Please help me to answer some basic questions.

[Karen67]

I am a US citizen with a partner in BC. No we don't want to get married yet. My education is Mental Health and Nursing. (I also want a break in nursing) I am 47, he is 50. Questions:
1. I know that I can stay in Canada as a visitor for 6 months. I have friends there who will help me find work. Do I go as a visitor and have a job sponsor me? Take that risk?

2. How helpful are temp agencies who help foreign workers?

3. I know there are several work visa's, but for the life of me I cant sort them all out. What do I need at the border to apply for a open or temp work visa? Is there one which will allow me to seek employment rather than have a job offer?

Thank you in advance for any help you may give me. Best, Karen

 

[scylla]

You don't qualify for an open work permit. To qualify for a regular (closed) work permit you first have to find an employer in Canada who is willing to offer you a full time job. If the job you accept does not fall under NAFTA, then your employer will also need to obtain an approved LMIA (permission to hire you) before you can apply for a work permit. As part of this process, the employer will have to advertise the role for at least a month to prove no Canadian could be found for the position and also pay a $1K processing fee. The processing time for LMIA applications is anywhere from 6-20 weeks. Because of this (cost, effort, processing time) it can be very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.

If you are interested in continuing to work as a nurse in Canada you should read up on what it takes to work as a nurse in Canada with your US qualifications. Here are two links that should help:

http://allnurses.com/international-nursing/us-rn-planning-487961.html
http://www.cicnews.com/2013/08/coming-canada-nurse-process-082835.html

Reputable temp agencies typically only deal with people who are already legally allowed to work in Canadas (so most likely of no help to you).

 

[Karen67]

Thank you very much.
So it sounds as if my best bet is to enter as a visitor and find employment? Cross my fingers and just go for it. From what I understand, if all criteria are met, I should be able to then ask for a work visa. It would not really be a problem coming and going, as my partner works for Air Canada and we have enough family here to visit. Any other pearls of wisdom you can offer me? Karen