So Completely Lost - Don't Know Where to Start!

[tomsawyerv]

So here's a break down of my situation:

I live in a small town in Colorado. I've been struggling to find work in my field (Graphic Design) and while I know it's probably not a better market in Canada itself, I do know that larger cities are more likely to have work in my field. I had planned on moving to Denver in the Spring. My best friend of over a decade lives in Vancouver, BC, and is currently going through a divorce and will have a spare bedroom soon. I had a long-term goal of moving to Seattle or thereabouts, but never really considered Vancouver because of this whole process I'm going through now, lol. Now that the offer is on the table, I'm doing research on what it would take to move to Vancouver and find work.

I have my Bachelor's Degree, and some job experience in my field. I have no idea which work visa to apply for. I looked at Express Skilled Worker, but I'm a little leery that is for permanent immigration, and what life will bring as far as moving around.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[scylla]

You need a full time job offer from a Canadian employer before you can qualify for a work permit. You can't apply for the work permit first. In addition to the full time job offer, your employer may also need to obtain an approved LMIA (permission to hire a foreing worker). Whether an LMIA is required or not depends on whether your job falls under NAFTA or not (if it falls under NAFTA - no LMIA will be required, just the full time job offer).

Until you have a work permit, you won't be able to "move" to Canada or live here. All you'll be able to do is visit temporarily.

 

[tomsawyerv]

You need a full time job offer from a Canadian employer before you can qualify for a work permit. You can't apply for the work permit first. In addition to the full time job offer, your employer may also need to obtain an approved LMIA (permission to hire a foreing worker). Whether an LMIA is required or not depends on whether your job falls under NAFTA or not (if it falls under NAFTA - no LMIA will be required, just the full time job offer).

Until you have a work permit, you won't be able to "move" to Canada or live here. All you'll be able to do is visit temporarily.

Wow seriously? That's... really discouraging. :'(

 

[pfse]

Well, it worth trying. You may come to visit your friend, look around, apply for some jobs. If you get job offer, you would be able to apply for work permit at POE (port of entry). Once you have job offer which falls under NAFTA, applying for work permit is a short, formal procedure.

 

[tomsawyerv]

Well, it worth trying. You may come to visit your friend, look around, apply for some jobs. If you get job offer, you would be able to apply for work permit at POE (port of entry). Once you have job offer which falls under NAFTA, applying for work permit is a short, formal procedure.

Oh my goodness, thank you for responding. Graphic Design falls under NAFTA so that is so much more hopeful!