Hey everyone,

Firstly, happy new year.

This isn't really a question. I more just want to know your thoughts.

A bit of background information. I am 22, born and bred in London. I will be finishing my 4 year Computer Science degree in May with most likely a 1st class. I have 1 year professional experience working at a globally known IT company, which was part of my degree.

I have wanted to move away from London for years for a few reasons, well I met a really nice girl from Toronto a few weeks ago at my friends birthday party. Anyway, we've pretty much fallen for each other and she's asked me to move out there. I've done a lot of research on the GTA, and it seems like I have a lot of potential there with all the IT jobs. What I really want is a software development role. Also, I want to move over there as soon as I finish my degree as then I wont be wasting money here.

Some questions:

What is the likelihood of me gaining pre-arranged employment in an IT company in either Toronto or Mississauga without me doing a rece trip, as I am still completing my studies.

I've read about the changes to the skilled worker visa and they have changed in my favour, so my plan B is to gain permanent residency through this route and go over there and find a job.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your opinions.

Hi, and welcome to BE.

Honestly? I'd say pretty slim to be honest. Even those with decades of experience struggle to find a job offer from the UK without a reccie trip, it's the usual way to find one, but without much experience at all I think you'll struggle to find an employer prepared to go through the paperwork/hassle/wait of hiring you, particulary without that all important 'personal contact'.

Have you looked at the IEC visa? That would be your quickest and easiest route over, by a mile.

That's great if you do qualify (just checking, but you've done the points test using the new system?). So that would definitely be a good option, and maybe you could go over on an IEC whilst you wait the year or so to get PR?

Best of luck.

Hey Christmasoompa, thanks for replying.

I haven't read about the IEC visa yet, will have a look now.

It's going to be hard without the trip I know that, but do you think some employers would be up for doing some kind of video conferencing like Skype. I was even thinking of doing a generic video about myself and putting it on YouTube so I could get my personality across, but then went against the idea because it's a bit out the ordinary.

I qualified before the changes, now it would seem I will have even more points as they are putting more emphasis on younger people, english skills and education.

I really would prefer to have pre-arranged employment though. So if by the end of May when I've finished university, I could go over and visit. How long do people normally go over for?

Thanks again.

EDIT: Just looked at the IEC visa, there aren't any places left. :/

EDIT 2: By the way, the new changes propose that the processing times for the skilled worker visa will be reduced to just a couple months too.

I think you'll struggle to get to interview stage. Sorry to be blunt, but it's just not the way things are done in Canada, and without any real experience behind you, it's going to be even tougher. Have you read the Job Hunting section of the Wiki?

You wouldn't have qualified before the changes, as there were no IT related occupations on the list of eligible occupations.

I was just checking that the points changes haven't adversely affected you, as the age chance will only get you an extra 2 points (would have been 10, now would be 12), but you'll get less for your work experience than you would have done before (9 points now, versus the 15 you'd have got before - assuming your work as part of your course was a year's full-time of course), etc. Presumably you are going to claim points for adaptability though (Canadian relative, study or similar?). As I can't see how you'd have got 67 points or more under the old system if not?

That's for the 2012 program, the 2013 is about to open any day now.

And yes, I am aware of that, but given that last time CIC made changes they predicted that processing times would be down to 6 months (they never dropped below a year, 18 months being the norm), I'd take that with a pinch of salt!

I prefer bluntness over sugarcoating so it's fine. I have read the wiki, and found it very helpful, just didn't want to believe the personal contact part.

My work experience was 13 months full-time working as a software engineer. I also worked at a large supermarket 3 years part-time as a team leader, but I don't think that will help.

This is something I really want to do, so whatever it takes.

Money is an issue because as a student, I only have a few thousand behind me. I can borrow some from family if I was to go down the skilled worker route to prove funds, and give it back when I'm earning.

So what do you think is the best thing for me to do?

I'm thinking as there are so many software jobs, to just send my resume out to see if I do get any responses. If after a few weeks that doesn't work, plan a recce trip for as soon as I finish my degree in May and make some personal contact.

Thanks.

I think your best option by a long way is the IEC. It's quick, easy, less proof of funds required (note for FSW you cannot borrow the money - and CIC can ask you to prove its origin), works with your timescale and you'd be work authorised. So instantly employable and a much more attractive proposition for any employer rather than them having to go through paperwork and hassle to hire you.

IMO, it's a no brainer.

Good luck!

I just had a look at the IEC visa, and it does look like a really good option.

But, can I apply now and not start the visa until May/June? Also, can I just stay in Toronto working for one employer the whole time?

I haven't got a police check, IELTS or any medicals etc yet either, should I just apply for them now anyway for use on the other visas.

EDIT: Forget the last sentence as I typing the message before your last one. I'll focus my effort on the IEC visa as it seems the most feasible. Thank you

Hey Reece21,

I'm interested in your topic, I'm also a Computer Science Student at Middlesex University in London. I've been planning to move to Canada for a long time, maybe sometimes in 2014-2015. The best thing I would tell you is to fix up your resume/cv to canadian standards and look for jobs through those following websites:

Job Websites:
http://www.workopolis.com/EN/Common/HomePage.aspx
http://www.wowjobs.ca/

CV Example:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-imm...-t95920.0.html

All the best dude,
If you want to chat, feel free to message me.

- Bee

You get a year to use the visa, yes you can work for one employer (in fact, it's advisable if you want to stay longer term), and you don't need IELTS or a medical, so it's only the police check you need to sort which is quick and easy.

HTH.

While this thread has been brought back up I may as well ask it here.

I am sending off for my police check tomorrow, and it will take over 2 weeks to get.

I'm guessing the IEC visa will start taking 2013 applications soon, I was just wondering how quickly do they fill up. If I apply a week or two after the opening date, will I still have a high chance of a successful application.

I know it's speculative because you can't predict the future (or can you? ), but based upon history what do you think?

Thanks.

Iirc, last year the visas ran out in May, so you should be fine.