Where to start

[ToddMM]

i am an American, and recently engaged to a Canadian (Nova Scotia). I am looking for my fastest path to living and working in Canada. I have some time to wait before a divorce from a previous marriage is finalized so a quiet marriage is not an option. I have read about Quick Entry Program (My NOC is 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians), temporary Visa, and application for P.R. Inland/Outland and a few other things. My head is spinning, everything I read makes me feel like I know less and less. Is there a good resource out there to help me understand my options and where to start? I don't want to start the wrong process and cost myself time and money or even hurt my chances....

 

[scylla]

The fastest way for you to come to Canada is for your Canadian partner to sponsor you for PR using the outland (outside of Canada) route. However in order to do this you must first either get married or live together for a minimum of one full year continuously to become common law. Once you apply, you can expect processing times of 4-7 months.

If this isn't going to work anytime soon, another option would be to look into the Express Entry / Federal Skilled Worker immigration program. You need to complete a profile and be selected out of a pool before you can apply. And before even entering the pool, you'll need to have your education formally assessed and also take a language test. Once you apply (if you're selected out of the pool), you're looking at processing times of somewhere between 6-12 months.

If you can get a full time job offer in Canada, you may also qualify for a work permit. If your job falls under NAFTA, then all you need is the job offer and you can obtain a work permit at the border. If your job does not fall under NAFTA - then your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA which significantly complicates the process and significantly reduces the chances of success.

I would recommend that you dedicate time towards reading through the existing posts in both the Family Sponsorship and Express Entry sections of this forum to learn more.