US Citizen TRYING to Move to Canada - Please Help!

[USjason]

Hello Board,

First let me apologize because I am confident that a similar post is already present in this forum but I am lost and confused and can't find out where to turn. I am a US Citizen and I live in South Carolina. Long story short, while in Vegas 2 months ago I met a guy that I have fallen in love with, and I am not going to bore you with a hopeless romantic story, but I have flown to Alberta twice already and I am flying for 5 days next week, 5 days at the end of the month, and 10 days in January. Our goal is for me to relocate there beginning March 1st but every avenue that I research turns up a dead end? I am seeing that there are 60 way to immigrate to Canada and not one of them seems to work for me?

We will be living together and if need be I have enough savings to last me 6 months until we can be classified as common law but there has to be an easier way for me to be able to work and help support the home? I've seen that you can only apply for a work visa if you are located outside of Canada but that you can't apply for one until you have a job already lined up. I am finding it difficult to locate an employer who is willing to be patient enough to provide me with a full-time permanent offer of employment letter while I go through the immigration process? Not to mention, how many companies would wait for a US Citizen when I am sure that there are ample numbers of Canadian Citizens that can fill the positions much faster.

I just don't know what to do? I don't want to move there in March and be prohibited from working? In the meantime every career either requests that I already be a permanent resident, they only offer temporary positions, or they are not willing to wait for me to relocate, which I can completely understand - If they need help they don't want to have to wait. I looked at dual citizenship but that doesn't come into play until I have been there 3 years. I am needing something to allow me to enter the Country on March 1st and stay there until I can find a job.

The only other alternative that I have seen is marriage but I am not wanting to rush things that quickly just so I can live there with him. However, once I leave the US in March, I am putting the truck in drive and hoping to make the 2,500 mile trek to Edmonton and I can't really turn back considering that I will not have a home, bank, career, etc to come back to so whichever avenue I pursue it needs to be a safe route.

I'm sorry if this is too long but I wanted to provide enough basic information to be able to receive some good advice in return. I hear all the time that Canada is very open to accepting US Citizens but I am hitting brick wall after brick wall and dead end after dead end. I even called the US Embassy in Ottawa and I couldn't even get them to provide basic information for me.

Thank you so much!!

 

[MilesAway]

There is no easy and quick way for you to work there.

You may qualify for a work permit under NAFTA, depending on your qualifications. Otherwise you will have to find an employer willing to go through the LMO process, after which you can get a work permit.

Be careful if you drive up to the border with a truck full of belongings and no job or home, they may refuse you entry. You can only visit Canada, you can't move there (if you aren't a PR or citizen).

You would only qualify to be sponsored under the spouse category once you are either common-law (have lived together for 12 months) or married. And then you submit the documents and the processing takes anywhere from 6-12 months (varies).

 

[Leon]

Canada is just as open to US citizens as the US is to Canadians. You can visit without a visa but it must be a bona fide visit.

You have no right to move to Canada as a US citizen without the proper visa. If you show up at the border with a truck full of your stuff, you might well be turned away and they may tell you not to try to visit again unless you have a job and an apartment in the US so they know for a fact that you are only visiting. If you try again soon after, say go to another location and try there, they could possibly ban you from Canada for a certain period.

A safer way to visit is to travel light and have your stuff shipped to you later.

In order to work, you most definitely need a work permit. In order to get a work permit, if your job falls under NAFTA, you just need a job offer and you can get a work permit at the border as you enter. If it doesn't, the employer needs to apply for an LMO (labour market opinion) to show that he could not find a Canadian who was qualified and interested in the job. He needs to be offering market wage and the job has to have been publicly advertised. Most of the jobs you'd get on an LMO are either 1) because there is a shortage in your field in Canada or 2) because you are going for a job that nobody else wants. If you can find an employer who will apply for an LMO and they get it, you can take the LMO to the border, flagpole and get the work permit as you re-enter Canada.

You could apply for a study permit but in order for that, you'd have to be accepted into some program, you need to show that you have enough cash to pay tuition and support yourself and then you can get a part time work permit to work up to 20 hrs. a week alongside your classes. However, you have to keep studying or you wouldn't be eligible to continue working on that permit.

There are also ways to apply for permanent residency directly but for most of them, you also need a job offer these days.

Your boyfriend can apply to sponsor you for permanent residency if you get married or after you've lived together for 12 months.(common law).

You do not qualify to apply for citizenship until you've lived in Canada for 3 years as a permanent resident.

 

[scylla]

MilesAway and Leon have summarized your options very well.

I just wanted to be the third person to jump in and agree that you shouldn't drive to the Canadian border in a truck filled with your worldly possessions. You are allowed to visit Canada only - not live here. Arriving at the border with everything you own could very well get you refused entry. You need to re-think this part of your plan. Just because you think there's no turning back doesn't mean Canadian officials will agree.

