Moving to Canada for 12 months - IEC Working Holiday Visa

[Jebs]

I've just finally paid my Health Insurance today Only 24 days to go until me and the other half are off!!

We went with Holiday Safe at around £172 as we didnt add winter sports to it but closer to the time I'm sure we can add it on if we really want to... I'm clumsy enough as it is though and didn't want to take the chance of breaking something just yet.

I'm hoping we enjoy it and I'm not too homesick as that seems to be the pattern of late with people who I know have gone over, but we're only 24 and 26 so have a couple of years to experience life a bit before we settle down.

 

[Marky]

As far as I know, the SIM-only deals are still quite expensive - around $50 a month. Shopping around a lot is a good idea - some providers charge for receiving calls etc. Best to get one which includes lots of data - which would be handy for using WhatsApp etc to chat to people back home

The CIC LOI is the one and same thing - I assume you received the PDF with the letter on? If so, that's the one that you'll need

I'm very excited to head over there, I've realised that it's still a good while yet though - we're planning on heading out the first couple of weeks of April, as our LOIs expire on 22nd April. However, reading about how people seem to be struggling with homesickness etc, I'm worried - more for my girlfriend's sake than mine tbh - I used to be a bit nomadic really, moving around a lot - however I've never lived more than a few hours from my parents - even though my relationship with them is a lot less close than my girlfriend's with hers.

We'll see

Paying for receiving calls?! Bad times Yeah I'll definitely be using more data than calls/texts I imagine... I'll just have to shop around as you say!

Ah yeah then I'm all ready to go then Thanks

I am slightly worried about homesickness - I've not been away from home for longer than a week, so it'll be a big change for sure... Just going to wing it and try and be strong

 

[McDaniel]

Quick question regarding my phone... I plan on buying the next iPhone when it is released in September/October... If I buy it in the UK, I'm assuming I can just go out there and grab a SIM-Only deal? What are the contracts like out there?
y

I found Koodo to be pretty good myself for phones; check out Wind and Fido also. But assuming the phone is unlocked then yes you can get SIM Only, my friend did the same albeit with a Galaxy S2.

As far as I know, the SIM-only deals are still quite expensive - around $50 a month. Shopping around a lot is a good idea - some providers charge for receiving calls etc. Best to get one which includes lots of data - which would be handy for using WhatsApp etc to chat to people back home





The CIC LOI is the one and same thing - I assume you received the PDF with the letter on? If so, that's the one that you'll need

I'm very excited to head over there, I've realised that it's still a good while yet though - we're planning on heading out the first couple of weeks of April, as our LOIs expire on 22nd April. However, reading about how people seem to be struggling with homesickness etc, I'm worried - more for my girlfriend's sake than mine tbh - I used to be a bit nomadic really, moving around a lot - however I've never lived more than a few hours from my parents - even though my relationship with them is a lot less close than my girlfriend's with hers.

We'll see

I think for me the homesickness kicked in more because finding work is tough there (well for what I wanted anyway) so when your savings run low and your in an expensive city with not support its like a catalyst! I am not close to my 'rents really and haven't lived at home for 10years bar a few months here and there but also have only ever been a few hours away - but it hit me harder then I expected, more being away from the "known" and friends... and also driving!

 

[Xein]

So sad to hear about Daniel heading home and Scary thinking about it, homesickness is such a pita, that's the main thing I'm worrying about at the moment.

I hope you enjoy your remaining time their Scary (If you decide to come home)

I've got my stuff out again and going through it all and checking the IEC website and it looks like British applicants can now get Two years instead of One;

Starting 2013, two significant changes were made to the International Experience Canada initiative for British citizens:

British citizens will no longer be required to demonstrate habitual residency (i.e. that they have lived continuously in the UK).
British citizens are permitted to participate twice, each time up to 12 months.
Those who had participated under the 2010 quota or earlier (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will be eligible for two additional participations of up to 12 months each.
Those who had participated once under the 2011 quota and once under the 2012 quota, (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will not be eligible.
Those who had participated once under the 2011 quota or once under the 2012 quota (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will be eligible for one final participation of up to 12 months.
Please note that no third party organization/vendor can guarantee you a spot in the IEC 2013 initiative.

Which is a positive for those who will be applying next year (me).

Just really stuck for where I should head, I really like the look of Toronto but after seeing all of the pictures of Vancouver it looks absolutely amazing.

I'm going to create a list again but if someone could kindly compile a short list or trust me a list of the things I'll need / need to do and take. I'm going through everything again but it will be nice for first hand experience.

Cheers

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Interview went very well in the end Feeling confident Should hear by mid-August if I've got it!

Quick question regarding my phone... I plan on buying the next iPhone when it is released in September/October... If I buy it in the UK, I'm assuming I can just go out there and grab a SIM-Only deal? What are the contracts like out there?

It's getting closer and closer now and I'm definitely getting more and more excited about it - Just wanna get out there now

I received my CIC letter of introduction, so I'm all sorted pretty much - I assume I'll get the IEC Letter of Introduction soon?

- Marky

As others have said, you'll be fine sticking a Canadian SIM into an iPhone 5, provided it's unlocked and can be used on any network.

My girlfriend and I are with Fido, we got a decent enough deal, it's around $50 a month, but we get pretty much everything we need for that, including plenty of data which was important for me. I prefer to pay a higher line rental and know that I'll never have to pay more, rather than have a fluctuating bill every month.

Fido often have deals on, so when you arrive see if they have anything good going

 

[-westy-]

So sad to hear about Daniel heading home and Scary thinking about it, homesickness is such a pita, that's the main thing I'm worrying about at the moment.

I hope you enjoy your remaining time their Scary (If you decide to come home)

I've got my stuff out again and going through it all and checking the IEC website and it looks like British applicants can now get Two years instead of One;



Which is a positive for those who will be applying next year (me).

