American Visiting Canada Looking for Work...Need Insight/Help!

[tdcush]

Hello Everyone,

I must admit at this point I am not seeing an easy way to do anything in Canada when compared to my Canadian friends in the States who work using TN-visas that get approved the same day they are checked at the border. Le sigh.

My situation is as such:

My fiancee and I moved up to Toronto in August of this year so that she could attend a school up here for 2 years. She is both American and Canadian citizenship by the way. With that said, she is fine to come and go as she pleases, but for me, being an American, what am I supposed to do while here so that I can stay and work legally?

I have heard of work permits, TN-visas, skilled worker visas, canadian visas, temp worker visas, etc., but which is the quickest/simplest way for me to simply start working if I get a job offer here in Toronto (as I am interviewing at places here and there)?

Can anyone here (preferably an American) please shine some light on their job offer -> visa -> starting work process?

I'll leave it at that and answer any and all questions people may have so that they may help me try and find a job here. If it looks like that it won't work, well, I suppose applying for permanent residency from within the country could be an option. If you have any insight on that topic please see my other forum post as linked below (link coming after I write the post):

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/american-in-canada-looking-into-pr-via-fiancee-as-sponsorneed-insighthelp-t12148.0.html

Thanks,

Tyler

 

[Leon]

It really isn't that complicated. Skilled worker is out for you because sponsorship would be faster. Work permit and temp worker visa is the same thing. TN visa is a NAFTA visa, you have to be of a certain profession to qualify, see http://www.canadaworkvisa.ca/info/nafta1.php I have not heard of a Canadian visa. If you qualify for a NAFTA visa, that would be the easiest way to go. If not, you need to get a job where the company already has an open labor market opinion or they will apply for it. That is basically to verify that they have advertised and couldn't find anybody qualified, that they are offering market rates etc. When they get the LMO, you take it to the border and apply for your permit.