A Family Move from the UK to Canada: Starting Fresh With a Student Visa After a Sudden Rule Change｜The H Family

Even amid so much uncertainty, we received timely, fact-based, accurate advice, and every small question was answered with care!

Immigration Consultant

Toko Gould

Born in Japan. Worked as a registered dietitian in hospitals and other facilities. Moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2001 on a Working Holiday. Later utilized her professional background to obtain a work visa, then Canadian permanent residency as a skilled worker. Studied Oil and Gas Administration at a college in Alberta, then worked at a U.S.-based oil company. Later studied accounting and transitioned into an accounting role.

Why did you decide to immigrate to Canada?

After my husband’s overseas assignment came to an end, we talked as a couple about what to do next. We wanted to keep challenging ourselves abroad, and we hoped to continue giving our then three-year-old child a diverse, English-language environment, so we started researching our options.

Considering safety, diversity, the distance from Japan, access to Asian food, the Spousal Open Work Permit that was available at the time for the spouses of college students, and education and cost, we chose Canada among English-speaking countries. We had also visited Vancouver a few times before, and since both of us liked how the city combined an urban feel with nature nearby, we chose Vancouver as the ideal place to settle.

What made you choose Shiraishi VisaJP Canada?

While researching, I looked at many blogs, YouTube videos, and agency websites. Among them, Shiraishi VisaJP Canada’s site stood out for the sheer amount of information, how often it was updated, and the fact that it had several experienced consultants, which made me feel we could trust them. So I first requested a free consultation, then went on to paid counselling.

During the consulting session, Ms. Shiraishi helped us work through our plan and preparations, giving us advice we found very reassuring. That was what led us to ask her to handle our visa application as well.

At the time we were living in Europe rather than Japan, and information or case examples about preparing for or applying for a visa from a third country were hard to find online, so the fact that they had that knowledge and experience was another major reason we decided to ask them.

What was the most memorable part of the process?

While we were preparing our visa applications, Canada’s immigration policy suddenly changed, and we had to significantly rework a plan we had spent two years preparing. That was truly memorable. As a couple, our plan had been for me to study at a public college (an IT Post-Degree Diploma) while my husband left his job, obtained a Spousal Open Work Permit, and job-hunted locally. We had managed to clear the required IELTS score, received our college acceptance letter, and all that was left was to submit our visa application once we returned to Japan.

But right at that point, the cancellation of the Spousal Open Work Permit for public-college students was announced, and even a last-minute application was no longer realistic, forcing us to substantially change our original plan. We were faced with an agonizing choice: go ahead with our move to Canada, or scrap the plan entirely.

In the end, with information and advice from Ms. Gould and after talking it through many times as a couple, we decided to go ahead with our move to Canada, but this sudden policy change remains a truly shocking memory for us.

How was your experience using Shiraishi VisaJP Canada’s services?

We are really glad we asked Shiraishi VisaJP Canada for help. With Canada’s immigration authority announcing one policy change after another and the situation shifting constantly, I don’t think we could have gotten this far so smoothly on our own. Even amid so much uncertainty, Ms. Gould gave us timely, fact-based, accurate advice and answered even our smallest questions carefully, and we are deeply grateful to her.

Future outlook and a message for those planning to travel to Canada

We’ve found a home, classes at the college have started, and we’ve managed to find daycare for our child. Life is busy but starting to settle into a routine, and we feel this is where our family’s real start begins. There will likely be more difficulties and unexpected events ahead, but we want to keep our original purpose and hopes in mind and get through them together as a family.

For anyone considering a move to Canada, our advice would be to first attend the free seminars and consultations offered by several different agents to gather information and clarify your own goals. Then, once you’ve decided to go to Canada, don’t put off your preparations or visa procedures — act right away. You never know when Canada’s immigration authority might change its policies or rules, so we’d recommend always staying ahead of schedule with your preparations.

Looking to obtain permanent residence or a visa?
Consult with us now!

Applying for permanent residence or a visa to Canada on your own can be overwhelming due to the large number of required documents, and you may feel uncertain about whether everything is correct. However, if you're serious about immigrating to Canada, we strongly recommend seeking the support of an immigration consultant. There are many pathways to obtaining permanent residence, depending on factors such as your age, occupation, and family status. With the help of an expert, you can ensure that you plan the right approach tailored to your specific situation.

A professional immigration consultant will help solve your concerns

Get a free Counseling now

From immigration planning to application submission,
everything is completed with shiraishi Visa JP Canada

Consulting with an immigration consultant makes the process clearer and much smoother. You’ll feel more confident with document submissions and procedures, significantly reducing the risk of mistakes. Take the first step toward your Canadian dream with the guidance of an expert.

Get a free Counseling now