Where have you got the information about a 2 year Visa from? The ability to participate twice has been there for a while now, as far as I can see in that quite it'll still be a 1 year Visa.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Pretty sure it's still only 2 x 1 year visa for Brits. It's 1 x 2 year for Irish people.

Starting 2013, two significant changes were made to the International Experience Canada initiative for British citizens:

British citizens will no longer be required to demonstrate habitual residency (i.e. that they have lived continuously in the UK).
British citizens are permitted to participate twice, each time up to 12 months.
Those who had participated under the 2010 quota or earlier (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will be eligible for two additional participations of up to 12 months each.
Those who had participated once under the 2011 quota and once under the 2012 quota, (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will not be eligible.
Those who had participated once under the 2011 quota or once under the 2012 quota (including through SWAP’s partner BUNAC) will be eligible for one final participation of up to 12 months.

Please note that no third party organization/vendor can guarantee you a spot in the IEC 2013 initiative.

 

[Xein]

Where have you got the information about a 2 year Visa from? The ability to participate twice has been there for a while now, as far as I can see in that quite it'll still be a 1 year Visa.

Pretty sure it's still only 2 x 1 year visa for Brits. It's 1 x 2 year for Irish people.

Ahh okay, I see now, I read over it too quick as I haven't seen that notice before.

 

[-westy-]

Pretty sure it's still only 2 x 1 year visa for Brits. It's 1 x 2 year for Irish people.

Ah, that clears it up, I thought it was 2 x 2 years for the Irish.

 

[McDaniel]

Well, my decision is feeling more like the right one.

I landed home last Wed afternoon, had an interview on the Friday - been invited for a second interview this coming Thursday - also have another interview on the Friday. Also got 2 more applications processing, so maybe more interviews on the horizon.

More action in 1 week then 2 months in Canada; and decent pay too!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

That's good to hear, glad you're feeling like it was the right decision. How are you finding being back in the UK in general?

 

[McDaniel]

That's good to hear, glad you're feeling like it was the right decision. How are you finding being back in the UK in general?

It's good; I've still not told many people - been focusing on the job hunt and also seeing some familiar as have a few deaths in the last couple months. It's nice being somewhere where I know how everything operates and is familiar though... and also cheaper! I can buy a loaf of bread for half the price XD!

I still need to get another car though, but will wait till I am back in work. I am sleeping easier at night (well, bar the heat) - and feeling more content.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

It's good; I've still not told many people - been focusing on the job hunt and also seeing some familiar as have a few deaths in the last couple months. It's nice being somewhere where I know how everything operates and is familiar though... and also cheaper! I can buy a loaf of bread for half the price XD!

I still need to get another car though, but will wait till I am back in work. I am sleeping easier at night (well, bar the heat) - and feeling more content.

That's cool, funny that some people don't know you're back though

In general, I'm not finding it that much more expensive here. Some things in particular are, like if I want to buy something that I'd normally buy online, it's either not available or I have to pay extortionate shipping and import duty for it to come from the US. Our rent and bills is comparable to what we were paying back home, and I'm earning more than I was in the UK which is also helping.

Meat is cheap though, which is nice

 

[McDaniel]

Well, the people who contact me when I tested the waters back home have just offered me a job

In the end I did:

An initial Interview
Numerical Test
Reasoning Test
Personality Questionnaire thing
Group Exercise
Presentation
2nd Interview with more senior management.

So i've been back just over 3 weeks and been offered a job on more then what I was on for Lloyds - and likely more then I would hope to get in a role in Canada!

 

[stumpy187]

Congrats. I did pretty much the same thing. Lasted out march 12 to may 13 but didnt work for over 9 months it got pretty hairy with cash towards the end. I had literally just got my 2nd year visa and was contacted about a job in the UK. Finally had enough came home and got a job inside 2 weeks.

I was just fed up of getting automated responses or just getting passed over by anything but call centre roles out in Toronto.

 

[McDaniel]

Congrats. I did pretty much the same thing. Lasted out march 12 to may 13 but didnt work for over 9 months it got pretty hairy with cash towards the end. I had literally just got my 2nd year visa and was contacted about a job in the UK. Finally had enough came home and got a job inside 2 weeks.

I was just fed up of getting automated responses or just getting passed over by anything but call centre roles out in Toronto.

It certainly makes me feel better about the decision, I know the market is tough here but It felt easier then Canada and I was even footing with everyone else.

Pretty stoked right now, treated myself to some Lego from Westfield in London, cracked open a beer, and feeling good!

 

[-westy-]

Myself and my girlfriend are coming to the point where we are trying to decide where to go: Vancouver or Toronto. Whilst Vancouver looks amazing, we're concerned about the higher cost. However Toronto, whilst maybe less popular, has a lower cost of living and perhaps slightly easier job market as it's not flooded with Expats.

Any advice/opinions?

 

[Tripnologist]

But it's Toronto, the self appointed centre of the universe. Ick.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Just got back from a weekend of camping, and we were supposed to go hiking but a bee stung my foot so I could barely walk due to the swelling. We still managed to check out Lower Joffre Lake (we were planning to hike up to the glacier and see the other two lakes) as it's only 500m from the car park.

We camped at a place called Strawberry Point on Lillooet Lake, it was awesome!

Our hire car

Our camping spot

I'm on a boat!!!

Lillooet Lake

No camp fires allowed unfortunately due to the recent weather

Lower Joffre Lake

 

[Marky]

Beautiful pics as per use Squirrel Sweet Hire car

Hoping to hear back about my interview this week! Fingers crossed!

About 8 weeks until I'm planning on leaving now - Can't believe how close it's getting!