Starting a new life
 

Hi All, I'm looking for some advice regarding making a permanent move to Canada.

I finished at Nottingham Uni in 2006, and went to Canada on a Bunac organised one-year student visa. I had the best time working basic service jobs in Whistler (2hrs north of Vancouver) and left at the end of my visa. Since my year working there, I have been back to Whistler and Vancouver on holiday twice, and am totally convinced that moving there (or the surrounding area) is the right thing for me.

I am 27, I have read a few posts on here, and it seems people are saying that one of the quickest ways to get into Canada is via a Bunac organised 12-month working visa. Am I right in thinking that I can do this, as my previous Bunac visa was while I was a student?

Would it be better/cheaper/faster to apply direct to CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) for a temp work visa? Is this the same thing that Bunac get you?

The problem I am facing is that I don't want to leave after 12 months. From what I can make out, once your working you can apply for an extension LMO, or as a apply as a skilled worker.

I did biochemistry and uni and I'm currently working in the UK for a company that manages clinical pharmaceutical trials. Now ideally i'd like to move to Whistler, which is a smallish ski town, which doesn't really have the greatest need for a biochemist. What are the best employment sectors that I could move into to increase my chances of getting a visa extension, and ultimately residency?

Am I looking at this the right way, or is there a better way to go?

Re: Starting a new life
 

Welcome to the forum :) I don't have answers to your questions but I am sure some of the more senior members will be able to help. I got told by one or two members here that had it not been for the fact OH and I have dependants the BUNAC would have definitely been the best way of getting a foot into Canada first of all and would give us time to be able to get more permanent work and apply for residency. I am not too sure about how it works if you have previously been out to Canada under a BUNAC visa though...

Re: Starting a new life
 

Welcome.

Information on visas and so on is in the wiki. It is best to read this first and then you will be able to ask more directed questions.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canada

There is a bio-tech industry in the Vancouver area if this is where you want to work. In Whistler the jobs are mostly in tourism or related services.

Re: Starting a new life
 

Hi
If you worked for a year in Canada on a Bunac visa...can't you apply under the Canadian experience class?
Just an idea
Stef

Re: Starting a new life
 

Thanks for the replies.

@JonboyE; so from what I can see, the Bunac visa allows you to enter without prearranged work, but a temp visa direct from CIC needs a firm job offer. Is this correct?

If so, what would be more desirable for an employer; a blank visa via Bunac and then apply for a job, or apply for a job and then secure a visa?

@lins and Stef; I don't think so. Regarding Canadian experience class, the CIC website says "As a temporary foreign worker, you must have two years of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada. Your work experience must be gained within three years of applying."

I was only there for a year, and at most did about 20hours a week in low-paid jobs. (It was more of a post-uni holiday than anything else)

Re: Starting a new life
 

That's right. Trying to get a job with an employer who then needs to apply for an LMO while you are still in the UK is very difficult unless you have some specialist skills not available in the local market.

If you come on a BUNAC you can get any job. You then show the employer what an asset you are to their business and persuade them to apply for an AEO so you can apply for PPR.

Re: Starting a new life
 

Thanks again JonboyE.

So I guess Bunac is the way to go. Once I have an approved visa, I can apply for jobs from the UK, the visa doesn't commence until I go through immigration and pick it up.

I love skiing, so ultimately I'd like to be close to, if not, in Whistler. Forgetting about commuting etc, and thinking about the long-term of getting AEO leading to PPR, do you think it would be a safer bet to go the bio-tech route in the city, or try tourism & retail management in Whistler?

Re: Starting a new life
 

I don't know what your timescale is, but just so that you're aware, the Bunac non-student program for this year has just closed (yesterday I believe), so you'll have to wait until December before you can apply.

Good luck and welcome to the forum. :)

Re: Starting a new life
 

Thanks, I did notice that, and I planned to call them tomorrow to ask when it was open again. Gutted that it's soo long.

Do you happen to know if anyone gets rejected do they open another spot?

Thanks for the warm welcome

Re: Starting a new life
 

I guess you can, but applying from overseas is very, very difficult. Canadian employers like to see you face to face and, if they decide to hire you, they'll want you to start tomorrow.

There is no harm in starting looking as soon as you get your visa but you are much, much more likely to get work when you are out here.


Many of the jobs in Whistler are seasonal. I would think you will have a better chance of a permanent job offer in Vancouver - but why not try both?

Re: Starting a new life
 

Mike - they do not open spots up if someone happens to get rejected, and there is no waiting list either, sorry to say. This year CHC instructed that applications for non student be in by jan 31st.

Best of luck..

Re: Starting a new life
 

Re: Starting a new life
 

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to the forum. You may be better off starting your own thread to ask questions rather than hijacking somebody elses. I'd recommend you read the 'Newbies to the Forum' sticky at the top of the page which will tell you all about how to get the best out of the forum.

And as you'll no doubt have seen mentioned, the Wiki (on blue bar at top of page) is full of useful info so that should be your first starting point. Bear in mind that the US is much, much harder than Canada to get in to (even for very qualified people it can be impossible).

Bunac would be a good option for you to give you a year in Canada to try it out (assuming of course you would be under 30 when you wish to go), and before that you can read up on other visas so that you can have a plan for if you want to stay longer.

Good luck. Have a read of the Wiki and then shout with any questions. :)

Re: Starting a new life
 

Hello, I graduated in 2008 and moved over to Canada on a TWP, its a good way to go as once you have +1 years experience you can apply for a fast tracked PR visa. I returned to the UK due to the gold crash (though now the price is riding high again) and am returning in the summer to pursue postgraduate study in New Brunswick.

Whistler is expensive, price of living around there is also very high, so unless you get a good skills job that pays well you might find it difficult at first.

Best of luck with your Canadian ambitions and keep us apprised of your progress.

Sarah, I would visit the place you would like to move to on holiday before applying for a visa and fully committing to the big move to Canada. Best thing you can do is check out this forum, some really helpful people here that know more than I. Good luck to you too.

Re: Starting a new life
 

That was extended until the end of March (for paperwork submissions) but they have now ceased accepting new applicants.

The OP can definitely go back as a one year YMS worker though if his previous bunac visa was student-based, he will just need to wait until December 2010 to apply.