BUNAC's past and present
 

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, and I'm really interested to hear of anyone who is / has been on a 12 month 'Work Canada' BUNAC visa.

I'm keen to hear of your Canadian experiences (how easy / difficult to find work / place to rent etc.etc...), & when your 12 months was up, did you return home, or did anyone apply (or succeed!) in staying in Canada ?

I understand from reading previous posts that it may be possible (with much effort) to gain residency or a permanent work permit following a BUNAC year....again if anyone is willing to share their experiences of what happened....I'd be really grateful.

Thanks in advance, and many apols if I may appear inexperienced re: terminology (I am!). Also I don't yet understand all the vise related abbreviations, so please bear with me :


Hoopla

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

I know two people with different situations.

1) my nephew came at 18, before uni, came to Cochrane for a few weeks, then went to Banff and landed a job in the hotels. He failed to take my advice and worked cleaning rooms and then realised if he worked the bars he got tips. But the work was easy the pay was terrible, he got free accommodation and really really loved the experience and can not get use to having wake up now in London and not see the mountains.

2) Client who is 28 just finished uni as a structural engineer, appled got a job over here as an engineer ($60,000 a year), wife is here working as well. They have just come over and brought a house and the company that he works for has offered him a permanent job for him to get a permanet work permit after the 1 year and then permanent residency.


If you need more info PM and I will ask them for more info. I do remember with my nephew that there are limited places and you have to apply Dec to get a place or something.

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Hi there,

I came over on a Bunac 1 year last september and I'm now in the process of Permanent Residency via the BC PNP scheme. My advice to you would be to find a job able to sponsor you as quickly as possible. It's quite a straightforward process as long as you identify before applying which jobs will guarantee you a nomination. You will then need some help from your employer in terms of business licence numbers, certificate of incorporations and a letter of recomendation. Seeing that you are locked into the company until you recieve Permanent Residency, act quickly just in case the business climate changes.

I spent the first 2 months in Toronto without much luck for work so I would definitely recommend BC if your main aim is to settle in Canada on a permanent basis. Good Luck- you can do it !!!

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Hi there,

I am really interested to see the responses to this question as I am coming to Vancouver in October with BUNAC.

I am really hoping that I will be able to secure a permanent post as an Occupational Therapist and apply for residency. I also have a couple of questions please -

1. Did you have to return to the UK at the end of the 1 year BUNAC work permit?

2. If I secured a permanent post within the first 2-3 months of being there, how long would it take to get a permanent work permit?

3. Did you/are you also applying for cizitzenship?

Many thanks in advance!!

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

I'm here with my boyfriend (aka common-law partner) on a BUNAC student visa at present (actual visa not different, just process of getting it), Sept 06 - Sept 07. Applied for BC PNP 9th July, got nominated 15th Aug.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=pnp+timeline

To sum up:

- To find 'proper' work was hard work, even with our own visas already. Started 3 months before we moved out here. Doubt would have been able to get job if had needed a visa organised for us. BUNAC was def a good back door in.

- Places to rent etc. not a problem. You get a welcome meeting when you arrive in Canada from BUNAC's partners here SWAP - they help a lot, with info on how to rent somewhere, getting a cell phone etc. but are more in tune with getting working holiday type jobs in Ski Resorts.

- Having been in job for almost a year, employer has strong case for 'sponsoring'. We're both eligable for BC PNP.

- Techincally, I don't think you can get a permanent job whilst on work permits. Although officially I am on a temp contract in line with my work permits, my employer has said that I am permanent in their eyes. Also for PNP they had to say that they would make me permanent once all paper work is through.

- Work permits are all for a finite amount of time, eg, 1 year, 2 years etc.

- Don't have to go home between visas, but you do need to apply for new ones. Can get new work permit through BC PNP whilst staying in Canada, and waiting for PR (permanent residency) to come through. Missot, I think what you mean is that, once you get PR, then you are on a "permanent work permit".

