Applying for Jobs in Canada Prior to Receiving PR

[Tony_Fashion]

I'm currently in the process of applying for Canadian PR through both a Spousal Sponsorship as well as the Express Entry program for Federal Skilled Workers. While my PR applications are pending, I'm looking for input on how to best handle applying for jobs with Canadian companies.

Many applications ask whether or not I am legally allowed to work within Canada. Until my PR applications come through, my understanding is that I would require a Work Permit so the technically correct answer to that question is "no." However, I could also update my Federal Skilled Worker profile if I did receive a valid job offer from a Canadian company, and that might help the status of that application by giving me additional points.

So my question is - how should I be responding to this question on job applications? If I got to an interview setting I could explain that my PR applications are pending, but it's difficult to even get to that point if potential employers are just discarding my application when they see I'm not yet legally allowed to work in the country.

I have had some people tell me to just answer that "yes, I am legally allowed to work in the country" and to worry about it during the interview process, but I also don't want to be deliberately misleading to potential employers.

Any advice based on past experience would be extremely helpful - thanks in advance

 

[scylla]

I'm currently in the process of applying for Canadian PR through both a Spousal Sponsorship as well as the Express Entry program for Federal Skilled Workers. While my PR applications are pending, I'm looking for input on how to best handle applying for jobs with Canadian companies.

Many applications ask whether or not I am legally allowed to work within Canada. Until my PR applications come through, my understanding is that I would require a Work Permit so the technically correct answer to that question is "no." However, I could also update my Federal Skilled Worker profile if I did receive a valid job offer from a Canadian company, and that might help the status of that application by giving me additional points.

So my question is - how should I be responding to this question on job applications? If I got to an interview setting I could explain that my PR applications are pending, but it's difficult to even get to that point if potential employers are just discarding my application when they see I'm not yet legally allowed to work in the country.

I have had some people tell me to just answer that "yes, I am legally allowed to work in the country" and to worry about it during the interview process, but I also don't want to be deliberately misleading to potential employers.

Any advice based on past experience would be extremely helpful - thanks in advance

You're getting bad advice. You have to answer "no" to the question about whether you're entitled to work in Canada. You're not legally allowed to work in Canada at this time.

Would you lie about work experience? What about your education? Would you make up degrees that you don't have? This is no different from an employer's perspective. It's a huge deal to lie about your status in Canada and a great way to get black listed by that company permanently. Think about it from the employer's perspective. The optics are horrible. It basically indicates you can't be trusted.

Be honest in applications. Say you are not entitled to work. If you get into an interview situation, explain that you have two applications in progress and give a rough ETA for when you expect to have PR status.

In terms of the extra points for a job offer under EE, it's not enough to just have a job offer itself. The employer also needs to obtain an approved LMIA which is typically a six month process.

 

[Tony_Fashion]

Thanks for your response! What I was hearing from that other source didn't make much sense to me.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for your response! What I was hearing from that other source didn't make much sense to me.

Your gut was right.