So, my friend has this couple from Brazil who were in Toronto. The guy got a job offer at a famous restaurant, and the restaurant owner applied for an LMIA for him. At first, I was super happy for him, but now I'm a bit worried. Let me break it down:
I suggested they try going to the border for the work permit, so he could be legally working and apply for OHIP, but the lawyer said he couldn't and must wait for it at his address.
Another concern is that there are names on the weekly work schedule who never show up, and my friend wonders if they're real employees.
The lawyer asked for the remaining $5,000, gave him the owner's email to pay directly, and claimed it was part of her fee – $10,000 for the LMIA.
I'm worried this might be fraud, especially because both the owner and the paralegal are from the same country where many students got caught for visa fraud.
They are good and honest people, any advice for this young family?
- The restaurant owner said she'd apply for the LMIA but insisted he needed a lawyer.
- The owner told him he had to pay for the lawyer and all the immigration fees.
- Even though the owner said he had to wait for his work permit (WP), she suggested he could start working immediately without it because she urgently needed help.
- The owner pays him $15 per hour, which is less than Ontario's minimum wage.
I suggested they try going to the border for the work permit, so he could be legally working and apply for OHIP, but the lawyer said he couldn't and must wait for it at his address.
Another concern is that there are names on the weekly work schedule who never show up, and my friend wonders if they're real employees.
The lawyer asked for the remaining $5,000, gave him the owner's email to pay directly, and claimed it was part of her fee – $10,000 for the LMIA.
I'm worried this might be fraud, especially because both the owner and the paralegal are from the same country where many students got caught for visa fraud.
They are good and honest people, any advice for this young family?