My long-term boyfriend is a Canadian citizen here in the US as a legal alien on a work visa. He is currently considering a position in Canada. It is obvious that it would be a smooth transition for him, but I am a U.S. citizen. What is the best option for me to get a work permit. I currently work in PR. How long will the process take, and how hard is it to get a Canadian company to be willing to go through the process to hire an American. Would it be any easier if we were married? Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

It is difficult to say how difficult the process would be for you without specific information about a position that you are pursuing. However, as your occupation is not covered by NAFTA or another exemption, you would be expected to require HRSDC Confirmation to be eligible to work in Canada in the short term.

If you marry, or if you can be sponsored as a common-law spouse (i.e., have lived together for 12 months), then you could potentially seek an open work permit after approval-in-principle. That would take approximately 8-12 months.