Moving to Canada, the basics?

[ST123]

Hello all,

I'm looking to move to Canada some time next year if possible, I have a job offer from Canada with a construction company, full time,permanent job. Manager says he'll help with all of the relevant paper work for a Visa etc.

My question in general is how do I go about it, and will I be accepted into the country if I have a Visa before hand?

I'm 21 years old, British Citizen, no criminal background or any kind of trouble with the law, no history of alcohol or substance abuse etc. I left secondary school before my final exams,however I'm currently doing a further education course which gives me the equivalent of the qualifications I would have gained at school. (Left during my final year due to family circumstances and was unable to arrange my exams for a later date, but was giving the chance to take up this continued education).

I currently have full time employment in the UK and I'm working on a range of qualifications (work related) at the moment. I'm also trained to Supervisor level (if this helps at all with the Visa etc).

So basically, If I've been offered a full time job etc, will I be able to stay in Canada permanently on a Work Visa? Or be able to apply to stay in Canada permanently?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[Leon]

The employer needs to apply for a labour market opinion, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

If he gets it, he can send it to you and you can enter Canada with it and apply for a work permit as you enter and get it instantly. Alternatively you can apply for a work permit while you are still in the UK but you need the LMO first.

It is common to be given a work permit for 2 years, could be one year. Before it expires, the employer can apply for a new LMO and you can apply to extend your work permit. You can stay in Canada on a work permit maximum 4 years unless the employer can prove that you are crucial to his operations but in order to stay permanently, you need to apply for permanent residency.

If the job you are getting is low skilled, you may have a hard time getting permanent residency but it depends on the province if they have a provincial nominee program that allows the employer to sponsor you. Most provinces do not when the worker is low skilled. If the job is skilled, you will be able to apply for your PR in most provinces under the provincial nominee program or after a year of work apply for PR under Canadian experience class.