Hey all, I'm in a very tight situation here. I'm currently a US citizen right now wanting to move into Canada to be closer to my boyfriend who is a Canadian citizen. We got to know each other online through a game and have been together for a year and a half. I have gone to see him multiple times in North Bay and every time I've gone up there with him I had such an amazing time and I've made my decision finally after visiting him yet again to just move up there. I'm 22 and he's 18. I don't have a job currently at the moment with only having the experience of working as a chasier at a Chinese restraunt for 2 years and I worked at a dollar store (was a seasonal one time job). I have a certificate in Phlebotomy/Specimen Processing and would like to find a job up there for sure as a Medical Lab Assistant or Phlebotomist. My boyfriend is a newspaper boy and doesn't get much from it but will be studying in Barrie for the winter term soon as Pharmacy Tech but will be staying in a dorm at his college. I just need help to find a way to move up there to finally be with him and live my life happy. I'm really afraid I can't get a work visa right now due to the lack of experience and only having a certificate and my parents have been telling me to keep studying and go for Medical Lab Tech since that's what I wanna do. It would only take me a year or year and a half to be done and in that time I would hopefully be working part time whether its being a phlebotomist or just a job somewhere. I really need advice on how to approach this on how to get to Canada in the situation I'm in! Thanks for reading this and have a good one!
Advice in the situation I'm in to move up to Canada
- Thread starter Champachi
- Start date
In order to work in Canada, you need a work permit. To qualify to apply for a work permit, you need to secure a full time job offer from an employer in Canada. In addition to a full time job offer, your employer will also most likely need to obtain an approved LMIA. An LMIA is something that gives your employer in Canada permission to hire a foreign worker. It's a long and expensive process and it requires your employer to prove no Canadian could be found for the role. Typically it's quite difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.
It may be possible for you to avoid the LMIA process if the job you obtain in Canada falls under NAFTA. However regardless, you need to start by securing a full time job offer in Canada.
It may be possible for you to avoid the LMIA process if the job you obtain in Canada falls under NAFTA. However regardless, you need to start by securing a full time job offer in Canada.
Thanks for the response.
Yes I was reading about that. The problem I'm facing is with the certifications I need as a Phlebotomist to work in Canada. Would I have to certify before I apply or could I apply and tell them if I get the job offer I will certify myself asap once I'd have my work visa?
Yes I was reading about that. The problem I'm facing is with the certifications I need as a Phlebotomist to work in Canada. Would I have to certify before I apply or could I apply and tell them if I get the job offer I will certify myself asap once I'd have my work visa?
No idea - you'll have to research and find out. If I had to guess - I would say you need to get certified in advance.
I just looked and most places don't ask for one. So that's a good thing for me. I will have a certification but it will be in the US to work here temporary in that field until I'm done studying. Once I'm done or a little before I'm done, that's when I'll start looking for an employer and once I get ahold of one then get my visa going hopefully. I'm really anxious enough to move up there since it will be about a year and a half when I'm done it will be moving very fast. In your opinion actually, when would be the best time to apply for a work visa in that situation? Would it be better after I'm done studying?
One more thing, so if I get my work visa, will I be able to apply for permanent residency? Because I intend on working and living in Canada permanently. I know it takes around 4-6 years after that to become a citizen. I really want to live my life in Canada with my boyfriend having a job as well. I saw the express entry stuff and I might look into that after this and look up more information.
It really isn't going to be that easy to get a work permit. Medical Lab Assistant is not a profession listed under NAFTA. This means that an employer in Canada wanting to hire you will first need an LMIA. It is difficult to find such an employer, as they must meet strict requirements for the LMIA, pay $1000 fee and the process can take several months.Champachi said:
That's why for now I'm going to finish my studies and get an associates degree in Medical Lab Technician along with a regular general associates degree. I think by the time I'm done studying, I should be eligible for express entry since I will be working in the meantime as a phlebotomist or MLA, have enough working experience and have enough earnings. I know you have to take a language test which is no problem for me and get my education accredited which I will do as well once I'm done studying.
Qualifying for Express Entry is one thing and relatively easy. Actually being selected under EE from the pool of applicants is an entirely different matter. You may want to have a go at calculating your points under EE assuming your degree is done and you have the work experience and funds. See what total you come up with. Historically, no one with fewer than 450 points has ever been selected under EE. Over the last several months, only those with more than 480 points have been chosen.Champachi said:
Yeah I heard about the point system but I can't seem to find it. I'll keep looking to find it so I can have an idea if I would have enough points or not. The information you all have provided has been putting me more at ease about this and I really appreciate it!
Lakesyde
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why not consider getting a cert in a Canadian college if you can afford that. You will be able to stay in Canada throught out the study period and qualify for up to 3 yrs work permit at the end of ur studies. This can make you to be eligible for PR tru PNP or Express entry.Champachi said: