SFW with AOE - need some questions answered.

[JohnnyTwoTone]

Hey everyone, I need some info I've been having a hard time pinning down through searches. The situation is:

I'm an American citizen, my girlfriend of almost 3 years is a Canadian citizen. I've been trying to find work to get a visa to come in, but it's taken some time and I had one employer waste a lot of my time and screw me over. But, to some amount of crazy luck, a very good business offered me a full time job as a graphic designer for 42k/year just a few days ago. At first they didn't know I was American, but after I told them they said they don't care and that they want me enough to file the papers and get me in. I was already set to come visit my girlfriend in just two weeks from when I was offered the job, so as soon as I go back in two weeks they'll be meeting with me and all the paperwork will be written out and turned in.

What I need to know is, what are the application processing times for this kind of arrangement? Also, what would be my situation of being able to stay in Canada or work while it's processing. The company still needs work done and said they'd be willing to pay me as an independent contractor until my paperwork goes through, but I don't know if I will only be allowed to conduct that business from the U.S. It seems like it could be a problem because I need to spend time with my girlfriend as we've been apart for just over two months now (far too long for our tastes).

Any insight on how I can manage my situation and get some timeline estimates are much appreciated. My main goals are to spend as much time with my girlfriend as possible but still be able to have this incredible job opportunity go smoothly. Thanks everyone!

 

[JohnnyTwoTone]

Bump?

 

[loolo]

PM Qorax, all the best.

 

[JohnnyTwoTone]

It says I'm not allowed to send private messages.

 

[JohnnyTwoTone]

So, can nobody help me out? ???

 

[JohnnyTwoTone]

5 days and 93 views with occasional bumps and no help at all.
Thanks a lot, everyone. :

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hey everyone, I need some info I've been having a hard time pinning down through searches. The situation is:

I'm an American citizen, my girlfriend of almost 3 years is a Canadian citizen. I've been trying to find work to get a visa to come in, but it's taken some time and I had one employer waste a lot of my time and screw me over. But, to some amount of crazy luck, a very good business offered me a full time job as a graphic designer for 42k/year just a few days ago. At first they didn't know I was American, but after I told them they said they don't care and that they want me enough to file the papers and get me in. I was already set to come visit my girlfriend in just two weeks from when I was offered the job, so as soon as I go back in two weeks they'll be meeting with me and all the paperwork will be written out and turned in.

What I need to know is, what are the application processing times for this kind of arrangement? Also, what would be my situation of being able to stay in Canada or work while it's processing. The company still needs work done and said they'd be willing to pay me as an independent contractor until my paperwork goes through, but I don't know if I will only be allowed to conduct that business from the U.S. It seems like it could be a problem because I need to spend time with my girlfriend as we've been apart for just over two months now (far too long for our tastes).

Any insight on how I can manage my situation and get some timeline estimates are much appreciated. My main goals are to spend as much time with my girlfriend as possible but still be able to have this incredible job opportunity go smoothly. Thanks everyone!

1. The employer would have to apply for a Labour Market Opinion from HRSDC (Service Canada) after advertising the position on the Jobbank for a minimum of 2 weeks. The employer then sends proof of the advertising with the LMO and has to demonstrate that there were no Canadian citizens or Permanent residents available for the job and the wages are at least average for the position. $42K is pretty low for a graphic designer. If Service Canada approves the LMO (3-12 weeks), then you can apply for a work permit at a Port of Entry.
2, You can't work until you have the work permit, independent contractor or otherwise.

 

[JohnnyTwoTone]

1) I do know that they have been looking for designers and only filled one out of their 2 positions in over 2 months and are having no luck getting anyone skilled enough. Also, 42k is actually pretty good for the current market and for a starting pay. Especially considering I'm only 22 with no design degree (though I have 7 years of professional experience and an awesome portfolio). I've never seen a graphic design position for over 60k, and I've seen TONS at 32-38k. So no, 42k is not pretty low - it's mid-range in general and it's upper-range for my age group.

2) That's what I figured, so I'm doing as much as I can for them while I'm still in the U.S. freelancing.

 

[Ferret]

You seem like you're in a similar situation as I, except that I am already living in Canada and I'm in quebec, so I have more bs to dig through. I just graduated from a school in washington with my degree in graphic design. I'm going to be applying for permenant residency once I get all my forms together, but in the meanwhile I'm looking for a job offer I can accept and go for a temporary work visa.

My problem has been how to approach design firms about my situation. I had one company off craigslist that seemed really interested in me, wanted to do a skype interview before I got there, but when they found out they would need to "sponsor" me or whatever for me to get a work visa, they pretty much just stopped responding. Said that it wasn't something they could do.

So my tactic now is to try and cold call/email some firms and ask about employment opportunities. The catch is that there'll be a 3 month processing period or whatever. I want to offer my services during that time in an internship like situation. Do you think thats cheeky? Does it seem like your situation is resolving nicely? How did YOU go about finding work?

And are you applying for a temporary work permit (while, I assume, also applying for permanent residence) or are you applying as a skilled worker, with an offer of employment to help speed it up?