Extending visa with BUNAC

[simonclarke81]

So I've been in Canada since August through the BUNAC scheme and have got myself a job at TD bank. I'm from the UK and have a canadian fiance, we're getting married back in the UK in july. I'm a little worried about the whole visa thing as we obviously dont want to spend any time apart.

Can I apply to extend the visa I have with BUNAC? Do I have to have a return flight back to the UK or can I just prove that I have the funds to buy one? Can my fiance sponsor me?

From what I've gathered, I can get this visa extended so I can still work in Canada while my marriage visa is still being processed. Things are going well at work and theyre wanting to move me to the next position soon. But once I get extend the visa, I think I'm right in saying that it's a closed visa, so I cant change position or location even if its with the same company. Is that right?

It's all a little complicated so I'm just hoping that someone can clarify those issues for me.

Thanks!

 

[Leon]

According to http://www.bunac.org/uk/workcanada/eligibility.aspx you can apply for BUNAC again but not until your current permit has expired.

Another option would be to ask your employer to apply for a labour market opinion for you so you can apply for a regular work permit. If they did that, this work permit would be only for that employer and that position.

 

[simonclarke81]

thanks for that. yeah i think im gonna get an LMO and go down that route. the one thing im still unsure of is the flight. does anyone know if i have to have a return ticket or just a one way into canada then prove i have the funds to get a return flight home? i dont want to pay for a flight that im not gonna use....and its pretty expensive to change flights with air canada. think its $250 plus any difference in the fare.

and then if i get the temporary worker visa, how long roughly does it take to switch the visa as we'll be married in July and coming back to Canada in August? I just dont want to be tied down to the same location for too long because there arent any teaching jobs in the area for my fiance so calgary is an option....but we probably wont be able to do this until I get the more flexible spousal visa

thanks!