Slightly complicated questions about citizenship

[wrbear]

I have a few slightly complicated (at least for me questions about citizenship. My wife is a Canadian Citizen. She has lived in Texas for approximately 20 years. She has a bank account (and all of her relatives) in Canada but nothing else. We have been married for 5 years (whoopee). We have been discussing retiring in Canada (she wants to go home). I am currently gainfully employed in the engineering sector. We are preparing to go through the process of sponsorship. My questions:
1. Is there an advantage in getting a temporary assignment, in Canada, via a company from the states?
2. Is it advantageous to be sponsored before I take this step?
3. Would the sponsorship circumvent a work visa?
4. How long would it take otherwise to be able to enter the work force in Canada (I would like to minimize down time)?

Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[Leon]

1. It is a bit easier for a US company to get a work permit for you at their Canadian branch (intra company transfer) than for you to get a work permit at a Canadian company. However, if your occupation qualifies under NAFTA, it is not too complicated for you to get a work permit to work in Canada anyway. You do need a job offer though.

2. It is a lot easier to get a job when you have permanent residency in Canada (like a green card). It means for the employer that they don't have to apply for anything or worry about a work permit, they can just hire you.

3. Yes, when you have PR, you don't need a work permit.

4. If your wife starts your sponsorship now, you could have your PR in 6 months if you are lucky. In order to sponsor you while she is living in the US, she would have to show plans to move to Canada when you get your PR. On the other hand, if you qualify under NAFTA and you get a job offer letter, getting a work permit is as fast as showing up at the border with your letter and $150. Getting that job offer can be hard though when you are applying from another country. If you do go on a work permit, it is tied only to that employer. If you want to change jobs, you would need a new one. PR on the other hand allows you freedom to work for anybody.

 

[wrbear]

Thank you so much for the reply. We tend to get "paralysis by over analysis" in the engineering field. ;D The company always has opening in Calgary and Montreal. Again Thanks! I'll probably have other questions. I'm also looking at tax ramifications.