I moved to NS last September with my Canadian hubby and our two young children. My hubby applied to sponsor me for PR and we eventually got all the paperwork sent in, in December last year. We made a huge error and applied as living in Canada and sent paperwork off in Canada rather than in UK. It is currently taking around 9 months to process the first stage ... We now realize that we did make a massive mistake. In fairness though, our circumstances have changed quite a bit since we moved here. We could do with extra income and my in-laws just took early retirement and are willing to take care of our kids so I am able to work.

My question is, has anyone managed to work in Canada whilst waiting for their PR? Can anyone advise me if there are any options as I find the immigration website unclear (LMO's etc etc). Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I worked for 3 years while waiting for PR processing to complete. I had a TWP for self employment. It's not the most straightforward way to secure a work permit.

As soon as you get 1st stage approval you can apply for an Open Work Permit.

Your only other option would be to find a company willing to apply for an LMO and once that was approved, get a TWP.

You can read more here: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousa...sorship-Canada and http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Tempor...Permits-Canada

Thanks for this info. Does anyone have a personal experience of finding an employer willing to go down this route in Nova Scotia? I have been told finding a job here is extremely tough ...

With unemployment being what it is, realistically you'd have to have some fancy skills/experience to get an LMO approved (let alone find an employer willing to go through it all).

Instead, I would give consideration to some casual work- eg/ daycare/babysitting, dog walking, etc

Before moving here I was a primary school teacher and literacy advisor for a large number of schools in the county. Prior to that I was a solicitor for 6 years. I know that teaching is a non-starter here but I was hoping to find a job based on my experience in education and law. There are a few jobs advertised at the moment I think I have the skills/experience for but I just didn't know how readily an employer will or can apply for an LMO.

This may give you an idea of the steps that an employer has to go through to obtain an LMO.



http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/forei...al/index.shtml

Thanks very much for this info, very helpful

Not sure where you are looking to work Newbie but if in Halifax then the Greater Halifax Partnership have a team to support employers with LMO applications. Trick is of course to secure an interview/job offer first! Good luck.

Whoa. Howdy Stranger! I see (from other sources) that things have worked out for you in NS. Excellent.

Hi, successfully obtaining a job in NS is based almost entirely on your connections so I would set about networking on linked in and cast your net wide.
Find out who you would like to work for (organization wise) and look them up on linked in. If their management team are people with 500+ connections then they are a networker and I am sure would be willing to connect with you. Then start to build that network and strengthen those relationships. Go on the premise that you are looking to gain an insight into the working world here in your profession. Many people in NS are happy to help.

Good luck

Fast food delivery jobs may pay you cash and ask no questions.

Hi NovoCastrian Thanks for the Howdy! Let's just say we've MADE things work our for us in NS. Emigration anywhere is not for the feint hearted IMHO and NS sure makes you work for it!