in's and out's about whv canada

whacker1982

ok im not too sure if im in the right area of the site here, but would like to start up a thread about people thinking about travelling to canada on a working holiday visa.

questions like

when to apply
what will they need to apply
when should they apply
is there work there

anything really related to travelling to canada, i do know its coming up again where the visa program will be opened for potential travellers to make a career for themselves or just go to work and holiday.
so any help for me and others all in the one thread would be great.

silja

*** Moving from US/ Canada Travel to Living Abroad, where Canada visa questions go untila Canada forum is finally created ****

againstthetide

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ireland-irlande/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d

This is the best place to start reading, they will announce the 2013 program on here.
Start saving now you can't have too much money coming over.
You could also have your garda cert sorted - valid for a year afaik
Plan where you want to stay in Canada and research the city and availability of jobs and the cost of rent and the general cost of living.
Be aware that most apartments are unfurnished so budget for buying furniture

Look for jobs using:

www.workopolis,com,www.monster.ca and http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/intro-eng.aspx
kijiji.ca is also good for part time jobs and general labour kind of stuff.
Some professional jobs on it as well. Just like any free ads site exercise caution and look out for scam jobs.

Be prepared to be not working for the first few weeks as it takes time to get a job - took me six weeks to get my IT job but instantly got a concreting job when I posted my skills on Kijiji.

Think about what you want to beyond one year don't depend on a second IEC there are other options.

Talk to everyone when you get here you need to network - create a linkedin profile and join professional groups for your field of work in the city you are moving to.
Bring lots of money
be prepared to pay through the nose for car insurance

againstthetide

Oh and do yourself a favour and don't book flights til you get the LOI

rusheen

Hi,
So whats the ins and outs of 2nd year visa , moving to Canada soon . But wanna be prepared for 2nd year visa .
I was granted police clearance cert Feb 2012 sent off with 2012 IEC , granted june 2012 . so i intend on appyling in Jan fo my 2nd visa IEC 2013 . I dont have a copy of original Police cert I got . I was told by a guard I cant get another police clearance cert until the one I got in Feb expires 12 months from then . Is this the correct ??

whacker1982

keep them coming people as much advice on the one thread as possible,
there is a work abroad expo coming up the 6th and 7th of october at the rds in dublin, im gonna head up to it and see if i can land a job there straight away it would be great to arrive over with a job waiting for you. has anyone been to these expos and what are they like. i hear the cues are cat but is it worth the wait?

hdowney

whacker1982 wrote: »

keep them coming people as much advice on the one thread as possible,
there is a work abroad expo coming up the 6th and 7th of october at the rds in dublin, im gonna head up to it and see if i can land a job there straight away it would be great to arrive over with a job waiting for you. has anyone been to these expos and what are they like. i hear the cues are cat but is it worth the wait?

Would it be worth my while going to the working abroad expo this year even though the applications for the IEC don't open til around Christmas? Just I plan on going around September next year, so wouldn't be here for next Octobers.

The queues last year were mental like, it was on the news. Best advice pre-book entry online, don't just turn up to pay in on the day - cos the queues got SO mental they were refusing people who hadn't already paid to get in

leggit

rusheen wrote: »

Hi,
So whats the ins and outs of 2nd year visa , moving to Canada soon . But wanna be prepared for 2nd year visa .
I was granted police clearance cert Feb 2012 sent off with 2012 IEC , granted june 2012 . so i intend on appyling in Jan fo my 2nd visa IEC 2013 . I dont have a copy of original Police cert I got . I was told by a guard I cant get another police clearance cert until the one I got in Feb expires 12 months from then . Is this the correct ??

You can't submit a copy of the garda clearance form anyway, it has to be an original.

Shouldn't be any issue with getting another one if you explain the situation to them.

media101

this might be a stupid question but can i visit say new york if i only have a Canadian visa?

hdowney

media101 wrote: »

this might be a stupid question but can i visit say new york if i only have a Canadian visa?

If you have an up to date ESTA then yes you should be able to cross the border for a holiday to NY

coulagh1986

hdowney wrote: »

Would it be worth my while going to the working abroad expo this year even though the applications for the IEC don't open til around Christmas? Just I plan on going around September next year, so wouldn't be here for next Octobers.

