Work permit processing in the US

[Yqing237]

I just received an update from the lawyer that most Canadian visa offices around the world are not processing standard work permits / visas at all except for health care workers. Plus VACs in the US are planning to reopen for biometrics collection on June 4th. Is this true? Anyone received any work permit approvals in the US during the pandemic at all?

 

[marrymechrispratt]

This is the info I've received as well...applied March 19 online, still waiting. American, visa- eTA- and LMIA-exempt. IRCC informed me they're only processing "critical" applications, and will return to the rest when things go back to "normal."

Whatever critical and normal means. No idea.

 

[scylla]

This is the info I've received as well...applied March 19 online, still waiting. American, visa- eTA- and LMIA-exempt. IRCC informed me they're only processing "critical" applications, and will return to the rest when things go back to "normal."

Whatever critical and normal means. No idea.

FYI - The list of prioritized / critical occupations is here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/temporary-residence/work-permit.html

• NOC 6331 – Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
• NOC 7511 – Transport truck drivers
• NOC 8252 – Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
• NOC 8431 – General farm workers
• NOC 8432 – Nursery and greenhouse workers
• NOC 8611 – Harvesting labourers
• NOC 9463 – Fish and seafood plant workers
• NOC 9617 – Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing
• NOC 9618 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing
• NOC 9462 – Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

 

[marrymechrispratt]

Interesting. I thought this was only for the “processing of LMIAs.”

 

[Yqing237]

Uh, looks like they are not gonna process any normal application for a few months