Moving to Montreal in July 2008

keysha
New Member


Montreal Infatuated

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:54 am

 

---

Hello,
I would greatly appreciate the help of anyone who may have some advice for me.
I am a fifth year student of Theatre & Drama, and French at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.and will be graduating in May of 2008. My goal is to move to Montreal by the first of July to further my Acting career.and I've chosen Montreal largely because of its nightlife and French speaking population.

I do not have an International calling plan, so have simply been sending numerous emails to Canadian Immigration regarding work visas. I am having a horrible time getting ahold of the right people via email.

My plan is to find an apartment in Montreal, and try very hard to land a job with the CBC because I have over 4 years of experience with Wisconsin Public Radio. However, I have been informed that I cannot be issued a work visa until I have proof of employment from a Canadian employer.

To make matters more complicated, I plan to go to Montreal with a close friend of mine who will be sharing an apartment with me. He does not speak French, and is worried that he may not be issued a Visa, nor find a job due to his language barrier.

If there is any advice you may have for me to help answer some of these questions, or help me figure out how to best make this happen, please let me know.
Thank you, kindly,
Keysha

---

Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:01 am

 

---

The immigration policies for the province of Quebec are different for the rest of the country.

Here is the Immigration Quebec website http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/index.asp (en francais) ou http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.asp (in english)

AFAIK, if you wish to immigrate to Quebec, you HAVE to be able to speak French fairly fluently. If your friend does not, he will likely be rejected.

If you're thinking of applying for a job at the CBC, contact them http://www.cbc.ca/ maybe they could give you an idea of what would be required to get a visa to Quebec.

Quebec immigration is fairly tough from what I've read. And Toronto is bigger anyway, lotsa nightlife, and lotsa movies and TV and theatre to get a start in if that's what you want. And primarily English speaking if you're determined to take a non-french speaking friend with you.
_________________
I miss Shreddies!

Are you in the US or Canada? Want to make some extra money? Check out My Watkins website for some awesom products and business opportunity.

---

keysha
New Member


Montreal Infatuated

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:18 am

 

---

Thank you so much for that information. I found it very helpful, and look forward into using the resources you recommended.

---

Clapoti
Senior Member



Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 90
Location: Berlin

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:25 pm

 

---

I don't know if your friend will be rejected for not speaking french, but you are okay in Montreal if you speak english. most of the places you will have to go people will speak both languages.

As for nightlife and jobs, Montreal is very nice. there is a lot of places. And every Canadians (except people from Toronto or anti-french people) will tell you that Montreal is a nicer city than Toronto.

---

Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:09 am

 

---

depends how you define "nice".

I'm from Toronto, and I quite like Montreal, I've never had any problem there. But I've heard other people say they've never been treated so un-kindly in their lives as when they've been to Montreal. Especially if they don't speak French.

The city is beautiful, lots to see and do for sure. A bit on the expensive side for a lot of things if you're on a tight budget, but all in all, I like it there.

But then, I can speak French.
_________________
I miss Shreddies!

Are you in the US or Canada? Want to make some extra money? Check out My Watkins website for some awesom products and business opportunity.

---

Clapoti
Senior Member



Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 90
Location: Berlin

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:50 am

 

---

Really, I've never heard anyone complain they were threated bad. but that can happen I guess. probably in every city around the world. it's more a personnal thing I think.

And Montreal is more expensive than Toronto ? really ? When I went to Toronto I thought it was quite the same. Of course if you go in fancy french restaurant it will be expensive

Anyway, I think they are both nice cities so it all depends where they accept you and where you can get a job I guess.

---

keysha
New Member


Montreal Infatuated

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:50 am

 

---

Thank you for all of your helpful information. I have set my plans for Montreal, so now it's just a matter of filing for a visa, and all will be well!

---