Job opportunity but no LMO?

[anarchy01]

Hey all, so I have been offered a job with a company in Canada the problem is they want me to apply for the working visa as they said that with new changes in the process for businesses to apply on behalf of foreign workers, it’s become a very time consuming and difficult process, especially with IT industry related positions.

So although I have employment to go to I guess I really don't in the eyes of immigration since I don't have an LMO. Not sure what steps to take next im stressed with this because I have applied for so many positions in Canada and after so so long I get a job opportunity but yet still more hurdles.

If anyone can help me out on what route to take or even if its possible to take this employment?

Cheers
Rob

 

[scylla]

You need an approved LMO - there's no getting around that.

Also, your employer needs to be the one to obtain the approved LMO. This isn't something you can do independently. You can read more about LMOs here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

I suspect your employer isn't interested in going through the LMO process because they know the LMO will be refused. To be approved for an LMO, the employer must advertise the job and prove they were unable to hire a Canadian for the job. This is pretty difficult to prove for professions such as IT where there are many Canadians with the required qualifications.

If the employer isn't willing to go through the LMO process then it sounds like you're unfortunately out of luck for this role. You can't get the work permit without the LMO.

 

[anarchy01]

Thanks for the reply, argh im screwed then, I don't get how people keep telling me to get a valid work visa but how if the only way is with a LMO

 

[scylla]

There are a few very limited ways you can obtain a work permit without an LMO. But typically isn't not possible.

I had assumed you were a seasoned professional. If by any chance you're young - then you might qualify for a working holiday visa (provided you're from the right country). How old are you? Where are you from (citizenship)? Where are you living now?

 

[gosia]

Whats LMO?

 

[amikety]

Thanks for the reply, argh im screwed then, I don't get how people keep telling me to get a valid work visa but how if the only way is with a LMO

Many people, including many hiring managers, are ignorant of the LMO process. If they don't have experience with hiring a foreign national, they may be unaware of a LMO, what it is, and how it works.

LMO = Labour Market Opinion; it is permission from the government (HRSDC) to hire a foreign national instead of Canadian citizen or PR for a job.

 

[anarchy01]

There are a few very limited ways you can obtain a work permit without an LMO. But typically isn't not possible.

I had assumed you were a seasoned professional. If by any chance you're young - then you might qualify for a working holiday visa (provided you're from the right country). How old are you? Where are you from (citizenship)? Where are you living now?

I am 30 from the UK but currently in Singapore where I have been working. I checked out the working holiday visa as the company that offered me a job recommended this also but its closed for UK residents until 2014

Also the company mentioned that they were told there was a freeze on LMO applications for IT but not sure how accurate this is, I sent an email to the local Canada office here in Singapore to see if they know about any freeze.

 

[scylla]

Yeah - you're out of luck for the working holiday visa program. They've reached the cap for this year.

It's not so much that there's a freeze on IT LMOs - as they simply aren't being approved. So for many companies it's really not worth all of the effort to apply and wait several months just to receive a refusal. Right now it's very difficult to make the case that a Canadian couldn't be hired for an IT position. And proving that a Canadian couln't be hired is required to recieve approval.

 

[anarchy01]

Its crazy I mean I fully understand that they should hire locals first if available but this company cannot find anyone for this offer its been open a while yet they know the LMO would fail. Since I am in IT it seems Canada is of the cards then

 

[scylla]

People have done it. So it is possible - just very difficult.

The first challenge is finding an employer who is actually willing to go through the LMO process. If your employer isn't, then find another.

 

[amikety]

Its crazy I mean I fully understand that they should hire locals first if available but this company cannot find anyone for this offer its been open a while yet they know the LMO would fail. Since I am in IT it seems Canada is of the cards then

If you're really dedicated, try looking in cities like Whitehorse and Yellowknife. The closer you are to the Arctic Circle, the less people want to go. It's easier to get a LMO the further North you head. You'll have winter all year long in some places.... but the PNP for the Yukon and NWT is very favorable. Not saying it's a shoe-in, but it's worth considering, at the least.

 

[fkl]

Yeah - you're out of luck for the working holiday visa program. They've reached the cap for this year.

It's not so much that there's a freeze on IT LMOs - as they simply aren't being approved. So for many companies it's really not worth all of the effort to apply and wait several months just to receive a refusal. Right now it's very difficult to make the case that a Canadian couldn't be hired for an IT position. And proving that a Canadian couln't be hired is required to recieve approval.

Just adding some info for showing the silver lining!

I am precisely from the IT industry albeit experienced with 7+ years. There are still many HIGHLY SKILLED (specialized) jobs for which employers cannot find canadians. I currently have applied for a visa and had an LMO that my employer got for me.

A little earlier than my process started, i know of at least two of my friends both in the same profession, one was going for the same employer as mine, where as the other went to a different employer. Both of them got visas in 2 months precisely. This was around Dec 2012 - Jan 2013 time frame.

Edit: Just so that i would like to emphasize, the employer was not looking for a GENERAL IT SKILLED resources, which could be easily found in Canada. It was and is a very specialized domain for which they were looking for resources with PRIOR experience in the very domain.

 

[JGK]

Its crazy I mean I fully understand that they should hire locals first if available but this company cannot find anyone for this offer its been open a while yet they know the LMO would fail. Since I am in IT it seems Canada is of the cards then

If the company cannot hire anyone and have advertised the job to HRSDCs satisfaction then they have filled the first two requirements for obtaining an LMO. Then they just have to prove that they are not paying below the job rate for the position to satisfy the third.

I suspect they just don't want the hassle.

 

[anarchy01]

Thanks for the replies, it does seem the company doesn't want the hassle but they believe already it will be failed hence asking me to do the work which I don't mind as I want to go but even if I do the work I still need to show proof of employment with the LMO. But as of right now with the horrible floods in Calgary not much is happening right now of course, I hope all Calgarians are safe and the floods subside soon.

Whitehorse and Yellowknife I will check into these places for IT prospects.

Rob