When to apply to BUNAC???
Jan 8th 2011, 6:02 pm
#46
Bring on the snow!
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,420
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
Simply, the CIC contracted the whole thing out to Bunac and Bunac used it to profiteer.
Unlike the new system and the system already in place for Australia and New Zealand, the previous system saw the Canada YMS exclusively handled by third party agencies for UK and Irish nationals. The UK applications were handled by Bunac and the Irish applications were handled by another similar organisation. This put the system out of whack for citizens of those two countries and basically meant that the Brits and the Irish were being discriminated against by the Canadians, whether by coincidence or by design, since those organisations charged additional mandatory fees for their services on top of the standard application fee, with a Bunac applicant facing fees of around £500 (before ACPO, flights and insurance) and the Irish paying even more. Bunac also insisted upon seeing the applicants return flight and insurance information before they would release the introduction letter to them as even though a return flight is not a pre-requisite of the CIC, Bunac knew that it was damn difficult to book a return flights 1yr+ in advance and so it gave them a selling point for their charter ticket out of which they would earn a hefty commission and to sell their 'unique' insurance policy organised via Endsleigh which was also astronomically priced.
Don't get me wrong, Bunac is a great system for 19 year old gap year students and 21 year old graduates as they offer support services not offered directly by the CIC and are friendly and helpful when you talk to them however they should be an option and not the only option and the new system should help to balance things a little. Realistically, there is no reason why a PhD graduate, an experienced white collar professional or tradesman in their late 20's should be treated in the same way as a 19 year old A-level student who has never lived away from home before and wants a year out before university.
Unlike the new system and the system already in place for Australia and New Zealand, the previous system saw the Canada YMS exclusively handled by third party agencies for UK and Irish nationals. The UK applications were handled by Bunac and the Irish applications were handled by another similar organisation. This put the system out of whack for citizens of those two countries and basically meant that the Brits and the Irish were being discriminated against by the Canadians, whether by coincidence or by design, since those organisations charged additional mandatory fees for their services on top of the standard application fee, with a Bunac applicant facing fees of around £500 (before ACPO, flights and insurance) and the Irish paying even more. Bunac also insisted upon seeing the applicants return flight and insurance information before they would release the introduction letter to them as even though a return flight is not a pre-requisite of the CIC, Bunac knew that it was damn difficult to book a return flights 1yr+ in advance and so it gave them a selling point for their charter ticket out of which they would earn a hefty commission and to sell their 'unique' insurance policy organised via Endsleigh which was also astronomically priced.
Don't get me wrong, Bunac is a great system for 19 year old gap year students and 21 year old graduates as they offer support services not offered directly by the CIC and are friendly and helpful when you talk to them however they should be an option and not the only option and the new system should help to balance things a little. Realistically, there is no reason why a PhD graduate, an experienced white collar professional or tradesman in their late 20's should be treated in the same way as a 19 year old A-level student who has never lived away from home before and wants a year out before university.
As for the over priced insurance and airfares- you've got to remember this is set up for students who may not have travelled on their own. Much smoother for BUNAC if they know everyone has appropriate insurance in place. In the event of any issues BUNAC will be the first phone call and they have to deal with the mess.
That being said, the new system is definitely fairer, gives non-students a choice and is more in line with other countries WHV programs
Jan 8th 2011, 6:31 pm
#47
Sidecar Falcon
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
In actual fact, this now means that British applicants get a better deal than pretty much any other nationality I know of apart from the Australians.
Jan 8th 2011, 8:25 pm
#49
Temporary Canuck
Joined: May 2010
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
Posts: 336
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
The new policy of two one-year participation periods is not being implemented retroactively. So even if you have previously participated in the IEC, you will still be able to participate twice, assuming you can demonstrate eligibility to do so.
Jan 8th 2011, 9:37 pm
#50
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Location: Down South
Posts: 272
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
I actually went to Canada in in 2005 with Bunac and stayed the full year. It was my only option in so far as getting there via a visa so at the time I had no qualms in paying the money they requested, plus they dealt with everything. I'd just turned 31 at the time and the upper age limit was then 35, it gave me the opportunity that Oz or NZ couldn't offer and I was over the moon. But now I have mixed emotions about the new changes. If only the 2 year visa had applied then I would most definately have stayed as I'd met someone and was in a relationship with a canadian at the time, creating a very emotional experience when i had no choice but to return to the UK. But now I see that the age restriction has been lowered to 30 which I think is extremely unfair. If like me at the time, people now want to apply who have a wealth of life and work experince but who are by no-means 'old' at the age of 30, they're unable to qualify. I have nothing against those, particularly youngsters (under the age of 30) who wish to go to Canada simply for the 'experience', in fact i encourage them, but surely the government of canada should recognize those who are older but have more ambition and professional employment experience, who potentially could offer Canada more long term benefits than working in a bar for a year or so.
To be honest I find these one/two year visas somewhat discriminatory for the year 21st Century.
To be honest I find these one/two year visas somewhat discriminatory for the year 21st Century.
Jan 8th 2011, 9:42 pm
#51
Sidecar Falcon
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
30 year olds are eligible actually, it's up to 30 inclusive so you're eligible up until the age of 31 now and can enter Canada at the age of 31 as long as you were still 30 when the visa application was submitted.
I completely agree with you on everything else though.
I completely agree with you on everything else though.
Jan 8th 2011, 11:28 pm
#52
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Posts: 454
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
30 year olds are eligible actually, it's up to 30 inclusive so you're eligible up until the age of 31 now and can enter Canada at the age of 31 as long as you were still 30 when the visa application was submitted.
I completely agree with you on everything else though.
I completely agree with you on everything else though.
Jan 8th 2011, 11:32 pm
#53
Sidecar Falcon
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
Plus after clicking on a link from the CIC website to the UK YMS website, the application process looks even less friendly than the Canadian one. I've seen them dealing with Aussie applicants on that UK Border Force show and they want real proof of ties to the applicant's home country and the proof of funds requirement is likely astronomical since I would imagine they expect 95% of people to head straight for the South East.
Last edited by DigitalGhost; Jan 8th 2011 at 11:34 pm. Reason: .
Jan 9th 2011, 1:55 pm
#54
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,098
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
Jan 9th 2011, 2:23 pm
#55
Sidecar Falcon
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
Jan 9th 2011, 4:52 pm
#56
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Posts: 1,098
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
Jan 10th 2011, 5:47 am
#58
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Location: Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Posts: 454
Jan 10th 2011, 10:11 am
#60
Sidecar Falcon
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,504
Re: When to apply to BUNAC???
I wonder with the new system whether the counter will be managed from the first 5000 applications they receive or the first 5000 that they process and approve.