American Girlfriend has job offer in Canada, need help with process and timeline

[JVMjrDOT]

I'm Canadian, and my girlfriend is American. She is turning 22 in September and has already completed her Bachelor's Degree in Business. We have been looking into Work Visas for some time now, and it's been difficult to sort through all the information that is being thrown at us!

My question is, what is a typical timeline she can expect, from the time of sending in her application for the work visa, to her actually receiving it. I've heard many different times, ranging from as quick as 2 weeks to as long as 6 months.

What are you experiences? Do you have any tips? Does it help that she has a job offer and won't need to look for work once she's there?

I appreciate any help you guys can give us. We've been in a long distance relationship for over 3 years and we're finally reaching the light at the end of the tunnel, but keep running into roadblocks.

 

[scylla]

I can't answer your questions about the length of time it will take.

However note that she must have a job offer in Canada to apply (she can't apply for a work permit without a job offer). Also, before she applies for the work permit she should verify if she needs an LMIA or not. If her job qualifies under NAFTA then an LMIA won't be required and she will be able to apply for a work permit with a job offer only. If an LMIA is required then her employer will have to obtain the approved LMIA before she will be able to apply for the work permit.

Note that as an American one option available to her will be to apply for the work permit at the border.

 

[jes_ON]

It depends a lot on the occupation for which she has a job offer. What will she be doing?

If it is a NAFTA-exempt occupation, she can apply at the border with her written job offer (LMIA-exempt).
http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/doing-business-in-america/professions-covered-by-nafta.html

If the occupation requires an LMIA, she has to wait for her future employer to apply for and receive the LMIA - then she can apply at the border.

Either way, no need to send it to the consulate and wait 6 months : ) She can get it on entry -takes about 1/2 hour (assuming she has all her documents).
See "Some workers can apply at a port of entry"
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/work-temp.asp

 

[JVMjrDOT]

Thanks for the info!

The position is Operations Manager with my Uncle's company (my uncle owns about 4 stores, some clothing based and another is furniture based). Not sure if that would work under "Management Consultant", it may be a stretch.

 

[JVMjrDOT]

Also that NAFTA link was regarding entering the US, not the other way around. Unless I read it wrong.

 

[scylla]

Based on what you've described, your uncle will most likely have to get an approved LMIA for her to qualify to apply for a work permit.

 

[JVMjrDOT]

Thank you.