Canada 2010-2011?

Helix

you only need a medical if youre intending on working in that sector when you get there

doherta5

Just arrived in Vancouver last night. Anyone got any tips or advice on buying a phone plan off Craigslist? Also, any good tips on searching for accommodation?

DazzlerIE

doherta5 wrote: »

Just arrived in Vancouver last night. Anyone got any tips or advice on buying a phone plan off Craigslist? Also, any good tips on searching for accommodation?

Get a bill phone, pay as you go is a disaster

I'd look at Koodoo, Wind and the smaller providers, big ones are a rip-off

Craigslist is your only man for accom

zizuzid

Hey guys,

Moving2Vancouver.ca website pretty much answers all questions you could possibly have. It's Irish run website where people contribute content to help other newcomers out. I moved to Van four years ago and decided to set something up to help people out. The website was launched 4 months ago.

http://www.moving2vancouver.ca/

As regards the visa issues, there is FAQ section and a comprehensive step by step guide. See links on moving2vancouver.ca

Also, an Irish Immigration Center in Toronto for those that are not getting answers from IEC over various issues. Contact details on link below:

http://www.moving2vancouver.ca/lifestyle/irish-events-and-societies/

We're not focused on helping people with employment so we can offer contacts across various industries to help people get their foot in the door. Finding work is a slow process here but having contacts can be a massive help

Any questions? Email me at info@moving2vancouver.ca

Ruairi

L31mr0d

doherta5 wrote: »

Just arrived in Vancouver last night. Anyone got any tips or advice on buying a phone plan off Craigslist? Also, any good tips on searching for accommodation?

Your best bet is to sign up for a "No Term Contract" with someone like Koodo or Virgin.

Do not get suckered into putting a $600 phone on one of these plans. Pick a small smartphone with wifi and gps like a HTC Wildfire or Samsung Gio. Excellent smartphones and they only cost ~$150 (you'll get it for $0's though).

The way no-term contracts work is that you sign the contract for the value of the phone. Then if you want to leave the contract you just buy your phone. Each month that you pay the bill the cost of the phone is reduced by a certain amount, meaning eventually you won't have anything to pay off. The cheaper the phone, the quicker you get to this point.

View phone sales anywhere like car sales, you can haggle for accessories and discounts. If you're at a Virgin store say "Koodo promised me this", vice-versa for a Koodo store. The reps will go out of there way to try and match the offer as they are making commission on your sale.

If you walk away without at least $50 in accessories and discounts you've been screwed. Some phones could net up over $150 worth of discounts.

Pro-tip: Set up your phone at an electronics store like "The Source" or similar. You can apply your discounts to anything in the store. At a Virgin or Koodo branded store you will be limited to only getting phone accessories.

channaigh

Hi is there many of these types of jobs in canada. My husband and I are thinking of moving to Canada just looking for a starting point I suppose as to where to start. We are both 33 with 3 kids would we even get visas
Anyone with any info please

lindzation

DazzlerIE wrote: »

Get a bill phone, pay as you go is a disaster

I'd look at Koodoo, Wind and the smaller providers, big ones are a rip-off

Craigslist is your only man for accom

Kijiji.ca is also great for accommodation - better than craigslist (in edmonton anyway)

vaalea

a contract takeover can be good... especially if they have a good retention plan! some parts of the plan might have an expiry though... just make sure you check all the details. Sometimes they want too much money and don't offer a phone with it, then it may not be worth it. depending on your living situation - if you happen to have a place on your own with no internet... then a smart phone with tethering and 6GB data on it will cover light internet usage on your laptop and probably better than getting in cable just for yourself.

vaalea

lindzation wrote: »

Kijiji.ca is also great for accommodation - better than craigslist (in edmonton anyway)

http://www.padmapper.com/ pulls from Kijiji, Craigslist and other sources.... and maps out the rentals.

retalivity

vaalea wrote: »

http://www.padmapper.com/ pulls from Kijiji, Craigslist and other sources.... and maps out the rentals.

you know, i had an idea for something like this last year as I couldnt find anything like it and thought it would be agreat idea for an app/website. damn!

vaalea

retalivity wrote: »

you know, i had an idea for something like this last year as I couldnt find anything like it and thought it would be agreat idea for an app/website. damn!

