Preparing to leave Canada and move to our family to El Salvador was a monumental task, filled with challenges, logistics, and unexpected hurdles. When we decided to start a new chapter in El Salvador, we quickly realized the complexity of the process. From legal documentation to moving personal belongings and bringing our pets, every step required meticulous planning, time, and patience.
Immigration Paperwork
The first step when moving from Canada to El Salvador was to address the legal requirements for immigration to El Salvador. This began with obtaining criminal background checks, which had to include fingerprinting. These documents, along with our children’s birth certificates and our marriage certificate, needed to be apostilled. Apostille certification verifies the authenticity of documents for international use, and it was a vital step in ensuring our paperwork would be recognized in El Salvador. This is only done in Toronto at 222 Jarvis Street in Canada.
However, the process wasn’t without its frustrations. Quebec, where one of our children, Laurens, was born, added extra layers of complexity. Initially, the province required us to notarize Laurens’ birth certificate for $140. Once notarized, we sent it for apostille certification, only for it to be rejected because the document was older than five years. This caused significant delays and felt unnecessarily bureaucratic. Quebec also insisted on us paying for a new birth certificate but only informed us of this requirement in early August, leaving us with limited time.
Ultimately, we resolved the issue by taking Laurens’ original birth certificate to the Canadian Embassy in El Salvador. The embassy was able to apostille the document for just $50 CAD—a much faster and cheaper solution than going through Quebec’s lengthy process. And they did the apostile the day we visited them, no need to wait for anything. While this resolution brought relief, it underscored the importance of having a contingency plan for unexpected hurdles in the immigration process.
Bringing Our Pets
Bringing our three cats to El Salvador from Canada was another significant undertaking. Ensuring their health and compliance with international regulations required multiple steps and substantial expenses. First, we updated all their vaccinations, including boosters, ensuring they were administered at least 30 days before travel. Each cat also needed a health check within 10 days of departure, which had to be approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The logistics of coordinating three vet visits per cat, coupled with CFIA certification, became both time-consuming and expensive. In total, we spent over $2,000 to ensure our pets could travel safely and legally. Despite the cost, it was a necessary investment to bring our furry family members along on this new adventure.
Packing and Shipping
Packing up our life in Canada for a move to El Salvador was both exciting and overwhelming. We were fortunate to have access to warehouse space, where we could organize our belongings for shipment. Everything needed to be carefully packed into boxes, placed on pallets, and wrapped in plastic for protection during transit.
The packing process was a whirlwind, and we were working right up until the last minute. In fact, we were still packing just 30 minutes before leaving for the airport. A friend of ours even continued to pack a few final items for the container after we had already departed. It was a chaotic but ultimately successful effort to prepare our belongings for the journey.
The shipping process itself proved to be a test of patience. Our container left Canada on October 6th, several weeks after we had already moved to El Salvador on August 20th. As of November 26th, the container was still waiting to dock. Delays at the port have pushed the expected arrival date to mid-December, meaning it will have taken nearly three months for our belongings to arrive. While this timeline is longer than we anticipated, it’s a reminder of the complexities involved in international shipping. This is our shipping company.
Lessons Learned: moving my family from Canada to El Salvador
Reflecting on this journey of moving my family from Canada to El Salvador, we’ve learned several important lessons about moving to a new country:
- Start Early: The process of obtaining necessary documents, especially those requiring apostille certification, can be time-consuming. Starting early allows for unexpected delays.
- Be Flexible: Bureaucratic processes can vary widely, and what works in one province or country may not work in another. Having a backup plan is essential.
- Budget for Unexpected Costs: Whether it’s the cost of pet transportation, additional document requirements, or shipping delays, unplanned expenses can add up quickly. Building a financial cushion helps alleviate stress.
- Stay Organized: Keeping track of deadlines, appointments, and required documentation is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition.
- Ask for Help: Whether it’s friends helping with packing or embassy staff assisting with document certification, don’t hesitate to seek support when needed.
Final Thoughts on moving my family from Canada to El Salvador
Moving from Canada to El Salvador has been an incredible experience, but it’s not without its challenges. From navigating the complexities of immigration paperwork to ensuring our pets’ safe arrival and managing the logistics of shipping our belongings, every step has been a learning experience. While there were moments of frustration, particularly with Quebec’s document requirements, we’re grateful for the progress we’ve made.
As we await the arrival of our shipping container, we’re settling into our new life in El Salvador. The journey has taught us resilience and adaptability, and we’re excited to fully embrace this new chapter of our lives. For anyone considering a similar move, our advice is to plan ahead, remain flexible, and approach the process with patience and a sense of adventure.
Check out this video on our first couple of weeks in our new country!
Check out our post on Leaving Canada before moving our family to El Salvador
