I’ve been looking at the Canadian Visa website but it’s all a bit confusing. If anybody has moved to Canada for work from UK, what is the process?

If I have a job to offer and the company is sponsoring my application can I get a permanent work visa or do I need a temporary one first? How long does it take generally (I know this will differ per case.)

Also I can’t find how long a temporary work visa lasts.

How old are you and what do you do? It makes a difference.

I believe a temporary work permit lasts for a year and your sponsor has to jump through hoops each time to get it renewed. Before they even offer you a job, they need to go through a process called the LMO (Labor Market Opinion) where they have to prove that you offer skills that are not readily available in Canada.

A mate of mine has been doing this for the last three years and his employer has just let him down and he has to come home now.

It is a real nightmare by all accounts.

I’ve looked into it, and recently applied for a load of jobs out there, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely I’ll be able to do it. Being 37 I need a company to give me a job before I can go.

32 – Electronic engineer.

It’s not a new company it’s actually a transfer with my current employer. There is the option to go to LA instead but that’s not for me.

Lucky you. They don’t need any CAD techs do they?

I believe that you have to have been there for a minimum of 3 years before you can apply for a permanent visa.

call the Canadian embassy/consulate. They will guide you.

I was considering emigrating there last year. I know one thing that might be of use – you’ll get permanent residency quicker if you apply for it from outside the country than if you go out on a temporary visa and then want to convert it. HTH.

mikey74 – what type of work do you do and where are you?

I did exactly the same over 4 years ago, transfer within the company, the work visa only takes about a month to come through after I sent the fee, forms, letter from company, etc away. It is supposed to be easier when its an internal transfer. My company helped here and just sent me a package of stuff to mail off. My initial work visa was for 3 years, renewed that for another 2 and going through the permanent residency thing now, it supposed to take about a year to process.

Zed: I’m an architectural technician in the SE England.

Current employer should be able to make a case for you to move out (t)here as an internal transfer; it should be an easier process than if you turned up without a job offer. As Mikey says, you may need a Labour Market Opinion, but it’s all doable. And the temporary work permit can last for 1, 2 or 3 years – my missus got an internal transfer and her visa was valid for 3 years.

Once here, you can start the process of applying for Permanent Residence if you like – that would, if successful, allow you to stay permanently. It isn’t a short process; I’ve heard something like 7 to 21 months, but it’s a methodical application procedure, so it’s not impossible.

Good luck!

Thanks for the answers. I’ve just got to wait and see now. Got a call on wednesday to discuss it.