Can anyone help please?

Can anyone help. I am English and looking to move to Canada. Only thing is there only seems to be the 1 year working holiday visa available. Could anyone point me in the right direction or offer any advise. I would ideally like to move over permanently or at least for two years.

I have no formal qualification as I have play pro Rugby in England and Europe at the highest level and obtained international honors.

Work permit would probably be the best idea, you need an employer to sponsor you, it can be tricky without qualifications though. You need some sort of trade qualifications at least.

Maybe there is need for rugby coaches somewhere. My old highschool used to play rugby instead of (north american) football because it was cheaper (no equipment needed for rugby except jerseys and cleats and a ball.soccer (European football) would have accomplished the same end really).

The simple answer to your question on the duration of validity for a working visa is: entirely dependent on the job situation involved with obtaining the visa.

For example . one extreme is to be allowed to enter Canada to work for a specific project. This may have a duration anywhere between a few days and a year.

The other extreme is to enter as a permanent resident (having the PR status approved before you ever enter the country) . in which case, the only limit on validity is that you don't break the law or leave Canada for an extended period.

You might want to check britishexpats.com in the Canada section. Tons of info from Brits moving to Canada (and other countries) and probably tons of folks who've gone through the process and can help you.

Good luck!
Foxy