Employer Needing Advise...

[employerneedinghelp]

We're looking to sponsor an individual to work at our winery as assistant winemaker. He's Australian and has previously worked in the wine industry for 2 years here. Have spent all morning on the government website and can't figure out what our best route is for getting him here.

Hoping for September/October, but not sure if that's going to work with application times. He can be temporary or permanent whichever will be a better option.

Thanks in advance.

 

[scylla]

We're looking to sponsor an individual to work at our winery as assistant winemaker. He's Australian and has previously worked in the wine industry for 2 years here. Have spent all morning on the government website and can't figure out what our best route is for getting him here.

Hoping for September/October, but not sure if that's going to work with application times. He can be temporary or permanent whichever will be a better option.

Thanks in advance.

How old is he?

If he qualifies for an IEC / Working Holiday Visa, that will be the easiest path for coming to Canada to work and your timelines are achievable.

Otherwise you need to first obtain an approved LMIA so that he can then apply for a closed work permit. If you have to go that route, your timelines most likely aren't achievable. You're looking at 4-6 months end to end.

 

[employerneedinghelp]

How old is he?

If he qualifies for an IEC / Working Holiday Visa, that will be the easiest path for coming to Canada to work and your timelines are achievable.

Otherwise you need to first obtain an approved LMIA so that he can then apply for a closed work permit. If you have to go that route, your timelines most likely aren't achievable. You're looking at 4-6 months end to end.

He’s 32, but has previously completed 2 years of IEC. For LMIA, which would be our best route? Temporary foreign in high wage position, temporary agricultural, or skilled foreign worker to support residency?

 

[scylla]

He’s 32, but has previously completed 2 years of IEC. For LMIA, which would be our best route? Temporary foreign in high wage position, temporary agricultural, or skilled foreign worker to support residency?

In that case IEC is out. Your two options are temporary foreign worker in a high wage position or Express Entry (permanent residency).

With the IEC out, I don't see any option that will get him here for September/October.

For the temporary work permit, your first step is to obtain an approved LMIA which you should expect will take around 4-6 months factoring in advertising time. Once the LMIA is approved, he can then obtain a work permit and come to Canada to work. Make sure you review the LMIA requirements in detail to ensure you submit a complete application to avoid delays. Also make doubly sure you meet the advertising requirements - they are very specific and it will be an automatic refusal if you don't meet them.

For Express Entry, you should be expecting processing times of approximately six months before he will be able to work in Canada (although some wait over a year) - and that's assuming he has enough points to be selected. Right now you need to have at least 460 points to be picked out of the pool. He will need to calculate how many points he has. He will also need to complete a number of activities before he can even submit a profile including having his education officially assessed and taking a language test. Also, to get job offer points, you will need to obtain an approved LMIA.

Regardless of the direction you go, you and/or he are going to have to dedicate significant time researching application processes on the IRCC web site. If you don't have the time or don't feel comfortable doing this research yourself, you'll need to look into hiring an immigration lawyer.