Work Visa

[WLM]

Is it easier to obtain a work visa for the French speaking side of Canada with a French passport? I have dual nationalities, CASA licence and relevant experience (1500TT+ rotary)
Thank you ;)

[Longtimer]

I suspect the problem you will need to overcome has nothing to do with getting into Canada. There are many more unemployed pilots in Canada than there are jobs......

[Foxtrot_Lima_Mike]

Ok, but what kind of ops are you talking about? Airline jobs or even small ****ty charter jobs?

Regards,
FLM.

Ok, I understand but are you talking about Airline jobs meaning flying jets or is it the same thing also concerning littly ****ty charter companies?

Regards,
FLM

[bafanguy]

WLM,

If the company in question wants you, THEY will get you a work visa...their problem, not yours.

Your problem is finding such a company. Good luck.

[yyzdub]

WLM,

As far as I know, immigration to Canada can be done either by Provincial nomination, skilled worker, or Quebec selected processes.

The Quebec selection is geared towards those wanting to immigrate to Quebec (the french part) without having to deal with federal immigration regulations you'd experience through immigrating to other provinces. It is based soley on the needs of Quebec and you should have a good chance if you are French. There are information sessions held in France on moving to Quebec, from time to time.

The Provincial Nomination Scheme will require you to usually have a job offer from a company located in that province. Again, this scheme is used to draw immigrants from the typical hubs of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Therefore, you should have a descent chance applying to say PEI or Newfoundland rather than British Columbia or Ontario.

The Skilled Worker Scheme will probably not apply since Canada is not in need of qualified pilots. As has been said, there are enough unemployed pilots here already. If you're still interested, you could try a general immigration process done on a points basis ie. so many points for age, education, etc. Check the immigration site regularly as the points requirement is constantly changing.

I would not count on an airline offering you a job without any sort of legal immigration status to the country. If and when you apply, I suggest you state a previous job experience rather than a pilot. Either way, best of luck

YYZDUB

[Foxtrot_Lima_Mike]

Dude, thanks a lot for your reply.

I'm in Africa at the moment. I've been in a relationship with a chick from Canada for a little while now and was just wondering what are my chances of getting employed in Canada.

We aren't married (yet) but that's something we've been talking about. Basically, we don't have any issues of going somewhere remote in order for both of us securing employment.

I'm not from France but can write and speak French fluently.

What might be the best path to take?

Thanks again for all the advice.

Cheers,
FLM.

[WLM]

YYZDUB

Thanks for the reply. It seems that I have enough points under the Skilled Workers program for flying or non flying employment. Just have to beware of the so called immigration specialists...
Although you may have a surplus of pilots in CA, it seems you can obtain a job with the right hours and attitude. Your CA employment scene is no different from the rest of the world; I served my time in OZ and NZ and had to go through the channels to get somewhere.
Thanks for the tip to go direct via the Quebec side, will try this avenue as I have work contacts there.
Regards

WLM

PS who is FLM? :confused:

[Foxtrot_Lima_Mike]

Just another dude also looking at Canada at the moment...

Waiting for some advice

Regards,
FLM

[yyzdub]

FLM,

If you're in Africa there are going to be a lot of red flags for you in Canada. Not sure what stage of your career you are at but if you're looking at airlines forget Canada.

Transport Canada or the Airport Authority, not sure which, is not giving red passes to pilots who have/are coming from Africa and other non first world countries so to speak. There are a few threads on here discussing it - I didn't believe it at first but it IS true. Lots of Canadians went abroad for opportunities and are now finding themselves S.O.L with getting the airport red pass.

As for the immigration - good news for you if you're dating a Canadian. Canada recognises common law relationships should you be able to prove that you and your partner have cohabitually lived together for 1 year or more. Canadian immigration WILL require signed leases, photographs, emails, back statements - basically everything and anything that can attest to the fact that the two of you are in fact together. Been there and done that. It's a long road and takes about 12-18months - get a move on if that's the route you want to take. Best idea is to contact the nearest Canadian embassy.

YYZDUB

[taluft]

YYZDUB, could you elaborate a bit on the reasons for red flags being raised for returning Canadians who've done a tour of duty on the Dark Continent to build up experience. Why does it pose a problem for getting the red pass? What security issues does it raise?
TL

[yyzdub]

taluft,


Can't answer your question - I have no idea. This is not a first hand experience just what I've read, heard, and been told. Transport Canada won't be able to answer your questions but the various airport authorities could.

There are a few threads on pprune where some Canadian have returned back to Canada and have found that b/c of the places they've worked, they are not being given the red pass. There was one particular Canadian carrier who hired a good number of people and then had to cancel the contract terms b/c the pilots could not get the red passes.

Sorry, that's the only info I can lend you - have a look on here and give Transport a call and see if they can help you out with approaching the airport authority to find the reasons why and if there are any ways of getting around the problem.

best of luck

yyzdub

[Steve76]

..yyzdub,
what part of 1500hrs ROTARY don't you understand?

No shortage of jobs in Canada for skilled helo pilots. Nothing to do with airlines or fixed wing.

[yyzdub]

Steve76 - Think you need to relax a bit and drop the attitude.

What part of the question that started this thread about WORK VISA's don't YOU understand. The issue of airlines/airports and red passes came from another post on the thread which I answered - doesn't seem as though anyone else minded the extra bit of info.


yyzdub

[GTNav]

If you want to work in Canada then be prepared for alot of fun with imigration. If you are under 30 and from Oz or NZ then that holiday work visa is the best option, designed to let you work in a bar, it is the best way to walk into a flying job.
Heli jobs are pretty easy to come by but after you get a job offer you need a letter from HRDC confirming you are needed for the labour market and you are not steeling a Canadians job. Then you take your letter to immigration and get a work visa. Biggest snag is that if you are in Canada you must then go home and return, getting your visa on the way in; or you can go to a couple of Canadian Embassies in US or you can apply by mail but that will take 6 weeks or so.
I found that whilst alot of companies want to hire you they do not want the extra work of applying to hire a non-Canadian and the HRDC turns you down if they feel the company has not looked hard enough for a Canadian. My experience (5000 hours) and I did get a job this year but after I got turned down for 3 other jobs by HRDC. Once you are in the industry you find alot of non-Canadians working hard, getting paid not too bad.
If you get your immigration first it is alot easier when you get here to get working. The immigration forms take a weekend to do, speaking French will help a bit but not as much as having a degree, a relative in Canada or previous work in the flying industry.:O :O

[WLM]

GTnav

Thanks for the info. What is HRDC please?
Regards
WLM:O

[MarkD]

Now HRSDC post re-org.

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml