LMO approved, questions.

[ERPL]

Hi everyone,

My company applied for an LMO and they just notified me it is approved (it took 3 months). Now I am outside of Canada for vacation, so I am not very sure how to begin the work permit application process.

I have heard 3 options:

1. Apply from outside Canada (but I believe it takes longer?)
2. Apply for the work permit in customs when I re enter Canada in 2 weeks after my vacation.
3. Wait til I am in Canada, and then apply.

What option is the best? Is option number 2 possible? Once I applied for my WP, will the company be notified of the approval, or CIC will tell me and not the company?

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[scylla]

Do you hold a visa exempt passport?

 

[ERPL]

Yes, my passport is from Spain. I applied for a visitor extension 2 months ago and they gave me 1 whole year of tourist permit, so I think I don't have any problem crossing the border, right?

 

[scylla]

The visitor extension is canceled when you leave Canada. However since you have an approved LMO and a visa exempt passport, I don't see why you should have any trouble entering Canada. It will be fastest to otain your work permit at the border as you enter Canada.

 

[ERPL]

Are you sure my tourist permit is cancelled? In the paper it says it is valid for 1 whole year since it was issued. It doesn't say anything about it being cancelled when I leave Canada.

Also, I do not want to activate the work permit in 2 weeks when I get back to Canada. Could I enter just as visitor, explain the situation and then activate the visa 3 weeks later? Thanks!!

 

[scylla]

Yes - your extension is canceled. The extension is only valid as long as you remain in Canada.

Yes - you can enter as a tourist. If you want to activate the work permit you'll have to return to a border (US/Canada land border) to activate it.

 

[ERPL]

Hi Scylla,

Thanks a lot for your replies. I have one more question. I have been reading on the CIC website and I found this http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=417&t=16

It says that if my visitor visa extension is multiple-entry then I would be able to enter and leave Canada several times and it wouldn't be cancelled when I leave Canada. On the bottom it says that since February 2014 officers usually issue Multiple entry visas. How do I know if my visitor visa is multiple entry or not? I am looking at the visa and it doesn't say anything about mutiple or single entry.

Also, the thing is that I am coming back from Spain to Canada in 2 weeks but I would like to NOT ask for the Work Permit at customs yet. I would like to wait 3 more weeks. Could I do this? Would I have to apply online for the work permit once in canada? or would I have to go flag poling whenever I am ready?

thanks a lot!!

 

[scylla]

The multiple vs. single entry applies to individuals who must apply for visitor visas to enter Canada (i.e. they do not hold visa exempt passports). Since you hold a visa exempt passport, you were able to enter Canada without applying for a visitor visa (either single or multiple entry) first.

Visitor extensions are a completely different matter and the single vs. multiple entry bit doesn't apply. Again, your extension is only valid as long as you remain in Canada.

You need to flagpole to trigger the work permit. You can't avoid this step.

 

[ERPL]

Thank you very much again.

I see. But I believe there is also the option of applying to the work permit online when I am in Canada right? I have heard it is better to do it online because sometimes officers don't like it and he can refuse my work permit. Is this correct?

Thanks again and sorry for the questions. It is very confunsing and I really appreciate your help.