Hi guys

New forum member here so be gentle!

I am thinking of moving out to Calgary this summer and need some advice desperately!

I am married with 2 children however the plan is to go to Calgary in July to start job hunting, I would be working in technical support (IT) and there seems to be plenty of jobs out there however I am concerned that employers will not be willing to wait for the LMO to come through as i hear that they are taking on average 3-4 months?..is this correct?

If this is the case is there anyway do you think that i could offer to work for free until my LMO & WP come through?..is this against Canada regulations?

Any advice would be fantastic

thanks

chris

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum.

You can't work for free I'm afraid (need a TWP to do any job that a Canadian could do, so they would deem that taking work away from Canadians and it would be illegal) but LMO's are only taking about 6 weeks so that's good.

If you haven't already then read this Wiki section which will help........http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...Hunting-Canada

Good luck.

I had read that LMO's can actually take upto 6 months?..if its usually about 6 weeks thats great...i know the WP actually takes around 6 weeks ...but i heard the LMO can take ages?

I had read that LMO's can actually take upto 6 months?..if its usually about 6 weeks thats great...i know the WP actually takes around 6 weeks ...but i heard the LMO can take ages?

LMO's were taking 3-6 months earlier last year, but all reports recently have been that they're taking much less time. Some people have even had them back within a couple of weeks, although I don't recall what province that's for.

The TWP can take 6 weeks but most people apply for it at POE so there would be no wait period at all for the TWP if you do that. You just need your job offer, contract & LMO and then you get your TWP at the airport.

If you do a search of the forums (top right) then you'll find other threads in which people have discussed their timelines for LMO's.

Good luck.

Thats Great News, thanks for that i feel so much better now!!..

Problem is i cant apply at the airport because i dont have a job offer yet ..i will try and get one before i head out however i bet this is unlikely!

Thanks for your help guys , this forum is superb ..what a find

cheers

chris

Hi

I was in a similar job role to yourself when I joined the queue about three years ago. To be quite honest I think the chances of you getting a job and LMO for an IT Support role is virtually zero.

As you say there are plenty of opportunities available, which is great for when you eventually get there, but there are also plenty of people available to fill the roles, which is why I believe you will not get there via your chosen route.

This is just from my own personal experience, and others may have had more luck, but I would be surprised.

I have since done roles which are more specialist, so I now have less jobs to aim for, but I should at least get a better wage if I get a similar role to what I do now.

I know you won't have a job offer when you first go out, but once you've (hopefully) got one, then you will presumably return home to wait for LMO, pack up, arrange things, etc - then when you fly back with your family you will apply for TWP at POE then.

Hi there

thanks for that, was this in Calgary?..i do have my A+ qualification and my mcse is ongoing, that along with 2 years tech support....do you think i would still have trouble finding an entry level tech support role?

cheers

chris

Yes it was in Calgary. A lot of the teccie roles ask for much higher qualifications than we do in the UK, although that does not necessarily mean they get candidates with these qualifications. A+ with MCSE and two years experience should definatlely be good enough for an entry level, but you may have to go through a temp agency to get a bit of "canadian experience" as they call it.

In the mean time I would try to expand on your UK experience if you can. If you are 1st line try to get some 2nd line / networks / server experience if possible. ITIL Foundation is also worth doing as it will bolster your CV and is relatively easy to pass.

Thanks for that, i havent actually got my MCSE as yet, im hoping to have MCSA by the time i get there at least..i have my A+ which seems to be valued more in Canada than over here

Fingers crossed eh, thanks for your help though mate..might drop you a message sometime if i have any other questions if thats ok?

cheers

chris

No problem.