Colombian Temporary Foreign Worker Application

[breakfree]

Hello all,

I'm a canadian who spent six months in colombia and met a colombian girl. Its getting to be that time where I need to possibly go back to canada to work. I would like some help on the process of bringing my GF back to canada. I looked into the tourist visa option on these forums and it seems really hard to get besides it would be nice for her too earn a few bucks as well.

She is 25 yo, with a bachelors degree in psychology/interior design. She currently working as a interior design consultant/supervisor for commercial projects such as hospitals etc. She doesnt mind working at a fastfood joint,retail or anything else like that for the opportunity to go to canada, improve her english and be with me.

My question is what are the chances of her getting accepted with the new rule changes etc. I´ve been reading about in the papers? Is the way to get started with this process basically to start firing of resumes to employers on the Jobbank?

Thanks all,and I look forward to the replies.

 

[scylla]

The most difficult part is finding an employer who is willing to offer her a full time job and who is also willing/able to obtain an approved LMIA (permission to hire a foreign worker). To secure an approved LMIA, the employer will first have to advertise the job for at least one full month to prove no Canadian could be found for the role. The employer will then have to pay a $1K processing fee and submit the LMIA application. Processing can take anywhere from 6 to 16+ weeks (it seems to be on the longer end these days). Once the LMIA is approved, your girlfriend will be able to apply for a work permit. To be approved, she will need to demonstrate ties to her home country and show she has no plans on remaining in Canada long term. For this reason it would be a good idea to try to look for jobs that are at least somewhat of a match to her educational background. This will increase her chances of being approved.

And yes - there's unfortunately no short cut to finding an employer. She'll just have to apply for jobs and hope she gets lucky.

 

[breakfree]

Thank you Scylla,

Is it true that she would then need to apply for the TRV visa after she got her work permit approved because she is from colombia? Is the TRV more easily approved with a work permit then without?

The other option she has is too maybe apply for a student visa to study english but I think she would rather work and study english on herown.

Out of the 3 options below what, in your opinion, is the one most likely to be approved?

1) TRV
2) Work Permit/TRV
3)Student Visa

Thank you again

 

[scylla]

1) Probably the least likely since she is young and effectively has few ties to her home country.
2) Issue with this option is the difficulty in finding an employer and job in Canada. The chances of approval also depends on the job. If the job isn't related to her studies and past experience this increases the changes the work permit will be refused (e.g. fast food job increases the chances of refusal).
3) Probably the most likely to be approved provided she is coming to Canada to take a college diploma or university degree (not an English language course).