Patience Pays

I said to myself, when I wrote my previous blog entry back in November, that I wouldn't do another post until I had some progress with my immigration application. Well, Dear Reader, I'm posting again, which means things have finally moved on.

After 12 weeks of wondering I was finally presented (in the mail) with an envelope from the Canadian Immigration people. Inside it was a big pack of paper, which had the satisfying title of "Provincial Nominee Letter of Acceptance" written in big, bold letters. I've been waiting, wondering and worrying for three months now, in the hopes that this day would come. When I applied for the BC Pilot Project - in order to become a Provincial Nominee, I worried that I'd left things too late. The scheme I was applying for was a two year scheme, due to expire January 2010. Well, that date came and went, and I had no feedback from the authorities until a couple of weeks ago when I received a short Email informing me that my application was being processed. Thankfully things progressed as I hoped, and I am now able to apply for Permanent Residency. With any luck, I'll be a landed immigrant in six to nine months.

Now, all I need to do is fill in another mountain of forms, pay a load more dollars and continue with life as I was before. At some point I'll be asked to go for a medical, to ensure I won't be a huge drain on Canada's healthcare industry, and all things being well I'll be granted residency.

Being a Provincial Nominee is a huge step for me, as what it basically means is that the Province of British Columbia has decided that I am an important enough asset to the Canadian economy to stay in the country permanently, rather than leave when I am no longer able to get a work permit. Having the backing of the province, when applying to the Federal Government should provide me with huge swing when the decision making process comes.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics only two weeks away I can now sit back and enjoy the games, rather than worry about immigration. Everyone at work will spend two weeks wearing Hockey Jerseys from various countries, so we'll be in the spirit of things. Hopefully I'll get to watch some sport on the TV, as my favourite winter hangout - Whistler, is pretty much off limits for the duration of the games. I did manage to get a day on the slopes there a few days ago with my buddy from England Nick, but I think that this is it for me in snowboarding until March.

Anyway, things are good. I have no complaints. Time to enjoy the winter.