Timescales for temporary foreign worker visa

[andrews65]

Hi all,

I'm a Brit living in the UK, married to a Canadian. She's been offered a position in Toronto and we're considering whether to accept end emigrate. If we move, my first assumption had been that I would go either the inland our outland spousal sponsorship route. However I've talked to a potential employer (one of the big 5 banks) in Toronto and they seem hot to speak to me about a job; I work in Information Technology.

So my question is what is involved if my employer is willing to sponsor me for a temporary foreign work visa? What are the requirements, timescales and costs? What do they need to do and what do I need to do? Any advice is welcome, thanks.

 

[scylla]

I'm going to be brutally honest with you - it's probably not going to work out. I work for one of the big five banks, and they are almost always unwilling to go through the process required to hire a foreign worker. My guess is that the person you were speaking to isn't aware of the foreign worker process. Once they check with HR, they'll most likely be told it's a no-go. It will be a different story once you have PR - they will be happy to hire you then. As an added note - make sure you apply outland (do not apply inland).

Here's what the bank would have to do in order to hire you before you have PR:
- Advertise your job for at least a month on three recognized job web sites to prove that no Canadian can apply for the role (advertising on their own corporate job site doesn't count)
- Assuming no Canadian is found for the role, apply for something called an LMIA (approval to hire a foreign worker). This involves quite a bit of paperwork and a $1,000 fee.
- Wait for the LMIA to be processed and approved. This can take over four months.
- If the LMIA is approved, you then qualify for a closed work permit. Once you have the closed work permit, you can start working.
- Note that if it's reasonable to assume that a Canadian could have been found for your role, the LMIA will be refused. It's typically difficult to get approved LMIAs for IT roles since there are plenty of qualified Canadians for these kinds of roles.

So all in all you would be looking at a timeline of anywhere from 2-6 months and a cost of $2,000+ for the employer (once you factor in advertising).

 

[andrews65]

Not what I wanted to hear, but thank you for the honest response.

 

[apache5021]

You can apply for a open work permit in the meantime your PR on the outland route is under process. That way you get a work permit without a job offer since your wife already has a job in Toronto. You can then look for employers in Canada.

 

[scylla]

You can apply for a open work permit in the meantime your PR on the outland route is under process. That way you get a work permit without a job offer since your wife already has a job in Toronto. You can then look for employers in Canada.

No - he can't. This rule only applies to individuals with spouses who are foreign workers in Canada. OP's spouse is a Canadian - the spousal open work permit rule doesn't apply.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

No - he can't. This rule only applies to individuals with spouses who are foreign workers in Canada. OP's spouse is a Canadian - the spousal open work permit rule doesn't apply.

This pilot program could help?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/notices/2015-12-11.asp

 

[scylla]

This pilot program could help?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/notices/2015-12-11.asp

Yes - this was discussed in another thread with the OP. It takes four months for the OWP to be issued under this program and the OP wants to work sooner. Additionally, applying inland is an absolutely horrible choice for Brits. Brits should apply outland.

 

[mulho]

I have not found any thread on this forum regarding Timelines for Temporary Work Permit. This thread is the closest I found, although no posts here contains such information.
Anyway, I will try to start, but if someone else knows of another thread, please let me know.

My timelines:
LMIA application: Feb 16, 2016
LMIA approved: March 31, 2016
Work Permit application filled: April 5, 2016.

As I am using a representative, paid by my future employer, I don't have how to track, so I don't have any further information.
In the meanwhile, I am also applying for EE, I am just waiting for my Medical Exams to be ready next week for my application package to be complete.

Cheers
Murilo

P.S. I know official estimate for Brazilian applicants is of 2 months, but it would be great if we could share the REAL timelines.

 

[negative]

Hey mulho,

I also couldn't find a thread for TWP applications. I applied online in my home country on 19th April. Lets see when they decide. Canada do not request meds from my country. My NOC is 2173 and applied with representative like you.

 

[mulho]

Hey mulho,

I also couldn't find a thread for TWP applications. I applied online in my home country on 19th April. Lets see when they decide. Canada do not request meds from my country. My NOC is 2173 and applied with representative like you.

Hi negative
Last Friday (April 29th) I received my medical exam request. I believe the lawyers have sent them to CIC yesterday or today (May 2nd or 3rd).
Now just waiting for the passport request

Cheers

 

[MarcelleCabral]

I have not found any thread on this forum regarding Timelines for Temporary Work Permit. This thread is the closest I found, although no posts here contains such information.
Anyway, I will try to start, but if someone else knows of another thread, please let me know.

My timelines:
LMIA application: Feb 16, 2016
LMIA approved: March 31, 2016
Work Permit application filled: April 5, 2016.

As I am using a representative, paid by my future employer, I don't have how to track, so I don't have any further information.
In the meanwhile, I am also applying for EE, I am just waiting for my Medical Exams to be ready next week for my application package to be complete.

Cheers
Murilo

P.S. I know official estimate for Brazilian applicants is of 2 months, but it would be great if we could share the REAL timelines.

Hi Murilo

Can you share with us in what industry you're going to be working and where you found this job ?

Thanks !

 

[negative]

Hi negative
Last Friday (April 29th) I received my medical exam request. I believe the lawyers have sent them to CIC yesterday or today (May 2nd or 3rd).
Now just waiting for the passport request

Cheers

Hi great. I will not have medical exams. It is not requested from my home country. I expect to hear from them soon.
I also applied with my wife. She applied for OWP. I hope this doesn't make the process longer.