I would spend the next few months very seriously looking for an employer in Canada. That's the only viable route I see for you at this time given what you want to do and the fact you're not ready to get married. Yes - it's very difficult. But there are certainly those who manage to do it. Also verify if your occupation falls under NAFTA.

 

[USjason]

Is there a certain amount of time that I need to stay with an employer after the LMO process? For example, can I find an employer to issue me a LMO and then once I get settled in, start looking for an actual career? The skills that I possess are unfortunately limited within the government of the US and they will not be beneficial or useful in Canada so I will basically be starting over in life. While I'll admit ignorance, I never thought when we made these plans that relocating to Canada was so difficult. I honestly thought that I would just bring enough money to live for 6 months or so and then after I got settled in I could start searching for a job.

I am struggling so hard to find an employer that is willing to go through the LMO process. If I were to come there in March to visit for 6 months, would I at least be able to search for a job in person and hope that by my being there it will encourage the employer to proceed with the LMO process?

I just don't know what to do or how to do it?

 

[scylla]

Yes - you can look for a job in Canada while here as a visitor. Nothing stopping you from doing that.

To answer your first question, there is no amount of time that you need to stay with an employer after the LMO process. However - if you obtain an LMO from an employer and are then issued a work permit - that work permit will be a closed work permit. A closed work permit allows you to work for that specific employer and in that specific role only. If you want to accept a new role with a new employer, you'll need to obtain a new approved LMO and then apply for a new work permit. The work permit won't be transferable.

 

[Leon]

Agreed. The LMO and resulting work permit is only for that position and that employer. If you want to change jobs, you would need the new employer to do an LMO and you would need a new work permit to match the new LMO. You can not start working for a new employer until you have the new work permit in hand.

However, with a work permit, you are allowed to continue to stay in Canada as long as the work permit is valid, even if you quit or lose that job.

I would recommend the plan to travel light and if anybody asks, you are just coming to visit your boyfriend. You will most likely be allowed up to 6 months. You can have some of your stuff that you can't live without shipped to you. You could even mail a couple of boxes to your boyfriend before you go.

Once you are there, use your time to look for a job and try to get an LMO. If you succeed in getting an LMO, you can return to the US, get your stuff and get a work permit as you enter Canada again with your LMO and your $150 processing fee.

If you are not successful in getting an LMO and a work permit and you are already in Canada for 5 months or so, you should think about getting your visit status extended. You would write as a reason that you are exploring the relationship or working on qualifying as a common law for him to sponsor you. You would show that you have funds to stay without working or a letter of support from him showing his income and saying he is supporting you. Most likely you'd get approved. If you aren't working and feel bored, you may take short courses, less than 6 months in length, no college credits without having a study permit. You may do volunteer work as well.

 

[USjason]

Maybe I am looking at the wrong kind of jobs? Are there certain types of employers that are more willing to go through the LMO process?

 

[USjason]

Let me run this scenario by all of the experienced posters to see if this is an option, because as much as I need to be there, I want to make sure I do it the right way.

When I leave the US in March I will not have a home, job, etc here anymore. Since I am still a US citizen I need to have a physical address here, so I am simply going to change my address to my mothers house. I am going to put my things in storage and only cross the border with essentials to "visit" for 6 months. That way when I am there I will have the opportunity to make friends and make some connections. I think people would be more willing to help me with a career on the LMO path if they know me as a person. Once they realize that I am there visiting and that I can go through the hiring process, I think things will be easier. Since I am only "visiting" and my permanent address will be in the US, then I should be able to apply for a Canadian work permit and start working right?

I have enough money to support myself for 6-8 months and since I will be living with him my expenses will be minimal. Once I have a work permit to get me through to the 12 month mark then he can sponsor me as common-law.

Does this approach sound feasible? If it would work then I think it would be my best route, that way I will already be in Canada visiting, I can make new friends which will hopefully help me land employment.

Thank you again for all of your time and assistance!!

 

[scylla]

Generally your plan sounds feasible. Don't bring more than 2 big suitcases when you come. And don't bring anything that says "I'm moving". This means you should leave all of your small appliances at home (i.e. don't bring a microwave or toaster). Fine to bring a laptop - don't bring a desktop (people don't bring desktops on vacations). Don't bring any furniture. When you're packing, step back and think if you are bringing anything with you that a person normally would not bring on a real three week vacation. If you are, unpack those things and put them in storage instead. Your plan hinges on your getting across the border in March - so you need to be smart about your approach. Don't bring your resume and if you bring a laptop, make sure your resume isn't saved anywhere on it. Yes - border official can and sometimes do check. A resume can make them suspect you have plans to work in Canada without authorization.

I think you should consider the possibility that you won't find a job during the 12 months. So if you can - stretch your money as much as you can.

