US Citizen in need of some help. LMIA/Caregiver program

[kfrench]

Hello there and Thanks, in advance, for the help.

So here is my situation. I've been dating my partner for two years, though they live in Alberta and I am from North Carolina. This past year we decided to move in together and we are realizing just how unprepared we were for me searching for a job/how hard it is to get an LMIA currently. I have been applying for jobs left and right and have had so many people want to hire me but their businesses don't do LMIAs or they don't have any plans on applying for any any time soon.

I have a wide set of skills ranging from basic retail/food services to management/supervisor work. I also have been a nanny before and a babysitter for 10+ years. The downside is, education wise, all I have is an Associate Degree from a community college.

I have a few questions:
1) Any suggestions on where to look for a job that will provide an LMIA?
2) If my partner's manager wants to hire me as a caregiver, what are the chances of that being approved?
3) Are my chances any better if the child has medical conditions?
4) Should I be looking for manager jobs? Would those be easier to get an LMIA?
5) If I have a pending LMIA, can I stay in Canada once my visitor visa expires?

Any answers you might have would be so helpful.

Oh! One more question!

Because we are in Lethbridge and are only an hour or so from the border, does anyone know if I could go and work in the US in like Sweet Grass MT and commute back to Lethbridge for the night? Would the border officers allow that?

 

[scylla]

I'll help with two questions:

No - a pending LMIA does not allow you to legally stay in Canada beyond the duration of your visit. You would need to apply to extend your visit

Commuting between Lethbridge and the US will most likely not work. Remember that you are only allowed to visit - not live here. And what you're describing is the behaviour of a resident (not visitor). Sooner or later you should expect CBSA may refuse you entry into Canada for abusing your visitor privileges.

 

[kfrench]

I'll help with two questions:

No - a pending LMIA does not allow you to legally stay in Canada beyond the duration of your visit. You would need to apply to extend your visit

Commuting between Lethbridge and the US will most likely not work. Remember that you are only allowed to visit - not live here. And what you're describing is the behaviour of a resident (not visitor). Sooner or later you should expect CBSA may refuse you entry into Canada for abusing your visitor privileges.

I figured that would be the case about commuting. But something like, me renting a room in MT and coming up the Lethbridge on the weekends/days off for a visit would be fine then, right? since I would be returning to the states after like 2-3 days.

 

[scylla]

I figured that would be the case about commuting. But something like, me renting a room in MT and coming up the Lethbridge on the weekends/days off for a visit would be fine then, right? since I would be returning to the states after like 2-3 days.

It's entirely up to the CBSA officer. If the officer feels you're coming in and out of Canada too frequently, you could be turned away.

I would get a Nexus card if you don't already have one.

 

[kfrench]

It's entirely up to the CBSA officer. If the officer feels you're coming in and out of Canada too frequently, you could be turned away.

I would get a Nexus card if you don't already have one.

Thank you so much for the info. I definitely will check into a Nexus card.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

You should check if you can apply for a work permit LMIA exempt based on NAFTA

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/international/nafta.asp