Feasibility of Visit-to-work and student-to-work streams?

[iopyud]

Hi, I've been planning to immigrate to Canada for quite a while now and apparently, these two are my only options.

Qualifications: I finished a College level education and now work a full time job for 4 years in my country.

My questions are:

The first stream or route is to go to Canada to visit, find an employer who will take care of the LMO thing, and then go home, apply for a working visa and live happily ever after.

A.) The problem is, I only qualify for a general office clerk, I just work a desk job, no engineering or medical skills or whatsoever.
Is this stream even feasible for me? I don't think people will be desperate for an average office grunt.

The second option for me is to study for a year and then apply for a work visa or PNP.
Now...

1.) The expense, will CA$20,000.00 cover all my expense?

2.) Will 1 year be enough? I've recently been told that 1 year is hardly enough to even get all the papers done, or at the very least, too risky.

3.) Is it naive to assume that I'll find a part time job after 6 months of study? Because if I'm going to take a 2 year course, I'll need it to support myself.

Thanks, people.

 

[scylla]

3.) Is it naive to assume that I'll find a part time job after 6 months of study? Because if I'm going to take a 2 year course, I'll need it to support myself.

I'll help with one question...

3) I think it's realistic to say that you can find a job after six months of study. I think it's very unrealistic to think that you will be able to support yourself / cover your costs through this job.

 

[iopyud]

Thank you.

I don't mean to cover everything, I just need to cover the monthly rent and food or at the very least, subsidize.

 

[scylla]

Thank you.

I don't mean to cover everything, I just need to cover the monthly rent and food or at the very least, subsidize.

Subsidize definitely. Probably unrealistic that it will cover these expenses completely. The off campus work permit will limit you to 20 hours a week and typically the jobs available are at minimum wage. You then have to factor in the taxes and other deductions that will be taken right off your pay.

 

[iopyud]

Alright. It appears that the first stream is impossible anyway.

I'll need to check my funds without relying on the subsidies.

 

[SenoritaBella]

With college level education, it's possible to find a job during your visit. There are skills you can transfer to a research assistant or administrative assistant position for instance. I've seen job openings in Ontario, Alberta and Vancouver over the past few months.

You do not need to go home to apply for a work permit if your visa is still valid. You can mail your application to Buffalo, New YorK instead.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo/visas/apply-how_a_demande-comment.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp#outside

 

[iopyud]

Ah, thank you very much!

I know this is a stupid question but do you happen to know if this has been done by other people before?