Canadians or Americans with knowledge,

I have an online friend (the one you met, Sean) who finished nursing school recently. She's not a US citizen, and she didn't have luck with any of the agencies to hook her up with work here, so she was thinking of trying for Canadian citizenship. She went to the Canadian consulate to try to get information on how to accomplish that, but the girl there simply referred her to the website which she'd already read. Can anyone refer her to a resource that might assist her more? Anyone have any tips? I'm sure she would appreciate any ideas you may have. Thanks!

I've never emigrated (immigrated?) but as far as I know you have to live here (legally) for at least six months a year, for five years before you can apply. I think even if you are a citizen you have to live here for six months a year as well.

Or, she could come up with a largish sum of money, and find a guy to "marry." It's not like it doesn't happen every day anyway .

To live there legally, though, what does she need to do? You'd think her nursing degree would make her somewhat desirable, though I'll admit to being completely naive to how this works.

I wish her luck in finding a solution.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice to offer.

Yeah, I really hope something works out for her. She's been a bit down lately because of all of this.

Charles, the website she was referred to, and others with relevant info, such as this one , should give her enough to go on. Basically, she has to live in Canada as a "Permanent Resident"(there's a card which can be issued as evidence of that)for at least three of the preceding four years.

Thanks, John. It doesn't seem too impossible. Fingers crossed.

Hi Charles,

Not sure if this is the one she was referred to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp but it looks like the best starting point.

Charles, have a look on the government's citizen & immigration website, there should be some information there. My advice would be for her to make an appointment with the immigration office so she can talk to them firsthand and take notes on the exact requirements. The trouble I find with these gov't websites is that the information is there, but you(me?) get confused searching and finding the RIGHT information that applies to YOUR situation so I'd rather talk to someone in person. I would look up an immigration office in southern BC(you may have done that already from what you said), and try to meet with a representative. Expect to jump through a lot of hoops, remember, this is gov't.

I think my link, is a general index linked to Wayne's.

The nursing degree will help but won't guarantee her a job in that profession unless the degree comes from an acreddited facility. There are many people up here that have degrees but are not able to secure positions in companies to work in their fields because the degrees are from uncertain sources.

Thanks, guys. I'll pass along your advice!