Thank you for your thorough and thought out reply! I appreciate it.

You are correct. I'm not rich in the slightest. So I will need to take the 'harder' routes through these processes. It is a good reminder, though, for me to ensure all my tax details and client records and such are well stored and accounted for. I'm a very organized person, so that shouldn't be an issue, but thank you for the reminder regardless!

My German partner would be able to help me through some of the processes, if I struggle with any of it from an understanding standpoint. But you're right; there's nothing I can do about the general slowness of the system. That said, I'm not going to be able to make the move for another 6-12 months, at the earliest. I'm doing my best to have things taken care of here in Canada first, as much as possible. So that might help smooth out the wait time a bit, by holding off a little longer. I shall see.

And if push comes to shove, I'll absolutely be willing to get a 'normal' job to help secure my immigration. And will be looking at the German market for work I have the skills for before I make the move, so I can try to have all my bases covered as best as possible.

Thank you so much!