Getting an LMO is more complicated than someone getting to know you and liking you. The key requirement is that the employer must prove they were unable to hire a Canadian. They must get approval for the LMO from Human Resources Canada. Human Resource Canada is aware of current hiring conditions for various occupations and will call BS and refuse the LMO if they know that the employer should have been easily able to hire a Canadian. There are additional deterrents: the fee the employer has to pay, the several additional month waiting time before the person can start working. I'll tell you right now that I wouldn't bother applying for jobs with any of the big five banks - they don't do LMOs. I can't comment on other companies / industries. However others might.

 

[Ponga]

At the risk of simply wasting keystrokes, since you've been given some excellent advice from the senior members here (who are amazing)...

I'll add the fact that you should also plan for the very likely scenario that you will NOT find an employer that is willing (or even able) to help you with a LMO.

So, if you can manage to stay in Canada and make the 1 year cohabitation period, that is mandatory for a Common-Law Sponsorship...you could then apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), if you don't include it with your CL sponsorship application. Once your sponsor is approved (currently estimated to be ~11 months), you would receive your AIP (Agreement In Principle) and would likely receive your OWP shortly thereafter.

In this scenario, you could be out of work (in Canada) for ~ 2years...but you'd be with your partner the entire time.

Good luck!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Common-Law Sponsorship...you could then apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), if you don't include it with your CL sponsorship application. Once your sponsor is approved (currently estimated to be ~11 months), you would receive your AIP (Agreement In Principle) and would likely receive your OWP shortly thereafter.

To clarify, this information pertains only to an INLAND sponsorship application. With an outland application, there is no option to apply for an open work permit.

For an American, applying outland is the better option.

 

[Leon]

Your plan sounds ok and all the advice you have been given is absolutely spot on. There is a possibility that you will be in Canada, not working for 2 years. However, if you decide after say 6 months that you do want to get married, he can apply to sponsor you right away instead of waiting for the other 6 months and you would have your PR a little faster.

The kind of people who get LMO's can be anywhere from a fast food worker to a highly skilled person. The fast food worker would get an LMO and work permit based on that there is low unemployment in the area and the employer is unable to find anybody who is interested in those kind of jobs. I don't know if that is the case where your boyfriend lives. For the skilled angle, you'd have to have skills that nobody else has. The employer tried to find qualified workers and couldn't but you are qualified so you would be eligible for an LMO.

However, it wont be easy. The majority of employers may not qualify for an LMO even if they like you as a person and would like to hire you. Be prepared for the scenario that it will not work out and you are left without a job.

 

[USjason]

Thank you EVERYONE!

Doesn't it still take about 6 months after you're married to receive your PR status? Also, how many times can you get your visitor status extended. For example, if I come there in March for a maximum 6 month visitation, how many times will they allow you to extend that? The question that I am getting to, is if they extend it once and during that 2nd 6 month extension we get married and apply for the sponsorship PR, if that takes 6-8 months then I will run out of visitation status. When I come to the border in March I am sure they are going to ask me a million questions as to why I want to visit the Country for 6 months. Is that 6 months set in stone or can immigration officials restrict that time? Can they say no, we are only allowing you in for 30 days or something like that

There needs to be a web site or a link that lists LMO friendly companies or job categories so that I would have a better idea on what I was looking for.

 

[Leon]

Thank you EVERYONE!

Doesn't it still take about 6 months after you're married to receive your PR status? Also, how many times can you get your visitor status extended. For example, if I come there in March for a maximum 6 month visitation, how many times will they allow you to extend that? The question that I am getting to, is if they extend it once and during that 2nd 6 month extension we get married and apply for the sponsorship PR, if that takes 6-8 months then I will run out of visitation status. When I come to the border in March I am sure they are going to ask me a million questions as to why I want to visit the Country for 6 months. Is that 6 months set in stone or can immigration officials restrict that time? Can they say no, we are only allowing you in for 30 days or something like that

There needs to be a web site or a link that lists LMO friendly companies or job categories so that I would have a better idea on what I was looking for.

It usually takes more than 6 months to receive your PR status after you apply. It could easily be 10 for example.

There is no limit how often you can extend your visitor status as long as you always have funds to show and can state that you are still temporary. If you give a reason like exploring relationship, living together to qualify as common law to apply for sponsorship, applying for sponsorship etc. they would usually approve.

When you enter Canada, you do not say you are planning on visiting for 6 months. You say that you are planning on visiting your boyfriend, that's it. When asked for how long, say 3 weeks. You can always change your mind later and decide to stay longer. As a default, they let you in for 6 months but if they find you suspicious, they can give you less time like 3 weeks or a month but if they do, you can still apply for an extension before you have to leave.

If you tell them that you quit your job, cancelled the lease on your apartment and are coming to Canada forever, you are taking a big risk that they don't let you enter.

There is no website that lists LMO friendly companies as far as I know. I don't think any company would want to be on such a list either because they'd have to hire full time staff just to deal with all the job applications they'd be bombarded with. You should try fast food places or factories. Preferably something where you might be able to say you have any type of prior experience.