Immigrating to Canada - Options

[legopolis]

Hi, all. I come seeking advice...

My American girlfriend is looking to move to Canada to live with me, and we're looking at all our options but are having a hard time deciding on what course of action to follow. We believe we've narrowed it down to the following options:

- Applying for jobs in Canada, then getting a work visa based on a confirmed job offer. She is skilled as a technical writer, which is apparently looked upon favorably under NAFTA, so we're targeting technical writer jobs, but we're also looking at other jobs posted on canadavisa.com and the jobs posted on cic.gc.ca

- Applying under the Federal Skilled Workers program, although they're only starting to take submissions again in January 2013, and the waiting period for that option looks to be quite long.

- Marrying, then having me sponsor her and have her move here after the waiting period is over, then pursuing either option 1 or 2 in order to find her employment.

- A fourth option that I have not been able to find any information: would it be legal if she moved here (possibly through spousal sponsorship), yet still worked remotely for her current employer based in the US?

If anyone has any advice, please let me know! Thanks!

 

[amikety]

If her job is under NAFTA, she doesn't need a work permit.

You can get married to sponsor her or live together for one year, then apply as common-law.

As far as remotely working while "visiting" Canada, that is something I would address directly with CIC. I've seen posts swearing up and down it's fine and others saying she'll be deported. I think a big factor will be: does she work remotely now or go to an office? If she already works at home, then she can say this is normal for her job.

 

[legopolis]

If her job is under NAFTA, she doesn't need a work permit.

You can get married to sponsor her or live together for one year, then apply as common-law.

As far as remotely working while "visiting" Canada, that is something I would address directly with CIC. I've seen posts swearing up and down it's fine and others saying she'll be deported. I think a big factor will be: does she work remotely now or go to an office? If she already works at home, then she can say this is normal for her job.

Thanks for the info! In regards to the working remotely option, she sometimes works from home, but it's mostly in the office, however, her employer has stated that they might look into allowing her to work remotely if it means being able to keep her.

 

[PMM]

Hi

If her job is under NAFTA, she doesn't need a work permit.

You can get married to sponsor her or live together for one year, then apply as common-law.

As far as remotely working while "visiting" Canada, that is something I would address directly with CIC. I've seen posts swearing up and down it's fine and others saying she'll be deported. I think a big factor will be: does she work remotely now or go to an office? If she already works at home, then she can say this is normal for her job.

She needs a work permit to work under NAFTA in Canada.