Current temp worker sponsorship questions

[computergeek]

That's some good info, and I'm very sure my job would try everything in their power to keep me (there is a huge turnover rate at my job and it would take over a month to train someone to do what I do). My worry about the LMO is what the government would have to say about it. Maybe my fastest course of action would be to apply for marriage as soon as possible while simultaneously applying to extend my current work permit under my current employer? Thanks again, everyone.

Your current employer would need to get an LMO to extend your job in any case. An LMO scares away many employers, but is mostly about submitting appropriate paperwork to HRSDC. Talk to your employer about it and see if they are willing to work with you to get an LMO. If so, you'll be fine - get an LMO, file for a work permit extension, and file for PR. Note that if you want to go the LMO route you need to start NOW - it takes several months to get one. You can apply to renew your work permit last minute. As long as CIC has received your renewal application BEFORE your current work permit expires, you may continue to work ("implied status"). If you let the work permit lapse - even for a day - and you have to WAIT until you get a new work permit before you can resume working.

Good luck!

 

[BudDudandSlash]

I'll for sure be talking to my employer this week about the LMO, as I am positive they'll help me out as much as they can. If I successfully extended my work here, is there any way to apply for PR through that, or would common-law/ marriage still be the better approach in that case? Just a curiosity.

 

[computergeek]

I'll for sure be talking to my employer this week about the LMO, as I am positive they'll help me out as much as they can. If I successfully extended my work here, is there any way to apply for PR through that, or would common-law/ marriage still be the better approach in that case? Just a curiosity.

You'd need to check if you qualify under the FSW rules (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp) now. Note that they are also changing soon (eta January 2013). Arranged employment is a preferred way of obtaining economic immigration, but does have some restrictions on the type of job that qualifies. You might also wish to check with your provincial government's website to see if they have a PNP program for which you might qualify - that can make skilled worker applications as fast, or faster, than sponsored spousal applications.

 

[BudDudandSlash]

Thank you everybody for all the help. This really cleared up a lot for me.