How hard is to get work permit in Canada for US citizen? How long is
it going to take and what?s the process?

Background: Person already in Canada and looking for job in field of
study (criminal justice).
Primary Objective: Work and stay in Canada. 
Secondary Objective: If primary objective can be satisfied not only
through work permit what is the other ways (no marriage)?

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Request for Question Clarification by revbrenda1st-ga on 01 Feb 2004 10:01 PST

Hi levron,

Are you looking for a temporary work permit or do you intend to apply
for permanent resident status?

Regards,
revbrenda1st

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Clarification of Question by levron-ga on 01 Feb 2004 12:58 PST

I don't quite know what's the difference in those two. But person
would like to stay in Canada as long as posible. I am getting Landed
Immigrant in next year and after that we are getting marriaed. So
technicaly needs to stay and be able to work untill then.

Hi again,

Thanks for the further clarification. I'm going to suggest that you
check out the Citizenship and Immigration website at:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada 
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

It has large sections with many pages, geared to answering any
questions you might have, along with printable forms, contact
information, and government publications and manuals.

Apparently, there are a few basic (but not simple) steps required to
obtain a temporary work permit -- First you need to be offered a job
in your field. Once you've successfully applied for the position
you're after, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) must "provide
a labour market opinion or 'confirmation' of your job offer."
Following such confirmation you can then go ahead and apply to
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for your permit.

"To qualify for a work permit, you must meet the requirements for
temporary residence as well as the requirements for issuance of a work
permit."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.html

``````````````````````

From this page you can access information about your role in beginning
the whole process:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/worker-1.html

``````````````````````

It is difficult to judge how long the process will take, since first
you need to find an employer. Once you've done that, the employer has
duties to fulfill and time becomes dependent on him/her. You can check
out what's involved for the employer here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employer-1.html

``````````````````````

Now, the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) has to step in to
confirm your job offer. As we know, the wheels of government grind
exceedingly slowly. Here's the address for that page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/hrdc-1.html

``````````````````````

Foreign workers may do some jobs in Canada without a permit. Check to
see if you can work in Canada without a permit:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/exempt-1.html

Also, there is a Skilled Workers category, defined in detail here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/index.html

```````````````````````

Now here's something I found that directly affects how long your
application could take:

"In some cases you will require a medical examination. If a medical
examination is required, you will be informed by an officer who will
send you instructions on how to proceed. A medical examination may add
over three months to the processing of your application."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5487E2.html

``````````````````````

The website provides an excellent guide. Read it through, beginning
with the overview, to get the logical progression of steps to take.
Follow the highlighted text for expanded information about each topic
at hand.

Guide 5487 - Applying For a Work Permit Outside Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5487ETOC.html 

``````````````````````

As for a non-work permit alternative, immigration information is
provided in this guide:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/index.html

and...

CIC Call Centre Services 

"... automated telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. If you have a touch-tone telephone, you can listen to
pre-recorded information about Citizenship and Immigration
programs..."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/contacts/call.html

It is clear that the process can be a daunting task which requires
much patience and perserverence. Please take advantage of this
comprehensive website.

I wish you well,

revbrenda1st


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