Well, somehow illegal immigrants find a place to live, and I don’t think many landlords will care where you’re from as long as you’re paying rent. Many landlords in high-demand areas probably won’t take a tenant that the deem risky (due to having no credit history), but there are other landlords, perhaps in cheaper neighborhoods, that will take any tenant given the low demand to live there. There’s other ways too: Many undocumanted/illegal immigrants find housing “under the table”. That is, the landlord might cram too many tenants into a space (thus violating local ordinances, like fire codes), or might rent out a unit that he is not legally allowed to rent (like, for example, he might convert the attic or the basement into a liveable apartment, but he doesn’t have a license to rent out that space [because obtaining one might require expensive alterations to the apartment], so he’ll rent it to someone under the table). Other illegal immigrants are provided lodging by their employers (on the farm, at the factory, etc). You can also sublet from someone. There’s ways. This is not to make it sound easy: very many illegal immigrants unexpectingly find a difficult life after they’ve set foot in the country they hope to live in.

That information is compiled for tourism statistics. This is how we know that 17.9 million tourists visited Canada in 2007. It’s also used in many countries for immigration control purposes, although I’m not sure exactly how it helps authorities on this issue. From what I understand, hotels may be required by law in some countries to keep this information in their records for a specified amount of time should they be asked for it by the authorities, or they may be required by law to register that information to authorities as soon as the guest checks in.

I like Canada, I visit often.

The vast majority of immigrants are not interested in trafficking drugs or trafficking people or committing any crimes; they just want to earn an honest living, and very many immigrants don’t even intend on staying in the long-term. However, the cultural/demographic changes that can come from unfettered large-scale permanent immigration is reason enough for countries to regulate immigration, let alone a large influx of people needing jobs and housing, particularly people that lack any job skills that the destination country is in need of. With large numbers of immigrants trying to enter the more developed countries, you can’t expect them to make an exception for you. Besides, coming from Canada, you don’t have an economic need to move to the European Union like someone from Bangladesh or Ecuador might.

RE wrote:

another idea, but a more far fetched one, i think, is i know that there are a lot of english language newspapers over there. what if i could get someone to hire me for one (once i learn how to write properly ) would i be able to get a working visa and work permit to do that?

I don’t think this is far-fetched, it’s actually a great idea. Although, keep in mind that priority in the EU is given to EU citizens, and there’s 60+ million native English-speakers residing in the EU countries of Britain and Ireland, in addition to millions of people who speak English fluently or highly proficiently as a second language. My advice is, look for jobs overseas, submit some articles if you’re trained in journalism, and see where you get. There’s no guarantee you’ll find work (odds are against you), but you just might. If you are hired for a permanent position, your employer will help you obtain your work visa. Although a lot of journalism, unfortunatley, is freelance.

oh thank you for the wonderful response! you’re the greatest person ever!

anyway…
yes, you are right, i didnt mean to say that immigrants are drug trafficking or engaging in illegal activity or what not. i know they’re just looking for a better life or whatever. and i dont think the country should make an exception for me (although i let it sound like i thought that), because i definitely dont think that they should let in just anyone who wants to live there. i would hate for the culture of the country to change. i was really just trying to justify my position, that if i do become an illegal immigrant i dont think i should be villainized for it, because even though it sounds bad to be an “illegal immigrant”, i have no bad intentions. i simply just love the country—i know all about its culture and history and plan to learn the language—and cant think of any other way…

so anyways, a few more questions (even though im sure youre not the expert on illegal immigration, but already you seem to have much more information than i do and everyone in general always seems to have better ideas and more clues than i do, so…).

okay so, the country i want to go to is austria. which makes it even harder because it seems like a very rigid country where people cant get away with much (and when i was there last there were police all over the place, which is slightly worrying). is it likely the police or whoever would stop a perfectly innocent looking person and ask for their passport or id? and what would happen if you were found without any id?

and how does anyone find work? what do you say? where do you go, etc? would it be possible to find a job as a live in maid? while not my dream job, that would really be the best situation i could think up… or how do you get a job on a farm? do you just go around to farms and knock on the doors and ask if they need help?

and how much money would you say a person should start out with? obviously the more the better, but what would you think is the smallest amount a person should start out with, simply because i havent much money at the moment, and dont want to have to think about wasting another year or two trying to save up a decent amount…

whats the first thing i should do when i get to the country?

anyway, thanks again for your detailed response. i hope you can help me with my other questions, because im so clueless its pathetic….

I’m a US citizen legally working in Europe the past 6 years. To do it legally, generally the process looks like this: you need a job offer from a local firm; they must attest that it can not be filled from labor in that country, or by EU or EEA labor. NL, for example, requires the job be advertised 5 weeks. If you get a job offer, you apply for work and residence permission, pay your fees, and wait 3-6 months for an answer (which could be “no”).

Unless you are highly skilled and/or in a field in high demand, your best bets might be cleaning—as you mentioned. You won’t get a work permit to be a cleaner (unless you’re from a developing country—in some cases); I’m talking about if you choose to provide “gray market” labor and not work legally. Keep in mind that unless you’re paid under the table, you will be subject to local and national taxes, GST (aka VAT), generally high cost of living, and might not qualify for some or all social benefits (health cover, retirement contributions, vacation and sick pay, etc.). I know immigrants who arrive with € signs in their eyes, but become quickly disenchanted when they factor in taxes that can take nearly half of earnings, high living costs, and cold bleak winters (the last one maybe something you might already be accustomed to?!).

Re, I’m curious why you perceive Austria as a “rigid” country.