About My Visa

Welcome to Canada!

Now that I have my visa and am here in Vancouver, I thought that I would share with you guys how the process went for me - might be of some help! I set about on applying for my IEC working holiday visa the day that the 2012 application process was opened in late December 2011. I already had my police check certificate (ACPO) in hand, so that took a great deal of time/waiting out of the equation. With regards to form-filling, I just followed the instructions provided in order to make sure what I punched in was accurate and got processed first time around (be wary to have the most recent version of Adobe on your computer, as these forms are smart-forms meaning that after you have entered your details a barcode will then be assigned to the form). Be sure to keep copies of all the electronic forms too - you will need to send them (again!) to the Canadian Embassy later in the process. Read the Step-by-Step Application guide and the FAQs if you are still fumbling around with this stage!

So, after getting all the relevant paperwork, photographs, and certificates etc, I sent them off via Royal Mail (signed for delivery) and within 48 hours had received notification that my visa application was now 'in the process' so to speak - this was January 4th. By Jan 10th I was emailed stating that, 'We are pleased to inform you that your application to the International Experience Canada (IEC) 2012 Canada-United Kingdom Working Holiday initiative meets the criteria and has been conditionally accepted'. It was at this point that I had then had to organize paying ninety pounds (GBP) via electronic transfer to the bank account that the Canadian Embassy provide. I duly did this within the next 24 hours. I went in to my branch to transfer the funds - they did this for free and at no cost to me! Result! And by January 12th it had been confirmed that my payment had been received. All good - very efficient!

After a couple of quick days progress, I then had to wait until January 17th for any further news. It was well worth the wait though as it was on this day that I was told:

'We are pleased to inform you that your application meets the International Experience Canada (IEC) criteria. Today we transferred your file to the Visa Section at the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom for the second phase of the evaluation. If your application is approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction by email to the address that you provided on your application form'.

Great, by this point I am all go for Canada! The next day I received the email regarding the 'medical examination'. I chose to ignore this email (as it states) as I am not wanting to work within the employment fields that this requires. If you do need a medical you need to reply to that email within five working days. It was at this point that I then started to scout out the best travel insurance that would cover me for the next twelve to thirteen months. ACE Traveller offer the best deals with a pretty decent package for the lengths of time mentioned - and all for under two hundred quid! Bargain!

Waiting, waiting... Just waiting around for the final Letter of Introduction. Arrr! Then bang, on the 26th January I was emailed stating, (the words we all want to hear) 'Your application to study or work in Canada has been approved'. YES, YES!! Good job too, as my flight was a few days later. I then spent the last few days before leaving chilling out, packing up my stuff (being sure to pack sensibly - i.e. bringing a suit for interviews) and purchased my travel insurance at the last minute in order to ensure the maximum length of time on the policy. I entered Canada at Toronto airport (February 1st), which was all good, bar a few interrogatory questions from the Immigration Officer. At this point the correct stamps and papers are stapled in to your passport (if lost this can be replaced for the cost of thirty Canadian dollars). Then speedily hurried to catch my connecting flight to Vancouver!

Once in the country, the next day I headed to the nearest Service Canada office to get my SIN number (they tell you do this at Immigration) - the nearest one in Vancouver is downtown at the Sinclair Centre. You need to get to one of these offices asap after landing as the SIN number you are issued is like your National Insurance number that you get in the UK - it allows you to work (you need a valid address to show them as they send you a card within 2-3 weeks).

After all this I would say that you are good to go! Bit of a long winded process, but not that bad as long as you follow the instructions that are given. I am here now in Vancouver, and am now tirelessly applying for jobs. Not long until some interviews, I hope! As for Vancouver, my goodness it is beautiful!