[sharan]

I realize I may be left with no options, but it's not as easy as just saying run the company from here. For one, I am not a Canadian citizen so I need to apply for all kinds of immigration permissions to move the company and work for it from here.

We have also been building momentum with filmmakers and festivals in the Bay Area and my team is based there. To not have access to any of that does create problems for a startup.

[pkaler]

There is a very vibrant startup community here in Vancouver. Check out:

  http://launchpartyhq.com/
  http://bootup.ca/
  http://barcamp.org/BarCampVancouver
  http://www.newmediabc.com/
  http://www.techvibes.com/index/vancouver

[potatolicious]

FYI a man of your qualifications will get fast-tracked through the Canadian immigration process with zero problems.

[ujibuip]

In theory - however in practice "fast-track" and "Canadian government" don't naturally go together.

[pyre]

Make friends with a local and have them contact their MP. My status process sped up pretty quickly with a politician's office on the case. They can probe to ask what's going on with a particular application,etc. (I also believe that my application was 'fast-tracked' because there was an upcoming election too).

[jacquesm]

It very much depends on a large number of factors that are not under your control. It's basically a lottery. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. I've had the local mayor, a case officer of the Ontario immigration department (from TO) and a whole bunch of others practically beg the office in Buffalo to finally do something and still time ran out (after 5 years we called it quits).

The really sad thing is that it cost a lot of hardworking Canadians their jobs, and the area where we lived jobs, especially well paying ones with employers that have a different view of employees than so many lemons that need to be squeezed are very hard to come by.

[pyre]

That sucks. Just a note to anyone attempting Canadian immigration (at least US->Canada immigration), the Buffalo office is supposedly the best way to 'fast-track' your application instead of sending it to Alberta... Even if all of the paperwork says that In-Canada applications must go through Alberta. But I am not an immigration lawyer so your mileage may vary.

I'm married to a Canadian citizen so that might have helped. Instead of just trying to immigrate 'cold.'

[jacquesm]

> I'm married to a Canadian citizen so that might have helped.

That makes a huge difference actually.

[sharan]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I will look in to Canadian immigration when it comes to it.

If it's too much of a hassle, I'm going to have to consider India.

[jacquesm]

Hah!

If only. Seriously, that's a thing you really can not promise and I've personally seen the other side of that.

Please, you have no idea how many people have been 'recruited' as entrepreneurs entering Canada only to be delayed just about forever.

The proper procedure is to get your paperwork BEFORE you enter Canada, anything else is a complete nightmare, no matter what you qualifications and/or your connections.