Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

My husband and I think that it would be good to go to Canada for a while, get citizenship, then go to China. I'm American. How difficult and feasible would this be? What are the best TEFL sites for Canadian jobs? Also, what are the best cities to work in? From this forum, it seems like Toronto, Montreal pay poorly.

I have a BA in Liberal Arts, a TEFL dip (intensive course) five years experience and by Feb next year an MA in TEFL.

[spiral78]

Naturegirl, sadly, it's next to impossible for U.S. citizens to get citizenship in Canada, particularly since teaching English is not on the list of professions that would give you enough points to qualify. I am saying this from personal experience. My qualifications are similar to yours (10 years experience + MA) but I'd never be eligible to ive/work in Canada if it werent' for my spouse's job. I was sponsored in as a dependent - my own status would never have made me eligible to work in Canada.

[spiral78]

You might actually have more luck in Canada with your husband's citizenship and qualifications. You should probably try checking the Canadian embassy's criteria for Peruvians immigrating to Canada.

[naturegirl321]

That might be an option, but I don't know about the skilled worker category for him. We took the online test. He has one year experience in database administration, doesn't speak English and doesn't have a uni degree, what are our chances? pretty slim, I think.

[spiral78]

Unfortunately pretty slim regardless of approach, I'm afraid.

[naturegirl321]

Why do they make it so difficult for Americans to live there and get citizenship?

[spiral78]

I dunno.

But I researched this back about 20 years ago and found then that I'd either have to marry a Canadian or have enough money to open a business that would employ at least 30 people. Right.

[naturegirl321]

But, maybe thigns have changed since then?

[ls650]

[naturegirl321]

Right. But if I took the online test for the skilled worker visa and passed, doesn't that mean that there's a good chance that I'll be given the visa?

[spiral78]

naturegirl, I live half of each year in Canada NOW. I know something about the CURRENT requirements. My earlier post was simply to set some historical precedent.

No, it's been quite tough all along.

And, as IS650 points out, it's equally tough in the other direction.
Honestly, it's equivalent to the Western EU. Not kidding.
Sorry for the bad news.

Keep trying - if you're successful in getting into Canada, I'll open a bottle of champagne in your honor, and will honestly celebrate for you. Seriously. But I'm afraid this opportunity to celebrate's quite unlikely to come about.

[naturegirl321]

spiral78, you've made my day. Really, I don't want to go there, no offense to anyone who's there, but I really all this time I've had going back to CHina in my mind and no this gives me more reason to do so.

Now if only I can convince my husband for us to go to China.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[naturegirl321]

Guess it'll be easier to go to China

[Gordon]

Neither of you have skills the Cdn gov't is looking for. Now if you became a nurse OR you husband can convince them his life is in danger, then you'd both be a shoe-in.