The queues last year were mental like, it was on the news. Best advice pre-book entry online, don't just turn up to pay in on the day - cos the queues got SO mental they were refusing people who hadn't already paid to get in

Here was my impression of the Working Abroad Expo. I went to the Cork Expo. I had no ticket so had to queue. First off pre book a ticket if you can. Saves a lot of standing

I was in the queue with lads ranging in ages fro 25 to 60. They were under the false impression that it was only a matter of getting inside and there was a job waiting for you in Canada which was very unfair on them. A LOT of people were in the same boat..

In the end of the day they were looking for people with select skills/trades.. The most urgent seemed to be Heavy Duty Mechanics. They actually came out went through the queue and went looking for these people. If you were that they plucked you out of the queue and brought in.. What I`m trying to say is these EXPO`s are designed to find people for certain highly sought after jobs.

I was particulary looking for possible contacts for the Oil Sands and got a few contact emails alright but the lads I got these off were recruiting for lads to sell Farm Machinery. I havnt used them yet as I`m waiting for GAA to finish before I head off.
I knew a lad who was an electrican and another a carpenter and they didnt have much luck there..

All in all it was an interesting enough day out. However I didnt really learn anything new, again depends on your career and what companies are coming this time.. The one main thing I will take from it tho was the despair in lots and lots of people trying to escape this country. It really was a very sad place queuing.

whacker1982

i got my ticket this week form
www.workingabroad.net/expo/dublin.html
cost a tenner and have a phone app that i will bring to show ive paid on the day. gonna be very interesting to see what its all about, hopefully ill get some answers there and if not, it will be a case of waiting for the program to open in the new year and head off and into the unknown.

Ms. Ka

I went to the expo last march & I am now working in Canada because of it. My advice is to buy your ticket beforehand (I went early Sunday morning & breezed in the door). Do your research, i knew what company I wanted to see & the job they were offering as I had looked at the list online a few days before. Have a few copies of your c.v. with you and dress as if you are going to an interview.
Good luck

againstthetide

http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/home-eng.do?lang=eng

Use this website to check out average wages and job prospects for your job in different regions - might be useful for looking at sponsorship after the iec

whacker1982

Ms. Ka wrote: »

I went to the expo last march & I am now working in Canada because of it. My advice is to buy your ticket beforehand (I went early Sunday morning & breezed in the door). Do your research, i knew what company I wanted to see & the job they were offering as I had looked at the list online a few days before. Have a few copies of your c.v. with you and dress as if you are going to an interview.
Good luck

how long did it take to get everything sorted and you made your way out to canada?

Johanna3

Hi all, I am hoping to get a visa for 2013 also and travel as early as possible in the new year. I was in USIT last week and basically was told that March would prob be the earliest I could go. This make sense, if you had the application in at the beginning of January then 8 weeks processing time and booking flight etc. I contact the High Commisson in London to see how early they take application, basically asking if they will take post date 1st Jan. I want to apply as soon as possible as I am sure there will be plenty of demand. I would like to go to Toronto, originally my buddy was supposed to be coming but she has backed out:(, so if anyone else is in the same boat i.e travelling alone and would like some one to go with, let me know. I am a 35 year old female and am nice and a sane person. Just very nervous about the prospect of relocating on my own

Ms. Ka

I got my visa under the SINP programme so it took about 3 months I think to get it. Most of the time is spent getting things for the visa rather than the waiting time once it is submitted. I applied online (you can post it but that takes longer) and they were great if I had questions they would reply by the following day. I got the work visa at the point of entry into Canada.

whacker1982

if i got a police cert now, would it still be in date and useable come next year when the program opens again?

againstthetide

Nope it won't
You can only submit an original and you will have already sent it off for this year's application

whacker1982

sorry i should have been clearer, if i went down to the garda station today and asked the commisioner for a police cert and told him it was for a work visa for canada for 2013. when i recive it in 3 weeks time (not a photo copy origional) could i keep this and send it off with my 2013 application, or would it have expired come jan 2013?

againstthetide

I see what you mean, as far as I am aware they are valid for 6 months but open to correction on that

leggit

againstthetide wrote: »

I see what you mean, as far as I am aware they are valid for 6 months but open to correction on that