I appreciated Daft.ie

doherta5

vaalea wrote: »

I appreciated Daft.ie

Didn't we all. The amount of kips I've viewed where I'm living in the bedroom and a couple is living in the living room is unreal. No pictures and not explained in the ad. It's like tenement Dublin in the 1930's!

Princess Peach

I'm already making lists of things I could make money on here. A daft.ie style website for sure! And a chipper :P

Against

For ppl wondering about mobiles, I would recommend Chatr. When I first arrived I got a sim card with Rogers (yes, you can get them if you find a decent attendant at a Rogers outlet, just make sure your phone can use canadian sims), but even if you skimp you still end up paying quite a bit.

So after a couple of months I got a cheap phone with Chatr, you pay 25-35 euros per month with unlimited calls (in your zone, which covers the city limits). There's no contract, you just set up the payment method for as long as you want the service. I find it ideal, though I don't use a smartphone so can't tell you much about their data plans.

Similar arrangement for broadband with ElectronicBox.net (Quebec/Ontario only), prepay 40-50 dollars a month for decent broadband, without contract bulls*** that I don't think anyone on an IEC visa wants to deal with.

cosmicsurfer

I'd like to throw my 2 cents to the above. I worked in Vancouver for my one year visa and I'd recommend either Wind mobile or Mobilicity (Think of them being the Meteor, Tesco Mobile, Three etc of the Canadian market). Chatr, Fido, Koodo etc are in house set up companies by Bell, Telus and Rogers to compete with the likes of Wind and Mobilicity to try and drive them out of the market so they can drive up their prices again. They created the brands so they're not "seen" to be doing it. With Mobilicity you can have alot for 55 a month or less (http://mobilicity.ca/plans/unlimited-plans/) or with wind you could get similar for 40 a month (http://www2.windmobile.ca/en/Pages/voice-plans.aspx) both with unlimited data.

EDIT: Canada like the US have different 3G bands. Basically everyone but Wind, Mobilicity and a few other small fish side with the AT&T 3G bands. Wind, Mobilicity etc have the T-Mobile USA bands and has a good chance (but not certain) of working with an unlocked European phone. I would check GSM Arena for the 3G bands of your unlocked phone if you are thinking of bringing it over.

Mossyman

Silly and small question here but I hope someone can answer.

I'm applying for the IEC working holiday visa and am filling out the family information form.

What do I tick for the "type of application"; visitor or worker? I don't know which one to say and I don't want to get it wrong!

callo2

I think it's 'worker' because the IEC is a working holiday visa

amcjan80

Hi all,

I landed into Toronto two weeks ago and I'm looking for a few places that are good for some craic and a few beers!

I'm going on 3 years out of college and spent the last year and a half in New York working in the media, but no luck getting sponsorship there.

The small circle of people I know here are pretty much all in couples. Lovely people but they prefer staying in or hitting a quiet bar. At the moment I'm keen to get out and see what's what in Toronto, get chatting to the locals, maybe a few Canadian ladies!

I've been to Mc Veighs, which was grand but a bit too like being at home. Grace O'Malleys was good craic, nice mix of people too.

If anyone has any suggestions for a friendly place, Irish or otherwise, or fancy getting a few drinks in some weekend, PM me.

Thanks!
Andy.

Also, any ideas where I can get some Lyons tea and fig rolls at all?

krudler

with the IEC, do you go on a normal visa, look for a job and then do the IEC one, or do you have to have a job sorted before you go? not sure where to start.

uncleoswald

krudler wrote: »

with the IEC, do you go on a normal visa, look for a job and then do the IEC one, or do you have to have a job sorted before you go? not sure where to start.

No you just apply for the IEC one and once accepted head over. You are not really meant to have a job sorted before you go.

cman87

hey,

Moving to Toronto on Monday, (IEC)..

Just debating about the health insurance, i have friends over there who went through emigration without health insurance and were not asked at the border to provide evidence of health insurance.

So I think I will go without it, does anyone else know people who have went without it?

I'm guessing if i do get asked for it, I can just enter on holiday visa, get the insurance sorted and back to the border then to get in stamped.

Dont want to pay out 800euro for nothing!!

All advice welcome!

