LMIA/Express Entry/work permit: Is it as complicated as getting an American H1B?

[cindyu]

Ok, I'm totally unfamiliar with skilled immigration to Canada. I've just started my research and I have a few questions here. Please help me. I'm planning to submit an Express Entry (EE) application, but I'm still confused about whether I have to have a job offer in order to do that. From what I've gathered, you don't have to, as long as you can get 450++ points. Having a job offer with an LMIA will get you 600 points. Right?

Question 1: How do you actually get an LMIA job offer? How difficult is it for an employer to get LMIA for a foreign worker? Does it work like the process of getting an American H1B work visa where the employer has to file an LCA to the Dept of Labor to prove that the hiring of the foreign person is justifiable bla bla bla? Is LMIA the Canadian equivalent of the American LCA?

Question 2: Is it possible to actually immigrate to and work in Canada WITHOUT an LMIA job offer, i.e. through Express Entry/ITA?

Question 3: If you do get invited to apply for a PR (thru EE), do you have to have a job at the point of PR application? Or, can you move to Canada first and then find a job?

Question 4: Is it REALLY easier to land a Canadian PR by going to school there first and then work with the PostGrad Work Permit, and then apply for EE?

I'm sorry for the many questions. Please advise. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!!

 

[scylla]

1) Yes - an LMIA is more or less the equivalent of an LCA.
2) Yes - it's possible to immigrate without an LMIA (harder - but possible).
3) No - you don't have to have a job.
4) It can be - but not necessarily.