Hi, I am Canadian and my boyfriend is Colombian. We have been together for two years and only see each other twice a year when I go over there to visit him. He has a diploma in hospitality which is considered a semi skilled worker. The problem is that we need a job offer from a Canadian employer, however there seems to be no employers wanting to hire a foreign worker or at least we are unable to find any on any of the job bank websites. We have applied for a visitors visa and was denied because of his lack of ties to Colombia. We are legitimate people from different continents who happen to fall in love and now just want to build a future together. Should we be doing things differently?? Please help, any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Help needed for semi skilled worker
- Thread starter Chanty2013
- Start date
Hi Chanty,
What province are you in?
Are you at a point to consider marriage? Or are you able to live in Colombia for a year?
What province are you in?
Are you at a point to consider marriage? Or are you able to live in Colombia for a year?
Hi Amikety, Thank you for your reply 
I am in Ottawa, Ontario. Yes we are engaged, however the ideal situation would be to live together in a real life scenario before taking that serious decision. I could live in Colombia, however I currently hold a good job and I am not certain that would be still available to me after one year.
I am in Ottawa, Ontario. Yes we are engaged, however the ideal situation would be to live together in a real life scenario before taking that serious decision. I could live in Colombia, however I currently hold a good job and I am not certain that would be still available to me after one year.
O.O Someone recognized my flag........ yay! Yes, I was born in Dayton.Chanty2013 said:Hi Amikety, Thank you for your reply
I am in Ottawa, Ontario. Yes we are engaged, however the ideal situation would be to live together in a real life scenario before taking that serious decision. I could live in Colombia, however I currently hold a good job and I am not certain that would be still available to me after one year.
Well, Ontario wasn't the answer I was hoping for. We have semi-skilled programs in hotel hospitality in Alberta. Here's the Ontario website. You might find it useful: http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/index.shtml
They way I see it, here are the options:
- Study...if he's interested/can afford to study in Canada, he could earn a Canadian education, get some Canadian experience, and build up for CEC immigration. He could live with you during that process too, so after a year, you can apply for Common-law if you're interested
- Try to find a job. Since he's in Colombia, I would check into a placement agency. He will need to be on the watch for scammers. A legitimate job will never ask him for fees (other than airfare for some jobs). They also won't promise a job. If he tries this, I wouldn't hold my breath. Canada is flooded with people trying to get jobs with LMO/work permits. I'm also semi-skilled and can't find a job to save my life.
- Bite the bullet, go to Colombia, and live together for a year to qualify for Common-law.
None of them are 'quick and easy.' Plus there's a chance he could be denied for the study or work permit.
Amikety, Thank you so very much for your quick reply and all your advice, it is much appreciated. The issue with studying in Canada is the cost factor, it is extremely expensive and I am sure you can imagine his salary in Colombia would not come close to covering those fees and we have both agreed that me paying for that alone would be almost impossible.
As for a placement agency, would you be able to perhaps recommend any? We also would be ok with him working in Alberta, although it is quite the distance from Ontario at least we would be in the same country Do you have any links for Alberta you could recommend?
The other issue is that I am unable to just simply live with him in Colombia without getting married, because he lives in San Andres Isla and I would need an OCCRA card and the only way to obtain that is to get married.
Are you an immigrant in Canada? If so how did you go through this almost impossible process?
As for a placement agency, would you be able to perhaps recommend any? We also would be ok with him working in Alberta, although it is quite the distance from Ontario at least we would be in the same country
Do you have any links for Alberta you could recommend?The other issue is that I am unable to just simply live with him in Colombia without getting married, because he lives in San Andres Isla and I would need an OCCRA card and the only way to obtain that is to get married.
Are you an immigrant in Canada? If so how did you go through this almost impossible process?
Haha, we mailed my application yesterday. I'm on Visitor status right now (and desparately seeking a job, so bored).Chanty2013 said:Amikety, Thank you so very much for your quick reply and all your advice, it is much appreciated. The issue with studying in Canada is the cost factor, it is extremely expensive and I am sure you can imagine his salary in Colombia would not come close to covering those fees and we have both agreed that me paying for that alone would be almost impossible.
As for a placement agency, would you be able to perhaps recommend any? We also would be ok with him working in Alberta, although it is quite the distance from Ontario at least we would be in the same country
The other issue is that I am unable to just simply live with him in Colombia without getting married, because he lives in San Andres Isla and I would need an OCCRA card and the only way to obtain that is to get married.
