curious&confused-strange case

[RedVVR]

hello!
firstly, this forum is an extremely valuable tool -- thank you.

I'm writing on behalf of my boyfriend from Austria whom I met during his first week in Canada 2 weeks short of 1 year ago and have been living with since April.
He came to Canada through Austria's Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP) -clearly states it is not extendable- which expires March 30, 2011.
Even though he has a degree in Business Tourism, G.B.(Austrian boyfriend), was hired by an Arborist Company (seasonal work) shortly after he arrived. They have recently submitted their LMO and are waiting for approval so he can begin the process of applying for a new Work Permit and eventually Permanent Residency as he would love to complete ISA (3yr arborist certification) in Canada with said company.
Because his SWAP is nearly expired he will be leaving Canada to return to Austria March 16 and will return to Canada in April.
What, in this case, would be the most efficient application process for G.B.?
~Temporary Work Permit within Canada -- application before he returns to Austria --
OR -- application outside Canada from Austria --?
OR apply for an extension with an LMO and a job offer letter?
OR any other strategies you may have as suggestions?

Thank you so much for any help you are able to offer,

Sincerely,
RED & G.B.

 

[rjessome]

hello!
firstly, this forum is an extremely valuable tool -- thank you.

I'm writing on behalf of my boyfriend from Austria whom I met during his first week in Canada 2 weeks short of 1 year ago and have been living with since April.
He came to Canada through Austria's Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP) -clearly states it is not extendable- which expires March 30, 2011.
Even though he has a degree in Business Tourism, G.B.(Austrian boyfriend), was hired by an Arborist Company (seasonal work) shortly after he arrived. They have recently submitted their LMO and are waiting for approval so he can begin the process of applying for a new Work Permit and eventually Permanent Residency as he would love to complete ISA (3yr arborist certification) in Canada with said company.
Because his SWAP is nearly expired he will be leaving Canada to return to Austria March 16 and will return to Canada in April.
What, in this case, would be the most efficient application process for G.B.?
~Temporary Work Permit within Canada -- application before he returns to Austria --
OR -- application outside Canada from Austria --?
OR apply for an extension with an LMO and a job offer letter?
OR any other strategies you may have as suggestions?

Thank you so much for any help you are able to offer,

Sincerely,
RED & G.B.

Because he is visa exempt, if the employer receives a positive LMO, he can apply for a Work Permit at the Port of Entry to Canada when he returns from Austria. If the LMO is issued before he leaves to go back to Austria or before his current permit expires, he can go to the Canada/US border and apply for the new WP there.

 

[RedVVR]

Thank you for your reply. If I could trouble you for a few more details?

Since we live in Edmonton, Alberta, a drive to the US/Canada border isn't exactly a do-able day trip.. so,
Would applying for a WP at a Canadian port (arriving from Austria) be more efficient and effective than applying for a WP online before his departure to Austria? --with of course an approved LMO--
If so, what could one expect when applying for a WP at a Canadian Port?

Thanks again for your time,

G.B. & Red

 

[rjessome]

Thank you for your reply. If I could trouble you for a few more details?

Since we live in Edmonton, Alberta, a drive to the US/Canada border isn't exactly a do-able day trip.. so,
Would applying for a WP at a Canadian port (arriving from Austria) be more efficient and effective than applying for a WP online before his departure to Austria? --with of course an approved LMO--
If so, what could one expect when applying for a WP at a Canadian Port?

Thanks again for your time,

G.B. & Red

Hi,

It would much more effective for him to do it at the POE because he'll get the WP right away and he is entering as a worker which he must disclose to the border officer. He must bring his positive LMO as well as a copy of his signed contract to show to the officer at the POE. And he will pay the $150 application fee at the POE. If he applies before he leaves and it's not finished when he returns, then it could cause him issues at the border. Or, if it is finished, he should be travelling with it although the POE will be able to access FOSS notes about it so it shouldn't be much of an issue. But who needs the hassle? Applying at the POE is just easier in my opinion.