Hi everyone, Im in desperate need of some help or advice. I am a 23 year old girl from England and have just returned home from (Calgary) Canada after a 6 month tourist visa. I need to get back to Calgary on a temporary working visa as soon as possible because I am really missing my boyfriend, but have been unable to find an employer willing to help me out.
Does anyone know of any bussinesses or employers in Calgary who are in need of workers and willing to help me out asap? I am a very hardworker and have years of experience in food and beverage serving/management, cooking, retail and office work. I am also an experienced horse trainer and would even enjoy labouring. I will do anything I can so please please give me any advice you can I am so stuck!!
Thankyou
Claire x

Have you explored the option of a BUNAC working holiday visa if you can get one. They are in limited supply and go quickly, but it might be your best bet other than just returning again as a visitor and banging on doors until you can get a job offer / work permit, which might be a long shot for non specialised jobs.

I wouldnt condone it given the long lines of people trying to enter canada legally, but given the general shortage of labour in Alberta surely there are employers willing to pay cash and no questions asked about legal status?

With few skills to bring to the party, long term you have to hope the relationship works out and he is prepared to sponsor you in some spousal capacity.

Check out BUNAC work permit. They have a non-student program that will give you a 1 yr working holiday visa. Quota for this year is full but you can apply in december and be out there in 2009.

Not a quick solution, but an option to consider if all else fails.

Good luck!

How about a job at Spruce Meadows? http://www.sprucemeadows.com/jobs/JobGroom.htm

It does say you need to be a Canadian resident, but perhaps if they like you enough they'd be interested?????

Have you read that ad!!!!!! (sorry thread drift) "Applicants with allergies to animals, hay, dust etc are actively encouraged not to apply"

What could possibly happen in that scenario!!!!!!!

"Hello, i'm calling about the job, before we continue I have to make you aware of a slight problem. Due to the fact that I am indeed allergic to every aspect of it (horses, hay, barns, jodphurs etc), I may not be able to turn up. Would this present a problem?"

Who the hell applies for a job they physically can't do!

I your boyfriend was willing he could stay with you on a Working Holiday Visa in the UK. However I have been told that Canadians who go there on a working visa don't stay there that long. I myself stayed the full 2yrs and have been itching to get back since.

MMC, you're obviously working on the assumption that common sense is common.

Claire, some of the occupations in which you've worked are listed amongst the Occupations under Pressure in Alberta. This suggests that you might be able to get a temporary work permit if you got a job offer in one of these fields. Only people in Skill Levels O, A or B on the National Occupational Classification Matrix can use a permanent job offer to upgrade to a permanent residence visa, however. Some of the occupations in which you have worked belong to Skill Level C. Still, a temporary work permit would allow you to get your foot in the door and earn money.

If things work out between you and your boyfriend, you later could go for a spousal / common-law sponsorship.

Other posters have mentioned BUNAC, which I think is a good idea.

If worst comes to worst, you could consider WWOOF, but that program doesn't allow you to earn money -- only room and board.

Read Quick Guide to Canadian Immigration and Quick Job Hunting Instructions. Also get your boyfriend networking on your behalf.

Or, as gingnut said, if it's feasible, your boyfriend could go to the UK on a working holiday visa.
x

You would be surprised.