Australian applying for 3rd consecutive WHV

[shan4HB]

Hey guys,

ive searched high and low on this forum but couldn't find any recent situations related to mine but i do apologise in advance for asking any dumb questions!

i've been living and working in Canada since late 2010 under the international experience/working holiday visa program for Australians. I successfully applied for my second 2 year visa and it will expire in november 2014. A while ago some friends i met over here who are also Australians informed me that there had been some changes to our eligibility requirements and when i looked on the official canadian govt website it said we could only stay in Canada for 4 consecutive years under this program before we had to return home for 2 years and then we could reapply if we were still under 30 years old. I now feel like im a crazy person because i cant find anything to do with that and all i see is that i do meet all the requirements currently stated on the visa website. i guess what im asking is this.. can i apply for a 3rd time without leaving canada? has that restriction been lifted (or did i somehow make it up?!)??

also it appears there is now a quota for how many visas are handed out which seems new as there was no limit when i applied last time, only 3110 spots left as of today. i have about 6 weeks until i can actually submit my application so im praying that theres still spots available when they finally get around to looking at my application! (if i can indeed apply?!) yikes!

any help would be great! thanks!

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hey guys,

ive searched high and low on this forum but couldn't find any recent situations related to mine but i do apologise in advance for asking any dumb questions!

i've been living and working in Canada since late 2010 under the international experience/working holiday visa program for Australians. I successfully applied for my second 2 year visa and it will expire in november 2014. A while ago some friends i met over here who are also Australians informed me that there had been some changes to our eligibility requirements and when i looked on the official canadian govt website it said we could only stay in Canada for 4 consecutive years under this program before we had to return home for 2 years and then we could reapply if we were still under 30 years old. I now feel like im a crazy person because i cant find anything to do with that and all i see is that i do meet all the requirements currently stated on the visa website. i guess what im asking is this.. can i apply for a 3rd time without leaving canada? has that restriction been lifted (or did i somehow make it up?!)??

also it appears there is now a quota for how many visas are handed out which seems new as there was no limit when i applied last time, only 3110 spots left as of today. i have about 6 weeks until i can actually submit my application so im praying that theres still spots available when they finally get around to looking at my application! (if i can indeed apply?!) yikes!

any help would be great! thanks!

Your friends appear to not know what they are talking about. Check the "Horse's mouth" FAQ http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/australia-australie/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx

 

[shan4HB]

Thanks, I read that page about 20 times yesterday as well as their FAQ for Australians (which seems to have some conflicting information about whether there is a quota or not and also how long your LOI is valid for but I guess I'll just follow the info on the first page) so I think I'm good to go! Fingers crossed!

 

[hayleyj88]

Hi,

I'm also on my second 2 year visa, did you find out if the 4 year maximum rule applied to Australians applying for a 3rd IEC visa?
Thanks for your help!

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I'm also on my second 2 year visa, did you find out if the 4 year maximum rule applied to Australians applying for a 3rd IEC visa?
Thanks for your help!

You need to check out the new rules effective this year. Australians can now participate a maximum of two times and no more than once under a specific program:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/opinion/experience/bilat.asp

 

[Fenster]

You need to check out the new rules effective this year. Australians can now participate a maximum of two times and no more than once under a specific program:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/opinion/experience/bilat.asp

So does this now mean that an Australian can only get one 2 year WHV?

Can someone explain to me what happens then to an Australian on their first WHV which is due to expire soon? Rather than reapply for a new visa which they would previously have been entitled to, they now have to leave the country?

 

[scylla]

One option would be for their employer to obtain an approved LMIA so that they can then apply for a closed work permit.

If they are OK not working, they could also convert their status to student and remain in Canada for another few months to travel / visit with friends.

 

[Jimjo]

What about the part where it says "If you participated in IEC before 2015, you are eligible for a final participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice."?