Temporary worker - How?

[walterg74]

Having recently discovered that under the new restrictions for federal skilled worker class (must have experiene only in 1 of the 38 occupations they chose), I am now considering the "Canadian Experience" class, which would be an option after being a temporary worker for 1 year if I'm not mistaken.

The question is, what is the process/procedure and exactly can I go about searching for job oportunities that would fall under this category / allow me to emigrate as a temporary worker? I know some of the major job sites like monster.ca for example, but none of those make any reference to hire you from abroad and most likely won't even reply if they see you're not actually in Canada...

So what's the deal?  How do all the people I see saying they're temp workers do it???

Thanks!!

[Leon]

Some people get hired through employment agencies or through ads in their homeland.  Some people check all the job websites and apply for every job they qualify for until they find one.

Most employers who advertise on the job websites would prefer somebody with citizenship or PR so they don't have to go through the hassle of trying to get a work permit but if they don't get anybody else that is qualified you never know.

To be able to apply for a work permit, the employer needs to get a Labour Market opinion (LMO) but you could still apply as a skilled worker under category 2 if you get an arranged employment offer (AEO).  More about LMO's and AEO's at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/supperimm.shtml

If you get the LMO and a work permit, you would have the option of getting sponsored by employer under PNP or you can wait a year and apply for skilled worker under category 3 or you can wait 2 years and apply through Canadian Experience class.

Here are some job websites for you:

http://www.canadavisa.com/career_zone/canadian-immigration-job-search.htm
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/
http://www.eluta.ca/
http://www.monster.ca/
http://www.workopolis.com/

[walterg74]

Thanks Leon, very useful stuff.

That is one option I had in mind. I mean, being that (in theory) I am qualified, if I had an AEO, I would solve the problem of the 1 of the 38 restriction. I guess that's just a matter of *somehow* letting the potential employer know I could apply by myself if I can get a letter or something from them stating they will hire me if I were a PR ?

[Leon]

If you have an AEO you fall under FSW category 2 and the list of 38 no longer applies (that is for cat. 1).  An AEO is a little more than a letter from the employer.  The employer needs to apply for the AEO from the government (Service Canada).  He needs to convince them it's a real job offer.  It's easier to get an AEO than a LMO though.  A LMO, they have to prove they have advertised so and so long and nobody applied etc.

[walterg74]

Understood. I guess it's all better explained in the link you gave me (which I'll go read right now...).

So in short, I guess for the time being the best I can do is just apply to as many jobs as I can on the sites  (within my area of expertise / qualifications) and hope for the best...

I'm also considering applying for a job as a Univesity teacher, since I have some experience as a teacher assistant in the Univesity I graduated from. Since that is one of the 38, it could be another option (although I'd have to get it, and wait a year to sum up the one year experience requiered...). This las option has to be paid experience right? I mean, the year I spent as an assistant would not count?

Thanks!

[Leon]

If you are trying for the list of 38, it needs to be a continuous 1 year experience within the last 10 years.  A TA is not really a college instructor or whatever is on the list but you may get away with it.  Otherwise, get your one year experience and then apply.

Other tricks, go to Canada as a student for one year, then you have been in Canada for a year and qualify to apply under FSW, category 3.

Or Quebec skilled worker, I already said, you might have to learn a bit of French though.

[walterg74]

Yes, don't know how they'd consider that (if they would at all), but the TA thing was in 2006, so it is within the last 10 years. I guess we'll have to see... Don't know if I expressed it right, or if it's the same tasks or what, but here, the type of TA actually includes giving classes.

That other one is also a good option, maybe to study a masters or something. If I go with my wife/common-law partner, she can get an open work permit and work freely in that case right?  (or maybe we could even do it the other way around...).

Seems there actually are several options.  I guess what dissapoints me the most is that I have to wait for all of them (except maybe the one for Quebec) when I was going to apply immediately untill I learned about the "damn 38"

I already have some french (aprox. intermediate level). Don't know if it will be enough though.

[Leon]

You can do the self assessment for Quebec at http://www.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/epi/index.jsp?languageCode=en

The spouse of a student can get an open work permit.  Easier to get a job that way.  After graduation, the student can get an open post-grad work permit.  You can find info on student visas here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp

[walterg74]

Thanks for all the info, I'll take a look and see what else there is.

L8er.