NAFTA Professionals - Work Permit and Job Offer Letter Recomendations

[DesignzGirl]

Hello,

I am a United States Citizen and was offered a permanent job offer in Ontario as a Senior Graphic Designer. I believe I should fall under the NAFTA Professional category based on:

- 12 years professional experience as a graphic designer, although not consecutively. You can see my work experience here: www(dot)linkedin(dot)com/in/moxiecreativ/ I have worked for my present employer as a designer (full-time) for 1 year 9 Months and I have owned my own freelance design business for almost 4 years.
- I have an Associates Degree in Visual Communications with a 4.0 gpa. I do understand I will need to get my credentials assessed first.

My main concern or question is: should I apply for the work permit as a "permanent job offer" -or- is it best to apply for a work permit as a "temporary job offer" and once I am up there working, then the company can make a permanent job offer? I do plan on relocating there permanently and working towards my PR card. Additionally, does anyone have examples of what the job offer letter should contain such as a template that I can send to the employer?

Thank you for your help & knowledge in advance!
Sarah

 

[jes_ON]

It would seem you qualify, but you only need to address the required credentials:

http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/doing-business-in-america/professions-covered-by-nafta.html

Minimum credentials:
Graphic Designer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience

Just taking a look at the most recent application form -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp

There's really no option to indicate a "permanent job offer," and temporary work permits are, temporary I guess the only "question" would be what end-date to put...

As for PR, you have a few options. After 1 year of work in Canada, you would be eligible under the CEC class, or once you get a work permit and start working, you could apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Arranged Employment stream (Option 2)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp?expand=arranged#arranged

Note that these programs are undergoing some major changes starting January, so it'd probably be better to apply as soon as you're eligible.

 

[DesignzGirl]

Thank you for that information.