- It says on your BUNAC visa that you can't extend it or something similar. But you can get other sorts of visas to stay on, either through PNP or LMO (seach threads for more info).

- Main 2 types of ways to stay on is BC PNP where you get work permits until your PR comes through which they say is generally within a year. Or work permits through LMO through HRSDC, and then applying for PR through Skilled Worker route.

- There are some limitations on the type of work you can, so check you will be able to work in Occupational Therapy, both on BUNAC visas and also having your qualifications recongised.

- To apply for Citizenship, you have to be living in Canada for a certain number of years after becoming a PR (It's still a way off for us, so I'm not too sure of details). http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/citizenship/index.asp


Look at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp and www.pnp.gov.bc.ca


Here are a couple of threads that you may find helpful to read about job hunting experiences and BC PNP.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=bunac+postage

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=bunac+postage



It's hard work, but worth it! One thing I will say, is that I found it tough not knowing whether we were here for a year, so to spend all our dollars and make the most of it, or if we are here for the long term and hence start pensions and buy furniture etc.

Good luck, and please PM me if you want

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Live to ski - thank you so much for such a comprehensive and informative response - i REALLY appreciate it! :thumbsup:

I have had all my qualifications validated and have registered with the College of OT's in BC. I will be sitting the canadian OT exams in July next year but luckily, I am able to commence work immediately as a 'provisional' registrant, so that's all ticking along nicely. I have informed BUNAC of my plans to wok as an OT and they haven't said anything about not being able to practice so i hope that's ok! I will check again on Monday :-)

It's so good to hear that renting won't be a problem as that's what i'm most worried about! In your experience, did BUNAC people rent/houseshare?

Thanks again for you help! I'm so anxious about the imminent move - it really is nice to hear from others who've successfully done it!

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

We 26, and felt so old at the BUNAC welcome meeting! it didn't help that boyfriend had a job interview straight after so turned up in his suit!

BUNAC operate on a variety of levels from having your flights arranged on a group flight, with accomodation and help with jobs (probably used by worried parents of 18 year olds who are away from home for the first time), to just getting you the visas.

We just got our visa through BUANC, and did our own flights with Zoom. We didn't even bother asking if they could help us get engineering jobs!!

One of the reasons we moved from the UK was because of the alcohol dependant social lives that people lead there, and sadly I find most BUNAC people here are on one long bar-crawl.

We've avoided most Brits in their teens and 20s, and made a point of making friends with Canadians in that age group. Although some of our friends are Brit ex-pats but in their 40s and 50s, through skiing, hiking and sailing where age doesn't matter because of common interests.

I think a lot of the young "gap-year" types on BUNAC live together, but I haven't come all this way to hang out with Brits.

Here is a link to the 'Bible' of house-hunting (and furnishing second hand) in Vancouver. http://vancouver.craigslist.org/ and it's free!! Don't pay to join a rental agency or anything. Rental market is hot here, so I doubt you'll be able to get something organised for before you arrive, so book yourself a hostel for the first few nights, and then just throw yourself into apartment hunting for the first few days.

The westend in downtown, and Kits are the most popular areas, but you might want to wait until you have an idea of where you will be working.

Well done on getting all your OT quallies validated here. I'm don't have much time for people who turn up here expecting a job to land in their lap and haven't been thought of such things. After all you only have a year tops to prove yourself as worthy to stay on.

How's the OT job hunting going? I have a friend who is an OT here, so let me know if I can ask her any questions for you.

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Hey live to ski...

Again, thank you for all your advice. It's really useful to hear about the people on BUNAC, as like you guys, i'm a bit older (28). I am really keen on all outdoor pursuits and intend on engaging in all things outdoors to build up a network of new friends, especially as I'm coming out on my own.

I had a little look at that craigs list website, which looks great. I will certainly look at rooms in the westend and kitts but can you please advise me of any areas that are a bit dodgy and that I should avoid moving to?

