Need to go to Canada ASAP!

[cherryhead122]

Im 31 year old U.S citizen living in Athens Greece right now. I am eligible to get my Canadian citizenship because I was born into a Canadian citizen mother. I have applied for my citizenship certificate at the canadian embassy here in Athens in February 2012.
I have an aunt in Toronto that can hire me for work in her business but I am stumped at the moment, I dont know what I need to do so I can leave for Toronto as soon as possible. I'm still waiting for my citizenship, which may take up to 1 year to get issued, and I cannot wait that long.
How can I go to Canada legally and also work there?
I read about work permits on the cic website, does anyone know how long that takes?
and also if it is possible for one of my cousins to sponsor me so I can get a PR card, just until my citizenship comes in.
Thanks in advance.

 

[CanV]

Under NAFTA, U.S. citizens do not require a Labour Market Opinion. The only requirement is a job offer from a Canadian employer. Applications, document checklist and information is available from Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC). U.S. citizens do not require employment validation from Human Resources & Social Development Canada (HRSDC) or union support. If you qualify under NAFTA, and you have a letter confirming your job offer from a Canadian employer, you can then book an appointment to have a medical exam with a designated medical practitioner prior to going to the Port of Entry. ALL U.S. citizens MUST have approved medical clearance by a designated Citizenship and Immigration Canada practitioner BEFORE a valid temporary work permit can be obtained. The medical is then to be sent directly to Ottawa; you must ensure the medical has been processed by Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada before you go to the border/port of entry. A list of medical practitioners is located online.

 

[cherryhead122]

Thank you for the fast reply.
ok so I looked it up on the cic website and the job that I will be doing does not need a medical examination. I will be working at my Aunt's dry cleaners temporarily until my citizenship comes in. What will I need to do in this situation?

 

[scylla]

Thank you for the fast reply.
ok so I looked it up on the cic website and the job that I will be doing does not need a medical examination. I will be working at my Aunt's dry cleaners temporarily until my citizenship comes in. What will I need to do in this situation?

Unfortunately that job doesn't qualify under NAFTA. Here's the list of jobs that do:

http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID=147#Ap1603.D.1

 

[cherryhead122]

so that means that I cant go to canada and work, if it's not one of the job occupations on the nafta website? Is there anyway I can go and work in Canada? I need to go as soon as possible. My citizenship is probably going to take another 6 months to get issued and I do not have that much time, my aunt wants me to be there for the back to school season.

 

[cherryhead122]

and also, I am a Canadian citizen by law ( I was born to a Canadian citizen mother ), the problem is that my certificate has not come in yet, and it might take 6 more months till I get it, and I do not have that much time. I need to go to Canada as soon as possible before the school season starts.

 

[Leon]

Talk to the embassy about your options. Ask your aunt to make an inquiry through her MP (member of parliament). Maybe neither of these will bring anything but it is worth a try.

 

[cherryhead122]

What is a MP?
I will call the embassy on Monday.

 

[Leon]

What is a MP?
I will call the embassy on Monday.

I already wrote what an MP is. Read above.

 

[cherryhead122]

So if my aunt made an inquiry to her mp what would the mp be able to do?
Sorry for these annoying questions but I'm just trying to find the fastest way to go to Canada and work.
Also is it possible for my first cousin ( who is a Canadian citizen ) to sponsor me?

 

[Leon]

The MP might be able to speed up your citizenship certificate.

You do not need to be sponsored because you are already a citizen. You just need to be able to prove it.

 

[cherryhead122]

I can prove it. I have my mothers SIN card, her citizenship certificate, her proof of landing different documentation saying that she receives pension from Canada, her 2011 tax return and I also have and expired passport of hers.
So what should I do?
Should I enter Canada as a visitor and prove to the MP that I am a citizen so I can get a TWP until my citizenship comes in?
I'm Confused????

 

[Leon]

You need to prove it to immigration which is what you are doing when you applied for the citizenship certificate.

There is no use proving it to the MP. MP's do not issue citizenship certificates nor work permits. The only thing the MP can possibly help you with is pushing your case so you might get your citizenship certificate faster.

I am not even sure you qualify for a TWP because you are not a foreign worker, you are a citizen.

I have advised you to do two things:

1. Talk to the embassy about your options

2. Get your aunt to talk to her MP about your options