mattieuk

Can't let this slip without correcting it (some people scour these forums and accept everything at literal face value). You can repeat once, and you can participate for a maximum of two years (as far as I know through my own application). Repeating it twice would give you 3 years, which is not possible under the IEC scheme.

Not being a jerk, but I know a lot of people base all their hopes on stuff like this so, just wanted to clarify in case anyone digs through this thread in a few months and gets all excited and starts firing off a million PMs to you to find out how to get 3 years! Spot on about the student and non student stuff though.

I don't think that is entirely fair. BUNAC have been doing this for quite a while, and they weren't lying to you regarding the information they gave you - as what they were saying was based on a case of best-guessing, and I was in the same camp they were in. Work Canada visas for non students went in a matter of two or three days (if they lasted that long!). With the student/non student definition gone, there was definitely reasonable scope for them to believe that these new visas would sell out very fast as well. From the way that the embassy are cutting BUNAC off, I strongly doubt they were giving BUNAC updates on how the applications non-BUNAC were going. Plus, under the old BUNAC-only system you had a visa reserved as soon as you originally signed up with BUNAC and paid your money - under the new IEC scheme, no one knows when the visa is properly reserved (probably at the payment stage if when you 'know' you have one reserved).

I'm not an all out defender of BUNAC - and I think the benefits of their SWAP office are somewhat overrated (I used them to get my SIN card, and had a brief look over their job boards - but in truth it is mostly Craigslist adverts printed off). They do have free to use computers with the internet, and printers, which is very handy for newcomers, but there are plenty of libraries and internet cafes, so this isn't completely essential for the money.

That said, if anyone is canceling their BUNAC membership/went alone, and experience any questions or anything when coming out here (specifically looking at people coming over to Vancouver really, as I've never experienced the city of Toronto), they are more than welcome to get in touch with me (via PM or whatever), and I will try to give as much advice as possible. The SWAP office definitely isn't the mecca for BUNAC users I thought it would be - and the staff have to deal with knowing protocol for different nationalities, and backpackers as it operates for all international programs.

Super glad you're enjoying yourself man! Always helpful when the locals make you feel welcome as well. Good luck with the job/hostel hunt - but it sounds like you are doing awesomely! You'd still be stuck on a bus if coming to the West Coast right? Urgh!

Craig1987

I know... What a nightmare that would have been. Will still probably see vancouver at some point, but I was kinda blown away when i arrived in toronto. It is bloody cold here though... And that's coming from a scotsman.

Galacticos

On an IEC work permit, are we allowed to get a visitors permit to enter the USA?? I ask because i have a few relatives in Ohio, and it would be nice if i had the option of going to visit potentially.

Craig1987

Yes. You can go on the vwp (visa waiver programme)... I think i read that it costs $6 and lasts upto 90 days. Apparently, it's easier to go by land. Should be cheaper too.

superhans

Ok, as one of the stragglers, here's my progress so far:

1st March - Sent application to Paris
7th March - Acknowledgement of receipt
9th March - Conditional acceptance
10th March - Paid fee
10th March - Receipt of proof payment
11th March - Sent to London

So I guess I'm now in for at least a few weeks of nail biting. Good luck to everyone else still waiting!

Little Blue

Lol, I was going to ask you about the weather. I bet the windchill is quite a shock. Glad you're having a great time though! Keep us posted.

mattieuk

Yup, there will be a little nail biting - although it seems that almost all of the applications going to London get approved. You've probably got about 4 weeks to wait, if the current average times on here are anything to go by.

exenglishman

The weather in Toronto over the past few days has been much like the Uk, lots of Rain bmjust Much colder ha. Youl find it's def started to warm up here now, there's days now and then when it actually hits +1 or 2!! However when you get the windy days it's super chilly!!

In terms of jobs, search on kijiji, alot of jobs on there updated every few minutes.

Little Blue

Sounds like spring is arriving. I'm hoping to go into May/June time so I'll buy some winter clothing whilst there. Saves a lot of room in my case if anything lol.

How cold DOES it get during winter. I've heard horror stories but I feel that they may have been exaggerated somewhat.

Craig1987

I think the worst of it is due to the wider streets. In glasgow, where the streets are narower, you have a lot of cover from the buildings. A canadian girl at the hostel created the term "snaining" (i.e rain+snow). When you have that light snow that melts before it hits the ground. Annoying when you walk down a long street for about 2 miles and it's "snaining" in your face.

EDIT: just googled snaining... Turns out it's nothing new.

Galacticos

Ur exactly the same as me Date wise...... Hmmmmm i wonder who will get their's first. Lets keep a note of tht and msg when we get the all important LOI

Biting my nails with u

Galacticos

Well i was over in Toronto back end of Jan and it was snowing.....

In doors its not bad thanks to a great heating system, but outside is freezing if you stand still.... Keep on the move and you should be ok. My only other advice would be cover your mouth with a scarf cuz breathing in that sub zero air is what will make you ill..... I got back over a month ago, and i still have a cough which i know happened as a result of frozen air possibley stuck deep within my lungs

Third6

In regards to BUNAC, they gave me wrong information regarding POF and told me to look on other websites for information which I can easily do for free. So they did give me wrong information, if I'm paying a company £250 I don't want "best guessing". In fact, I asked them a question and they told me they were contacting IEC to find out and just never got back to me. When I've phoned them they've been ver rude and dismissive, like I'm bothering them by phoning them.

That's great that you've had a good experience with them and have found them useful but I can't say the same for myself.

Mr. Numbers

Yeah, it's easy to pop over to the US - if going by air, you just need to apply for an ESTA online in advance (just google ESTA and apply through the official US Gov't website) - it costs $14 (I think) and lasts for 90 days. Without this they won't let you in!

If going by land, you don't need an ESTA in advance, but you will have to apply for the standard US Visa Waiver using the green form at the border. Still lasts 90 days and I think the cost is the same when I did this last year.

David K. Barnes

Never used this forum before so a first timer here!

I am very interested in applying for the IEC scheme. I'd love to go to Canada in September after I've finished with my work at the Edinburgh Fringe and live and work in Canada for a year. I also have a friend who lives in Toronto who has offered me a place to stay for the year, so finding accomodation won't be a problem.

I registered at the IEC site and had the personalised application form sent to me. However, I have yet to actually send it off as I had to weigh up various options over the past month.

I'm wondering: is it probably too late for me to apply now? The website doesn't specifically say places have run out but wondered whether it's worth my while at this stage?