A Canadian Citizen would like to help their friend - immigration questions

[jw2016]

Hello everyone!

I was born and raised in Canada, some 40 years and counting. So please excuse some of the questions below, as I don't have any experience with the immigration process. I would like to give some brief background and ask for the best advice by those that have gone through the process.

My friend from Mexico has a visitor visa, during their visit they fell in love with Canada. While in Calgary, they took an English course. Shortly after the course ended her 6 month time frame for her visit was up and they had to return to Mexico.

Knowing the IETLS would be required; they took the course and surpassed the minimum requirement of CLB7.

My friend has a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university in Mexico. We are in the process of trying to find a NOC that fits their skill set and education.

Now I'm hoping to get some guidance from those that are undergoing the process or those who just went through to see what the best way to proceed is. From my understanding, in order to get a work permit they need a job offering/contract and the LMIA. I've read several threads here saying the LMIA is a long, tedious task and costs the employer approx $1,000 to apply for. It's my impression reading these forums that it’s usually quite hard to get.

Is it best to search from Mexico and explain the situation and hope to find a company that has the LMIA already? Use a headhunter to try and search applicable jobs? I’ve been told the government job bank isn’t very helpful. Is it best to fly up to Canada, search for a job here? Can the Visitor visa be converted to a working permit while they are in Canada or do they need to fly back to Mexico and re-enter the country.

From my understanding, that if they work here for a year we can apply for the AINP and it would be better with the work experience.

Thank you for your time and best of luck to everyone!

 

[scylla]

LMIAs are extremely difficult to get - especially with no work experience or specialized experience. If your friend is just out of school - it's really not realistic to think he'll be able to find a company willing to go through the LMIA process to hire him. Best option is for your friend to find a way to immigrate to Canada without requiring an LMIA.

Headhunters won't work with people who aren't already PRs/citizens or don't already have work permits.

 

[mf4361]

1. Visitor visa can't convert to work permit. It must be applied outside Canada unless you already have legal status

2. Be very careful of headhunters saying they can get LMIA for you. It is a process that invite to scam foreigners by crooked employers and HR companies

3. LMIA is easier than, say, few months ago but still next to impossible in such economic turmoil (Calgary tops the unemployment rate for months, even worse than the Maritime)

4. Mexicans might be eligible for NAFTA permit if in the list of occupations. That's one of ways to get LMIA-exempted work permit

 

[jw2016]

LMIAs are extremely difficult to get - especially with no work experience or specialized experience. If your friend is just out of school - it's really not realistic to think he'll be able to find a company willing to go through the LMIA process to hire him. Best option is for your friend to find a way to immigrate to Canada without requiring an LMIA.

I should clarify regarding their education and work experience. They graduated from university in Mexico in approx 2003 and have worked for a couple of large companies in their field over the last 10 years or so. They have a lot of experience would make them an attractive candidate for a position.

Headhunters won't work with people who aren't already PRs/citizens or don't already have work permits.

This is good information, thank you.

1. Visitor visa can't convert to work permit. It must be applied outside Canada unless you already have legal status

2. Be very careful of headhunters saying they can get LMIA for you. It is a process that invite to scam foreigners by crooked employers and HR companies

3. LMIA is easier than, say, few months ago but still next to impossible in such economic turmoil (Calgary tops the unemployment rate for months, even worse than the Maritime)

4. Mexicans might be eligible for NAFTA permit if in the list of occupations. That's one of ways to get LMIA-exempted work permit

mf4361, thank you for your feedback. It's good to know about not converting the visa over, this will help with timing and planning. I would do my due diligence and look into any headhunter to avoid scammers, but if many don't work with you unless you are a PR/citizen or already have the permit it's good to know. I understand the economic turmoil Calgary is in and how difficult this process may be but I would like to try. I'll look into the NAFTA permit.

Thanks again for your feedback!