American girlfriend visiting me

[Hddeer]

Howdy ya'll,

My girlfriend is flying in from the states on friday and im trying to figure out what our options are in terms of her being able to get a job and work here.

Ive filled out a bunch of forms and all of which say she isnt eligible for a visitor visa, work permit etc.

Ive debated on marrying her when she gets here this time, but even then im pretty sure she needs some type of visa.

Unfortunately she didnt finish her college program. I guess theres always the chances of potentially getting her here to go through school, but im not overly invested in that.

Any advice? Is there someone i should call?

 

[scylla]

Howdy ya'll,

My girlfriend is flying in from the states on friday and im trying to figure out what our options are in terms of her being able to get a job and work here.

Ive filled out a bunch of forms and all of which say she isnt eligible for a visitor visa, work permit etc.

Ive debated on marrying her when she gets here this time, but even then im pretty sure she needs some type of visa.

Unfortunately she didnt finish her college program. I guess theres always the chances of potentially getting her here to go through school, but im not overly invested in that.

Any advice? Is there someone i should call?

Based on the information you have provided, she does not qualify for a work permit at this time. To qualify for a work permit, she would need to secure a job offer in Canada and her employer would then have to obtain an approved LMIA (4-6 month process generally). It's typically very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.

If your relationship is serious and you get married, you can then sponsor her for permanent residency and include an open work permit with the application. The open work permit will be approved around four months after the full application package is submitted. Once the work permit is approved, she will be able to work. That's probably the most realistic way for her to get a work permit.

If she wants to attend school in Canada before she is a PR, she will need to obtain a study permit and pay international student fees (which are expensive).

 

[bellaluna]

Howdy ya'll,

My girlfriend is flying in from the states on friday and im trying to figure out what our options are in terms of her being able to get a job and work here.

Ive filled out a bunch of forms and all of which say she isnt eligible for a visitor visa, work permit etc.

Ive debated on marrying her when she gets here this time, but even then im pretty sure she needs some type of visa.

Unfortunately she didnt finish her college program. I guess theres always the chances of potentially getting her here to go through school, but im not overly invested in that.

Any advice? Is there someone i should call?

If she has a US passport or green card that easily allows her to enter Canada, there’s no other type of visa she needs for you to marry her.

 

[Jets13]

Based on the information you have provided, she does not qualify for a work permit at this time. To qualify for a work permit, she would need to secure a job offer in Canada and her employer would then have to obtain an approved LMIA (4-6 month process generally). It's typically very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.

If your relationship is serious and you get married, you can then sponsor her for permanent residency and include an open work permit with the application. The open work permit will be approved around four months after the full application package is submitted. Once the work permit is approved, she will be able to work. That's probably the most realistic way for her to get a work permit.

If she wants to attend school in Canada before she is a PR, she will need to obtain a study permit and pay international student fees (which are expensive).

Also for those 4 months she would have to stay in Canada right? She couldn't go back to the USA to work in the meantime.

 

[scylla]

Also for those 4 months she would have to stay in Canada right? She couldn't go back to the USA to work in the meantime.

Yes - she would need to remain in Canada.

 

[canuck78]

The whole process will take longer than 4 months. You need to get a marriage license, get married and then wait to receive your marriage record. Collecting records needed and filling out paperwork is also very time consuming.

 

[k.h.p.]

Police reports, marriage certificates, photos and proof of a relationship, etc etc etc. It is 3-5 months from the date of the submission for the OWP. Factor in how much time you need to make the submissions.

 

[Hddeer]

Based on the information you have provided, she does not qualify for a work permit at this time. To qualify for a work permit, she would need to secure a job offer in Canada and her employer would then have to obtain an approved LMIA (4-6 month process generally). It's typically very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.

If your relationship is serious and you get married, you can then sponsor her for permanent residency and include an open work permit with the application. The open work permit will be approved around four months after the full application package is submitted. Once the work permit is approved, she will be able to work. That's probably the most realistic way for her to get a work permit.

If she wants to attend school in Canada before she is a PR, she will need to obtain a study permit and pay international student fees (which are expensive).

Would it be at all possible when she has to clear customs at toronto pearson that she could apply for some type of work permit/open work permit?

 

[scylla]

Would it be at all possible when she has to clear customs at toronto pearson that she could apply for some type of work permit/open work permit?

No - absolutely not.

 

[northern sunshine]

Based on the information you have provided, she does not qualify for a work permit at this time. To qualify for a work permit, she would need to secure a job offer in Canada and her employer would then have to obtain an approved LMIA (4-6 month process generally). It's typically very difficult to find employers willing to go through the LMIA process.

Presumably, she's a US citizen, which means she would have access to Canadian jobs under NAFTA, would she not? Assuming she is able to work in one of the fields covered by the agreement (which OP and their gf would have to assess).

The best way to get your gf permission to work in Canada is as scylla said, though-- get married and sponsor her.

 

[k.h.p.]

If she fits into one of the categories, yes, and has a job offer, I believe.