christmasoompa

Not necessarily. The general advice is to get out there to job hunt in person as applying for jobs online is very unlikely to result in finding a sponsoring employer. But obviously you can't move there unless you have a visa allowing you to do so, so you'd return to the UK whilst your job offer/LMIA are applied for by the employer and processed, and then head back out on a work permit once you've got the LMIA.

Yes, lots do that and then apply for PR once there. Most employers wouldn't be willing to wait the 6-8 months for you to get PR anyway, so going over on a TWP first and then applying for PR is a good option, or you can just get your PR app underway from the UK before leaving and then it can carry on being processed whilst you start life in Canada.

You may find it easier to get provincial certification than a job offer though, so that you can qualify for FST.

HTH, good luck.

Nrfk25

I would be correct in saying that my family would be able to come out with me on a Work Permit/allowed to rent property etc?

Regarding a provincial certification, I assume the method to do this would be contact the favored province, in my case Alberta and follow there instructions on how to obtain a certification?

Very sorry for the all questions, they seem never ending. It's helping a lot to clear things up mentally though.

christmasoompa

Yes, absolutely. Your spouse would be able to get an open work permit for the same duration as your work permit.

I assume so too, although I'm not that sure! A search of the forum may reveal some info though, I think it's the Tradesecrets website you need to look at, but could be wrong. Aviator is our resident 'guru' on all things certification, he may see this thread and be able to help, or you could start a new one asking that specific question if not.

Good luck.

Siouxie

https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/expe...ional-workers/

Nrfk25

Thank you!

Finally, the final piece in the puzzle for me. What’s the very first step people take? Do they go over simply on a holiday with the intention of looking for work? I ask because it states a job offer is required for a temp work visa.

Cheers all!

rivingtonpike

For a lot of people it is a real Catch 22. You can't get the job without the Visa and you can't get the Visa without the job. Unfortunately, I think the reality might be for some people that there isn't a way they can emigrate from the UK to Canada. Some skills sets just aren't in demand here.

christmasoompa

You need both a job offer, and a LMIA for a temporary work permit. The LMIA is something the employer has to apply for (costs them $1000) to prove that they have advertised the job across Canada and been unable to find a Canadian willing, or able, to do the job. It's quite onerous on the employer with lots of paperwork (i.e. details of everybody that applied for the job, and why they weren't suitable etc).

Once you've got the LMIA and written job offer (figure about 3-4 months after applying as a rough guide), then you can get your work permit. As you can imagine, finding an employer prepared to pay the money and go through all the paperwork for you is tricky unless you have specialist skills, hence why I suggested getting provincial certification may be an easier way to become eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades program.

But if you do want to go down the job offer route, then have a really good read of the Job Hunting section of the Wiki which has loads of useful info, including how to plan a recce/job hunting trip and how to arrange stuff with potential employers before you go.

Best of luck.

christmasoompa

Actually, I've just realised that you've said you're 25, so the IEC visa is an option for you - that's a 2 year open work permit for those aged 30 and under, and no job offer is required to get it.

That would be MUCH easier than finding an employer to do the LMIA app etc, so definitely the way to go. Do apply asap as there are only a certain number of visas available each year and there aren't many left.

HTH.

Nrfk25

Oh that’s good news. I imagine that gives you the same freedoms as a temp work permit in regards to bringing family over with me, property renting etc?

christmasoompa

Sort of. Unlike a normal TWP, your partner wouldn't get an open work permit automatically on arrival, she'll only get one once you are working in a skilled job. So once you've got a job offer in a skilled job, she can just go to the nearest border and pick up her work permit then. Of course, there's nothing to stop her applying for an IEC as well and seeing if you both get one.

Just double checking though, you have lived together for a year or more (and can prove it via things like joint bank account, rental agreement and utility bills in both names etc)? That is the criteria for common-law spouses, so for her to be included as a dependent on any visa app you make, that's what you'll need to be.

And have you checked in to her visa eligibility too? It may be that she'll score more or be in a job more in demand, so may be better as the principal applicant for any visa app.

HTH.

Nrfk25

A spot on, that's understandable.

And we have indeed, would a marriage certificate be accepted proof of this also?

We have indeed, I believe I would be more suitable to be the applicant. Is there any bar on going from an IEC and applying for PR close to the end of the 2nd final yeah of the IEC?
'

Thank you once again!

christmasoompa

No, other than I personally think you'd be daft to leave it that late! I'd apply as soon as you are eligible personally, so you have PR well before the 2 years is up and don't have to worry.

Nrfk25

Oh good to know, as long as there is nothing stopping me applying for PR as soon as I feel I meet criteria I will look to do it ASAP! Cheers

christmasoompa

Yep. Just check you'll be eligible (scoring enough etc) before you go, no point in spending a small fortune on moving to Canada if you aren't sure you can stay if you want to. Hopefully it should be fine if you apply under the FST, but do double check everything before you go.

Best of luck.

Siouxie

I've moved the discussion regarding P.Eng v Engineer to it's own thread, to stop this thread from going too far off topic.

It can be found here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/canad...gineer-909173/