In Need of Assistance - Long Distance Relationship

[LSalazar95]

Hello,

I'm a Naturalized US Citizen looking to see if it's possible to obtain a job temporarily in Canada. My girlfriend (Natural-born Canadian) and I met on the internet in March 2014. Since then, I've visited every 4 months. During the summer months (2015, 2016, and 2017) I would even be admitted to stay for 2 to 3 months. Those kind of trips were possible because she and her parents would support me by providing me with a place in their home; leaving me with the money I saved up for extra things like public transportation, activities, and travelling within Canada.

I'm also finishing my junior year of university and I have aspirations to move there to be with her. Recently, her parents suggested I find a job there in Ontario, during the summer months. Her dad even mentioned that he could talk to his company about hiring me for those few months. He explained that getting some sort of Canadian job experience would help a long way once I decide to make the big move.

My questions are:

• Is it possible to get a work visa for only three months being a student working on my Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science?
• If so, what steps would I take?
• How long is the process?

I will be visiting Canada in May, but if I could get this application for a work via started before I come that would be great.

Thanks again in advance.

 

[scylla]

It's honestly going to be next to impossible for you to secure a three month job in Canada. You need a work permit to work in Canada. Before you can apply for a work permit, you must find a job offer in Canada. To get a work permit, your employer also has to obtain an approved LMIA which is typically a 2-4 month process which costs the employer a fair amount of money with no guarantee of approval at the end. There's some possibility you may be able to skip the LMIA step if the job offer you secure in Canada falls under NAFTA (assuming NAFTA is still here by summer).

Once you finish your degree in the US, I would recommend you look into the SWAP visa as a means of working and living in Canada. If you qualify, this will give you access to an open work permit.