Where to start...

[Grainge231]

Hi please move this if I've posted in the wrong area. I've always wanted to move to Canada. I have a pretty standard school education&GCSE's. I started an apprenticeship in panel beating/automotive body repair in 2011 and have been working in this trade ever since. Earning multiple certificate levels within the trade.

Now never actually having been to Canada my first steps are to save to I can go visit and make the ultimate decision. Question is where do I go from here. I've been in contact with repair shops regarding jobs.

Problem is in finding it hard to find any information on what my first steps should be or what other people have done during the immigration proccess.

Basically I'm trying the find a step by step guide for the process and was hoping somebody else could share there experience with me and shed some light on the situation. The whole process seems very daunting and I just don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance for any advice
Adam

 

[Quink]

Where are you from, and how old are you?

If you qualify, you should consider the International Experience Canada program as a starting point. It would get you an open work permit and let you come to Canada to try it out and see if it's right for you. Then work on figuring out how to stay if you like it.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/

 

[Grainge231]

I'm 24 from England. I aiming to save and come out for a couple of weeks towards the end of next year 2017. I have been in the motor repair trade for 5 years now. So an open work permit I could come over and start working in a body repair shop if a vacancy was available for example?

Thank you for the info. It all seems very daunting but if I keep putting of starting the proccess it will never get done

 

[scylla]

The IEC / working holiday visa route would be the easiest option and would get you an open work permit. The one caveate is that this program is way oversubscribed - meaning there are far more applicants than openings. Definitely apply once the time is right - but be aware that you may not be chosen. If you're not chosen but still want to come to Canada as a temporary worker, you would have to secure a job offer in Canada first and your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA so that you can then apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer.