In terms of cultural parallels, the two countries. share more than just the queen as their head of state, a handful of spelling rules, and a somewhat wry sense of humour. Many of the attitudes, social programs and cultural norms are comparable. “When you make the comparison between Canada and the U.K., you’ll find that we are very similar on a number of levels,” says Tidey. “That goes a long way towards ensuring a smooth transition for assignees and is a prime factor behind the high rate of successful assignments between the two neighbours.” Indeed, there are key similarities. For one, the British healthcare system is not unlike Canada’s, providing assignees with a robust social safety net, and employers with an overall degree of comfort. The quality of education for assignees with families is equally high. Outside of the more traditional British pockets, there is little risk of serious culture shock for Canadians moving to the country, and this typically results in more favourable assignment outcomes. “I suspect the weather will be familiar to some, as will the social- izing and our shared culture, values and history,” comments Ian Robinson, a partner with Fragomen LLP immigration law firm in London. “We both need to meet somewhere in the middle on sports, but we at least have an ice hockey league.” It’s not all smooth sailing. Moving Canadians to the U.K. can present challenges when it comes to aligning certifications, acquiring permits, and accommodating relocating families. The good news, says Robinson, is that immigration obstacles between the two countries aren’t unlike those between other countries. And things can move along quickly once an employer becomes a licensed sponsor, with intra-company transfer visas often processed within a week. “Overall, the system can work pretty well for Canadian employers,” notes Robinson. “Our immigration ‎policy is almost entirely objective, so if you meet the requirements, you get the visa. Also, [as an employer] you don’t have to worry about interviews or an entry clearance officer second guessing whether your employees are skilled.” Timing, however, can be a sticking point for some Canadian employers. It can take up to three or four months to be set up as a sponsor, and the fees for visa applications, sponsorship papers, health and skills taxes, and additional immigration-related services can add up. Moreover, there is some misalignment between Canadian and U.K. certifications within certain industries, which can add further layers of complications. Regardless, says Robinson, “None of this should be a show stopper, but it’s best to be aware and plan early and properly. If you know you are sending a Canadian here, then get the ball rolling as soon as you can and make sure they understand process and timeline. The U.K. isn’t slower than other countries; often we are quicker.” “It really is about planning ahead,” adds Tidey. “Assignees will have little trouble adjusting once they get here, but employers need to understand where they fit into the system, whether their certifi- cations align with ours, and any trade-offs they’ll encounter. The last thing you want to do is leave those considerations until the last minute because as we all know that almost never goes well.” Winter 2018 PERSPECTIVES 27 Safety and Security Caring crews with attention to detail... THAT IS PARAMOUNT! What is Paramount to You? tor@pts-moves.com | www.paramount-canada.com Canada | Germany | Mexico | Singapore | United Kingdom | United States of America Paramount Transportation Systems is a leader in the global household goods moving industry. Partnering with Paramount means that your employees' cherished belongings are carefully and securely packaged, transported, and fully delivered by the most well trained, specialized movers in the world.