Opportunities for Canadian citizens?

Hi All,

Do Canadian citizens have any opportunities around the world when it comes to finding work and living? By 'opportunities' I mean advantages (over non-Canadians) they get solely from their Canadian citizen status. For instance, citizen of European Union countries can work throughout Europe without the need of applying for work permits and they also have medicare and social insurances only because they are EU citizen. Their academic credentials are recognized throughout Europe. They are also allowed to own property and their pensions are given to them regardless where they have worked and where they reside at retirement. Does something similar exist for Canadians? What about the Commonwealth countries?

I noticed many other forum members seem to have lived out of Canada for a very long time (>5y) and they often appear to be emigrants rather then just temporarily abroad. We intend to spend chunks of ~2-3y years outside Canada for the next ~10 years (preferably not in the same spot) and were wondering if anybody can give us advice where to start looking and how to organize things. We (30y old) don't now own property in Canada but have quite loaded RSPs (which will probably grow over time) and intend to return to Canada when we'll be about 40y old, then buy property (where in Canada depends how thing will evolve over here) and to then stay in Canada for good.

We'd like to do something noble and enriching for the next 10 years (therefore volunteering is by no means ruled out) and are looking for any hints regarding how to do that.

Thank you for your advice and/or ideas,
rytmx70

Not that I'm aware of - it may be easier in commonwealth countries (UK, Australia etc) for certain types of visas though.

we have no such advantage similar to those that citizens of the EU have, other than as Matt said, it may be easier for us to get work visas to other Commonwealth countries than say, an American. But, you would still need to apply for a visa.

If you want to go to England, and you're 25 or younger, you can get a Working Holiday visa. Its good for 2 years (I think) and you can live and work in the UK for that time. And you don't need to have any special skills. But I don't think you can work full time.I dunno.I'm too old for it, so never really delved too much. I know a few people who've done it though, and found more than a few Canucks waiting tables in Edinburgh

England however is not part of the EU, so this does not give you privledges in the rest of Europe. Only the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).

Reba: The UK has been in the EU since 1973.

Also the working holidaymakers (UK) is for a person aged between 17 and 30. It is true that is is good for 2 years but you can only work one year, the rest of the time is to travel.

The main thing to remember is that you will need to apply for a visa for each country where you would like to work/live (you will have to apply before going to the country) or to do voluntary work. There is not such thing as a EU visa so it means that you will have to apply for a visa for each country in the EU, they all have different type of visa and different immigration laws.

Also you will have to be able to show that you can support yourself financially as you cannot have recourse to public funds (in the UK I don't know about other countries).

hope this helps

Joanne

Yes, I am aware that the UK is part of the EU (sans Euro currency of course), however, I believe the original question was asking do Canadians have special privlidges in EU countries, as EU citizens do. Which we do not.

If you were an EU citizen, you can go live and work in any other EU country without first having to pass through an immigration process. However, a Canadian citizen would still (as you mentioned) have to apply for proper visas in whichever country they choose to live and work in the EU.

Other than to the UK with the working holiday maker visa, we do not have any "special privledges" in other EU countries. They must have raised the age on that since last I looked. Either way, I'm still too old.

If you are eligible for citizenship in any EU country, it may benefit you to research that (some countries do not allow dual citizenship still I think). If either of your parents were born in an EU country, you may be eligible (some countries, like UK, will only allow if your mother was born there). Then if you gain citizenship to that country, pretty much all of Europe is open to you.

Big thanks to all posters!

I am European-born and therefore an EU citizen but Europe is not necessarily what I've been looking for when considering relocation (that would be very much in reach). Having been living in Canada for the past 5 years (and thereby becoming a dual national) I was wondering what other spots on the globe we could focus on for making the life journey more interesting.

Noticing that everybody mentions 'immigration' I can't but wonder if the Canadian citizenship + work permit won't suffice in non-European countries. I talk China, NZ, AU, SA.

Working as an IT professional in Europe and Canada I was simply wondering if there would be any other (good) places than Europe and Northamerica to spend some time

Thanks for all your feedback,
rytmx70

nope, each and every country has their own immigration laws and policies. A Canadian citizenship, or work visa to one particular country will only work in that country. Visas do not cross borders, and if you wish to go live and work in any other country, you must first hurdle their immigration process. Some are easier than others, but you still have to apply through immigration.

From the wording of the original post, I presume that you are not being transferred to an expat post by a multinational corporation. In that case, opportunities to make it good for a expat are much available in either Eastern Europe, or in developping countries. There you stand a chance to earn well, in comparison with local salaries.
Western Europe is a very expensive place to live, and given the same salary as Nigeria, you will be much better off in Africa.
Developping countries offer great opportunities, and low cost of living. You must however find work with an international organization prior to moving there.
International staff is recruited internationally, not in the country where the work takes place.
Good luck, and if you need some advice, please contact me.
Cheers,