Hi there,

I studied in Canada for two years (graduated in 2004) and have worked there on a couple of work permits, including two co-op placements from school and also a couple of ski instructor sponsored permits. I didn't really intend to immigrate until I moved back to the UK and discovered how much I'm not at home here anymore. I've given it a year and am still homesick for Canada so am going to put in an application for PR.

I have just been approved by HRDC for a ski instructors visa for this winter but i feel that doing that will be a huge step backwards in my career and that it would be more sensible to stay in the UK and stay in my real chosen occupation. I do love instructing but I haven't worked as a full time instructor for four years and am not sure if it's wise from a career point of view. On the otherhand I just want to go back to Canada...sorry I'm really rambling.

In hindsight I made a huge mistake with my co-op placements in that I chose an employer who I knew would never apply to HRSC for anyone. They said that straight up but I didn't mind because it wasn't my intention to ask them to stay or even for me to immigrate. That company has said however that they would give me a job instantly should I have a valid visa, they just won't get it for me.

Has anyone ever found a job that will sponsor them to go over to Canada?
How did you find it?
Did you just send off your CV to loads of companies?
How did you find the companies - web searches, job websites such as Monster?

Any info would be much appreciated and I do apologise for the long post. I just have a lot of questions because I have a lot of decisions to make.

Thank you

Where abouts are you moving to?

Have you considered the one year visa (there is a scheme at www.bunac.org) which might prove useful. I do know someone who came over on that and managed (at the 11th hour!) to get a sponsored job over here.

Good luck

Clare

Yes, that's another of my options. I have looked into the Bunac visa which I haven't used yet. They told me I can't apply until I've been out of Canada for 12 months...please tell me this is rubbish - I am going to put an application in for it in December anyhow when the new 2007 visas come out and see what they say.

Thanks! Oh btw, I want to move to Vancouver. I worked in Whistler for 3 winters and 1 summer. Prior to that, college was in Ontario and I also did 3 seasons in Quebec so I feel I've tried living everywhere and made that decision from lots of experience.

AFAIK the only stipulation is that you're resident in the UK for the duration of the application.
I've heard of BUNAC sending out student forms for non-student applicants etc so I'm not sure that their word is necessarily always gospel.

You've probably already seen this; but the eligibility page @ Bunac.org reads thusly -

To be eligible as a non-student, you must be:

* a British passport holder aged 18-35 inclusive when you apply to the programme and at the time of entry into Canada;
* resident in the UK for the duration of the application procedure.

This visa is only available to you once. If you are a student and match the requirements above, apply under the student option.

This programme is not open to people with dependents.

... You'd think that a rule like having to be resident at home for 12 months would be included so, imho, you should be fine.