Interior Designer & Architectural Technician emigrating - Which Visa?!

[shell8002]

Hey guys,

I could do with some help please?!!

My boyfriend and I are hoping to emigrate to Canada ASAP, but I'm a little confused by the whole visa process and what the best route would be for us to go down.

I have been told previously that we would both qualify as Skilled Workers, however the more I've looked into this, the more I think I've been given dud info! I'm an Interior Designer, and my boyfriend is an Architectural Technician. We both have about 10 years experience in our fields. I have a Bachelors Degree, and he has several college (UK) qualifications (roughly the equivalent of a diploma). We also have family in BC. I've done the points test, and assuming we qualify under the Skilled Worker category then we comfortably pass.

However, from what I can work out, Architects USED to be on the list of required jobs, but not any more? Is this right? And I'm also unsure if this would have even covered Interior Designers and Architectural Technicians anyway?!

SO...

My understanding is that one, or both, of us would need to have a valid offer of employment in place in order to move. What I can't understand is why an employer would make a job offer to someone when they would then have to wait potentially a very long time to sort out the visa process. It looks like at the moment the average processing time in the UK is 21 months!! What employer is going to be prepared to wait that long?!

Hopefully I've just got myself confused by everything and that wont be the case at all...but if anyone could give me any advice on the best way to apply, timescales or anything like that it would be much appreciated!!

Thanks very much

 

[scylla]

If you are interested in immigrating through the Federal Skilled Worker program, then yes - one of you would need to secure a job offer in Canada since your occupations are not on the list of desired occupations at this time. You'll need to find an employer who is willing to offer you a job offer understanding that it may take some time for you to arrive in Canada.

If you haven't done so already, you might want to check out the provincial nominee immigration programs to see if you might qualify for one of those.

 

[shell8002]

Thanks Scylla.

Yes, I've checked into the Provincial Nominee Program, but no joy I'm afraid.

Does anyone know how accurate the 21 month processing time is assuming one or both of us has a job lined up? Is the time frame the same regardless of job/no job?

Is there any way we could move on a temporary visa, still work and then apply for permanent visas once there? (Sorry for the stupid questions!)

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

If you want information on the accuracy of the 21 month processing time, join the Foreign Workers section of this forum.

Yes - you can certainly move on a temporary work visa first. For this to happen, you'll first need to find an employer who is willing to hire one of you. That employer will then have to obtain an approved labour market opinion (LMO). As part of this process, the employer will have to advertise the job and prove they were unable to hire a Canadian for the role. If the LMO is approved (not all are), you can then apply for a work permit to come to Canada to work / live temporarily.

Hope this helps.