A good friend of mine is new to Canada, and is having issues getting work.

She just recently moved in with her boyfriend and plans to stay there permanently, who is a Canadian citizen with a full-time job. She's an American citizen and not a Canadian citizen. They need to know what necessary steps are needed for her to obtain a job-- even if it's temporary-- as soon as possible. She has graduated from high school, has a work history of three years, and can fully speak proper English. She does NOT have a visa, so any information on her obtaining one would be very appreciated.

This is proving to be very stressful for them both, so any (speedy) help is appreciated! Thank you!

jentendo wrote:A good friend of mine is new to Canada, and is having issues getting work.

She just recently moved in with her boyfriend and plans to stay there permanently, who is a Canadian citizen with a full-time job. She's an American citizen and not a Canadian citizen. They need to know what necessary steps are needed for her to obtain a job-- even if it's temporary-- as soon as possible. She has graduated from high school, has a work history of three years, and can fully speak proper English. She does NOT have a visa, so any information on her obtaining one would be very appreciated.

This is proving to be very stressful for them both, so any (speedy) help is appreciated! Thank you!

Greetings,

Since she is already in Canada, you will find the options are limited to a couple choices.

First, she would have to find an employer in Canada that would sponsor her, or run a check with Service Canada (HRSDC). Esentially the steps for this are:

1) Find a Job
2) Get the employer to offer her a job (IN WRITTING. Job offer letter)
3) The Employer must complete a application to get a employment opinion from HRSDC
4) once all of this is completed, she can fill out the forms here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/work.html

She will then have to leave Canada, and re-enter as you cant change from Visitor status to Work visa while in Canada. Once she enters Canada, she can apply at the port of entry for a work visa. However, this is TEMPORARY. It is not to immigrate. It could be for example, 1 year. She could file for an extension after that, but its up to immigration if they want to allow her to do that.

I will be straight forward: this method is difficult if she doesnt have any specific skillsets she can use to get a job, as most employers arent interested in sponsoring people for entry level positions, but they might!

While she is working, they could get married, and he could sponsor her for Permanent residence (PR). This process takes 8-10 months while in Canada.

The other option (without leaving Canada or working right away) is for them to get married and for him to sponsor her for permanent residence. This process can be done while staying in Canada and usually takes 8-10 months. Once she has PR, she can get a job. That's the time frame you are looking at. There are really no other options as far as I am aware that would be any quicker.

I'd start be reading CIC's webpage.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

Links are on the left, to work, to immigrate. The only thing you need to be worried about is time frame. I assume she is here ona visitor's visa which is only good for 6 months maximum. She can request for an extention on that, but again, she cant work, go to school, anything like that. If her visitor visa expires and she doesnt renew it, you will be in for some trouble. UNLESS they get married and start the PR application. According to CIC's webpage, it's ok if the temporary visa expires while she is waiting for her PR app to go through. But just cross fingers and hope it does.

"Q7: I have overstayed my visa or visitor record. Can I apply for permanent residence in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class?

Yes. If your temporary resident visa or visitor record has expired, and you are still in Canada, you can apply to become a permanent resident under the s pouse or common-law partner in Canada class.

You can download the application kit, or order it by contacting the CIC Call Centre toll free at 1 888 242-2100 (from within Canada only). CIC will mail the application kit to you. Delivery takes about two weeks."

Hope this helps. Unfortunately there is no "easy" way with immigration, thats the bottom line. And please, do everything legally :) You dont want your friend to have problems in the future.

Read through other forum posts here and also check out http://www.canadaworkpermit.com/faq/index.html

Good luck,

Cheers!