Teaching / programming in Canada

[cezalinho]

Hello all,

I am interested in marrying this woman from Canada and I live in the UK. The problem is she is studying and cannot transfer to a UK university for her course. So I am thinking about moving to Canada for 2-3 years before she come to the UK.

I am a teacher in IT at a college with 10 years experience. I can also program very well but don’t have any commercial experience.

What are the chances of me getting a permit and more importantly, what are the chances of me getting work?? I don’t want to move to Canada if I cant find work.

 

[scylla]

To be approved for a work permit - you first need to find an employer who is willing to offer you a job and then you need something called an LMO (labour market opinion). An LMO is something your employer must obtain. As part of the process the employer must prove they advertised the job and were unable to find a Canadian to fill the role. You should assume it will be impossible to obtain an LMO for a teaching position. Canada has too many teachers and not enough teaching positions. Normally I would suggest someone at least try to find an employer who is willing to apply for an LMO. Teaching is one of the very few professions where I would say you shouldn't even bother trying. Finding a programming job is typically fairly difficult as well (although not impossible). However the fact you have no commercial experience will certainly work against you. Once again, you'll need a job offer first and the employer will need to obtain an approved LMO before you can apply for a work permit.

There is an alternative. If you and your Canadian are serious about your relationship - then she could sponsor you for permanent residency. Once you have PR, you can work in Canada without needing a work permit or LMO. The one catch is that in order to sponsor you, you must either be married or common law (common law means that you have lived together for a minimum of one full year and can prove it). If you are interested in going this route, check out the Family Sponsorship section of this forum and read through the first first thread there for a good overview of the process.

 

[Need to be with Hubby]

My friend would very much be interested in the Teaching program also.

 

[cezalinho]

Thank you scylla You have been very helpful!

What sort of jobs can I realistically get after getting PR?

 

[scylla]

Thank you scylla You have been very helpful!

What sort of jobs can I realistically get after getting PR?

That's a very difficult question to answer. It will depend on your qualifications and how they are viewed by Canadian employers. It will also depend if you have any contacts or a network here in your profession that will help you connect with people who are hiring. Generally those with Canadian experience will have an advantage over you when it comes to competing for jobs. I think it will still be very difficult to find a teaching position - even with PR.

 

[cezalinho]

Thank you for the reply!

I think I need to do more research in my own field!