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Advise on immigration visa options

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HerculesOlivier
  5/26/2016 05:26 EST

I am currently researching the possibility of moving to Canada.
Im a qualified Machinist and was hoping to apply to apply under the Provisional Nominee Program for British Columbia. But I see a job offer is required.

Does anyone have advise on how I should go about applying for jobs in Canada. I have sent my Resume to quite a few companies who have job vacancies but I wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom?

Another option is to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades option for permanent residency and look for a job when I get there.
Would this be a better option?

Any positive advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

OldPro
  5/29/2016 12:03 EST

Finding a job before you arrive is not easy. The hassle and cost of a company sponsoring you discourages them from doing so unless they really can't find anyone already in Canada to do the job. It's as simple as that.

You can do the online test to see if you qualify for a Skilled Worker visa and Permanent Residency. If you do, then you can look when you arrive OR once you know you have a visa coming, you can apply from where you are now and be able to say you HAVE a visa and will arrive in Canada on X date. That at least eliminates the employer having to think about sponsoring you.

If you are a qualified 'machinist' (whatever that means), then you need to research to see what the equivalent is in Canada and whether your qualifications will be accepted or whether you will need to do some kind of exam for a Canadian qualification etc.

Machinist simply isn't specific enough for anyone to suggest whether there is a shortage of qualified people or not but in general I can tell you that jobs in the skilled engineering/tool making, etc. type areas are short of younger skilled people.

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HerculesOlivier
  5/30/2016 03:36 EST

Thanks for your advise.
Do you think it would make a difference if when applying for a job, I were to specifically advise them that I am not looking for sponsorship? I am able to financially move forward with the move without any financial aid.
I have researched my trade in Canada and the NOC code for my trade is 7231.

OldPro
  6/7/2016 12:43 EST

It's not just about the financial side of sponsorship, it is about the hassle of bureaucracy involved. But even if you say you aren't looking to be sponsored, my response if I was an employer would be something like,

'So what? Can you get residency or not? The only way you can tell me that is if you have applied and been ACCEPTED for Residency. Come back when you have a Visa and ask me if I have a job available then.'

I do think that your trade will give you a good chance of being able to find well paid work. Look at this excellent site for up to date forecasts of work in your field in all areas of Canada. As you will see, some areas look more favourable than others.
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/LMI_report_bynoc.do?&noc=7231&reportOption=out
Since the forecast can only tell you what is expected this year and next, do keep in mind that the waiting time from applying to getting a Visa on the Skilled Worker program is currently 6 months plus.

Here's the thing HerculesOlivier. If what you are looking for is some kind of guarantee you will find work, there is none. It requires a leap of faith based on self-confidence and a calculated risk.

If you only have enough money to buy a plane ticket and stay in a motel for 2 weeks then that is not a very good position to be in obviously.

But you do have a good trade which is a plus and if you have the finances to support yourself for say 6 months, then I would say that is a good calculated risk position to be in. Nothing however is guaranteed and never has been for an immigrant to any country. It's up to you to decide if you are ready to take the risk however well your situation minimizes the risk. I would say you have a good chance of making it work but I am not the one who has to make the move.

Also bear in mind that the biggest reason why those who try moving to another country end up going back home is simply because of what is 'different'. The job is only one aspect of a successful move, the cultural differences are often the problem, not the job prospects.

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