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Are employers required to reimburse Bridge-Open-Work Permit fees to employees?

blinktheorem

Newbie
Apr 21, 2017
1
0
Hello everyone,

First post here! My organization has hired a number of TFWs over the years, and I was told by a number of immigration officers during the review of these applications that any Work Permit application fees (if it's linked to an employer-specific LMIA) incurred by the TFW must be reimbursed by the employer. I understand the rationale for this because as the linked employer to their working status in Canada, we would need to absorb this cost as a part of their continued employment with the organization.

However, my question is if this obligation to reimburse costs still apply to work permit fees when a TFW is applying for a bridge-open work permit after submitting their application for PR? My gut tells me that this is not a requirement because BOWPs are not employer-specific, and are related to the obtaining of PR--which is a separate process not linked to employment in Canada.

Has anyone experienced this before? Would love to hear back from other employers on how they've dealt with this.

Thanks!