Basic Motivation (hints) for US Citizen to start the TWP/LMO process

[JaredLCo]

Hello hello!

I'm a US Citizen residing in Virginia, & have been with my girlfriend, a French Citizen, for almost 2 years now. We have been brainstorming of a way to live together for a year or so, before getting married one day.

Being next to impossible (from what I've read & heard) to get her a sponsorship here in the US (outside of getting married), we had the idea of the both of us living & working in Canada, to spend more time together, etc.

I speak little French, but she speaks very good English. We've researched & decided on Toronto. I know she can enter, stay, live & work on a Working Holiday Visa. I know as an American I'm not eligible for the same, but I've been extensively researching the TWP & LMO process the past few days. I suppose what I'm asking, or looking for, here, is just some confirmation & motivation that I'm moving in the right direction, by searching for jobs in Toronto, to start applying & proposing the idea of LMO to employers.

What else can I be doing to make this a reality? Is this the best way to start, by finding a job offer & then moving to the application process, etc? Would it be best to visit Toronto, being TRV exempt, find a job offer, get the LMO, & then go to the border for the WP? If I apply from outside Canada, & find an employer that likes my resume & is willing to do the LMO, any ballpark idea of the length of time it would take to go from job offer/LMO, to driving to the NY/Canadian border to find an apartment in Toronto? Just need a little kick of motivation that I'm proceeding correctly!

Any input would be a great deal of help, & most appreciated.

Regards,

Jared

 

[JaredLCo]

Bump!

Asking for any insight & advice!

: )

 

[angelbrat]

I think you have answered your own questions. Having read your post, you appear to have got it sorted out.

It will not be easy, due to the current economics in Canada but not impossible either.

Still, your best route would be to get engaged or married and have your girlfriend come to the USA.

I wish you good luck.

 

[JaredLCo]

Thanks Angelbrat, for the input & advice! I appreciate it.

I know doing a K-1 Visa to get her here (in US), would be ideal, but we want to wait a bit before doing so, to make sure it's the best thing to do.

Anyone else have any advice, or input, regarding my questions:

Is this the best way to start, by finding a job offer & then moving to the application process, etc? Would it be best to visit Toronto, being TRV exempt, find a job offer, get the LMO, & then go to the border for the WP? If I apply from outside Canada, & find an employer that likes my resume & is willing to do the LMO, any ballpark idea of the length of time it would take to go from having a job offer/LMO, to driving to the NY/Canadian border to find an apartment in Toronto?

 

[JGK]

Don't know about current time lines, but I was offered a job in Saskatchewan at the end of May 2009. From there the LMO/TWP process + finding accommodation (I had to move from Ontario) in Saskatoon meant I started work in mid-September 2009.

 

[JaredLCo]

Thanks for the response & info JGK. So about 4 months for you. Currently, I've sent my resume/cover letter online, to several Toronto employers, & am now waiting for any response.

Any advice on being clear about me needing a LMO, for my applications to these employers?

Anyone?

Any info or feedback regarding employers reactions to an online resume/cover letter from a foreigner requiring a LMO?

Thanks as always!

 

[JGK]

JaredLCo,

If the employer decides to make you a job offer it is the employer who has to apply for the LMO, you have no real involvement in that process.

In the LMO application, the employer has to show that:

The job was advertised in the appropriate locations for a specified time period;
There were no applications from Canadian workers (either citizens or permanent residents) with equal or better qualifications/job experience than you;
That they are offering you employee terms and conditions commensurate with the position you are being hired for.

If these are satisfied a, +ve LMO is issued and you can use it to apply for the work permit.

 

[wideopenspaces]

Hi Jared,

As a US citizen you might be eligible to get a work permit through NAFTA. You still need a job offer but the employer does not need to get an LMO. You would just need a letter of a job offer and then can get your permit at the border.

That is the route I am taking, without much luck yet. But then I have not found as many job openings in my occupation as I had hoped. I'm not giving up though. Good luck to you.

Here are some links for ya:

http://www.canadavisa.com/nafta-temporary-work-permit-canada.html

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp

http://migracion-canada.com/nafta.pdf