Questions about working holiday visa / skilled worker

[a!]

Hi,

I have some questions, mainly about the working holiday program and skilled worker visa, hope you can help me.

I am German, living in Austria, and my girlfriend is Quebecoise. Since I have an MSc in electrical engineering, I hope I can get a working permission through Quebec's skilled worker program when I found a job. But "open" skilled working visa for Quebec are closed until end of March and this kind of visa are until then given only if I find a job before. And finding a job from the other side of the world isn't really optimal, both for my future employer and me. That's why I have some ideas in mind which lead to some questions:

- Applying for the working holiday visa program, application for 2013 should start soon. But the webpage says, I need to be German citizen (which I am), living in Germany, which I am not, since 3 years in Austria. Is this a problem, or is there a way to still get this working holiday permission? And, if it works out this way, would it be possible to change it into a skilled worker visa when I found a job, or would I need to re-enter Canada (which isn't a big problem in the end)?

- I am allowed to stay without visa (as a tourist) for a half year in Canada. I could do this, do some French courses (would even get money from Austria for this), and look for a job. When I find a job, apply as a skilled worker, re-enter the country as a skilled worker. If I don't find a job until April, I could apply as a skilled worker even before I have a job, and re-enter. Some questions here: In general, the reentry, could it be done on the US-Canadia boarder, or only on airports coming from elsewhere? Same if for whatever reason I need to stay longer as a tourist: Would it be enough to leave and come back, or is it half year without visa per year or a certain minimum of time outside Canada?

- Find a job before and enter as a skilled worker. Would be the easiest from visa/permission point of view....

Thanks for your help!

 

[scylla]

- The fact that you haven't lived in Germany for three years means that you don't qualify to apply for the working holiday visa program. They are strict about this requirement. You unfortunately don't qualify.

- Yes, tourists are typically allowed to visit for six months. If you want to stay longer than six months, you can either apply from withint Canada to extend your visit or cross into the US and then re-enter Canada. Note that neither of these will guarantee you an extension (whether you are granted an extension is up to immigration).

- I'm not sure what you mean by "apply as a skilled worker". If you mean apply to immigrate as a skilled worker, be aware that the process of applying is quite involved (you'll have to provide proof of work experience and school transcripts, take a language test, etc.). The processing of these applications also takes quite a bit of time and you'll likely have to live in Canada for quite some time as a visitor (or return home if your extensions aren't approved).

- If you are instead interesting in obtaining a work permit, you will first have to find an employer in Canada willing to offer you a job. That employer will then have to obtain an approved labour market opinion (LMO). As part of this process, they will have to advertise the job in Canada and prove they could not find a Canadian for the role. If the LMO is approved (not all are), you can then apply for a work permit at the US/Canadian border. Note that finding employers willing to go through the LMO process can be quite difficult.

 

[a!]

Thanks for your helpful answer! That leads to some more questions, of course...

- The fact that you haven't lived in Germany for three years means that you don't qualify to apply for the working holiday visa program. They are strict about this requirement. You unfortunately don't qualify.

Mh, bad luck. Is there a certain time needed I have to live in Germany before I can apply again for this visa? E.g. at least the last 3 months before application? Otherwise, I might be able to register back in Germany while I organise my trip for a few weeks, and apply then?

- I'm not sure what you mean by "apply as a skilled worker". If you mean apply to immigrate as a skilled worker, be aware that the process of applying is quite involved (you'll have to provide proof of work experience and school transcripts, take a language test, etc.). The processing of these applications also takes quite a bit of time and you'll likely have to live in Canada for quite some time as a visitor (or return home if your extensions aren't approved).

I was talking about Quebec's immigration program as described here: (edit: can't post links, therefore: Quebec Immigration webpage -> permanent workers). On this webpage is a questionnaire where I can check with my qualifications if I have the chance to get such a visa (which is of course only an indication and no guarantee). I was playing a bit around with the settings, with different levels of French knowledge and with having a job offer or not. In all cases the tool tells me I am qualified with my education and work experience for this kind of visa. But according to the Quebec immigration webpage, until end of March no applications as skilled workers are accepted, except some special situations. Only point 7 of the exceptions could fit, but I am not sure about the validation from the ministery, is it similar to the LMO?

- If you are instead interesting in obtaining a work permit, you will first have to find an employer in Canada willing to offer you a job. That employer will then have to obtain an approved labour market opinion (LMO). As part of this process, they will have to advertise the job in Canada and prove they could not find a Canadian for the role. If the LMO is approved (not all are), you can then apply for a work permit at the US/Canadian border. Note that finding employers willing to go through the LMO process can be quite difficult.

Yes, I know about this difficulties, that's why I try to find another way...

If my girlfriend is doing the spouse sponsorship for me, I would only get a visa, but no working permission, right? Or is there a way to get the working permission easier through this?

 

[Josche]

Did you end up getting a response to your question: "Is there a certain time needed I have to live in Germany before I can apply again for this visa?" in regards to the working holiday visa?

 

[a!]

Did you end up getting a response to your question: "Is there a certain time needed I have to live in Germany before I can apply again for this visa?" in regards to the working holiday visa?

I described in November my problem to the embassy in Berlin, and they said it isn't a problem at all. I just need a German post address, they recommended my parent's, and the "Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis" (police record?) from Germany. So I hope it works out...