Can I get an open work permit??

[Gibsy]

Hi all,

My partner and I would love to come to Canada (we are both British) for a year or maybe more in 2021. I will be 32 and he will be 29. I am a Nanny and he is a Groundworker but can he can do all sorts. Will we be eligible to come to work if only one/neither of us have yet been offered a job? Will our ages matter?

Thanks so much!

 

[k.h.p.]

2021? It is a bit hard to say what immigration programs will be offered then.

Eligibility will depend on the program you use to come to Canada and the possible existence of spousal or dependent work permits.

 

[scylla]

Hi all,

My partner and I would love to come to Canada (we are both British) for a year or maybe more in 2021. I will be 32 and he will be 29. I am a Nanny and he is a Groundworker but can he can do all sorts. Will we be eligible to come to work if only one/neither of us have yet been offered a job? Will our ages matter?

Thanks so much!

If you are 30 or younger, you can try to secure a working holiday visa through the IEC program. This would give you an open work permit for 2 years and allow you to work in Canada for any employer without getting a job offer first. Note that spaces are limited and the program is always oversubscribed (i.e. more people applying than spaces available). All of the spots for this year are gone. Program will reopen again sometime in early 2020 (or maybe very late 2019).

Otherwise you would both need a job offer to work in Canada. There is a spousal open work permit program whereby the spouse of someone who is working in Canada qualifies for an open work permit. However for that to be possible, the spouse who has a job in Canada must be in an NOC A, B or 0 job (skilled occupation). Nanny and groundworker are not classified as skilled jobs.

 

[zardoz]

Hi all,

My partner and I would love to come to Canada (we are both British) for a year or maybe more in 2021. I will be 32 and he will be 29. I am a Nanny and he is a Groundworker but can he can do all sorts. Will we be eligible to come to work if only one/neither of us have yet been offered a job? Will our ages matter?

Thanks so much!

What are your long term plans? If you are simply looking for a "working holiday" with no plans to immigrate, the IEC/WHV is the best option.
For immigration however, you may need to consider your strategy, especially as your existing employment and ages are not optimal.