JohnMearsheimer

Where did you get the 800 quote? It can be gotten for much cheaper. I wouldn't advise going without insurance, if you don't have it and they ask for it, they probably won't let you in. Also, accidents happen....that's their nature. If something happened to you out there you would be placing a lot of needless pressure on yourself and your family. I knew a guy who had a very serious accident on an IEC visa. Luckily he had insurance, I couldn't imagine what he and his family would have to have paid if he didn't have it. The few quid is worth the peace of mind.

cman87

JohnMearsheimer wrote: »

Where did you get the 800 quote? It can be gotten for much cheaper. I wouldn't advise going without insurance, if you don't have it and they ask for it, they probably won't let you in. Also, accidents happen....that's their nature. If something happened to you out there you would be placing a lot of needless pressure on yourself and your family. I knew a guy who had a very serious accident on an IEC visa. Luckily he had insurance, I couldn't imagine what he and his family would have to have paid if he didn't have it. The few quid is worth the peace of mind.

Got the few quotes from vhi and bupa, any other suggestions where I could try?

JohnMearsheimer

cman87 wrote: »

Got the few quotes from vhi and bupa, any other suggestions where I could try?

Try these guys: backpackertravelinsurance.ie

A lot of people going on IEC visas get insurance from that lot, it shouldn't be anywhere near 800 quid.

FreeAnd..

cman87 wrote: »

hey,

Moving to Toronto on Monday, (IEC)..

Just debating about the health insurance, i have friends over there who went through emigration without health insurance and were not asked at the border to provide evidence of health insurance.

So I think I will go without it, does anyone else know people who have went without it?

I'm guessing if i do get asked for it, I can just enter on holiday visa, get the insurance sorted and back to the border then to get in stamped.

Dont want to pay out 800euro for nothing!!

All advice welcome!

For nothing - are you serious? I broke my thumb over new years and had to have surgery...my bills are already in the 10s of 1000's - thank f*ck for insurance...

You do realise you would not be covered for anything from a small fall, accident, hit by a car, trip to emergency...basically anything? its not like you can show up at emergency and they will treat you...well they will but it will cost you $550 a pop and upwards...

Point being...get insurance and dont be stupid...

(also 800 is a crazy price...got mine of getcover.ie for under 200 I think and they are excellent should you require them for emergency assistance)

zizuzid

There are 5-6 Irish providers listed here. Hope this helps

http://www.moving2vancouver.ca/planning/travel-insurance/

FreeAnd.. wrote: »

For nothing - are you serious? I broke my thumb over new years and had to have surgery...my bills are already in the 10s of 1000's - thank f*ck for insurance...

You do realise you would not be covered for anything from a small fall, accident, hit by a car, trip to emergency...basically anything? its not like you can show up at emergency and they will treat you...well they will but it will cost you $550 a pop and upwards...

Point being...get insurance and dont be stupid...

(also 800 is a crazy price...got mine of getcover.ie for under 200 I think and they are excellent should you require them for emergency assistance)

Augmerson

Hey guys. Maybe one of you might be able to help with a question about the IEC program through USIT. Do you think it's worth it? I noticed on the registration this -

I understand that I must submit my complete application to the IEC in London as my place in the programme will not be confirmed until I have submitted a completed application pack to the IEC.

Are they saying that, despite paying 299 euro, it may all be for nothing if the IEC office in London doesn't approve you. Or, are they saying, until you submit your papers to the IEC, your place isn't secured? Just a little confused.

retalivity

apply directly to the IEC and then you only pay if you're offered a place.
Dont go near usit.

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

doherta5

Has anyone here transitioned from an IEC class visa to a Canadian Experience Class visa? I know that you need 2 years work experience in Canada as well as a number of other requirements. The reason I ask is that I'm thinking if I get a second IEC visa, and having gotten a job 6 weeks after I came to Canada on my first one, that I'll be 6 weeks short of the 2 years requirement by the time my second visa is up. Could anyone shed any light on this subject at all?

retalivity

ask the immigration specialist who has her own thread in here (Canadian immigration advice)
I intend to do the same as you, but by different means. I think (and its not definite) that you can apply for the CEC once your second IEC runs out. The CEC process takes quite a while (Months, not weeks), so once your IEC runs out you are on implied status until a decision is readhed. Once your 6 weeks passes and you have 2 years work done, you can apply again with new documents showing youve got your two years. The whole idea is using the first application to buy time while you build up your two years before applying again.
I couldnt get a second IEC (18 month rule) and am currently in the middle of getting a visa through my gf, an international student. I am on implied status at the moment, and am doing the very same thing after it was suggested to me by my immigration lawyer. Supposedly a lot of the lawyers here do this as a way of working the system.