Temporary work permit

[Fishpacker]

Can anyone help, I'm very confused after going through the CIC website. We want to go to Canada in January 2011 temporarily for around 12-18 months. We are both British citizens so I understand a visa to enter isn't necessary. Reading through the website, is it correct that we have to enter the country, find jobs and obtain written job offers, and then apply for work permits (which takes 20 days online). Is this the correct way to proceed as it seems to us that we can't apply for work permits without job offers, but you can't get any job offers without a work permit! Secondly, am I correct in thinking that if we do find job offers and get offer letters, we can leave the country (say visit the US for a few weeks) and when we return, will be granted work permits immediately on arrival in Canada. Please help, as we're going round and round in circles! I've tried to find a contact on the CIC website to ask for advice, but can't find this information either.

[JGK]

Originally Posted by Fishpacker

Can anyone help, I'm very confused after going through the CIC website. We want to go to Canada in January 2011 temporarily for around 12-18 months. We are both British citizens so I understand a visa to enter isn't necessary. Reading through the website, is it correct that we have to enter the country, find jobs and obtain written job offers, and then apply for work permits (which takes 20 days online). Is this the correct way to proceed as it seems to us that we can't apply for work permits without job offers, but you can't get any job offers without a work permit! Secondly, am I correct in thinking that if we do find job offers and get offer letters, we can leave the country (say visit the US for a few weeks) and when we return, will be granted work permits immediately on arrival in Canada. Please help, as we're going round and round in circles! I've tried to find a contact on the CIC website to ask for advice, but can't find this information either.

If you enter as a "tourist" the visa is for 6 months, if your staying for that long immigration will want to know where you're staying and whether you have sufficient funds to support yourself for that long. Also you run the risk of entry refusal if they think your job hunting and not on holiday.

You can look for work, but in order for you to get a work permit, your prospective employer must apply to Service Canada for a labour market opinion (LMO) on the job offer made to you.

A positive LMO shows that your employer:

Has advertised the job thoroughly (usually at least 3 recognized locations for at least 14 days).
Cannot hire a Canadian employee with equal or superior experience to you.
Is offering the "market rate" for the job.

These conditions normally apply to skilled worker hires and, as the LMO process can take several months, many employers don't take the chance. They're also refusing a lot more LMO's in the current economic climate. Ideally you should have the +ve LMO before sending in the work permit application which adds another month onto the process. You could try "flagpoling" (leaving Canada, and requesting the work permit being issued on your return) but border post immigration don't have to to do this and could insist you apply "officially" to the designated office

In 2009 I went through this process, I was offered the job at the end of May and finally had the paperwork in place and began work in mid-September.

To do that within the time line of a tourist visa would mean that you would have to find the job within 4 weeks of arrival.

[pauloc37]

Further to Fishpacker's query re Temporary Work Permits,I'd like to add a query if I may...I have been offered a job in Ontario as a Land Surveyor and have my letter of arranged employment in place.My question is regarding proof of funds...do you need this when you have arranged employment on a Temporary Work Permit?I know you don't need it applying for a Permanent Residency Visa but is it similar on a TWP?

[Fishpacker]

Thanks so much for your response. It was extremely helpful and although we had read this in the research we had carried out, it was good to hear it from someone who has been through the process himself. It has certainly helped us to make a decision ... not to bother with Canada! We'll try elsewhere now. Thanks again.

[tissot64]

Another newbie, another question for a similar subject, thanks already for the answers.

I am a German pilot working for a Chinese airline currently operating flights between Europe and Beijing. My base is Frankfurt and there is also an opportunity to be based in Vancouver.
What kind of VISA/permit to stay would I need to move to Canada with my family for a period of minimum 2 years, but probably longer? (My daughter also intends to study in Vancouver)
As I am not looking/applying for a job with a Canadian company, I assume skilled worker programs do not apply.
And, if being allowed to stay in Canada for the duration of my contract e.g., what would be the deal with health care?

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by pauloc37

Further to Fishpacker's query re Temporary Work Permits,I'd like to add a query if I may...I have been offered a job in Ontario as a Land Surveyor and have my letter of arranged employment in place.My question is regarding proof of funds...do you need this when you have arranged employment on a Temporary Work Permit?I know you don't need it applying for a Permanent Residency Visa but is it similar on a TWP?

Actually you have it the wrong way round. You don't need Proof of Funds on a TWP whereas you do on PR status, the premise being that on a TWP you will have support funds from date of arrival.

[pauloc37]

Thanks for that.It's all very confusing.

[pauloc37]

Two more questions re TWP.I will have my wife and two year old daughter named on my application form as coming with me.Is it possible for them to follow me over from Ireland a month later or do they have to be with me when I arrive?
If it wasn't,would it be possible for them to return to Ireland having obtained their permits and come back a month later?
Financial constraints of renting out the house in Ireland are dictating the above you see....

[JimJams]

Originally Posted by Fishpacker

Thanks so much for your response. It was extremely helpful and although we had read this in the research we had carried out, it was good to hear it from someone who has been through the process himself. It has certainly helped us to make a decision ... not to bother with Canada! We'll try elsewhere now. Thanks again.

Huh. You gave up easy. I don't think you're gonna be able to rock up just anywhere and just look for a job. It ain't that easy in this economic climate esp, everyone is going protective over their job markets.

Course you move anywhere in the EU... but may find it difficult to get a job without suitable language skills.

Good luck nonetheless.

[Jennianne]

hi they can follow you over as thats what im doing with my 2 boys i have checked it with canadian consulate in london to double check. They just need a copy of your work permit and your wife would need police check certificate. She will be granted an open workpermit and port of entry. My hubby went to edmonton last month and we arent going til end nov

Originally Posted by pauloc37

Two more questions re TWP.I will have my wife and two year old daughter named on my application form as coming with me.Is it possible for them to follow me over from Ireland a month later or do they have to be with me when I arrive?
If it wasn't,would it be possible for them to return to Ireland having obtained their permits and come back a month later?
Financial constraints of renting out the house in Ireland are dictating the above you see....