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Canada's Start-up Visa

cic.gc.ca

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Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#241

Post by vijucat »

akg_67 wrote: post #194
vijucat wrote: post #100

This might seem a bit superficial, but one of the reasons I fear a move to Canada is the weather; not the weather per se, but whether someone like me born in a tropical country would adjust well to the cold? I'm concerned that I would relapse into a depression ushered in by the winter blues (used to be depressed in my 20s, not sure why, it went away after 30, not sure why either), and lose my productivity. As a separ…

For Indians with in-demand qualifications like technology: First year snow is fun specially if you never seen snow or live for extended period. Second year snow is okay. Third year oh! crap snow again. Fourth year snow is drudgery. Fifth year snow again! I can't wait to get out. Sixth year, as you reaching snow season, I got my Canadian citizenship, I am moving south.

Thanks for sharing! I suppose citizenship + TN visa isn't a bad combination. Where exactly South? California, I suppose :-) (for the weather)

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#242

Post by scott_karana »

usmanbashir wrote: post #153
scott_karana wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ask yourself this: if you've never heard of startup culture in Canada, what is that indicative of? :) (Saying this sadly, as I'm a Canadian)

It's not that Canada lacks a startup culture, it's just a smaller playground then SF or NYC. But besides all this, there are popular and noteworthy startups based in Canada, like HootSuite, Shopify, 500px, UrtheCast and Freshbooks.

I wonder if that's proportional per capita.

I get the impression that it is not, though I have a small sample size.

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#243

Post by mjn »

halostatue wrote: post #210
querulous wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got my PR in months but I've been waiting for citizenship now for 2.5 years

…that's disquieting and disturbing to read. I had not realized that the Harper government had been that bad to immigration and citizenship. (I assumed it was bad because it's Harper, but I didn't know it was that bad.) I got my citizenship about ten years ago (I only know because I'm on my third passport), about six months after applying and taking the test. I had been resident for just under four years at the time.

The official average wait time is currently 25 months, from what I can find, if you are in the "routine" category (35 months if you aren't): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/cit-pr...

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#244

Post by randomdata »

jrn wrote: post #239
randomdata wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live out in the country, but KW is nearby, which is why I find it so interesting that I cannot really name a single startup operating within. I feel like I have a closer connection to Silicon Valley, even though I've never been there. Is there something like HN for local startups?

techvibes.com for canadian startup news.

Thanks!

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#245

Post by guyzero »

potatolicious wrote: post #138
guyzero wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

Ah, wait until the dead of winter when you're trying to take the bus to work in -40C weather. Walking across a large parking lot, with snow billowing along the ground like a National Geographic special on the Arctic Circle, your face in excruciating pain because of high-speed snow/ice blowing into it. The fact that your arms and legs are toasty warm seems like a distant comfort at that point... Plenty of weather cond…

I went to school in Waterloo, ON, Canada. I have walked multiple kilometers to class in weather that was -20 C or below. I'm not going to say it was like being on a warm beach, but geez, long underwear, a scarf, a hat, some thick mitts and a decent coat go a long way to getting a lot closer to comfortable. It's not cheap I suppose, but it's not complex.

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#246

Post by guyzero »

WildUtah wrote: post #167
potatolicious wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, wait until the dead of winter when you're trying to take the bus to work in -40C weather. Walking across a large parking lot, with snow billowing along the ground like a National Geographic special on the Arctic Circle, your face in excruciating pain because of high-speed snow/ice blowing into it. The fact that your arms and legs are toasty warm seems like a distant comfort at that point... Plenty of weather cond…

Don't forget the ice that forms on the inside surface of your glasses below about -10º. And the way you can be sweating on one part of your body even as another part is being frost-bitten. Then when you adjust your coats and scarfs the sweating part will cool down and the sweat will start to freeze leading to frostbite there, too.

I have seriously never encountered this problem. They fog up when you go from outdoor cold to a warm building, but I've never had my glasses ice up.

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#247

Post by klipt »

rdouble wrote: post #159
tomjen3 wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, what does Canada offer that the UK doesn't? Same language, both have a Queen both have a functional government that mostly respects other peoples rights. The US has a great ecosystem for start-ups. Does Canada?

If you're from another commonwealth country it's a lot easier to migrate to Canada than it is the USA. Regarding what could be more attractive than the UK: there's more open space, cheaper housing, better schools, mountains, etc.

I don't think Canada gives any preference to immigrants from Commonwealth countries.

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#248

Post by MrDOS »

obstacle1 wrote: post #212
speeder wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You people forgot the games industry in Canada... Beside canadians participating in some large game jams and having cool events there, Quebec state is the second largest games producer in the world (behind US, and above the entire Japan)

Maybe pedantic, but Quebec is a province, not a state. A lot of game development happens in Montreal especially.

Or just call it Quebecistan. Nobody will bat an eye.

Re: Canada's Start-up Visa

#249

Post by bparsons »

bdamm wrote: post #216
brm wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most walkable city in the world? Do you have sources to back this?

I'm from Vancouver and I've lived in San Francisco. Compared the SF, the city is very walkable and the transit is far more efficient than SF's Muni, which crawls like a croaking dog. I never thought I'd say that transit in Vancouver is better than in other cities, having been part of the fight to get more transit funding in Vancouver, but it's not bad. SkyTrain is the most beautiful rapid transit line I've ever been…

Granted. It depends where you live. If transit is a priority, you want to live near the Canada line, which is fast, clean and has really good security.

If you live out in the burbs, transit is okay, but not better than most European cities.

Downtown Vancouver and false creek were designed with density and walking in mind. Every condo tower must have street level retail, and they make sure to have essential things like good grocery stores every few blocks. Check out the walk score for Yaletown: http://www.walkscore.com/score/davie-st-and-pacific-boulevar...

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