IEC Visa but not in Canada - Work Permit

[Cai202]

Hi there everyone!

Hoping someone can shed SOME light to this strange situation I find myself in.

I have an IEC Visa but am not currently in Canada. I've researched enough to know that, in order to be able to enter Canada, I would need a valid job offer to qualify on the exemption list. I contacted Canadian Immigration to explain that I was struggling to find work because I'm in the UK and my Visa is about to expire....Naturally I asked what options were open to me at this time of COVID.

They responded with no messages or anything explaining what I could do....they just gave me a work permit. I have no idea whether this is an open work permit, it literally just says 'Work Permit' and a date of the 31/03/2021 to enter Canada. I've been desperately trying to get hold of ANYONE (UK or Canada) to try to get an explanation as to whether I can enter the country to look for work. I literally cannot speak to the Embassy in London (tried and a recorded message says to email a generic email). I have done this and when they replied, I was sent a link to a page on the website that doesn't answer any of my questions?! https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/iec.html

Can anyone help or have any experience regarding this? If I have an IEC Visa and have now been given a work permit, does that allow me to enter the country without the job offer that the website says I need?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Cai

 

[scylla]

Hi there everyone!

Hoping someone can shed SOME light to this strange situation I find myself in.

I have an IEC Visa but am not currently in Canada. I've researched enough to know that, in order to be able to enter Canada, I would need a valid job offer to qualify on the exemption list. I contacted Canadian Immigration to explain that I was struggling to find work because I'm in the UK and my Visa is about to expire....Naturally I asked what options were open to me at this time of COVID.

They responded with no messages or anything explaining what I could do....they just gave me a work permit. I have no idea whether this is an open work permit, it literally just says 'Work Permit' and a date of the 31/03/2021 to enter Canada. I've been desperately trying to get hold of ANYONE (UK or Canada) to try to get an explanation as to whether I can enter the country to look for work. I literally cannot speak to the Embassy in London (tried and a recorded message says to email a generic email). I have done this and when they replied, I was sent a link to a page on the website that doesn't answer any of my questions?! https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/iec.html

Can anyone help or have any experience regarding this? If I have an IEC Visa and have now been given a work permit, does that allow me to enter the country without the job offer that the website says I need?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Cai

You hold a Working Holiday Visa which is an open work permit.

Based on the information in the link, you need a job offer to be able to come to Canada. See the bit that I have bolded and underlined.

If you want to enter Canada to activate your Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction

ArriveCAN
As of November 21, 2020, you must use ArriveCAN before checking in at the airport or crossing the border to submit your

• travel and contact information
• quarantine plan
• COVID-19 symptom self-assessment

Please bring your ArriveCAN receipt (electronic or paper) with you to show the border services officer upon arrival.

As of May 8, 2020, if you’re taking part in the Working Holiday, Young Professional or International Co-op categories you can come to Canada if you have:

• a valid job offer which includes a written note from your employer in Canada that says
  • their business is continuing to operate (whether essential or not)
  • you’ll start work after the 14-day mandatory quarantine
• a POE Letter of Introduction
• proof of adequate health coverage

 

[Naturgrl]

Unfortunately you can’t enter Canada to look for work. You have work authorization so you can apply for Canadian jobs and say you are authorized. If you get a written job offer & offer that states you have job after 14 day quarantine, you can enter Canada.

 

[Cai202]

You hold a Working Holiday Visa which is an open work permit.

Based on the information in the link, you need a job offer to be able to come to Canada. See the bit that I have bolded and underlined.

If you want to enter Canada to activate your Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction

ArriveCAN
As of November 21, 2020, you must use ArriveCAN before checking in at the airport or crossing the border to submit your

• travel and contact information
• quarantine plan
• COVID-19 symptom self-assessment

Please bring your ArriveCAN receipt (electronic or paper) with you to show the border services officer upon arrival.

As of May 8, 2020, if you’re taking part in the Working Holiday, Young Professional or International Co-op categories you can come to Canada if you have:

• a valid job offer which includes a written note from your employer in Canada that says
  • their business is continuing to operate (whether essential or not)
  • you’ll start work after the 14-day mandatory quarantine
• a POE Letter of Introduction
• proof of adequate health coverage

Thanks so much for coming back quickly here guys/gals! If only Immigration was that quick!

I understand what you are saying - under normal circumstances, would Border control have issued me with a work permit upon entry to Canada?

The only reason I ask is, and based on you saying that my IEC Visa is an ‘open work permit’, why would they have sent me a work permit on top of my IEC visa? What is the value of the work permit they have sent me if my IEC is one already?
Just trying to get it clear in my mind

Thanks again for the help all!!

 

[Cai202]

Unfortunately you can’t enter Canada to look for work. You have work authorization so you can apply for Canadian jobs and say you are authorized. If you get a written job offer & offer that states you have job after 14 day quarantine, you can enter Canada.

Thanks for the reply!! Still a bit confused - surely I’m authorised to apply for jobs etc with my IEC Visa no? I’ve been applying for stuff and saying i have a Valid IEC visa because, I assumed, with a job offer I could enter the country?

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks so much for coming back quickly here guys/gals! If only Immigration was that quick!

I understand what you are saying - under normal circumstances, would Border control have issued me with a work permit upon entry to Canada?

The only reason I ask is, and based on you saying that my IEC Visa is an ‘open work permit’, why would they have sent me a work permit on top of my IEC visa? What is the value of the work permit they have sent me if my IEC is one already?
Just trying to get it clear in my mind

Thanks again for the help all!!

Under normal circumstances, you would have entered Canada with your visa/eTa and your POE, and be given your permit at the airport.

 

[Cai202]

Under normal circumstances, you would have entered Canada with your visa/eTa and your POE, and be given your permit at the airport.

Ah!! That was a hunch I had but just couldn’t be sure....FINALLY some clarity! Thanks very much for your help

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks for the reply!! Still a bit confused - surely I’m authorised to apply for jobs etc with my IEC Visa no? I’ve been applying for stuff and saying i have a Valid IEC visa because, I assumed, with a job offer I could enter the country?

You can apply but you will have to be really clear that you have an approved IEC/open work permit. I don’t think these rules will change anytime soon.

 

[scylla]

Thanks so much for coming back quickly here guys/gals! If only Immigration was that quick!

I understand what you are saying - under normal circumstances, would Border control have issued me with a work permit upon entry to Canada?

The only reason I ask is, and based on you saying that my IEC Visa is an ‘open work permit’, why would they have sent me a work permit on top of my IEC visa? What is the value of the work permit they have sent me if my IEC is one already?
Just trying to get it clear in my mind

Thanks again for the help all!!

The visa you have been given is not a work permit. It's a visa that (under normal circumstances) allows you to travel to Canada to get a work permit at the border. The work permit itself is issued at the border.