completed your due diligence as a proactive customer and called around to various international moving companies for estimates for your upcoming overseas move. All the items you do not want to pack away and take with you have been donated. You have made up your mind on the moving company you want to utilize and have made the initial deposit to save your move date. Simply, you feel like you’re all ready for your movers to show up.

Now what? Here are some extra reminders to consider that we all sometimes forget about that will assist in preparing you for your move date.

• Pack away all jewelry and private financial documents. At Starline Overseas Moving we highly recommend you take items of high importance or value such as personal documents with you and relocate them on your own. Before the movers show up pack away these valuables and label them clearly with notes such as “Do Not Pack or Move”. This way the movers will clearly understand that these items are to be left alone for the customer to personally manage.
• Thaw out any major appliances. If you are planning to take any major appliances overseas, we recommend you thaw and clean out your appliances a minimum of 48 hours ahead of the movers showing up. All appliances should be moved empty to ensure no mildew or mold occurs during the relocation overseas.
• Moving out of an apartment building sometimes requires additional steps. Most apartment buildings recommend that you reserve ahead of time the building elevator to ensure your move in or out runs smoothly. We recommend letting your landlord or apartment building manager know as soon as possible.
• Ensure all driveways are clear. To make a move go as smooth as possible, ensure all items such as cars, leaves, snow or children’s toys are removed from the walkways and driveways before the moving truck arrives. This extra step protects the safety of your belongings and our crew members.
• Don’t forget about the utility companies. Most utility companies need a minimum of 30 days notice before moving or cancelling your services. Ensure you give them proper notice before moving to ensure you do not end up paying any additional costs.

This past February the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced that changes are coming into effect this spring. This week, as of May 1st, 2014 mortgage insurance premiums are increasing for Canadian real estate purchases that have less than 20% down payments.

Steven Mennill, CMHC’s Vice President stated the increase is to reflect higher capital targets. The increase in premiums will also reduce Canadian taxpayer exposure to the housing market.

So what does this mean for individuals who are planning to purchase a property in Canada and move? The increase will see premiums go up by an average of 15% when the changes come into effect. Therefore, if you are purchasing a home with a mortgage of $450,000 with only a 5% down payment the insurance premium would be an extra $1,800 after May 1st.

Effective May 1^st, CMHC Purchase (owner occupied 1 – 4 unit) mortgage insurance premiums will increase by approximately 15%, on average, for all loan-to-value ranges. (The following chart is available by clicking here)

Canadian mortgage insurance provides insurance coverage to mortgage lenders in the event of a default by the property owner who does not have a down payment of 20%. To learn more about the changes visit CMHC’s website by clicking here.

Starline Overseas Moving  listed their top destination countries for Albertans emigrating from Canada. In 2013, as can be expected, English speaking  Commonweatlth countries topped the list, with the USA and the Australia being the first choice with close to 1,100 families planning a move. The United Kingdom ranked third with 284 moves and surprisingly, Saudi Arabia with 109 families.  Germany ranked fifth with 83 move enquiries.

Source:  Starline Overseas Moving

For further information please contact Don Kachur directly at 780-451-0123