Marry first or find work first?

[Jkent1]

My girlfriend and I have been in a long distance relationship for almost a year now and I've her visited once for about a weeks time. She lives in Calgary and I'm from New York. We've decided that we want to get married and I would move there (since she's more established, me being 20 and she's 27, this is an easier way). I'd like to work as soon as possible but to my understanding if we do get married in Canada I would have to stay and not be able to legally work for around 6 months. Would it be an easier process for me to try and get a working visa before we get married or just get married first?

PS: I'm still learning about both the marriage and working papers process so if anyone has any tips on the simplest route for us to take, it would be highly appreciated.

 

[costaudjoe]

Getting married and then applying for PR immediately after will throw up a HUGE red flag. Not saying it is impossible but you will give yourself a barrier to overcome.

 

[costaudjoe]

PS Marry to get married. It is a legally binding commitment that you should not enter into lightly.

 

[Jkent1]

Definitely, to me Marriage goes far beyond being just legally binding so this isn't something we take lightly in the least bit. But I don't want to be a financial burden, I need to help out and the idea of not being able to work for 6 months sounds like a huge hardship. But I'm still hazy on the entire legal process when it comes to this.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Definitely, to me Marriage goes far beyond being just legally binding so this isn't something we take lightly in the least bit. But I don't want to be a financial burden, I need to help out and the idea of not being able to work for 6 months sounds like a huge hardship. But I'm still hazy on the entire legal process when it comes to this.

You can come to Canada and get married then return to the States and work until you get your PR. There is no guarantee you would get a work visa. I think Americans are getting processed under 8 months maximum now so that is not a long time to be away. Especially when you could make the odd trip to visit in between.

 

[amikety]

PS Marry to get married. It is a legally binding commitment that you should not enter into lightly.

They've been together almost a year. That's not "right away." Nor will applying for PR right away. That's completely normal and CIC expects that....

Jkent1, unless you qualify for NAFTA, I wouldn't hold out much hope to get a work visa. Americans are undesirable for LMOs & closed work permits. Being married to a Canadian gives you NO privilege to work. If you hold a bachelor's or better (and given your age, it's not likely - although possible!) you could look into NAFTA. I've been in Canada 21 months now and been unable to find a job the entire time, despite having great experience working for a company with branches in both Canada and the USA. The Canadian offices won't even hire me.

You're thinking about "Inland" sponsorship. Take note - you can apply Outland while in Canada as well (typically much faster). It will also allow you to cross the border without worry about the application being abandoned. If your gf/wife lives near the border, you could work in the states and stay with her on your days off.

Take a look at the local Kijiji for an idea of the work permit market. Go to www.kijiji.com and enter your local city (if you haven't used Kijiji yet - it's pretty straightforward). Go into "JOBS" and type "LMO" as your search word. Chances are, you will see tons of people begging for a LMO job and very few, if any, hiring with a LMO.

The only real expections are NAFTA (removes need for LMO, still need a work permit with a job offer), if you know someone that runs a business and will hire you (but they still must follow HRSDC's guidelines to get the LMO and HRSDC just made it harder and less attractive for employers), or you are skilled in an in-demand profession that regularly hires TFW - such as live-in nanny OR in Alberta, some construction trades, like pipefitter or welder (you must have experience, apprenticeships, and/or licensure in Canada to qualify).

Unfortunately, there is no easy button here. Good luck!

 

[costaudjoe]

If you apply inland (this presumes you are common-law or married which you are neither at this point in time), it takes six months to get a temp. work visa. You could apply outland but I am sensing you are trying to be able to legally work in Calgary as soon as possible.

You can apply for a work visa on your own merit, it boils down to a point system based on your education, work experience, etc. You could see if there is some avenue that NAFTA allows you to exploit. It all depends what you bring to the table.

 

[amikety]

If you apply inland (this presumes you are common-law or married which you are neither at this point in time), it takes six months to get a temp. work visa. You could apply outland but I am sensing you are trying to be able to legally work in Calgary as soon as possible.

You can apply for a work visa on your own merit, it boils down to a point system based on your education, work experience, etc. You could see if there is some avenue that NAFTA allows you to exploit. It all depends what you bring to the table.

There is no points system in this case.

 

[costaudjoe]

They've been together almost a year. That's not "right away." Nor will applying for PR right away. That's completely normal and CIC expects that....

...If your gf/wife lives near the border, you could work in the states and stay with her on your days off.

They haven't actually "been" together for one year. In fact, they have known each other for about a year and only "been" together for about a week. I was just saying that applying for PR immediately after their marriage will raise a red flag.

Secondly, she is in Calgary, the nearest bordertown is Kalispell or Great Falls. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

[costaudjoe]

There is no points system in this case.

If he applies on his own for PR there is.

 

[amikety]

They haven't actually "been" together for one year. In fact, they have known each other for about a year and only "been" together for about a week. I was just saying that applying for PR immediately after their marriage will raise a red flag.

Secondly, she is in Calgary, the nearest bordertown is Kalispell or Great Falls. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

That's not what he said actually. I suggest you re-read his post and stop giving wrong advice.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

That's not what he said actually. I suggest you re-read his post and stop giving wrong advice.

Touché....LOL. +1

 

[costaudjoe]

That's not what he said actually. I suggest you re-read his post and stop giving wrong advice.

Fair enough.

I didn't give him any advice. I simply pointed out potential road bumps. Period.

 

[costaudjoe]

You can come to Canada and get married then return to the States and work until you get your PR. There is no guarantee you would get a work visa. I think Americans are getting processed under 8 months maximum now so that is not a long time to be away. Especially when you could make the odd trip to visit in between.

Americans applying outland are 11 months (Seattle), 13 months (New York), 14 months (Detroit), and 16 months (LA).

 

[amikety]

Americans applying outland are 11 months (Seattle), 13 months (New York), 14 months (Detroit), and 16 months (LA).

American applications go to Ottawa (Case Processing Pilot). Detroit is closed. They may be transferred to LA or NY for further processing, but most are done in Ottawa. All applications for Spousal Sponsorship are mailed to the Office in Mississauga, ON for Sponsor Approval.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/information/offices/missions/detroit.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/canada/ottawa.asp