Urgent: American citizen and possible immigration to Calgary, Alberta

[chicagoman]

Hello,

I am a 22 year old college student entering my senior year. I am set to graduate this May 2012 with a BSc in Accounting. I am considering immigrating to Calgary, AB on the condition I receive a job. My question is: do I qualify under NAFTA,the FWSC, and/or as a skilled worker to enter Calgary, AB? The position I would be in would involve: banking, financial accounting, finance, investment banking, buy and sell side representation, advisory, etc.

I have done research but it does not appear cut and dry. I do not know if I would live in Canada temporarily for 2-5 years. I am fluent in English and have only taken a basic French course (FSWC related.)

 

[chicagoman]

OK. I sense your US patriotism, I myself believe USA is the greatest country in the world. Today is a global marketplace and Canada has a position in a specific industry more specialized then in America that I would love to gain experience in so that I could someday contribute to America in a more proficient, professional manner. No, I would never give up my USA citizenship -- you must be out of your mind.

Does anyone have any idea if I would qualify to work in Calgary, AB as an investment banking analyst for a temporary amount of time (2-4 years?)

 

[scylla]

You have two options to work in Canada:

1) If you qualify under NAFTA (I have no idea if you do), then all you effectively need is a job offer from your employer and you can apply for a work permit at the border.

2) If you do no qualify under NAFTA, your employer needs to provide you with both a job offer and an approved LMO (labour market opinion) before you can obtain a work permit. More info on LMOs:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

 

[scylla]

NAFTA info here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta

 

[chicagoman]

A professional must:

be qualified to work in one of the more than 60 professions listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 of Chapter 16 of NAFTA (for example, accountant, computer systems analyst, engineer, management consultant and technical publications writer) and

have pre-arranged employment with a Canadian enterprise in an occupation that matches the qualification.


Does this mean I MUST solely work as an accountant, or just be qualified? Surely, If I was an investment banking analyst, with an accounting degreem who focuses on finance but does occasional financial statement auditing that would seem to qualify. So if I am QUALIFIED to work in Canada as an accountant but choose IB analyst and have a job offer all I have to do is go to the border with the offer and I can work in Canada for several years, gain experience, and keep my US citizenship?

 

[AAL1984]

Chicago dude relax, from what you say you are qualified. Im also
an ex big 4 accountant in Calgary , working as controller for
a private firm now. Its pretty easy for people like engineers accountants
etc.. to work on either side of the border. You just take your offer and proof of
degree to port of entry.


Also dont listen to Marcus, hes a sore looser. Im not getting into a Us/Canada
debate love em both and can live in either (Im Canadian wife an American), however lots of US expats
can be found in Calgary, tons, and lots of dual citizens here. My own boss is an American.

Good luck to you.

 

[chicagoman]

I do not want to give up my US Citizenship -- ever. However, I would jump at this opportunity to gain massive professional experience in Calgary. It would be idiotic not to. So you believe I am qualified? I have done research but get nothing cut and dry.

Please don't turn this into a US vs Canada hate thread. In a 100 years we'll probably be all one country. I am never giving up my citizenship in the USA. But, this would be an awesome opportunity, and as someone who has never really left his city much -- I would be a fool to not at least research if it is possible.

 

[AAL1984]

I do not want to give up my US Citizenship -- ever. However, I would jump at this opportunity to gain massive professional experience in Calgary. It would be idiotic not to. So you believe I am qualified? I have done research but get nothing cut and dry.

Please don't turn this into a US vs Canada hate thread. In a 100 years we'll probably be all one country. I am never giving up my citizenship in the USA. But, this would be an awesome opportunity, and as someone who has never really left his city much -- I would be a fool to not at least research if it is possible.

You will NEVER EVER be asked to give up US citizenship, dont know why you think that. Even if you become
a Canadian citizen you can keep both, it does not matter.
My wife is American and will be getting Canadian citizenship in a few years.

Yes you qualify, as long as you have a degree and job
offer, its pretty easy under Nafta. You just bring degree and letter
to the port of entry. Yes no reason to turn into US/ Canada debate.

 

[AAL1984]

Also all accountants (or many) will do more finance related stuff, rather than strictly accounting stuff like doing audits etc.. its all similar and they know that, its ok. What they mean when they say "matches" the position is that I cant have a degree in Accounting and then try to work under Nafta as a
cashier, it doesn't match. What your saying sounds like finance/accounting stuff, all
similar and a degree in accouting does match that kinda work.

Good luck.

 

[Cappuccino]

@chicagoman

Well if you can secure a job offer and they can secure an LMO (labour market opinion) then you can apply for a temporary work permit, and once you are working in Canada under a work permit you will be able to apply under FSW (Federal Skilled Work) Category 2, for which they are currently still accepting applications, as long as the job is in skill types 0, A or B - which banking and finance etc will be.

An alternative, still within FSW Category 2, is to obtain an AOE (Arranged Employment Offer) - this is kind of like an LMO, it still has to be approved by the government, accept that you would not begin working in Canada until after the residency application has been approved/finalised. This option is less popular and less common, since most employers will not want to wait 1+ years for the application to go through before you start work.

Yet another option to look at is provincial nonimation (PNP) - where you get a job offer and then get province to process your residency application if they believe the skills are needed in the province. The advantage with this is that it negates the requirement for an LMO.


For FSW you will need to meet the points matrix. The current matrix can be found at the CIC website. Please note that this is changing over the course of the next few months, with more emphasis being on younger applicants, and more points for primary language, less points for work experience.

You may find you score more highly under the new system, or not as highly.


@marcus66052

I am not sure if you're joking or not, so I'll assume you're not.

Since both Canada and the US recognise dual citizenship, the OP has no need to renounce his citizenship, so why unnecessarily limit his options for the future? And even if he wanted to, he would not be able to transfer his US citizenship to another person, he could only renounced his own.

Citizenship isn't Ebay, m8. You can't make shady deals to "sell" your citizenship!

Just because Canada isn't for you, what value is there in rubbing your negative views about it on other people who want to try it?

 

[AAL1984]

^No if the op qualifies under nafta, (I think he does) then as an American
he can skip all that LMO crap just needs a jo offer. Thats it.

 

[chicagoman]

^No if the op qualifies under nafta, (I think he does) then as an American
he can skip all that LMO crap just needs a jo offer. Thats it.

Yes, this is what I am hoping. That I can do without the LMO and go in under NAFTA as an accountant working in investment banking as an analyst. If not, how long does the LMO process take?