They're valid for 12 months

whacker1982

kool no harm in getting one now,
i was in oz just over five years ago will i need a police cert from there, spent over 6 months in oz

animal2012

where exactly is the list of employers/companies that are to attend the work abroad exbo next month. I searched the site but cant seem to find any employer lists...

media101

animal2012 wrote: »

where exactly is the list of employers/companies that are to attend the work abroad exbo next month. I searched the site but cant seem to find any employer lists...

does anyone know if there will be an expo later next year? cause im not going to canada till august 2013

whacker1982

animal2012 wrote: »

where exactly is the list of employers/companies that are to attend the work abroad exbo next month. I searched the site but cant seem to find any employer lists...

www.workingabroad.net/expo/dublin.html

head onto this website, and register and go to job search, and you will see them under the title featured employers.
its good you can upload your cv and cover letter and apply to jobs online, and maybe get an interview with them when they come over next month

media101

i plan on upgrading my L plates to R plates before i move to Canada but will i be seen as a fully qualified driver in Canada or will i still be a 'learner'?

media101

it seems everyone is heading to calgary, why is this ?

againstthetide

media101 wrote: »

it seems everyone is heading to calgary, why is this ?

Because there is lots of work to be had there and easy access to the Rockies

snoopmadra

visa's got,gonna book flights this week for first couple of weeks in october,my question is this......what do i need now? print off the LOI,get travel insurance and a statement to say i have enough money in my account! Is that it?or is there something im missing? thanks in advance

whacker1982

snoopmadra wrote: »

visa's got,gonna book flights this week for first couple of weeks in october,my question is this......what do i need now? print off the LOI,get travel insurance and a statement to say i have enough money in my account! Is that it?or is there something im missing? thanks in advance

is it a work visa? how did you get it this early?

snoopmadra

whacker1982 wrote: »

is it a work visa? how did you get it this early?

ya tis a work visa,got it earlier in the year:)

whacker1982

snoopmadra wrote: »

ya tis a work visa,got it earlier in the year:)

wouldnt mind been in your shoes, enjoy.:)

eim

Going to Canada in three weeks. Can't wait. Anyone else going? I'm hoping to get a job in fashion. Magazine related.

whacker1982

just came off the radio about the expo on in dublin, calgary seems to be the place to go, fifth best city in the world sitting beside the rockys, looking for every kind of skill going.
any ideas what time to head down at, i should be there for 9am and it starts at 10am hopefully the cue will be small at this time

snoopmadra

flights booked,flying into calgary on the 14th of october with the wife.whats the best and more importantly cheapest insurance to get?it is a condition of the IEC isnt it?

thanks

Naid23

Strongly thinking of applying for IEC next year but i'm slightly confused and need some info-

Can you only apply through agencies like Usit etc? Or can you apply directly through the canadian website when it opens?

I am planning on travelling for a few months before hand, what way would this affect the requirement for the garda cert?

Thanks

againstthetide

Nope apply directly for 105 euros is the way to go

CatFromHue

Just wondering how far does $2500 go? It's the min amount you have to have to get into the country ( http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/ireland-irlande/experience_canada_experience/faq.aspx?view=d#ProofFunds ). I just looked at a completely random hostel in Calgary and it's approx $35 in a dorm per night so that works out out just under a grand for 4 weeks. (granted you should be able to get a discount for staying more than 1 night).

Smac!

Question for ye....im in oz at the moment and when im done here im thinking of heading to canada....ive been told that i hadto be living at home in Ireland for the last 3 years in order to be granted a canadian visa??
is this true....sounds like nonsense??
thanks!

whacker1982

any one know what buses to get from heuston station in dublin, to the rds. really dont want to get a taxi cause ive no idea how far it is

againstthetide

whacker1982 wrote: »

any one know what buses to get from heuston station in dublin, to the rds. really dont want to get a taxi cause ive no idea how far it is

Get the the 4 or the 7 from either O Connell st or Nassau st (trinity college)
The 90 bus serves the city centre from Heuston, or get the Luas down the ways

whacker1982

againstthetide wrote: »

Get the the 4 or the 7 from either O Connell st or Nassau st (trinity college)
The 90 bus serves the city centre from Heuston, or get the Luas down the ways

cheers for that:)

whacker1982

best of luck to everyone attending the rds tomorrow and sunday. hopefully we will all get the jobs we are looking for

