Franglaise

Has anyone out there managed to obtain a job/sponsor whilst on a 3 month recce - especially those in the construction trade?

OH is a 53 year old qualified carpenter desperate for a change. We currently live in France but after nearly 6 years of struggling with the language, he has had enough. We have been looking at New York State or southern Ontario. Is he living in cloud cuckoo land?!

Hotscot

Unfortunately yes. Sorry, and I mean that.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

SanDiegogirl

Afraid he is for the US.

Carpenters don't qualify for work visas - there are loads of them already in the US.

Ontario, Canada might be your best bet - they have skilled points system to get visas.

Franglaise

Yes, I know guidelines for visas are very stringent in the US and that trades aren't on any skilled shortage list. I was just hoping there was a way around this as the climate and property prices seemed a more appealing prospect than Canada! � ����

Hotscot

Well since you know this you'll understand that there's no way around it.

SanDiegogirl

There is no way around the immigration rules - unless you want to be an illegal; and better property prices and climate will not make up for being in that situation.

Dorothy

I think you'll find upstate New York's weather is quite often worse than Southern Ontario's. Think Lake Effect Snow and cold northerly winds blowing across the Great Lakes.

Franglaise

I know there's a big recruitment drive in places like Alberta, what about Ontario - is he too old?! � ����

christmasoompa

Best asked in the Canada forum, rather than the US one.

But re: your comments above about the climate in the US being better, you said you were looking at New York state?? There's really not much difference between climate in NY and ON, so not sure what you're after?

If you want mild weather, then really the only place for you in Canada would be coastal BC.

Franglaise

I'm just being a bit of a wimp about the weather. We looked at BC years ago but figure Ontario's property prices are lower? With hubby being 53, I would like to find an area with low property prices.

I'm just surprised that no-one has gone to the US for a 'holiday' and managed to bag a job/sponsor.

I've found a company called H1 base who allegedly find work for expats. OH supposedly qualifies because he has more than 11 years experience - too good to be true?!

quiltman

Yes!

Franglaise

Yes to what bit!

Hotscot

For such a relatively lowly skilled and low demand occupation. No chance.

Franglaise

I wouldn't have described a cabinet maker as 'lowly skilled'!

christmasoompa

If you're a wimp about cold weather, then Canada's probably not for you! Coastal BC does have much higher property prices than Ontario, but it's also got a climate similar to the UK so not many days below freezing or much snow, unlike Ontario. If you want Canada and you want cheap, then I wouldn't be looking in BC or ON personally, I'd be going for somewhere like NS or SK. Neither will be suitable if you don't want cold though........!

I don't think you're understanding the info you've been given - it's not that him going over and finding a job that's the problem. He may well manage that with no problems, but then once he's found a job, there is no US visa that he's eligible for as a carpenter. If you re-read the link above in post no. 2 you'll see that it's just not an occupation that will get him an employment based visa.

Canada values trades and has specific visas for them, the US doesn't I'm afraid.