Overseas work and volunteer specialist, BUNAC, is urging prospective “gappers” to sign up for its 2014 Work Canada and Work New Zealand support programmes now, as the Canadian High Commission and New Zealand Embassy release limited allocations of highly sought-after visas. With decades of visa processing expertise*, BUNAC helps participants get ahead of the game by ensuring they are fully prepared and in the best position to secure these visas as soon as they are made available.

The first tranche of 2,000 Canadian IEC Work Permits was released to UK passport holders on a “first come, first served” basis last week, on 12th December, and snapped up within 19 minutes, with a second batch of 1,350 due for release this week. The third and final tranche of 2,000 will be released early in 2014 (date to be confirmed), so anyone interested in a working holiday in Canada during 2014 should act now.
 

BUNAC’s Work Canada programme helps applicants to navigate their way through the visa application process, as well as assisting with travel arrangements, job-hunting, airport transfers and a place to stay. NEW for 2014, BUNAC has introduced Full-Placement and Self-Placement job options. On Full Placement, which costs £539, BUNAC guarantees jobs with top Canadian employers such as Whistler resort in British Columbia or Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, following UK-based interviews. Participants also enjoy enticing benefits such as free or discounted ski passes and equipment rental, heavily subsidised accommodation and meals, and the chance to qualify as a Level 1 Ski or Snowboard Instructor. Self-Placement is ideal for the more independent traveller; applicants pay £339 and receive year-round job and accommodation-hunting support at BUNAC resource centres in Toronto and Vancouver, welcome presentation, one-to-one CV consultation, access to multiple job opportunities and invitations to social events. The IEC Work Permit costs CAN$150.
 

The full and final quota of IEP** Work Exchange Visas for 2014, which allow British and Irish citizens aged between 18 and 35 years to live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, was released last week, on 11th December, and is already proving very popular. These once-in-a-lifetime visas are exclusive to BUNAC in the UK and are ideal for those who may not be eligible for the standard Working Holiday Visa, such as people aged 30 to 35, or anyone who has previously held a Working Holiday Visa but would like to return to New Zealand for a second visit.
 

BUNAC’s Work New Zealand programme costs £339, plus £189 for the IEP Exchange Visa.  On arrival in Auckland, participants receive comprehensive orientation, job-hunting advice and access to an exclusive online jobs database featuring a wide range of vacancies from office and admin to hospitality, child-care and cleaning.  Guidance with travel arrangements, banking and taxation, accommodation and social events are provided. Group flights are also available.
 

The visa application process takes up to six weeks for New Zealand and up to three months for Canada so, by applying now, travellers will be in an ideal position to sort out work placements for their year abroad.

For further information about BUNAC’s Work Canada and Work New Zealand programmes, visit http://www.bunac.org.uk/uk/workcanada/ or http://www.bunac.org.uk/uk/workabroad/worknewzealand, or telephone 020 7870 9570.
 

Ends
 

Note to Editors

*BUNAC has been helping people to secure the IEC Work Permit for over 25 years and previously processed all UK visas on behalf of the Canadian High Commission.

**IEP – International Exchange Programs is BUNAC’s sister organisation in New Zealand.  Based in a resource centre in Auckland, IEP provides support, guidance and advice for thousands of international travellers every year.

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