Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Yeah we need more Lancastrians.

Originally Posted by SkiBunny

Lol you just want the real estate business to practice on when me and Mr Bunny end up moving in a mad panic!!

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Hey I'd get u a nice place.

Originally Posted by SkiBunny

At preferential northerner rates?
I'll bring you a meat & potato pie...

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

Hollands? Ashworths?

Originally Posted by SkiBunny

Your choice, with an optional side serving of proper chips and gravy.

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

MUSHY PEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by SkiBunny

Yuck! though easier to transport for real estate bribery purposes

Originally Posted by The Escapea

Bunac non-student visas have all gone for this year, but you can apply from Dec '06 for next year - best to apply early as they run out quickly! More details are here. Dead simple process to get the visa, when they still have some quota left!

My partner and I are both in IT, both grads, and I also have an MBA - we're going out to Victoria in 4 weeks on Bunac visas (hopefully just initially!), and I have a job lined up in Victoria already. Just got lucky sending off my CV to various ads - didn't get much response until I had the Bunac visa though as most employers didn't want the hassle of getting work permits etc. Also, unlike Australia, IT skills (on the non-techy side) don't seem that much in demand at the moment. I know for the role I got (IT project/client management side) they had heaps of Canadian applicants.

Accordingly the IT fast-track programme (detailed here) only encompasses software designers/developers, rather than more managerial posts. (Bummer I know ).

If you manage to get a job offer where the employer has already got a 'Labour Market Opinion' (meaning they have demonstrated the need to employ a foreigner as they can't hire a Canadian for the job) then you can get both a work permit (which generally will automatically entitle your partner to an open work permit) as well as getting additional points on your PR application. But that's a whole different chapter...

Originally Posted by SkiBunny

Today I finally stopped 'lurking'

We *think* we want to emigrate to Canada, but we definitely want an overseas challenge, so after much discussing we have decided to try and get out to Canada for 12months ish on a temporary work visa, and if non-holiday life suits us there then try and get on PNP (we have +points for PR, but no patience for the wait!) and make our move permanent. If after X months we don't feel it's right for us long term then maybe we'll be able to appreciate life here more on our return and have had an adventure to boot...

Main concern is finding one of us an approved job - we are looking at going to Alberta.

Has anyone else done this or is anyone else in the middle of a similar plan?

Am interested to hear your experiences/pitfalls/advice?

Originally Posted by SarahBC

Hi SkiBunny,

We came to BC on a temporary work visa a year ago. We had it issued so that I could come and work for my company, at an office in Powell River, BC. It seems the temporary work visa is usually offered for a year in the first instance, and then extended as required. A colleague of mine in a similar situation, has had her visa for 4 years, but just been told by CIC that they must seek PR now. Our temporary work visa has just been issued for a further 3 years.

After I had 2 interviews with my company (one in person in Victoria, BC, and then a more technical phone interview) they offered me a position. The company then had to seek a Labour Market Opinion (from a government dept called HRDC) to ensure that they had been unsuccessful in seeking a Canadian for the job.

Once you are in Canada on a temporary work visa, you are obliged to stay with that company. If you decide to leave the employer, you must seek another visa type.

It is often easier to seek a successful Labour Market Opinion on more remote locations - big cities are more likely to find staff easier. But this very much depends on your profession.

It's a great way of getting to experience living in Canada sooner if you don't want to wait 2-3 years for your PR application to be approved.

Hope this helps, let me know if you would like more detailed info.

Sarah

Originally Posted by badmojo

Hi, does you job have to be temporary to get a temp work visa or can it be permanent?

Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy

If you come on a WP spouse gets open WP so can work anywhere doing anything (except health\kids)

Originally Posted by or4ngecrush

Can I ask? If I was over on a work permit what rights would my common law partner have would he have any? or would he have to apply seperately for a WP too?

Should I have a quicky wedding lol


Cheers

Originally Posted by badmojo

Hi, does you job have to be temporary to get a temp work visa or can it be permanent?