Are you an immigrant in Canada? If so how did you go through this almost impossible process?
I don't have any experience with a placement agency, as I've just begin contacting them myself. However, Hotel Blackfoot advertises on Kijiji for jobs and they offer LMOs. Kijiji is a good place to start as it's free and direct to employer. Getting a LMO in Ottawa (or any big city) will be difficult. It would easier to get one in the boonies or far north. However, not all of those jobs will qualify for PR - it depends on the province sometimes too.
First step (IMO) is look at Kijiji for every major Canadian city. Search "LMO" and "TFW" and search for jobs he's qualified for or wouldn't mind working. Just keep in mind, they won't give a work permit if it doesn't make sense. If he applies for a job he has no background in, chances are near zero.
Wow good luck with your application, all the best. Where are you visiting from and how did you get the visitors visa, any tricks or tips? We applied one year ago and got denied because of his lack of ties to Colombia.
Sorry for my ignorance with all these abbreviations but can you please tell me what LMO, TFW and IMO represent? Thanks again for all your advice, it is so much appreciated. We will be visiting Kijiji for sure and checking out Hotel Blackfoot for sure, in fact he is on there as we speak
Sorry for my ignorance with all these abbreviations but can you please tell me what LMO, TFW and IMO represent? Thanks again for all your advice, it is so much appreciated. We will be visiting Kijiji for sure and checking out Hotel Blackfoot for sure, in fact he is on there as we speak
K, if he gets on a Blackfoot Hotel, he totally owes me a job
Now.... promise not to hurt me. I'm visa exempt, from the US. I got on the plane, told customs I was visiting, and was waved through. The IO on that trip even smiled at me....
LMO = labour market opinion. Most employees will need this to get a work permit. It's basically government permission for a company to hire a foreigner
TFW = temporary foreigner worker
IMO = In my opinion ;D
Now.... promise not to hurt me. I'm visa exempt, from the US. I got on the plane, told customs I was visiting, and was waved through. The IO on that trip even smiled at me....
LMO = labour market opinion. Most employees will need this to get a work permit. It's basically government permission for a company to hire a foreigner
TFW = temporary foreigner worker
IMO = In my opinion ;D
Hello,
I believe re-skilling is a better option, if options suggested by amy are not looking feasible for given reasons. Canada Govt is actively looking for Trade immigrants. Jobs for trade folks are in high demand. If a trade skill could be acquired in the next year or two, is the best way to seek immigration and very much doable and could be accomplished. Please consider this option actively, among others.
Wishing you the very best in your endeavor.
I believe re-skilling is a better option, if options suggested by amy are not looking feasible for given reasons. Canada Govt is actively looking for Trade immigrants. Jobs for trade folks are in high demand. If a trade skill could be acquired in the next year or two, is the best way to seek immigration and very much doable and could be accomplished. Please consider this option actively, among others.
Wishing you the very best in your endeavor.
Amikety - LOL we will both owe if that happens Wow, lucky you, how the heck do you get a deal like that? Thank you for the explanations of those abbreviations!
Centaur - That might be a good option as well. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.
Thank you to the both of you for all the advice and opinions provided, I welcome any advice, you just never know.
Wow, lucky you, how the heck do you get a deal like that? Thank you for the explanations of those abbreviations!Centaur - That might be a good option as well. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.
Thank you to the both of you for all the advice and opinions provided, I welcome any advice, you just never know.
Welcome and check your inbox please. Sent you some info. You may consider the info given out by the site and you do not have to procure their services. I have no connection to them
Best.
Best.
Chanty2013 said:Amikety - LOL we will both owe if that happens
Centaur - That might be a good option as well. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.
Thank you to the both of you for all the advice and opinions provided, I welcome any advice, you just never know.
Centaur- thank you for the link you sent me in a message, I don't seem to be able to send a private message it says an error occurred and I unable to send a message. I just wanted to make sure you received my thanks
Welcome and I hope it helps in a parallel thought process. I guess you would need to make a minimal number of postings in this forum before you could send private messages. Take care.
Best.
Best.
Chanty2013 said:Centaur- thank you for the link you sent me in a message, I don't seem to be able to send a private message it says an error occurred and I unable to send a message. I just wanted to make sure you received my thanks