Vancouver Travel Forum

Hi, I just came back from a lovely trip to Vancouver and for the first time in all my travels, I felt I could live there comfortably. Now it got me thinking, how can I move to Vancouver?

Has anyone ever lived and worked in Vancouver for a couple of years? I don't want to necessarily immigrate there, just have a three year long vacation but be able to work there to maintain a living.

I've researched some sites but found it a bit overwhelming. Where should I begin the process? Should I try to find a job first and apply for work permit? Can I just arrive there and begin the process?

Any advice, thoughts, comments, would be helpful. Thanks!

Visitors are allowed 6 months and aren't allowed to work during that time.

Of course you could just overstay-all kinds of people do there is no followup on visitors and no exit controls at all-but you couldn't work legally.

You can't just arrive here and begin the immigration process it must be started from outside the country and lines are long.

Don't use an Immigration Consultant-they are for the most part useless lazy crooks-generally disbarred lawyers.

Thanks for the reply Sam.

Due to labour shortages, many BC companies, especially in the service/tourism industry are allowed to hire "temporary foreign workers". This government site contains a lot of info on the topic:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp

Also, this site lists a number of jobs in the tourism sector:

http://www.go2hr.ca/jobboard.aspx

Good luck.

There is plenty of opportunity to come and work here for 3 years...particularly in nursing / care giving. I'm here for 3 years working in the construction industry and our company has to bring in workers from all over the world because of the shortage of labour. Coming here is simplified if you have a job offer first. We use an Immigration Consultant who is very helpful as he knows what is required...helpful.Were you here in the summer....winter is very depressing here as it isn;t just cold....it's cold, wet, damp and miserable, even depressing.

i have to disagree with van being depressing and boring in the winter, if your into snowboarding and skiing, this is the place to be.
You cant have the weather decide your mood.