Work Canada 2011

.Lethal · 26 Mar 2011 at 14:33

Reading some of these posts it seems BUNAC have made things a little harder. I honestly don't remember any of the process (went in 2004). This generally means the process was smooth as hell without needing to ask for all sorts of advice and help.

Although I did go to a local University to attend some open day / event where they pretty much said what most would know (that had done some research).

I'm sure those that applied/will apply won't have any problems, it isn't set up to be difficult, they are there to make the process easier rather than applying directly to the Canadian High Commission.

hyper_piper45 · 26 Mar 2011 at 16:39

.Lethal said:
Reading some of these posts it seems BUNAC have made things a little harder. I honestly don't remember any of the process (went in 2004). This generally means the process was smooth as hell without needing to ask for all sorts of advice and help.

Wether you apply directly or through BUNAC you still complete the exact same application form. So it's the commission that are making the changes/requirements. When i applied before a few years ago there was no need for the proof of funds but that has changed recently.

.Lethal · 26 Mar 2011 at 16:53

hyper_piper45 said:
Wether you apply directly or through BUNAC you still complete the exact same application form. So it's the commission that are making the changes/requirements. When i applied before a few years ago there was no need for the proof of funds but that has changed recently.

I remember the proof of funds thing, and this was back in 2004.

But it certainly wasn't $3000, not even close. Bare in mind back then the exchange rate was about £1 = $2.25

loltim · 26 Mar 2011 at 21:10

hyper_piper45 said:
Can you not just send a copy of your bank statement with your name and address on it?

Also have you tried going to other branches to see if someone else will sign it?

I got mine at Nationwide and they signed it no problem. I have got my Visa confirmation through now. It took the full six weeks. Also I don't know if you know this but you can apply straight to the embassy now and save yourself the £254 BUNAC fee!

Are there any advantages of still going via bunac? don't they help you out when you arrive in canada?

semi-pro waster · 26 Mar 2011 at 21:13

Tim said:
Are there any advantages of still going via bunac? don't they help you out when you arrive in canada?

You get access to SWAP (the Canadian partner) who'll help you apply for the social security number/has job listings/computers etc to use. There's also a night of accomodation "free" if you use the BUNAC flights. Whether that's worth it or not is up to the individual - for me the simplicity of applying through BUNAC was worth it but maybe it won't be for others.

jrwagh333 · 27 Mar 2011 at 17:34

Got my VISA through this week

so I am all set to go.
Everyone else in this thread who has got their Visa or waiting on it, where do you plan to go & when do you plan to leave?

hyper_piper45 · 27 Mar 2011 at 17:42

jrwagh333 said:
Got my VISA through this week so I am all set to go.
Everyone else in this thread who has got their Visa or waiting on it, where do you plan to go & when do you plan to leave?

I'm going to Ottawa (Only because my girlfriend live's there). The first time I went I did a ski season in Whistler which was amazing. If I had the choice I would probably stay in Vancouver in the summer and Whistler in the winter.

What are you planning on doing jrwagh333?

jrwagh333 · 27 Mar 2011 at 18:27

hyper_piper45 said:
I'm going to Ottawa (Only because my girlfriend live's there). The first time I went I did a ski season in Whistler which was amazing. If I had the choice I would probably stay in Vancouver in the summer and Whistler in the winter.

What are you planning on doing jrwagh333?

I have got my heart set on going to Toronto but I have heard nothing but good things about Vancouver so I may switch to there, I am not sure. I am going to have to do a lot of reading/research.

It's a shame you are not going to Vancouver or Toronto Hyper as it would be nice to go with someone who is also going on their own from OcUK

hyper_piper45 · 27 Mar 2011 at 20:04

jrwagh333 said:
I have got my heart set on going to Toronto but I have heard nothing but good things about Vancouver so I may switch to there, I am not sure. I am going to have to do a lot of reading/research.

It's a shame you are not going to Vancouver or Toronto Hyper as it would be nice to go with someone who is also going on their own from OcUK

I'm flying to Toronto on the 31st with canadian affair so i'll be on that plane if your about

canadianaffair.com is by far the cheapest place to find flights btw. i must have taken about 10 flights with them now and sometimes I get singles for £129!

Toronto is a great city, I think the choice is definitely between there or Vancouver.

I suppose it depends what you want to do which decides where to go.

Toronto is big, so lots of action, good shopping, lots of jobs. You are near to Niagara falls and New York if you want.

