GTS LMIA Work Permit for Software Developer

[Overshoot6189]

Hi everyone!

I currently work remotely as a Software Developer and somehow managed to get my employer to sponsor my visa through GTS LMIA. I have 2.5 YOE and I'm self-taught and don't have any degrees, although I did finish an online coding bootcamp. Is my profile eligible for GTS LMIA? How risky do you think my application will be? If my profile is risky, what would you suggest I do?

 

[Overshoot6189]

Sorry please ignore this thread. I don't live in USA so I moved this post to https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/gts-lmia-work-permit-for-software-developer.824459/. If you're a mod, please delete this.

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone!

I currently work remotely as a Software Developer and somehow managed to get my employer to sponsor my visa through GTS LMIA. I have 2.5 YOE and I'm self-taught and don't have any degrees, although I did finish an online coding bootcamp. Is my profile eligible for GTS LMIA? How risky do you think my application will be? If my profile is risky, what would you suggest I do?

Tough to say. Without any degrees it may be tough to get approval. Will also make getting PR more difficult. Not impossible but more difficult for sure. It will eliminate certain options. How long have you been work in for this specific employer and as a software developer in general?

 

[Overshoot6189]

Tough to say. Without any degrees it may be tough to get approval. Will also make getting PR more difficult. Not impossible but more difficult for sure. It will eliminate certain options. How long have you been work in for this specific employer and as a software developer in general?

2.5 years in general and around 2 years for my current employer. Re the degree: I've been thinking about it last weekend and I decided to speedrun an associate's degree. Found a way to get an accredited one online by stacking college credits on sophia.org.

 

[canuck78]

2.5 years in general and around 2 years for my current employer. Re the degree: I've been thinking about it last weekend and I decided to speedrun an associate's degree. Found a way to get an accredited one online by stacking college credits on sophia.org.

If the degree isn’t recognized there isn’t any point in getting it. Tough to say what the outcome will be. 2.5 years is not a lot of time. This is an unusual circumstance so impossible to say what the outcome will be.

 

[Overshoot6189]

If the degree isn’t recognized there isn’t any point in getting it. Tough to say what the outcome will be. 2.5 years is not a lot of time. This is an unusual circumstance so impossible to say what the outcome will be.

Yeah that's fair. I'm gonna try and see how it works. Worst case scenario, my life won't be affected.

Re degree not being recognized: I'm planning to get https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/online-associates/computer-science/ and it seems to be accredited in USA? I know it wouldn't be accepted for express entry, but I was hoping it'd at least "impress" the visa officer somehow you know. I can worry about working towards later. Especially since there's the Canada Experience Class option.

Otherwise, would showing high savings (stocks/cash) help? Or do they only care about years of experience?

Sorry for all the bother, but thanks for all your help so far.

 

[scylla]

I'm planning to get https://www.uopeople.edu/programs/online-associates/computer-science/ and it seems to be legit?

Diplomas from this school generally aren't recognized in Canada. If you're planning on doing this just for the purposes of the work permit, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Overshoot6189]

Damn ok

 

[Overshoot6189]

Do you know of any specialized tech certificates I can do instead? Would they be impressed by something like an AWS certificate? I'm trying to somehow "impress" the visa officer.

 

[Overshoot6189]

I also have high savings, but I don't know how that'd affect my process haha. Feeling kinda depressed now tbh.

 

[canuck78]

Do you know of any specialized tech certificates I can do instead? Would they be impressed by something like an AWS certificate? I'm trying to somehow "impress" the visa officer.

Unless you plan on spending the time attending school would give up on this goal. More time working as software developer to outweigh your lack of formal education is probably the only way to overcome if the visa officer has issues with the WP.

 

[Overshoot6189]

FTFY

Unless you plan on spending the time attending school, I would give up on this goal. More time working as software developer to outweigh your lack of formal education is probably the only way to overcome if the visa officer has issues with the WP.

Yeah that's fair. I was also hoping that a "high-income" job or having "high savings" could've also helped, but I haven't found anything online to suggest so.

Also, as an aside, would it be okay if I try the WP as it is, see what the officer has to say and then apply again a few years (1-4) down the line if I get a rejection? Will facing a WP rejection now severely impact my chances a few years in the future? Feel free to ignore this question, but wanted understand what y'all think about how previous rejections affect future applications.

Thanks for bearing with me and answering all my questions!

 

[scylla]

FTFY



Yeah that's fair. I was also hoping that a "high-income" job or having "high savings" could've also helped, but I haven't found anything online to suggest so.

Also, as an aside, would it be okay if I try the WP as it is, see what the officer has to say and then apply again a few years (1-4) down the line if I get a rejection? Will facing a WP rejection now severely impact my chances a few years in the future? Feel free to ignore this question, but wanted understand what y'all think about how previous rejections affect future applications.

Thanks for bearing with me and answering all my questions!

You can certainly reapply in a few years if your application this time is not successful.

One other things to note. If you are ultimately interested in become a PR of Canada, the you really want to focus on at least getting a Bachelor degree. Without a Bachelor, it will be very difficult to qualify and be selected.

 

[Overshoot6189]

You can certainly reapply in a few years if your application this time is not successful.

One other things to note. If you are ultimately interested in become a PR of Canada, the you really want to focus on at least getting a Bachelor degree. Without a Bachelor, it will be very difficult to qualify and be selected.

Makes sense. I will try do something if I get my WP application gets rejected.

 

[scylla]

Makes sense. I will try do something if I get my WP application gets rejected.

This applies even if you get the WP approved. Let's say you end up in Canada on the WP and then want to apply for PR, this will be very very difficult without a Bachelor degree from a recognized school. Of course if you don't care about PR, then don't worry about it.