LisaIE

Hello just a quick question for people who have applied for working holiday visa for Canada before, I am thinking of applying for the 2013 one when it opens but i have never gotten a visa before so dont know what to expect, i was just wondering what i should be doing in the meantime to prepare for it, what documents and things do i need for the application? want to be prepared so would like to know what they ask for.Any information anyone could give would be great! Thanks

whacker1982

LisaIE wrote: »

Hello just a quick question for people who have applied for working holiday visa for Canada before, I am thinking of applying for the 2013 one when it opens but i have never gotten a visa before so dont know what to expect, i was just wondering what i should be doing in the meantime to prepare for it, what documents and things do i need for the application? want to be prepared so would like to know what they ask for.Any information anyone could give would be great! Thanks

if you have been out of the country for more then six months you will need a police cert from that country, and a police cert from your local garda station. but i think they need to be no more then 3 months old when you are applying for the whv for canada.
also you might need a medical report depends on your job, like if u are looking for work in the hospital area, child care, teacher etc.
dont go with usit they will take all your money, visa first is 75euro and you get your application checked. there should be a few more then the usual 5200 visas for the 2013 program. as it is to double by 2014. hope this helps

LisaIE

whacker1982 wrote: »

if you have been out of the country for more then six months you will need a police cert from that country, and a police cert from your local garda station. but i think they need to be no more then 3 months old when you are applying for the whv for canada.
also you might need a medical report depends on your job, like if u are looking for work in the hospital area, child care, teacher etc.
dont go with usit they will take all your money, visa first is 75euro and you get your application checked. there should be a few more then the usual 5200 visas for the 2013 program. as it is to double by 2014. hope this helps

Thanks for the reply, it has helped. I wont need a medical then, just planning on going over and picking up some work as i go along and i wont be going anywhere near USIT, going to do it directly through IEC. Fingers crossed! Still alot of research to do! Thank you for your help

hungryharry

Anyone know if you can drive a truck in Alberta on a international driving permit while your waiting to take your test over there(i have a truck licence in Ireland)or if any companies would take you on without a canadian licence

whacker1982

Smac! wrote: »

Question for ye....im in oz at the moment and when im done here im thinking of heading to canada....ive been told that i hadto be living at home in Ireland for the last 3 years in order to be granted a canadian visa??
is this true....sounds like nonsense??
thanks!

im not 100% sure but i think you have to be living in ireland 18 months out of a total of 36 months which is 3 years, to qualify for a iec/whv
why im not sure is that it could be 16 months instead of 18 months living in ireland. be worth checking it up, to be sure.
if your living in sydney there is a usit center there, be worth popping into them and asking them there. they will tell you all you need. just dont go with them!:D

Tonto86

hungryharry wrote: »

Anyone know if you can drive a truck in Alberta on a international driving permit while your waiting to take your test over there(i have a truck licence in Ireland)or if any companies would take you on without a canadian licence

Nope.

The international driving licence doesn't really do anything. Your Irish licence alone will allow you to drive for 3 months but you'll still struggle to get insured and you need a Canadian licence to buy/register a car. Before you leave ask your county council for a letter stating your driving history, your experience will be applied to your Canadian licence

In Alberta you'll need to sit your class 7 theory and then skip to a class 5 driving test, then you'll be fully qualified for car up to 2 axle truck. This'll take about 2/3 weeks. You can book online or at any registry, they also hand out the study book for free. You need your class 3 for any more wheels and a class 1 for tractor trailer with air brakes, it'll also let you drive anything but a bike.

The difference in class 3 and 2 is your able to drive public service. You can skip the class 3/2 and go straight for the class 1.

Class 7 is about $40, class 5 bout $140. The class 3/1 varies from $1400 to $2000, depends what school you go to.

If your willing to drive a school bus for a company called Southland in Calgary will pay for your class 2. You'll have to work for them for 3 months and the pay is only about $80 a day. Not many hours tho so you'll get time to adventure

kallstrom86

I went to Toronto in 2010 and got the visa through USIT. I was there for a year and now I'm thinking about applying for the 2013 visa. Not going to go through USIT this time as I think they're a rip-off.

Is there anything particularly different about applying directly?? Apart from saving myself a lot of money.
And I should be okay to apply for the second time AFAIK, can anyone confirm this?