In need of help, Im in a unique situation.

[Kristof]

Hi,

I was born in budapest, Hungary in 1993. My parents took me to the U.S. with a tourist visa in November of 1999. Then, for whatever reason, they changed to an L1-L2 business visa. That visa expired more than 5 years ago. I currently still live in the U.S.

I never received a SSN, thus I can't get a job, drivers license, etc. Its like living in a "free" country with your hands tied behind your back. I cant do anything, yet I have so much to offer. If a fat ass lazy american can get drivers license and drive his fat ass around in a BMW at the age of 16, why is that "OK"?? and I have to suffer. I am so sick of these arrogant Americans.

If you can only understand what I have been through.

Can i apply for refugee status? How am i going to get a job in Canada? I just cant imagine what to do in my situation.

David Cohen told me to get a job offer, well its not that simple. If it was, i would be there in heart beat.

 

[scylla]

Applying for refugee status in Canada isn't an option for you due to the safe third country agreement. If you're interested in making Canada your home, you'll have to pursue this through one of the immigration options listed here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

I agree that getting a job in Canada as a foreigner is quite difficult. However it sounds like your options are probably quite limited and this is probably why David Cohen suggested the job offer route.

 

[scylla]

Oh - and in case you're interested in understanding more about why you won't qualify as a refugee in Canada, the information is in the link below (look for the section called Safe Third Party Agreement):

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/inside/apply-who.asp

Good luck.

 

[Kristof]

Can you help me get a job?

Most jobs require a drivers license, work experience, or prerequisites.

1.) I dont have a drivers license, because i cant get one.
2.) I havent "officially" worked...
3.) I graduated high school and im currently going to community college.

If both Canada and the U.S. could understand that it wasnt my fault that my Visa expired, I was only a minor.

 

[scylla]

I'm afraid I can't help you to secure a job.

The best advice I can give is that you should look through sites like monster.ca and jobbank.gc.ca and apply for jobs through these sites that you qualify for.

I'll be honest and say that I think it will be quite challenging for your to secure a job in Canada without experience or specialized skills. However that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

Good luck.

 

[yokototo]

Have you considered Hungary,or the UK? As a Hungarian citizen you have the right to live and work in the UK or any other EU country. Without a work permit. You don't qualify as a refugee, therefore Canada won't be giving you PR status.

 

[Kristof]

Ok, I have a applied for a couple jobs. Lets just say that they approve and I get the job. How will this work? How long will it take?

I think my other option would be to get a tourist visa, am I correct? and then secure a job directly in Canada?

I am finishing my first semester of college in December, and I need to leave as soon as possible, because I am wasting time by not being able to work.

 

[scylla]

Ok, I have a applied for a couple jobs. Lets just say that they approve and I get the job. How will this work? How long will it take?

I think my other option would be to get a tourist visa, am I correct? and then secure a job directly in Canada?

I am finishing my first semester of college in December, and I need to leave as soon as possible, because I am wasting time by not being able to work.

If you find an employer who is willing to hire you and that employer is able to obtain an approved Labour Market Opinion. You will then need to apply for a work permit. Details are here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-how.asp

Work permit processing time lines are here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/workers.asp

If you would like to visit Canada as a tourist instead and look for a job that way, then I don't believe you require a tourist visa (assuming you have a valid Hungarian passport). You can verify if you need a tourist visa here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

Regardless of whether you need a tourist visa - you will still need a valid passport. So start working on obtaining one if you don't have one already.

Note that you will be banned from the US for 10 years as soon as you leave the country. So make sure you have a solid plan before you leave (and make sure you're OK with not returning for 10 years).

 

[Kristof]

So from what I understand, is that I have to apply for a work permit first. Correct? Then, apply for a job?

I do have a valid passport. How difficult would it be to find a job in Canada if I were there?

If I do get a job, will I be able to apply for residency and be able to stay?

 

[scylla]

No - you can't apply for a work permit first. You need to find an employer first and a job first. That employer then has to apply for and be approved for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). Once your employer has an approved LMO, you can then apply for a work permit.

Finding a job in Canada if you are here in person will likely still be quite challenging. Because in order to obtain an approved LMO, an employer will have to prove they could not find a Canadian or train a Canadian to do the job and had to hire you. If you have specialized training, education and experience - this will increase the chances that you will be able to find a job. If you don't, it will be significantly harder. Don't count on coming to Canada and finding a job as your one and only solution - you'll definitely need a very good back up plan.

Finding a job does NOT automatically mean you can apply for residency and stay.

 

[Kristof]

Man, I wish it wasnt this complicated.

Thank you for all your help.

How does everyone else immigrate then?

I actually want to live in Canada, Im not too fond of the U.S. Especially after what Ive been through.

Hungary is another story, I definitely do not want to live there. Im going to get nowhere over there.

In your opinion, would it be easier for me to immigrate from Hungary or from the U.S.? Why do you think so?

 

[steaky]

How about a study visa?

 

[scylla]

How about a study visa?

There is zero chance kristof will be approved for a study visa right now. To be approved for a study visa, you must prove that you have strong ties to the country you are applying from and have no plans to remain in Canada long term. Kristof cannot prove strong ties to the US given he's there without status. If he's interested in going the study visa route, he would have to return to Hungary, re-establish himself there (to prove strong ties) and then apply.

 

[yokototo]

Kristof, everyone here is giving you the right advise. No skills, work experience and no ties to your birth country are against you. You haven't answer my question, why don you try UK? You don't need any visa to live and work from day 1 of your arrival! Build a couple of years experience and then apply for Canadian Immigration. You are young still, so plan carefully and you will succeed! All the best!

 

[PommeDeRoute]

Hi,

I was born in budapest, Hungary in 1993. My parents took me to the U.S. with a tourist visa in November of 1999. Then, for whatever reason, they changed to an L1-L2 business visa. That visa expired more than 5 years ago. I currently still live in the U.S.

I never received a SSN, thus I can't get a job, drivers license, etc. Its like living in a "free" country with your hands tied behind your back. I cant do anything, yet I have so much to offer. If a fat ass lazy american can get drivers license and drive his fat ass around in a BMW at the age of 16, why is that "OK"?? and I have to suffer. I am so sick of these arrogant Americans.

If you can only understand what I have been through.

Can i apply for refugee status? How am i going to get a job in Canada? I just cant imagine what to do in my situation.

David Cohen told me to get a job offer, well its not that simple. If it was, i would be there in heart beat.

Sounds like you don't have much to offer at all, aside from foul-mouthed insults towards the people whos country you are living in illegally. Believe me, those arrogant Americans are as sick of you as you are of them.