Hello,
My girlfriend (Slovakian) and I (American) came to Toronto on a 1 year working holiday visa in October to live together.
Despite having little working experience, we both found professional jobs in our field (architecture) and would like to stay in Toronto and at our jobs for the foreseeable future.
I'm working for an American architecture firm that recently started a new office in the city, and my girlfriend is working for an interior design firm.
What would be the best way to secure our future in the country?
The firm I work for is big, and while I haven't explicitly discussed it with management (though mentioned it during interviews), I believe they have the resources to sponsor a work visa. While I started interviews in the US, I was offered the job after I arrived in Canada. There are a number of American's who came up here to start the office. My girlfriend's job doesn't seem quite as willing to put forth the effort to sponsor a visa.
My concern is acquiring an LMO. As a recent graduate, I imagine there are Canadians with equal or greater experience that could do my job. Would my familiarity with the project/contractor/ect be enough to distinguish myself on that criteria?
My other question is in regards to my girlfriend. If my job sponsored my work visa, would my girlfriend of two years (living together for 1) be able to stay and work on that as a common-law spouse (not sure if that's exactly what it is called)?
Are there other immigration options open to us that would make more sense for our situation?
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this. These immigration issues are labyrinthine, and the idea of having to leave this great job and city is terrifying.
My girlfriend (Slovakian) and I (American) came to Toronto on a 1 year working holiday visa in October to live together.
Despite having little working experience, we both found professional jobs in our field (architecture) and would like to stay in Toronto and at our jobs for the foreseeable future.
I'm working for an American architecture firm that recently started a new office in the city, and my girlfriend is working for an interior design firm.
What would be the best way to secure our future in the country?
The firm I work for is big, and while I haven't explicitly discussed it with management (though mentioned it during interviews), I believe they have the resources to sponsor a work visa. While I started interviews in the US, I was offered the job after I arrived in Canada. There are a number of American's who came up here to start the office. My girlfriend's job doesn't seem quite as willing to put forth the effort to sponsor a visa.
My concern is acquiring an LMO. As a recent graduate, I imagine there are Canadians with equal or greater experience that could do my job. Would my familiarity with the project/contractor/ect be enough to distinguish myself on that criteria?
My other question is in regards to my girlfriend. If my job sponsored my work visa, would my girlfriend of two years (living together for 1) be able to stay and work on that as a common-law spouse (not sure if that's exactly what it is called)?
Are there other immigration options open to us that would make more sense for our situation?
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this. These immigration issues are labyrinthine, and the idea of having to leave this great job and city is terrifying.