What type of visa allows bringing of family members?

[vivenhs]

I have a prospective employer from Alberta. They are offering work for myself and my wife. They prefer that i fly to Canada with my children. I am now just waiting for the LMO.

I did some research on different visa options, Skilled Worker category is out due to 5 years waiting time. TWP is the only visa route that would allow bringing family members, yet not so is clear to me.

Have anyone been in the same situation? Expert advise, comments are welcome.

 

[Leon]

If it's a skilled job, either you or your wife could be the primary applicant whose work permit is tied to the employer, the other can get an open spousal work permit. If it's a low skilled job, you each would have a low skill work permit tied to the employer. Kids can come too, no problem.

Applying for residency, if it's a skilled job, get the employers help to apply through the provincial nominee program. If it's a low skilled, check if you can apply under the semi skilled class of the provincial nominee program. Certain jobs can qualify.

You will find Alberta PNP at http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/ainp.html

 

[vivenhs]

Many Thanks! Leon,

The work offered is low skilled both for myself and my wife and There is nothing in the jobs list for AINP for this kind of job.

In the AINP program - worker must be working and residing in Alberta for certain period to be considered.

Is an LMO a guarantee that Canadian Embassy in other country will grant our work permit/visa application?

 

[Leon]

The LMO has approved that he can hire a foreign worker for the job. The work permit should be approved unless they have some problem with you, if they think you will overstay your visa or something like that.

If you are low skill, after 2 years, you must leave Canada for 4 months unless you can get a new job as a skilled, your employer can upgrade you to a skilled or you can get a new low skill job that does qualify for the PNP and apply for the PNP in the meantime. However, if you tried to take that last option, you'd have to do it fast because as a low skill in AB, you have to work for the PNP applying employer for 6 months before he can apply and on a low skill permit, you have only 24 months in the country to begin with so you'd have to do it fast so you still have time to get PR before your 24 months are up. If you change from one low skill job to another, you still have only 24 months total. You will not get a new 24 month period just because you changed jobs.

 

[vivenhs]

My previous understanding is that job offers/LMO boosts an applicants chances for migration under the PNP program, the new AINP now requires residency of 6 months. Is it the same in other provinces i.e. BC?

 

[Leon]

The 6 months you have to work under AINP to be able to apply is only for low skill jobs, those who qualify because very few low skill jobs even qualify. It's the same in BC except they have a few more jobs that qualify and it's 9 months there you have to work before applying. No other provinces currently have any low skill jobs under their PNP's.

If you are a skilled temporary worker, you don't have to work 6 months before applying. You can apply as soon as you have a job offer if your employer will help you do it.