Moving to Canada for 12 months - IEC Working Holiday Visa

loltim said:
not read the whole thread SS so apologies if you've already said, but are your current employers keeping your position open for when you return?
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I've not told them about my move yet. I'm not really fussed, I'll have been here for 5 and a half years, so I wouldn't want to return here anyway I don't think.

Nexus said:
Bar work is pretty much near impossible to get as a non-Canadian who is not a long term local in Whistler. If you were a pretty girl, then that would be a different story!

There is a Photography company in Whistler called Coast Mountain Photography. They hire Photographers to work on the mountain whereby you ask to shoot people by hanging around some of the popular spots, with the intention that they will later buy your photos down in the Village. It's commission based, so it can pay quite well compared to some season jobs in Whistler.

I had an interview with them during my first season in Whistler where I showed them a portfolio of my Uni Work. The problem I had though was that Photographers were expected to have their own gear, and at the time I only had a pretty basic 35mm SLR and lenses, when I'd just been and bought my first DSLR. Prior to getting there, I'd assumed such a company would be shooting Digitally, but it turned out they were actually using film.

This was back during 2004/2005 though, so maybe they've actually moved to a Digital workflow for their Photographers now. Certainly worth a shot as a Photographer.


If you were just talking about jobs in Vancouver though, ignore everything I just said!
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Very useful info indeed. We'll be heading to Vancouver initially but may well go to Whistler later in the year, so thanks for posting that :)

As I shoot weddings I've got all the gear I would need for a job like that. Sounds like fun!
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Right, all is going ahead now :)

Planning to go out for that start of the summer season next year, so May 2013 :)

Decided i'm going to do a course in mountain biking and snowboarding which guarantee jobs, despite the advice of others, simply because I don't want to risk it and end up working in a retail job or similar for the entire year :(

Also going with BUNAC.
Now, was wondering what the best order to do things in is?

I have to apply for, BUNAC, Visa, and both courses.

And where on earth is the IEC Application form, can't seem to find it :(
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Links to all forms is here - http://www.canadainternational.gc.c...e/application_guide-guide_demande.aspx?view=d

You need to get a ACPO police certificate before sending off your IEC application though.

I'm sending my police certificate application off next week hopefully. It's ready to go but I think my girlfriend might get annoyed if I send mine before she sends hers.

EDIT: Police certificate link - http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx
 
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Megahurtz400 said:
Still confused by what BUNAC meant :(

I want to start working next April 2013.

Whats the latest I can apply for my Visa through IEC?
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If you want to move in April next year, you could probably get away with applying for next years quota.

However, if you do apply now, you have 12 months from when you receive your Letter of Introduction to move to Canada. Therefore, if you want to move in April, I'd suggest applying around April time. You'll then get 12 months to move, then when you land in Canada in April 2013, you'll get your visa for 12 months.

The quota ran out in about August last year, however people seem to think it may run out a bit sooner this year as a lot of people missed out last year. Not sure how true that is.

As above though, if you want to move in April 2013, you can't receive your LOI before April 2012, otherwise it will have expired by April 2013. Hope that makes sense.
 
My girlfriend and I sent off our police certificate applications at the weekend, fingers crossed they come back ok. All of our other forms are ready to go once we get the police certificate :)

Current quota update:

Quota: 5,350
Working Holiday places remaining: 4,699
Updated: 27/01/2012
 
I've got a 'Missed Delivery' today, so I'm hoping that it's my police certificate, I'll be picking it up in the morning. All other forms are completed, ready for a final check, and then will be sent off with my girlfriend's this weekend :)

BRING IT ON!!

Update
Quota: 5,350
Working Holiday places remaining: 4,496
Updated: 07/02/2012
 
Good to see people posting in here again :)

My girlfriend and I got our COR (confirmation of receipt) on the 9th March. We're hoping to hear whether we've been accepted or not in the next 2 weeks :D
 
My girlfriend and I got accepted :D

We now need to make payment (£90) in the next 12 days, send one of the forms again via email, and then wait whilst our application is passed on to another department for final approval. We're very excited that things are moving again.
 
Kind of talking to myself now, but I figured I'd keep this thread up to date.

I GOT MY LETTER OF INTRODUCTION! WOOHOO!.

Which means I could move tomorrow if I wanted, but I can't, I need to save up and I have other commitments until December. Planning on moving in Feb/March next year.

YAY! :D
 
Marky said:
I'm keeping watch, so keep up the updates coming ;) :p

So you're only going for 12 months? Does that mean the 12 months starts whenever you leave for Canada? I'm currently saving and then I was going to apply - but if it starts when you leave, should I be getting the ball rolling now?
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Yeah you can only do 12 months, although you can apply for a second visa and do another 12 months, but after that you can't do any more so you'd have to apply for permanent residency.

I have a 'Letter of Introduction', which is valid for 12 months. This means I have to leave for Canada in the next 12 months and then use this LOI to be given my Visa, which would then be valid for 12 months at the time of entry to Canada.

Megahurtz400 said:
On the Family Information Form, at the top there is 4 tick boxes saying "Visitor. Worker. Student. Other"

Which box should I be ticking for the IEC working holiday visa, hope to working over there :)
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Put 'Worker'.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
Marky said:
Yeah I actually thought about that just as I hit submit... I remember hearing about a week ago it was at around 500. I'll wait until the next allocation. That way I have more time to save up :) How long has the whole process taken? I.e. From starting the forms to getting the Letter of Introduction
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Well my girlfriend and I decided just before New Year that we were going to do it.

The first step was getting Police Certificate, which took around a week or two I think. It took us a good few weeks before that though reading everything and trying to make sense of it all.

Once we got the Police Certificate and had sent our main application off it probably took about 3 months in total. I got receipt of my application on 9th March (this takes around 2-4 weeks to receive), and it was all completed by 3rd May.

If you do eventually do it feel free to message me with any questions :)
 
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