work permit troubles

[marc26]

so i got a job offer to work in vancouver canada for a few months on a consulting job. the company just told me that it will take them some time to secure the work permit for me. i have to provide them with letters of reference, and other things. i am very suprised that there is so much hassle for an american to go work in canada. he forwarded me the emails from his legal department and it seems the big holdup is that they do not like gicing out work permits to foreigners, would rather keep their jobs for residents. so its not just the thai gorls that have problems, but i gotta tell you, i was suprised

[void]

Originally Posted by marc26

so i got a job offer to work in vancouver canada for a few months on a consulting job. the company just told me that it will take them some time to secure the work permit for me. i have to provide them with letters of reference, and other things. i am very suprised that there is so much hassle for an american to go work in canada. he forwarded me the emails from his legal department and it seems the big holdup is that they do not like gicing out work permits to foreigners, would rather keep their jobs for residents. so its not just the thai gorls that have problems, but i gotta tell you, i was suprised

I wonder if there not be a little of quid pro-quo going on behind the scenes? The North American Free Trade agreement was supposed to solve a lot of the difficulty in temporary Job assignments across the border.

But then 9/11 came along, and one of the consequences was the US stood up and tried to do something to tighten its border security. The impact of this was far reaching, and not every country liked what they saw. Sometimes I think the relations between Canada and the USA, and the ease of professionals working in each other's country, has suffered as a result.

I hope this works out for you.

[Sir Burr]

The Americans have never forgiven the Canadians for burning the White House in 1812. 555555!

[marc26]

i dont think it will be a problem, but i was just suprised that it is even this difficult

[urtheman]

Wecome to the world of the expat.
This is something that is required in the two countries I've worked, Thailand & Hong Kong, they even make you take the most invasive medical tests. In the waitng room in HK the nurse comes to you and says in front of a room full of people "Mr. Falls give me your stool sample" and your hand over this little brown clear plastic cylinder in front of everyone - priceless. You also have to produce documents that by law in the states are not issued like letters of reference, etc. Also the forms you fill out are very descrimintory but you know what, it's worth it.
But in the end it's all good you get to experience a differant life style. Cuz the women are hot!
Canadian women I hear are quite keen & hot. Have fun, eh.

[marc26]

Originally Posted by urtheman

Wecome to the world of the expat.
This is something that is required in the two countries I've worked, Thailand & Hong Kong, they even make you take the most invasive medical tests. In the waitng room in HK the nurse comes to you and says in front of a room full of people "Mr. Falls give me your stool sample" and your hand over this little brown clear plastic cylinder in front of everyone - priceless. You also have to produce documents that by law in the states are not issued like letters of reference, etc. Also the forms you fill out are very descrimintory but you know what, it's worth it.
But in the end it's all good you get to experience a differant life style. Cuz the women are hot!
Canadian women I hear are quite keen & hot. Have fun, eh.

i would assume that it would be a difficult process in asia, but i was just suprised that just going from the us to canada was such a hassle. the funny thing too is that the company im going to work for is a subsidiary of an american company.

[senor123]

Went to South Africa in '69 to surf. Liked the area around Jeffreys Bay/ Port Elizabeth. I went to the Ford factory to see about getting a job. No work permit, no job. Went to the immigration dept to see about getting a work permit. No job, no permit. What the *****. Went back to Ford and told them that my work permit was on the way and they gave me a job. Went back to the immigration dept and told them that I had a job at Ford and could I please have a work permit. No problems, got the permit straight away.
You couldn't do that these days.

Steve

[Tanglegrip]

Originally Posted by marc26

i dont think it will be a problem, but i was just suprised that it is even this difficult

Canada's probably no different than most western countries when it comes to work permits. Our unemployment rate is higher than the U.S. and the government wants to make sure that there are no unemployed "qualified" Canadians that would be able to do the same job.

On the other hand it's probably just the bureaucrats trying to justify their high salaries and pensions.

Enjoy Vancouver, it's one beautiful city!

[ashley]

Hey Marc;

It is not as easy as we would expect it to be when trying to get a work permit in Canada or the US. I am Canadian and the only way I can get a work permit for the states is if I am a professional like a doctor, engineer etc. You basically need to have a masters or a phd to get quick access. Typical universtiy degrees and what not will get you no where. Even then, it takes a while to get the permit. A green card is a whole different story. I have a mate who has been there for 5 years as a senior VP and he still doesnt have his green card. If that situation was turned around in Canada he would have his permanent residency card and be set.
Maybe you didnt know that America was so very difficult to get into. They let in the Mexicans to do manual labor like farming and other low paying jobs. But when it comes to educated people trying to get in. Well, you may as well not even try.
I think the Canadian thing will work out it is a lot easy going the way you are going.
You can check out this website. I has loads of info for immigration and work permits for Canada. www.cic.gc.ca
Click on choose Canada to work. It has all the info you will need.
Good luck and enjoy Vancouver. It is one hell of a place to live. Feels like you are in Hong Kong not Canada. You will love it!

Cheers,

Ashley

[marc26]

Originally Posted by ashley

Hey Marc;

It is not as easy as we would expect it to be when trying to get a work permit in Canada or the US. I am Canadian and the only way I can get a work permit for the states is if I am a professional like a doctor, engineer etc. You basically need to have a masters or a phd to get quick access. Typical universtiy degrees and what not will get you no where. Even then, it takes a while to get the permit. A green card is a whole different story. I have a mate who has been there for 5 years as a senior VP and he still doesnt have his green card. If that situation was turned around in Canada he would have his permanent residency card and be set.
Maybe you didnt know that America was so very difficult to get into. They let in the Mexicans to do manual labor like farming and other low paying jobs. But when it comes to educated people trying to get in. Well, you may as well not even try.
I think the Canadian thing will work out it is a lot easy going the way you are going.
You can check out this website. I has loads of info for immigration and work permits for Canada. www.cic.gc.ca
Click on choose Canada to work. It has all the info you will need.
Good luck and enjoy Vancouver. It is one hell of a place to live. Feels like you are in Hong Kong not Canada. You will love it!

Cheers,

Ashley

thanks ashley,
the company's legal department is taking care of everything for me. i just have to fill out a few forms. but reading the emails forwarded to me from their legal department says exactly about taking jobs from qualified canadians