Work Visa Processing time?

[vbvmalhotra]

Hello,
I failed to get my h1b in U.S.A this year and it was my last attempt. My employer has offices in Vancouver and Toronto. I contacted some managers there and they say that currently its taking 6-7 months to get Canadian work visa from USA. Is it accurate? As i see a different estimate online from Canadian website where it states only 4 weeks approximately.

 

[Naturgrl]

First your employer has to file for an ICT (Inter-Company transfers) with the Canadian government. Only certain employees are eligible for ICT visas - executives, senior management and those with proprietary knowledge (no one in the Canadian office can do the job). This processing can take months because of Covid. With the ICT LMIA-exempt permit, you then apply for a closed work permit. This will take months too.

 

[vbvmalhotra]

First your employer has to file for an ICT (Inter-Company transfers) with the Canadian government. Only certain employees are eligible for ICT visas - executives, senior management and those with proprietary knowledge (no one in the Canadian office can do the job). This processing can take months because of Covid. With the ICT LMIA-exempt permit, you then apply for a closed work permit. This will take months too.

Is it not possible for my employer to just apply for a normal work visa which isn't ict?

 

[Naturgrl]

Is it not possible for my employer to just apply for a normal work visa which isn't ict?

No. There is no “normal” work visa. If your employer will not do an ICT then the employer needs to put in an application for a LMIA and show no Canadian can do the job. Then with the LMIA, you apply for a closed work permit. Same process.