Already in Express Entry, if I get job offer with LMIA, can I go to Canada?

[ilikesushi]

Hi there,

If my husband gets a job offer with an LMIA and can then claim the 600 points for it in EE, it still might take several months or a year to get invited to apply, and to get the PR.

However, if he got the LMIA, could we then apply for a temporary work permit (even while already in Express Entry) so that he could start more quickly? How would that work? That wouldn't make him ineligible for Permanent Residence, right?

Thank you!

 

[jes_ON]

If my husband gets a job offer with an LMIA and can then claim the 600 points for it in EE, it still might take several months or a year to get invited to apply, and to get the PR.

An LMIA with a permanent job offer virtually guarantees a quick invitation to apply (assuming he qualifies under one of the programs). It would be a relatively fast processing, but still count on at least 6 months.

However, if he got the LMIA, could we then apply for a temporary work permit (even while already in Express Entry) so that he could start more quickly? How would that work? That wouldn't make him ineligible for Permanent Residence, right?

No, that would not make him ineligible, not at all, it would be a good thing. Processing times for work permits vary, though, depending on where you live -
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp

Note that the employer applies for the LMIA, and there are 2 different kinds of LMIA

1) LMIA to support permanent resident application ONLY - Free (cannot be used for a work permit)
2) LMIA to support work permit application AND permanent resident application - $1,000

The process is pretty much the same, the only difference is that the employer must pay to get the LMIA in support of a temporary foreign worker.

 

[ilikesushi]

Wow, it's free for the employer since we'd be using it for PR (we want to become Canadian citizens eventually)? That's great news. We currently have 419 points now, soon to be 427 assuming my ECA (as a spouse) goes through.

Would it be possible for him to work remotely from our home country in the meantime until we actually obtain permanent residence? I ask because we don't want to chance the employer losing interest in us if they'd have to wait several months for us to be legally able to work in Canada.

Thanks again!

 

[scylla]

Would it be possible for him to work remotely from our home country in the meantime until we actually obtain permanent residence?

That's up to your employer.

 

[ilikesushi]

That's up to your employer.

Ok, but it's not illegal or anything, right?

 

[scylla]

Ok, but it's not illegal or anything, right?

Not illegal from Canada's perspective - you're not working in Canada.