With Vancouver the location is beautiful, a big city aswell, beaches in and around the city which are awesome in summer. Also you are close to local mountains and Whistler if you want to ski in the winter. Also you are close to the Rockies.

jrwagh333 · 27 Mar 2011 at 20:15

hyper_piper45 said:
I'm flying to Toronto on the 31st with canadian affair so i'll be on that plane if your about

canadianaffair.com is by far the cheapest place to find flights btw. i must have taken about 10 flights with them now and sometimes I get singles for £129!

Toronto is a great city, I think the choice is definitely between there or Vancouver.

I suppose it depends what you want to do which decides where to go.

Toronto is big, so lots of action, good shopping, lots of jobs. You are near to Niagara falls and New York if you want.

With Vancouver the location is beautiful, a big city aswell, beaches in and around the city which are awesome in summer. Also you are close to local mountains and Whistler if you want to ski in the winter. Also you are close to the Rockies.

Ah don't think I will be leaving that soon. But thank you for the info on Toronto and Vancouver, I really appreciate it

Marky · 27 Mar 2011 at 20:16

When I do this Work Canada thing - I like the idea of maybe doing 6 months in Toronto and travelling over Canada and spending 6 months or so in Vancouver

Zero5 · 27 Mar 2011 at 20:37

So to save me starting a new thread I'll ask in here.

I'm after any advice from people who've done it before. I've been going to Canada for the past 5 years and I love the place. Did my Bunac in 2008 and was worried I'd never get to go/work again. As of Jan this year they've changed the law so that UK citizens can have two work visas in their life time.
I'm unsure if this means I can have two or just one more.

What I'd really like to know though is if it's likely that I could get a job that would sponsor me to stay after the year is up. I don't really have any of the skills on their NOC lists and I'm sure I heard that they have to advertise a job for three months and get no response before they can offer it to a foreigner.

I'm in Vancouver atm again on a tourist visa. I have to come home on Thursday and I'm dreading it. I'm meant to live here but I can't get in the NOC way without going back to school for a few years to do a trade. Not a crazy problem but not my fav option.

Sorry for the long windedness of this post. If anyone has any experience with this I'd really appreciate the adivce.

Thank you.

Pinkribbonscars · 30 Mar 2011 at 18:23

So I went into another branch of LTSB today and they signed the proof of funds - hooray!

Should be able to get the visa sent off tomorrow,

All rather pointless of course as the moneys going straight back to my parents!

jrwagh333 · 5 Apr 2011 at 15:25

As much as I would like to go on one of BUNAC's group flights. It's going to cost £900+. Now I have to way up the pro's and con's of going it alone

loltim · 5 Apr 2011 at 15:37

jrwagh333 said:
As much as I would like to go on one of BUNAC's group flights. It's going to cost £900+. Now I have to way up the pro's and con's of going it alone

how often are the bunac flights organised? is it a few times a year? is there a cut off point later on in the year?

ScarySquirrel · 5 Apr 2011 at 16:32

If I didn't have weddings planned (I do photography on the side) I would do this pretty much straight away

Gavmeister · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:05

I've just got back from spending 3 months in Vancouver on a tourist visa. I loved it so much ill definitely be going back out with a working holiday visa.

I read out there that the rules have now changed, you can apply directly to the Canadian embassy and are now eligible for a 2 year working holiday visa. Search 'International Experience Canada' for all the info and if you go directly it only costs about £100 for the visa.

For those wondering about going on thier own it really isn't as scary as you think. I did and its so much better as you have to chat to people and you'll meet a lot more locals and other travellers that way. I stayed at the Samesun hostel on Granville Street and id recommend it to anyone, not necessarily for the place itself but for the people you'll meet.

If any of you guys have any other questions about Vancouver then just ask!

Gas Panic! · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:27

The BUNAC flight I took in 2008 had a total of 6 people on it; me, my two mates and three randomers that didn't bother socialising.

When I do it again I'm booking private flights.

.Lethal · 6 Apr 2011 at 00:21

Gas Panic! said:
The BUNAC flight I took in 2008 had a total of 6 people on it; me, my two mates and three randomers that didn't bother socialising.

When I do it again I'm booking private flights.

I booked my own flight and went to the SWAP office/meet thing in Toronto the day after everyone else.

You will meet people no matter how you go about things.

loltim · 6 Apr 2011 at 00:23

So what are peoples reasons for choosing Vancouver over other cities?