My fiance who was born and raised in Canada proposed to me on Sunday. I have been staying with him since and want to know how to get work here. I know I need a work permit but how long does that take? We've known each other for seven years and can prove it with many pictures with time stamps and chat logs. I do have a son which I have sole and legal custody of and his family can more than support us which they have. I know my passport makes it good for me to stay here for six months but I want to stay here permanently. I have over ten years of customer and hospitality experience but we're just looking for the best way for us to stay in Canada right now and I wish to work asap. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day.
Trying to move there asap. (Tons of questions.)
- Thread starter AdamsCatherine
- Start date
Where are you from? How old are you?
Being engaged to a Canadian doesn't entitle you to a work permit.
Typically to qualify to apply for a work permit, you first need to secure a full time job offer from an employer in Canada. Next, that employer needs to apply for and obtain something called an LMIA. This process requires the employer to advertise the job for at least one full month first to prove that no Canadian could be hired for the role. Next, they must submit the LMIA application along with a $1,000 fee. Processing for the LMIA can take as long as four months. If the LMIA is approved, you can then apply for a work permit.
Being engaged to a Canadian doesn't entitle you to a work permit.
Typically to qualify to apply for a work permit, you first need to secure a full time job offer from an employer in Canada. Next, that employer needs to apply for and obtain something called an LMIA. This process requires the employer to advertise the job for at least one full month first to prove that no Canadian could be hired for the role. Next, they must submit the LMIA application along with a $1,000 fee. Processing for the LMIA can take as long as four months. If the LMIA is approved, you can then apply for a work permit.
I am from the United States and 30.
And thank you for the quick response. Do you have any suggestion how I can stay in Canada? Also would it be better if I apply for a work Visa or a permit?
And thank you for the quick response. Do you have any suggestion how I can stay in Canada? Also would it be better if I apply for a work Visa or a permit?
A work visa and work permit are the same thing. It's typically extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process - so the chances of this succeeding for you are very low (especially in your industry since there are plenty of Canadians to hire).
The easiest way for you to be able to stay in Canada is for your partner to sponsor you and your son for permanent residency. In order for this to happen, you will either need to get married or become common law first. Common law means that you have lived together continuously for a minimum of one full year. Note that you will need written approval from your son's father to remove your son from the US and bring him to Canada permanently. Your partner should sponsor you for PR using the "outland" (outside of Canada) application process. This is the fastest route for Americans - however processing will still take a few months and you will not be able to work while you wait.
There is no option that allows you to work asap.
The easiest way for you to be able to stay in Canada is for your partner to sponsor you and your son for permanent residency. In order for this to happen, you will either need to get married or become common law first. Common law means that you have lived together continuously for a minimum of one full year. Note that you will need written approval from your son's father to remove your son from the US and bring him to Canada permanently. Your partner should sponsor you for PR using the "outland" (outside of Canada) application process. This is the fastest route for Americans - however processing will still take a few months and you will not be able to work while you wait.
There is no option that allows you to work asap.
Try this for starters, it'll give you all the information you need, no matter what your situation: -AdamsCatherine said:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
Sorry - one more piece of information...
If you are a very recent college graduate, you could look into something called the SWAP program which would give you a one year work permit in Canada. However you have to either be in school full time and about to graduate or a very very recent graduate (i.e. few months).
If you are a very recent college graduate, you could look into something called the SWAP program which would give you a one year work permit in Canada. However you have to either be in school full time and about to graduate or a very very recent graduate (i.e. few months).
Thank you so much for the info. I think we will do the sponsorship it seems like the best bet right now.
Allow me to chime in here.
Apply for Express Entry right away. Depending on your academics and other factors, you might actually have enough points to be invited to apply for PR even without your fiancé’s sponsorship.
I say to apply “right away” because I’m 36 and in a similar situation—and we lose points rapidly in EE with each year after 29!
Apply for Express Entry right away. Depending on your academics and other factors, you might actually have enough points to be invited to apply for PR even without your fiancé’s sponsorship.
I say to apply “right away” because I’m 36 and in a similar situation—and we lose points rapidly in EE with each year after 29!