Permanent resident in USA and want to immigrate to Canada

[nana24]

Hi everybody.

I live in the USA, I'm married, but about to start a divorce process. I'm having a bad time here.
My permanent residence expires in June 2011 and my actual spose refused to sign the papers.

I have a job here in the usa and also I'm going to college. I'm originally from Colombia, I don't want to go back,
start all over again would much easier in Canada than in Colombia.
I studied Industrial Engeeniering, in Colombia, but I'm finishing here in the USA. I entered this country in NOV 2008.

I'm very desperate. I have some friends in Canada.

I call some immigration lawyers, and they told me that I need a work permit to stay in canada, but I need a job first.
They also told me that, I can go to canada with my PR in usa for a period of six months, but If I get a job I can apply for a
work permit, and after that apply for a PR in canada.
I don't know which way is better? I don't know how much time it will take? and how much money do I have to spend? Thank you for your help.

[nana24]

I need help as soon as possible, please, HELP ME!

[Leon]

Like the lawyer said, you first need a job.  Getting a job while you are in Canada is a lot easier than getting one from the outside but you can try both.  Look for jobs online now or work through your friends, maybe they can help you get one.  If you are not successful, use your 6 month visitor allowance to come look for a job.  Once you get a job, the employer has to apply for a labour market opinion proving that you are special and qualified and he could find no Canadian for this job.  If he gets it, you can apply for a work permit.

[nana24]

Thank you for your answer!

Doesn't sound very difficult to do!, very I'm more optimistist about it now.

Do you know how many people has done this with success?

 Thank you.

[Leon]

It can definitely be difficult to do because employers often do not want to bother with a work permit if they can find a Canadian as well as they would be wasting their time trying to employ a foreigner when they could find a Canadian because it would not be allowed.  Sometimes they are also worried that they may end up responsible for you in case they have to lay you off but that is absolutely not the case.

Many people have succeeded in doing this but it can be hard and you may hear a lot of no's before you get a yes.