Chances of getting work visa?

[grrl77]

Hi there.

I seem to be in a bit of a middle ground, and I wasn't sure if anyone else out there has fallen into my position and can offer a bit of advice.

I've worked as a professional for a while now. I worked in the world of finance, as a mortgage underwriter for four years, and have held different gigs under the finance umbrella. Because of the mortgage crisis, I had to switch jobs and have worked the last year for a major software company as support for our sales organization.

The problem that I'm having is, it seems even though I've got a great job, I don't qualify for points. It'd be a different story if I had a job lined up, or a company wanting to sponsor me, but here's the problem I'm running into: I don't have a degree, so I don't have the points. I don't have the points because I don't have a job already lined up. How can you get anyone to notice you to give you a sponsorship when you live in another country (why not just hire within your own country, locally?) to be able to get the points to make it happen?

I seem to fall in the trap of being an experienced worker, a smart girl, in a professional position, but with no college degree, and not technically qualifying for the points, what's a girl to do here? Someone had mentioned checking out the 'low skilled' visas, but I'm not sure I've not read anything about that yet.

What would you suggest I do? Are there agencies out there that maybe help you look for companies that might sponsor you given your experience? I'm in Oregon, wanting to get to Montreal. Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post.

- J

 

[Leon]

Before a work permit is issued, the employer has to prove that he advertised and didn't find anybody local unless he is in a field that the government already declared there is a shortage in. You can get around this by advertising for very specific experience that really only fits one person, that is if you found somebody who really wants to hire you.

To do that, it would help if you are there to do interviews and convince people that they really really need you to work for them. Try going on a tourist visa and feel around for jobs.

You can also find which occupations are listed under pressure in Quebec at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/oup/qcouplist.shtml

 

[grrl77]

If I'm from the US, can't I go to Canada for six months and stay? Woudl they question since I'd be staying with my boyfriend? (I guess they wouldn't need to know we were dating). Just wondered if I had a return flight, if they'd question the length of the period of time I could hang out in Canada, and they might make me prove finances, etc. Is this usually difficult to deal w/ at the border?

 

[Leon]

It shouldn't be a problem for you to go to Canada as a tourist. You are just not allowed to work and if they see you immigrating with all your belongings, they might get suspicious.