As for your OT friend, any contacts are good contacts as far as i'm concerned!!! Is she a British expat or Canadian? Also I would be very keen to know which field she works in and whether she found it difficult to find a post?

Re the job hunt, I am finding it difficult to 'get my foot in the door' so to speak. I have fired off my resume to several vocational rehabilitation companies that have come recommended from a canadian OT, but they have all said that they will keep it on file and to get in touch when i get out there in october. As well as my OT degree, i also have a business degree and am hoping that this will help me to compete against the canadian graduates (fingers crossed). Vancouver Coastal Health also have a jobs fair coming up, which i'm hoping to get to. Am i right in thinking that generally, the Canadians like to meet people before employing them?

So the job hunt, from the UK is not that successful but i am doing my utmost to establish 'links' before getting out there. Is there anything else you would recommend?

Also, one other question, when you first arrived, did you two do some temping before getting your 'proper' jobs? I am wondering how i will support myself whilst job hunting?

Thanks SO much Live to ski - i am really grateful!

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

You would get preliminary answers if you read the BE Wiki article on Vancouver's neighbourhoods.

Yes, very much so.

The BE Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada explain the employment culture here.

Good luck with your quest.

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Thank you Judy!

I appreciate the directions to the links :-)

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Boyfriend tempted for 2 weeks - http://www.expertrecruiters.com. October will be fine as everyone has gone back to uni.

I'll have a think about anything else that I know now that would have been useful to know when we came out.

If you are planning on skiing / boarding whilst out here, get your lift tickets early as they are generally cheaper if bought before end of October etc. We get a 15 day one for Whistler and OH gets a night a week one for Grouse.

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Myself and the oh used bunac to speed up our quest to live in Canada. Take the chance, at the end of the day as other posters mention you should be able to change you status

best of luck,

rgds scotty

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

I was in Vancouver between May 05 and May 06. If you are a qualified professional this is a good route to take to 'get your foot in the door' so to speak. If not, like I wasn't and you go over like most BUNACERS looking for admin work etc you will not (as far as i'm aware) be able to stay on after the year and you will not qualify for PNP or perm residence. My ex employer tried to sponsor me as an Office Manager, HR of Canada refused it as it was not a sought after occupation or on the 'in-demand list of occupations'.

Regarding job availability, living etc, alot depends on your expectations and what qualifications, work experience you have. It took me a hard slog & several weeks to find basic admin work. I have a degree blah blah blah but to Canadian employers and all the agencies you are simply a temp visitor so you will not get a permanent job being on a 1 yr visa. Also, I went in May just as the Schools were about to break up for summer, therefore you're competing with not only everyday canadians but those on vacation and fellow BUNACERS too. Unless you take plenty of money with you to tide you over you may find it a slight struggle. I couldn't afford to rent in a shared house until i'd found a job, so it can be a victious circle. Pay for temp work is not good so be prepared to possibly have to share like I did with upto 5 or 6 others in a house.

Despite these slight drawbacks it's the best thing I've ever doen in my life!
I did meet a Canadian guy for my sins and have been back to Van 3 times this past year as a result. Yes, he we could of married and he could of sponsored me but thats not the right way of doing things for the best. So, In the long term Im about to embark on a professional qualification in the UK, it's not only something i'm extremely interested in, but is a necessity if in furture I wish to go back to Canada.

Good luck.

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Thanks so much for all your thoughts Canuck fan - I really appreciate that. I am a professional (just qualified as an Occupational Therapist) which I understand is an occupation under pressure in Vancouver. I have lots of contacts lined up and am hoping i should be able to get a post quickly.

I hope all works out for you and good luck with your training!

Re: BUNAC's past and present
 

Thank you so much for all your replies...am going to read them all in detail over the weekend (my first chance!).

It's really interesting to hear your various experiences, and I'm sure I'll have more follow up q's.

Missot...I'm in very much the same boat as you (but not the same profession), is it ok to PM you directly?

Thank again everyone,

Hoopla