sw6lee said:
Hi guys, I'm currently studying chemical engineering in a reputable university in ontario, and I'm a visa student. I would like to eventually get a PR here via CEC and would love to live and work in Toronto. However, I'm worried that it would be much more difficult for me to get employed because I'll be working on a work permit, and I'm a foreigner. Employers tend to hire Canadian citizens and permanent residents first, then consider foreigners. Am I correct? Please advise. I would appreciate serious answers only.
Employers care whether you are authorized for employment, of course. Employers are required to consider Canadian citizens/permanent residents before they can get a labour market opinion (required for a temporary work permit). However, as a student, depending on the number of years you have studied here in Canada, you will likely be eligible for a post-graduation work permit, which would authorize you to work in Canada for up to 3 years.
It can be difficult for any recent grad (foreigner or otherwise) to get that first job; what makes it harder for you is that in order to qualify for CEC, the job must be classified as skilled.
Take advantage of any internship and summer employment opportunities you might have, those are excellent paths to post-graduation employment (if you do a good job).
Also, I don't know what stage you are at in your studies, but you should be aware that if you want to work as a ChemE, you will be better off with at least a master's degree. And in Ontario, the PNP program (Opportunties Ontario) now has a PR stream for student who earn a master's degree...
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPSTUDENTS_MASTERS.html
